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Costa Rica? (eyes widen, jaw drops)... Why do we need to go to Costa Rica? Can’t we find supportive schooling and therapy here in our home country? Sure, you certainly can. But what NSA and The Bridge offer is beyond what CAN be offered in the USA.
- The impressive RESUME one builds while studying abroad is unique, enriching and sets apart your job or college applications. Spanish language and cross-cultural communication skills. Service projects. Travel. Clarification of values through cultural immersion. Ability to take perspectives, be flexible and adapt. Internships to learn work ethic. Revitalization of motivation to follow a particular career path. Autonomy and self-governance. The list goes on and on…
- The Costa Rican CULTURE itself IS THERAPEUTIC. Take the pressure down a notch. Slow down to connect with yourself and those around you. Live in an environment integrated with nature. Prioritize community. Support and be supported. Learn skills that build confidence and competence. Find within you what you have to offer the world around you.
All of that makes sense and sounds wonderful… but it “feels” so far from home!
How will I feel connected?
Direct flights from ATL (4 hrs), MIA & IAH (3hrs), NYC and LAX (5 hrs). We’re only 25 min from the airport once you land.
Our commitment for enrollment is 4 months at The Bridge and 6 months at NSA. Students say it flies by and about 80-85% of those who commit for the minimum time ask to stay longer.
Our commitment for enrollment is 4 months at The Bridge and 6 months at NSA. Students say it flies by and about 80-85% of those who commit for the minimum time ask to stay longer.
Need a medical leave from your home school, boarding school or university? NSA & The Bridge are perfect for that too - take a time out to recenter, reset healthy routines, build up your skill sets in a more supportive environment and then head back to school rejuvenated and ready.
NSA’s annual calendar is 5 academic terms. That means home visits happen about every 8-9 weeks with 2 week holiday breaks in July and December. The opportunities to spend time with family, travel together, even attend your favorite summer camp you’ve been going to since a child - these opportunities are ALL possible at NSA.
Our academic terms are broken up with a monthly adventure trip in the middle. These digital detoxes are fantastic opportunities to break up the academic routines and bond socially.
Whether kayaking or hiking in one of Costa Rica’s amazing national parks… or exploring the cultural riches of Panama City, Panama, these adventure trips are often the biggest and best highlights of our student’s experiences as they gain confidence, perspective, and lots of memories with their NSA peers and staff.
Before you know it, you’ll be standing at the podium, reflecting on the last few months of your life. How do you want to remember it?
Whether kayaking or hiking in one of Costa Rica’s amazing national parks… or exploring the cultural riches of Panama City, Panama, these adventure trips are often the biggest and best highlights of our student’s experiences as they gain confidence, perspective, and lots of memories with their NSA peers and staff.
Before you know it, you’ll be standing at the podium, reflecting on the last few months of your life. How do you want to remember it?
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At New Summit Academy (NSA), education isn't just about textbooks and lectures; it's a process of discovery that shapes futures and empowers tomorrow's leaders. As we reflect on another remarkable academic year, we are thrilled to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our exceptional students from the Class of 2024.
Crafting Futures: The NSA Advantage
NSA's academic program goes beyond traditional college preparation. We believe in nurturing well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Our curriculum is designed to engage students in rigorous, college-preparatory studies while also cultivating students who graduate with a diverse set of experiences that set them apart from their peers. We do so through a rich curriculum that includes:
1. Cultural Immersion and Global Competencies
2. Service Learning and Volunteer Work
3. Interpersonal Skills -(and living away from home in dorms)
4. Leadership Experiences
2. Service Learning and Volunteer Work
3. Interpersonal Skills -(and living away from home in dorms)
4. Leadership Experiences
5. Professional-Level Certifications
6. Metacognitive Understanding of Learning Strengths and Challenges
7. Self-Advocacy Skills
Where Dreams Take Flight: College Acceptances
One of the hallmarks of NSA's success is the impressive range of colleges and universities that our students are accepted into each year. The Class of 2024 is no exception, with members securing spots at prestigious institutions such as, but not limited to:
- The University of Southern California
- McDaniel College
- Pitzer College
- Loyola Marymount University
- Curry College
- Santa Clara University
- Lewis & Clark
- The University of San Diego
- Connecticut College
- Miami (Ohio) University
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Gonzaga University
- The University of Denver
- Dickinson College
- Allegheny College
- The University of Connecticut
- Elon University
- Gettysburg College
- Merrimack College
- UNC Asheville
- Bard College
These acceptances not only reflect the academic prowess of our students but also the holistic preparation they receive at NSA.
