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- 611 enrollments
- 78 graduation ceremonies
- 10,317,600 minutes on call
- 75 Aventuras (not including surf weekends, SCUBA certs, the pre-graduation summits of Mt. Chirripo, and many international trips to Belize, Panama, Peru, Cuba, Nicaragua and South Africa).
To say we’re honored and humbled by 20 years of so many families and professionals trusting us is an understatement.
I remember January 2005 like it was yesterday. A group of professional 20-somethings were entrusted with 11 young men eager to graduate high school and get started with their futures.
We all worked together to convert a farmhouse into staff offices and classrooms, to brighten cabin bedrooms with a fresh coat of paint, to build study desks, to write the handbook with Mario and Danny, and to design our activity curriculum with Andy. They played soccer, learned Spanish at homestay and cooked rice and beans with Roy. They hooked up their laptops to our frustratingly slow internet and read Shakespeare in English class with Heather and learned math formulas with James.
They loved the agency and ownership they shared in creating what New Summit Academy continues to be today - a relationship-focused, empowering, co-created supportive immersion experience in beautiful Costa Rica.
We honestly didn’t know if we’d continue beyond that first group of 11 who needed a semester to graduate high school. But thanks to countless people who believed in Costa Rica’s ability to heal and inspire growth and our ability to create powerful supportive immersion experiences, here we are - 20 years later.
We all worked together to convert a farmhouse into staff offices and classrooms, to brighten cabin bedrooms with a fresh coat of paint, to build study desks, to write the handbook with Mario and Danny, and to design our activity curriculum with Andy. They played soccer, learned Spanish at homestay and cooked rice and beans with Roy. They hooked up their laptops to our frustratingly slow internet and read Shakespeare in English class with Heather and learned math formulas with James.
They loved the agency and ownership they shared in creating what New Summit Academy continues to be today - a relationship-focused, empowering, co-created supportive immersion experience in beautiful Costa Rica.
We honestly didn’t know if we’d continue beyond that first group of 11 who needed a semester to graduate high school. But thanks to countless people who believed in Costa Rica’s ability to heal and inspire growth and our ability to create powerful supportive immersion experiences, here we are - 20 years later.
We just want to say THANKS.
And - calling all alumni for reunions March 2 and August 9 this year. Let’s get together and share, reconnect, create new support networks and opportunities for mentoring.
Let's do this!
Email us at admissions@newsummitacademy.com or connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram to let us know if you can come to Costa Rica to attend!
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When a student begins to struggle with anxiety, school avoidance, or emotional overwhelm, many families start exploring boarding school options. But not all boarding schools are created equal, and understanding the difference between traditional and therapeutic boarding schools is key to finding the right fit for your child.
At New Summit Academy Costa Rica, we often help families navigate this decision. Here’s a clear breakdown of how traditional and therapeutic boarding schools differ, and where a supportive, integrated model like ours fits in.
At New Summit Academy Costa Rica, we often help families navigate this decision. Here’s a clear breakdown of how traditional and therapeutic boarding schools differ, and where a supportive, integrated model like ours fits in.
1. Academic Focus vs. Whole-Student Focus
At New Summit Academy, we believe students thrive when academic development and emotional wellness go hand-in-hand.
2. Reactive Discipline vs. Supportive Structure
New Summit Academy’s approach is rooted in relationship-based mentoring, not punishment.
- Traditional Boarding Schools typically emphasize academics, athletics, and college preparation. While many offer rigorous education, they may not have the resources to support students facing emotional or mental health challenges.
- Therapeutic Boarding Schools are designed to support students who need more than academics. Therapy, emotional regulation, and personal growth are woven into daily life.
At New Summit Academy, we believe students thrive when academic development and emotional wellness go hand-in-hand.
2. Reactive Discipline vs. Supportive Structure
- In traditional schools, behavioral concerns are often met with discipline or consequences.
- Therapeutic schools provide proactive support, helping students understand the why behind their behaviors, and guiding them to healthier coping strategies.
New Summit Academy’s approach is rooted in relationship-based mentoring, not punishment.
3. Scheduled Therapy vs. Integrated Growth
At New Summit Academy, licensed therapists, advisors, and teachers collaborate to provide real-time coaching and feedback throughout the day.
4. Academic Rigor vs. Academic Reconnection
New Summit Academy helps students rebuild executive functioning, self-advocacy, and academic confidence, so they don’t just get by, they are preparing to excel.
- In traditional schools, therapy (if offered at all) may be optional or outsourced.