Investing in Excellence: Merit Scholarships and Beyond
We are immensely proud to announce that this year's senior class has been offered over $2 million in merit aid, with an average award of nearly $75,000 per student! Colleges and universities recognize the resilience, self-awareness, and leadership qualities instilled in NSA students, making them deserving recipients of such prestigious awards.These scholarships not only validate the dedication and hard work of our students but also reflect the caliber of education provided at NSA.
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future Awaits
As we bid farewell to the Class of 2024, we do so with great excitement for the journey that lies ahead. Equipped with a unique blend of academic excellence, global awareness, and interpersonal skills, we have every confidence that our graduates will continue to make a positive impact on the world around them. Wherever their paths may lead, they will always carry with them the spirit of New Summit Academy. On behalf of the entire NSA community, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2024.
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When families first hear “therapeutic boarding school in Costa Rica,” the most common reaction is: “Why Costa Rica?”
The answer? Because Costa Rica doesn’t just support healing; it embodies it.
At New Summit Academy, our students experience the therapeutic benefits of this vibrant country every single day. From the culture and climate to the pace of life and opportunities for adventure, Costa Rica offers a unique blend of safety, growth, and connection that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere.
The answer? Because Costa Rica doesn’t just support healing; it embodies it.
At New Summit Academy, our students experience the therapeutic benefits of this vibrant country every single day. From the culture and climate to the pace of life and opportunities for adventure, Costa Rica offers a unique blend of safety, growth, and connection that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere.
Here’s why Costa Rica is the best country for therapeutic support, and why families from around the world choose to send their sons here.
1. The Culture Itself Is Therapeutic
Costa Rica has earned its reputation as one of the happiest, most peaceful countries in the world. The culture is built around connection, presence, and community - values that many students in high-pressure environments desperately need to reconnect with.
Here, students learn to:
Costa Rica’s famous saying, “Pura Vida” (pure life), isn’t just a slogan. It’s a way of living that encourages thriving over just surviving.
2. Immersive Nature = Natural Regulation
From mountain cloud forests to tropical beaches, Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and our campus is nestled right in the heart of it.
This natural immersion supports:
Whether surfing, hiking, kayaking, or simply studying under a mango tree, students experience the therapeutic impact of nature every day.
1. The Culture Itself Is Therapeutic
Costa Rica has earned its reputation as one of the happiest, most peaceful countries in the world. The culture is built around connection, presence, and community - values that many students in high-pressure environments desperately need to reconnect with.
Here, students learn to:
- Slow down and be present
- Prioritize relationships and wellbeing
- See themselves through a strengths-based lens, not a diagnostic one
Costa Rica’s famous saying, “Pura Vida” (pure life), isn’t just a slogan. It’s a way of living that encourages thriving over just surviving.
2. Immersive Nature = Natural Regulation
From mountain cloud forests to tropical beaches, Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and our campus is nestled right in the heart of it.
This natural immersion supports:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased mindfulness and emotional regulation
- Greater connection to self and the world
Whether surfing, hiking, kayaking, or simply studying under a mango tree, students experience the therapeutic impact of nature every day.
3. A Safe, Accessible Location (Closer Than You Think)
Despite being abroad, Costa Rica is just a short flight from major U.S. cities. With direct flights from New York, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles - and only a 25-minute drive from the airport to our campus - it’s more accessible than many stateside programs.
Families are often surprised by how easy it is to stay connected, with scheduled home visits every 8-9 weeks and regular communication throughout their enrollment.
Despite being abroad, Costa Rica is just a short flight from major U.S. cities. With direct flights from New York, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles - and only a 25-minute drive from the airport to our campus - it’s more accessible than many stateside programs.
Families are often surprised by how easy it is to stay connected, with scheduled home visits every 8-9 weeks and regular communication throughout their enrollment.
4. Integrated Cultural Experiences Build Identity
Therapeutic growth isn’t just about introspection. It’s about seeing the world differently, and seeing yourself differently within it.
Through:
New Summit Academy students develop empathy, perspective-taking, and a stronger sense of identity.
5. It’s Not Just Therapy. It’s Transformation
In Costa Rica, therapeutic support doesn’t mean sitting in a therapist’s office five days a week.
It means:
Our model of Supportive Immersion means that students are constantly growing through daily experiences - from leadership roles and travel to music, academics, and sports - all in a culture that encourages them to be their authentic selves.
Costa Rica Isn’t a Detour. It’s a Direction.