- In therapeutic schools, personal growth is built into the fabric of daily life from morning classes to afternoon adventures.
At New Summit Academy, licensed therapists, advisors, and teachers collaborate to provide real-time coaching and feedback throughout the day.
4. Academic Rigor vs. Academic Reconnection
- Traditional boarding schools often assume a student is ready to perform at their best.
- Therapeutic boarding schools understand that emotional challenges impact learning.
New Summit Academy helps students rebuild executive functioning, self-advocacy, and academic confidence, so they don’t just get by, they are preparing to excel.
5. One-Size-Fits-All vs. Individualized Growth Plans
So Where Does New Summit Academy Fit?
New Summit Academy is more than a traditional school, and yet is not a clinical treatment center. We offer a supportive, immersive study abroad experience for boys who need to press pause, reset, and gain the tools to thrive - emotionally, socially, and academically.
It’s not about fixing students. It’s about helping them rediscover who they are, build skills for life, and return to school with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.
- Most traditional schools offer structured programs for the average student.
- New Summit Academy creates personalized goals and growth plans for each student that address not just academic performance, but emotional health, relationships, identity development, and purpose.
So Where Does New Summit Academy Fit?
New Summit Academy is more than a traditional school, and yet is not a clinical treatment center. We offer a supportive, immersive study abroad experience for boys who need to press pause, reset, and gain the tools to thrive - emotionally, socially, and academically.
It’s not about fixing students. It’s about helping them rediscover who they are, build skills for life, and return to school with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.
Considering the next step for your son? Learn how New Summit Academy blends therapeutic support with college-prep education in the healing environment of Costa Rica.
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Each year, many New Summit Academy students complete their supportive study abroad experience in Costa Rica and choose to enroll in a more traditional boarding school in the United States to finish high school.
When we check in with our graduates, their families and their new schools, we hear the same thing:
When we check in with our graduates, their families and their new schools, we hear the same thing:
“They are thriving!”
Recently, a boarding school in New Hampshire told us that one New Summit Academy graduate is serving on their prestigious Restorative Justice Council, a position he was elected to due to the maturity and emotional intelligence he has exhibited since joining their community.
Another recent graduate is leading new and prospective student tours at his boarding school in Tennessee because of his ability to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
After graduating high school at New Summit Academy, another young alumnus decided to complete a post-graduate year at a boarding school in Connecticut, where he was able to join the varsity soccer team and graduate his PG year with high honors.
Another recent graduate is leading new and prospective student tours at his boarding school in Tennessee because of his ability to connect with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
After graduating high school at New Summit Academy, another young alumnus decided to complete a post-graduate year at a boarding school in Connecticut, where he was able to join the varsity soccer team and graduate his PG year with high honors.
Why do our alumni who continue their education at a boarding school tend to thrive?
Consider these words from a 2023 graduate, who is now applying to an incredible list of colleges from his rigorous boarding school:
Consider these words from a 2023 graduate, who is now applying to an incredible list of colleges from his rigorous boarding school:
“New Summit Academy prepared me socially; I learned how to authentically connect with people and be myself. It built self confidence in me where I didn't need as much external validation to function. It taught me executive functioning and the importance of having a routine which let me handle my academics better and get a 95 average last year. It taught me tools to cope with my anxiety which let me stay grounded so I don't act out or seek reassurance anymore to cope with that.”
This really says it all. Students at New Summit work closely with our faculty, advisors, and their peers to develop a holistic set of skills that allows them to succeed in the classroom and, more importantly, in life beyond academics.
Students solidify executive functioning skills at New Summit Academy by engaging with their teachers in collaborative, student-driven classes that develop critical thinking abilities that transcend those needed for traditional academics.
Students set goals for and apply these skills - which include planning and time management, task initiation, and flexibility and problem-solving - as they learn to contribute to the campus community, navigate their roles serving on Student Council, work with their teams to personalize a balanced weekly schedule, immerse in a new culture and language, and rebuild their family relationships.
The traditional academic skills developed at New Summit Academy are crucial for next-step educational success, including at rigorous boarding schools and through college and beyond.
However, the combination of academic hard skills with the social-emotional growth, healthy coping skill development, relationship building, and ownership of process truly develops students ready to take on any challenge after they leave our supportive boarding school.
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Do you want to learn the essentials about New Summit Academy Costa Rica? We've got you covered!
Ready to learn more? Email us: admissions@newsummitacademy.com
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We can all picture that student. You know the one.
The student who flourishes in his creative pursuits, but who is just getting by academically and socially with the amount of support available at his school.
The student who is brilliant, but whose anxiety is so high that he misses class, gets stuck trying to write that first paragraph, and can't seem to turn in his homework.
The student who is a natural leader with a good heart, but who always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
We can all picture that student, and we can all agree on one thing: we don’t want this student to simply survive until the end of the term (or worse, be asked to withdraw).
We see his potential, and we want him to thrive. So how do we get him there?
The student who flourishes in his creative pursuits, but who is just getting by academically and socially with the amount of support available at his school.
The student who is brilliant, but whose anxiety is so high that he misses class, gets stuck trying to write that first paragraph, and can't seem to turn in his homework.
The student who is a natural leader with a good heart, but who always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
We can all picture that student, and we can all agree on one thing: we don’t want this student to simply survive until the end of the term (or worse, be asked to withdraw).
We see his potential, and we want him to thrive. So how do we get him there?
Taking A Time Out
As professionals, we often need to step away from our institutions - to travel, attend conferences, or join leadership retreats - in order to find inspiration and bring back new skills and ideas. This reset can be particularly helpful when we are feeling overwhelmed by a challenge or stuck professionally.
Adolescents can share similar benefits from an intentional reset, and they can move from surviving to thriving before a crisis ensues.
A supportive study abroad experience is one proven way teens can shake things up, reaping the rewards of a gap semester and a therapeutic intervention to build the mental fitness needed to return to their schools and find academic and social-emotional success.
Adolescents can share similar benefits from an intentional reset, and they can move from surviving to thriving before a crisis ensues.
A supportive study abroad experience is one proven way teens can shake things up, reaping the rewards of a gap semester and a therapeutic intervention to build the mental fitness needed to return to their schools and find academic and social-emotional success.
Collaborative Empowerment
At New Summit Academy Costa Rica, we know the power of collaboration.
An adolescent gains so much more when the support systems in his life integrate to work together rather than seek out isolated, short-term “fixes” to the teen’s struggles.
That’s why we join forces with schools, consultants, therapists, coaches, and families to ensure the supportive study abroad terms we offer guide each student in their unique path to a thriving future.
An adolescent gains so much more when the support systems in his life integrate to work together rather than seek out isolated, short-term “fixes” to the teen’s struggles.
That’s why we join forces with schools, consultants, therapists, coaches, and families to ensure the supportive study abroad terms we offer guide each student in their unique path to a thriving future.
Separating Myth from Reality
Embracing a different path can be scary, and there are a lot of myths out there:
Myth: The student will be “off track” academically when he returns to a more traditional school.
Truth: New Summit Academy is accredited by Cognia, and our highly qualified teachers guide students through US college-prep classes - along with a diverse set of experiences that result in an impressive resume - which allow for a smooth transition back to a more traditional school.
Myth: The student will be “missing out” on his high school experience.
Truth: This student is not being who he wants to be anyway, which leaves him at risk to fall into unhealthy coping mechanisms like screens, substances, or isolation. Studying abroad creates a fast track to more positive identity development.
Myth: Costa Rica is too far away.
Truth: Direct flights from major US airports in New York, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and Los Angeles will have you here in a few hours. Once on the ground, our campus is just 30 minutes away from SJO, our academic calendar allows for home visits every two months, and it's easy to stay connected to home.
Myth: Working with a contracted therapist a few times each week is just as good.
Truth: What we know about adolescent brain development is that immersive, supported learning experiences - allowing for space and time to practice, collect data, reflect on the process, and revise strategies - maximizes growth and helps internalize skills for lasting change.
Myth: The student will be “off track” academically when he returns to a more traditional school.
Truth: New Summit Academy is accredited by Cognia, and our highly qualified teachers guide students through US college-prep classes - along with a diverse set of experiences that result in an impressive resume - which allow for a smooth transition back to a more traditional school.
Myth: The student will be “missing out” on his high school experience.
Truth: This student is not being who he wants to be anyway, which leaves him at risk to fall into unhealthy coping mechanisms like screens, substances, or isolation. Studying abroad creates a fast track to more positive identity development.
Myth: Costa Rica is too far away.
Truth: Direct flights from major US airports in New York, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and Los Angeles will have you here in a few hours. Once on the ground, our campus is just 30 minutes away from SJO, our academic calendar allows for home visits every two months, and it's easy to stay connected to home.
Myth: Working with a contracted therapist a few times each week is just as good.