When students feel overwhelmed, anxious, or burned out, they don’t need to be “sent away.” They need a pause, a reset, and a new environment that helps them reconnect with who they are. Costa Rica offers all of that and more.
Is your son ready for a fresh start in a place designed for growth?
Learn how New Summit Academy Costa Rica combines academic excellence, personal development, and the natural therapeutic power of this remarkable country.
Therapeutic growth isn’t just about introspection. It’s about seeing the world differently, and seeing yourself differently within it.
Through:
- Homestays with Costa Rican families
- Service projects in local communities
- Cross-cultural friendships and language immersion
New Summit Academy students develop empathy, perspective-taking, and a stronger sense of identity.
5. It’s Not Just Therapy. It’s Transformation
In Costa Rica, therapeutic support doesn’t mean sitting in a therapist’s office five days a week.
It means:
- Building a healthy lifestyle
- Practicing new skills in real time
- Working with mentors who truly know and care about each student
Our model of Supportive Immersion means that students are constantly growing through daily experiences - from leadership roles and travel to music, academics, and sports - all in a culture that encourages them to be their authentic selves.
Costa Rica Isn’t a Detour. It’s a Direction.
When students feel overwhelmed, anxious, or burned out, they don’t need to be “sent away.” They need a pause, a reset, and a new environment that helps them reconnect with who they are. Costa Rica offers all of that and more.
Is your son ready for a fresh start in a place designed for growth?
Learn how New Summit Academy Costa Rica combines academic excellence, personal development, and the natural therapeutic power of this remarkable country.
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Our music electives and art programs provide our students with a unique opportunity to explore their emotions, express themselves authentically, and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
We recently had a visit from the wonderful Tracy Hopkins. After her visit, she left us with not only sweet memories but also heartwarming words we want to share with you:
We recently had a visit from the wonderful Tracy Hopkins. After her visit, she left us with not only sweet memories but also heartwarming words we want to share with you:
"In the middle of the Howler Studio at New Summit Academy Costa Rica, I found myself moved to tears. It was a profound moment, one where the heartstrings of empathy and understanding were delicately plucked by the soulful melody of a young man's song, penned from the depths of his own experiences." - Tracy
"As he sang, he shared of the quest for belonging, a yearning to illuminate his inner light amidst the shadows of uncertainty. It became clear to me that he, like so many others, was on a profound journey of self-discovery and connection, navigating the perplexity of human existence with courage and vulnerability." - Tracy
"Students seamlessly integrate into an environment that encourages introspection, fosters genuine connections, and nurtures personal growth through collective contribution." - Tracy
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New Representatives
As we begin a new quarter the students held student council elections!
Before the voting started the students opened up a space to discuss their goals for the quarter through speeches, showing a great deal of leadership, unity and positive change in the school community.
Before the voting started the students opened up a space to discuss their goals for the quarter through speeches, showing a great deal of leadership, unity and positive change in the school community.
Congratulations to the new members of our student council!
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🏫 "I am thankful that - as stressful as it can be - I am able to provide guidance for our students' next steps after high school. We just received our first fall 2024 college acceptance with an offer of $28,000 a year in merit scholarships!" - Martin, Director of Learning & College Counselor
🤩 "I’m thankful to have the chance to work and share experiences with the best team of persons who every day give the best of themselves to inspire and transform the life of our students and their families." - Diego, HR Director
👨👩👧👦 I'm thankful for my family, for my sons, daughters, and my grandson, their health and wellbeing for the new summit academy family, as well for our students and their families. Happy Thanksgiving!" - Miguel, Trip Leader & EE Mentor
🙏 “I’m thankful for having the opportunity to use my talents to help, mentor and learn along side teenagers. My life’s work is so meaningful to me; I feel blessed” - Juan Diego, Science Teacher & Fitness Coordinator
🕊️ “This Thanksgiving I am incredibly grateful for many and all the blessings in my life. First and foremost, my darling wife Bonnie and my family; four grown adult children and three grandkids. I am thankful that my family in Israel are safe and pray that the terrible war ends for all the people involved and who are in harms way. I am thankful for living in this wonderful country of Costa Rica and especially having the blessing of working at NSA. I love each and every person at the school and I am thankful that it has given me a driving purpose in my golden years." - Stephen, Film & Photography Teacher
💝"In this time of reflection and great changes, I want to thank our creator and life: for the people you put in our lives, for the experiences we have had (good and not so good, which make us grow), for the blessing of working in a place that serves as help and transformation for many, and especially and always in my heart for my family and especially my parents who taught me the values that I live and to be the woman that I am." 🙌🏻🙏🏻
🤩 "I’m thankful to have the chance to work and share experiences with the best team of persons who every day give the best of themselves to inspire and transform the life of our students and their families." - Diego, HR Director
👨👩👧👦 I'm thankful for my family, for my sons, daughters, and my grandson, their health and wellbeing for the new summit academy family, as well for our students and their families. Happy Thanksgiving!" - Miguel, Trip Leader & EE Mentor
🙏 “I’m thankful for having the opportunity to use my talents to help, mentor and learn along side teenagers. My life’s work is so meaningful to me; I feel blessed” - Juan Diego, Science Teacher & Fitness Coordinator
🕊️ “This Thanksgiving I am incredibly grateful for many and all the blessings in my life. First and foremost, my darling wife Bonnie and my family; four grown adult children and three grandkids. I am thankful that my family in Israel are safe and pray that the terrible war ends for all the people involved and who are in harms way. I am thankful for living in this wonderful country of Costa Rica and especially having the blessing of working at NSA. I love each and every person at the school and I am thankful that it has given me a driving purpose in my golden years." - Stephen, Film & Photography Teacher
💝"In this time of reflection and great changes, I want to thank our creator and life: for the people you put in our lives, for the experiences we have had (good and not so good, which make us grow), for the blessing of working in a place that serves as help and transformation for many, and especially and always in my heart for my family and especially my parents who taught me the values that I live and to be the woman that I am." 🙌🏻🙏🏻
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With the goal of empowering parents to understand and support their child's journey as well as strengthen the foundation of family dynamics and the home environment, parents embark on their own journey with NSA support.
Here are a few examples of what our parents engage in!
- 2 weekly Zoom Parent Education & Support Groups
- 1 on 1 Parent Plan Coaching with Clinical Director Mario Duran
- Parent Workshops on-site with sessions, seminars & parent-teacher conferences
- Weekly Individual Calls with students, therapists and family sessions
- Flexible family visits in Costa Rica (with pre- & post-visit family therapy sessions)
- Home Visits to the USA 6 weeks per year (to practice skills being learned)
Family Workshops (New Families & Transition Families)
Our families have the opportunity to attend our new family workshop at the beginning of their son's process, as well as the transition workshop during their son's final quarter at NSA.
Our therapeutic team has created a well-balanced two- to three-day workshop where they facilitate presentations, group activities, individual sessions, construction of goal plans, alumni meetings, among other things!
Our therapeutic team has created a well-balanced two- to three-day workshop where they facilitate presentations, group activities, individual sessions, construction of goal plans, alumni meetings, among other things!
Here are a few highlights and learnings from our parents:
- "Working with the NSA team - always professional, insightful, and supportive."
- "We appreciated the family sessions on both days that helped to identify the heart of the issues within our family, and the support during the breakout session to work on our transitions plan."
- "Learning to prioritize my relationship with my son over control - the importance of proactive support vs reactive support for him."
- "The chance for students and parents to gain insights from the experiences of alumni was amazing."
- "The ability to connect with NSA staff on such a personal level was extremely important to us. From Ignacio's powerful family sessions to the roundtable with Jon's teachers, it helped us see he was in good hands and we had all the support we could ask for."
- "The parendectomy, where parents and students exchanged experiences and shared feedback, showed us that there were others who shared many of the challenges that our family does, yet were learning ways to cope and adjust just as we hoped we would."
As students evolve, so do their families!
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While Halloween is widely celebrated in the United States, have you ever wondered what it's like to embrace this spooky tradition in a Latin country like Costa Rica? 🎃🌴
We organized a Halloween Celebration party with our Homestay Families and Costa Rican friends. Our students got to share some of their Halloween traditions with the Ticos mixed with the Latin dance element that cannot be missed at a Costa Rican party!
From all of us here at New Summit, we wish you a spooky and unforgettable Halloween, no matter where you are in the world. Stay safe, embrace the spirit of the season, and remember to enjoy the Pura Vida spirit of Costa Rica this October! 🎃🌴
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One of our recent graduates from August 2023 tells us about his experience at NSA and shares advice for future students.
The Experience
- “I’d become a lot more patient with the people around me, myself, and a lot more comfortable with my life as it is in general."
- "I've had a favorite part since I got here! The way people live and their culture. People enjoy the free time that they have in a way I was not used to back home."
- "NSA was that little area for me to cultivate the things that I needed to work on."
What advice would you give to others?
- “It’s a good place for you to develop who you really are and not worry about all the external consequences of what other people want you to be.”
- "The community is really awesome to be around."
- “I would challenge everybody to be their best selves.”