Truth: What we know about adolescent brain development is that immersive, supported learning experiences - allowing for space and time to practice, collect data, reflect on the process, and revise strategies - maximizes growth and helps internalize skills for lasting change.
It's Time to Take Action
If you know a high school student who would benefit from a supportive study abroad experience at New Summit Academy, please reach out to admissions@newsummitacademy.com.
Still need to learn more? Here are 12 Things To Know About New Summit Academy.
Still need to learn more? Here are 12 Things To Know About New Summit Academy.
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The work of New Summit Academy and The Bridge Costa Rica was featured this week in the blog and newsletter of the International Therapist Directory, an online global listing of more than 450 therapists in at least 60 countries providing culturally sensitive treatment and care for internationally mobile families.
Have a look inside the guest blog post:
There can be no question that navigating adolescence and young adulthood today is a complex task. The lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, growing rates of anxiety and depression among youth, and the increasing awareness of risks associated with smartphone use creates a challenging social and emotional landscape for “The Anxious Generation.”
While children of internationally mobile families and Third Culture Kids possess distinct skills and strengths to aid them in their development – a global perspective, cognitive flexibility, a deeper awareness and appreciation for diversity, and a heightened sense of empathy, to name a few – they are certainly not immune to the complexities faced by this generation. If anything, the well-documented psychosocial and educational challenges TCKs experience – identity conflict, grief and loss, anxiety and depression, feelings of isolation and disconnection – has been exacerbated in recent years.
When supportive schooling and counseling options are limited in a TCK’s country of residence, or when children of globally mobile families simply need an opportunity to reset and focus on building skills for mental fitness, two unique options exist in a country long associated with health and wellness: Costa Rica.
While children of internationally mobile families and Third Culture Kids possess distinct skills and strengths to aid them in their development – a global perspective, cognitive flexibility, a deeper awareness and appreciation for diversity, and a heightened sense of empathy, to name a few – they are certainly not immune to the complexities faced by this generation. If anything, the well-documented psychosocial and educational challenges TCKs experience – identity conflict, grief and loss, anxiety and depression, feelings of isolation and disconnection – has been exacerbated in recent years.
When supportive schooling and counseling options are limited in a TCK’s country of residence, or when children of globally mobile families simply need an opportunity to reset and focus on building skills for mental fitness, two unique options exist in a country long associated with health and wellness: Costa Rica.
Read the full article here:
Five Reasons Why Costa Rica Works for TCKs of "The Anxious Generation."
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Students and parents often ask what a supportive boarding school or therapeutic program “looks like” for college admissions. The answer is that – if presented correctly – students’ experiences before and during their time at New Summit Academy or The Bridge Costa Rica can make applications stand out and show colleges that our students are more college-ready than many students who haven’t had their experiences.
New Summit Academy’s students work with our certified college counselor and our supportive teachers, mentors, and therapists to complete the “traditional” steps for the college application, including preparing for and taking standardized tests (along with applying for accommodations when eligible), identifying characteristics of colleges and universities and generating apply-to lists, writing and revising essays, and completing and submitting applications before their deadlines.
However, our students’ non-traditional opportunities, those that make them really stand out, are what make New Summit Academy and The Bridge one-of-a-kind, powerful facilitators of experiences that result in applications that are very attractive to the schools our students want to attend.
However, our students’ non-traditional opportunities, those that make them really stand out, are what make New Summit Academy and The Bridge one-of-a-kind, powerful facilitators of experiences that result in applications that are very attractive to the schools our students want to attend.
Think about it. New Summit Academy and The Bridge graduates have:
- Faced and overcome challenges
- Developed an understanding of their learning styles
- Learned to advocate for their needs
- Lived away from home in a dorm with peers
- Cultivated significant international experience and multicultural skills
- Developed a resume like no other that includes cultural immersion, volunteer work, leadership opportunities, international travel, internship opportunities, and professional-level certifications
If we use essays, resumes, activities, and letters of recommendation to highlight these facts, our students have a unique advantage when applying to college.
Need some proof? Here are a few statistics from last year’s college application season:
- Graduating Seniors Accepted to College: 100%
- Colleges Applied to Offering Admission: 69%
- Acceptances from "Colleges That Change Lives": Six
- Total Merit Scholarships Offered for Fall of 2024: $2,000,500
- Average Merit Award Offer: $75,000
Finally, here is the impressive list of schools – as unique and diverse as our students – where last year’s seniors enrolled:
The University of Miami, Curry College, Santa Clara University, The University of Southern California, Dickinson College, The University of Connecticut, St. Lawrence University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, The University of Arizona, and Montana State University
This year’s seniors are in the middle of their application process, so wish them luck!
Hi NSA staff, we just hugged Jack goodbye at college an hour ago and I just had to write a quick note of thanks to you who had such an important guiding influence in Jack's life. He is so much better prepared for life and college since he spent 15 months with you all. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to helping young men like Jack work through their issues and become better equipped to socialize with, and to take on, their world. Thanks for letting Jack into your heart for the short time he was with you. I will remain thankful for my entire life that he was helped at NSA.
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School Management Plus, a leading platform in the United Kingdom for commentary, news, and features about independent, international and UK state education, has published a profile on New Summit Academy Costa Rica this month in their Spotlight on a School feature!
Have a look inside the article:
At first glance, New Summit Academy Costa Rica is like any other international boarding school.
Students stroll across campus from the academic building after class and begin to occupy themselves with boarding life. A spontaneous basketball game takes shape on the outdoor court, a jam session kicks off in the music studio and a student council meets to discuss plans for a surf and scuba weekend. Elsewhere, members of the cooking club head into town to pick up ingredients for the evening snack.
But look a little closer and a different story emerges. Nearly 2.4 million international tourists flock to the small tropical country each year in search of wellness and a bit of adventure. In the same way, New Summit Academy harnesses the therapeutic qualities of Costa Rica to empower students to adopt healthier lifestyles and to stretch their minds through experiences that rekindle motivation in school and in life...
Students stroll across campus from the academic building after class and begin to occupy themselves with boarding life. A spontaneous basketball game takes shape on the outdoor court, a jam session kicks off in the music studio and a student council meets to discuss plans for a surf and scuba weekend. Elsewhere, members of the cooking club head into town to pick up ingredients for the evening snack.
But look a little closer and a different story emerges. Nearly 2.4 million international tourists flock to the small tropical country each year in search of wellness and a bit of adventure. In the same way, New Summit Academy harnesses the therapeutic qualities of Costa Rica to empower students to adopt healthier lifestyles and to stretch their minds through experiences that rekindle motivation in school and in life...
Read the full article here: Spotlight on a School: New Summit Academy, Costa Rica
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Last week, our students and staff engaged in experiential learning while working toward earning their Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certifications.
New Summit Academy partnered with the American Health and Safety Institute (ASHI) in facilitating this professional-level certification for students and staff as an opportunity to truly challenge themselves in an experiential, hands-on curriculum, as well as to help with our risk management during weeklong national park adventure trips in Costa Rica and international culture travel.
Throughout the week-long course, our dedicated ASHI instructors taught students and staff how to recognize and respond to a variety of situations that include:
Whenever students engaged with classroom material, everyone jumped into action. Half of the students and staff scattered across campus simulating medical emergencies, while the other half served as first-aid responders, all guided by our ASHI instructors.
- Risk management and assessment
- Patient assessment techniques
- Injury management
- Common wilderness medical problems
Whenever students engaged with classroom material, everyone jumped into action. Half of the students and staff scattered across campus simulating medical emergencies, while the other half served as first-aid responders, all guided by our ASHI instructors.
The WFA and CPR certification week truly exemplifies the value of experiential education at New Summit Academy!
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At New Summit Academy in Costa Rica, experiential Spanish language learning transforms traditional education into an immersive adventure.
Our Spanish Language program serves to enrich our students’ experiences in Costa Rica, combining classroom study and academic rigor with hands-on application of learning, fostering both language proficiency and cultural understanding.
New Summit Academy's approach to Spanish language education is rooted in practical application rather than rote memorization. Students carry their classroom study of Spanish into the real world as they explore local markets, engage in community service projects, cook traditional meals, and share daily experiences with their homestay families.
Our learners use Spanish in real-world contexts, enhancing their conversational skills and cultural awareness.
One incredible aspect of New Summit Academy is its location in and connection with Costa Rica, its natural beauty, and its cultural diversity as a living classroom. Students practice their Spanish hiking in the rainforest, practicing salsa in dance lessons, surfing on beach excursions, ordering at local restaurants, and even living on campus where the majority of our staff are bilingual. These experiences reinforce vocabulary and grammar development, but also deepen students' connection to Costa Rican culture and its rich biodiversity.
New Summit Academy's experiential Spanish language program exemplifies the Supportive Immersion approach to growth and learning, where students are provided the scaffolding needed to step outside of their comfort zones and develop skills, competencies, and insights in the real world.