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New Summit Academy Costa Rica

Costa Rica, Atenas

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees CRC 77,400
Ages 14 - 18 years
Type Boys School (boarding)
Opened 2005
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish
Typical class size 6
Strengths Outdoor Education, Languages, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Secondary School, High School
Introduction

New Summit Academy Costa Rica is an all‑male, boarding high school on a seven‑acre campus in Atenas, Alajuela Province. It offers a United States college‑preparatory curriculum and awards a U.S. high school diploma, with 24 Carnegie units distributed across core academic areas, foreign language, arts, health/PE, and electives. The school is Cognia‑accredited through 2027 to deliver a U.S. curriculum. NSA emphasizes a Multiple Intelligences‑infused approach, cross‑curricular integration, and a College Guidance Program to help students plan for higher education. Immersion Spanish begins at beginner through advanced levels and is reinforced by a Costa Rican homestay and daily interactions with native speakers. Facilities include dormitories, a student club house, an academic building, a music and documentary film studio, gardens, a greenhouse, and an on‑site gym. Extracurriculars cover skate, surf, climbing, biking, film, music, leadership, service projects, and weekend trips, with a strong emphasis on student wellbeing and experiential learning for all.

Privately owned 7-acre campus in the mountain town of Atenas, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica (no street or postal address published; ~25–30 minutes from Juan Santamaría Airport/SJO and roughly one hour from the Pacific beaches)

The Essentials

New Summit Academy Costa Rica has typical class sizes of 6, instruction in English.

Location
The school is in Costa Rica, in a small mountainous town (population about 25,000). It sits on a privately owned 7-acre campus with four dorm houses, an academic building, a music and documentary film studio, and a student club house. It is about 1 hour from the beach and 30 minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José.

Stages
The school teaches grades 9-12 (ages 14-18).

Type
The school is an all-male boarding high school.

Additional learning support
The school offers individualized academic support with a Learning Specialist and executive functioning coaching; tutoring is included in tuition.

Country affiliation
Costa Rica

Religious affiliation
The school has no official religious affiliation; spiritual connectedness is supported and encouraged.

School day structure
The school day runs Monday–Friday from 8:30am to 2:55pm, with breaks every two hours for snacks/rest.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Year-round boarding program on a private seven-acre campus in Costa Rica. The campus includes four dorm houses; each dorm house contains two rooms for four students total, with a shared porch, college-style bathrooms, and laundry facilities. There is a transition house off-site for up to nine students (inactive).

Food Options
Breakfast is prepared by in-house chefs; evenings involve shared meals; Sundays feature a Cooking Club dinner prepared by students who learn to cook typical Costa Rican dishes; a mid-morning break includes fresh fruit and Costa Rican coffee.

House System
There are four dorm houses on campus. Each dorm house comprises two rooms housing four students total, with a shared porch, college-style bathroom, and laundry facilities.

Governance and Ownership
Privately owned by five founders who are on-site and direct the organization; there is no official religious affiliation, but spiritual connectedness is supported and encouraged.
Fees

Annual tuition at New Summit Academy Costa Rica ranges from CRC 77,400 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- No fixed application fee amount is published for New Summit Academy Costa Rica in the school's public admissions materials. The application process uses an online application and a review of paperwork, interviews, and an enrollment agreement as part of admissions.

Tuition fees (by year group and billing units)

- School years covered: Grades 9–12 only (single program for high‑school students). New Summit enrolls students in grades 9–12 rather than separate fee bands by grade.

- Published boarding tuition (annual): USD 77,400 per year (boarding, from). This is the publicly listed starting annual amount for a boarding placement.

- Tuition billing units and derived amounts:
- The school operates on a year‑round calendar with five academic terms per year. Tuition is charged monthly and the school requires a minimum six‑month enrollment period. From those two published facts, the following unit amounts are calculated from the stated annual boarding tuition (these are arithmetic conversions based on the published annual figure and the school's published term and billing structure):
- Per term (annual fee ÷ 5 terms): USD 15,480 per term (calculated).
- Per month (annual fee ÷ 12 months): USD 6,450 per month (calculated).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Regular billing frequency: Tuition is billed monthly. Families are billed on a monthly schedule rather than an annual upfront-only billing cadence.

- Enrollment deposits and upfront items required at enrollment:
- A last‑month's tuition deposit is required at enrollment.
- An Ancillary Account deposit is required at enrollment to cover incidental expenses.
- Visa paperwork and associated visa fees are required; parents must complete immigration documentation and related processing. Specific apostille/courier costs apply for birth certificates and other documents. The school can process some documents from Costa Rica for families who cannot complete them in the U.S., but that service carries an extra fee.

- Minimum enrollment commitment: A six‑month minimum enrollment is required. Tuition is charged monthly and the school operates rolling admissions; the minimum stay restriction applies.

- Payment timing and late fees: The school's public materials confirm monthly billing but do not publish the exact monthly due date, accepted payment instruments, or the published schedule for late‑payment penalties in public materials.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- Boarding is the core residential program and the published annual amount (USD 77,400) is stated as the boarding tuition. Boarding costs are included in that annual boarding tuition figure; there is not a separate publicly posted additional boarding line item beyond the boarding tuition amount shown.

Other costs and typical additional fees

- Immigration and document fees: Costs for apostilles, state certification of birth certificates, courier charges, and any visa application fees are payable by families; if the school completes these tasks on behalf of the family, an additional processing fee is charged.

- Clinical and medical extras: Psychiatrist appointments and some clinical or medical services are available at additional cost per appointment. A full‑time nurse and medical coordinator are on staff; incidental medical costs or specialist charges may be billed separately.

- Optional academic/ancillary fees: College counseling, some certification courses, and extracurricular certifications (for example Wilderness First Aid or SCUBA certification through Aventuras) may incur additional charges. Tutoring is included in tuition; some elective or external activities may carry separate costs.

- Personal spending / incidentals: The required Ancillary Account deposit covers personal incidentals, outings, and other non‑tuition costs charged to the student account. Families should expect additional personal or travel costs for family workshops, home visits, or international travel associated with the program.

- School‑offered administrative extras: If parents request that the school handle FBI background checks or other U.S.–sourced paperwork after arrival, the school charges an extra processing fee for that service.

Refund information and withdrawal/cancellation terms

- No detailed public refund or cancellation policy is published in the publicly accessible admissions summary and fast‑facts materials. The enrollment agreement and specific refund/cancellation terms are part of the formal admissions/enrollment paperwork and are not published as a full public fee schedule. The admissions flow includes signing an Enrollment Agreement as part of finalizing enrollment.

Fee payment options (accepted instruments and methods)

- Public materials explicitly state monthly billing and deposit requirements but do not list the detailed accepted payment methods (for example: credit card, bank transfer, international wire, check, or online payment portal) in the publicly posted summaries. Families are billed monthly and an Ancillary Account is maintained for incidentals, but the specific payment instruments accepted are not published in the public materials reviewed.

Concise summary of what is and is not publicly listed

- Publicly listed and verifiable items:
- Boarding tuition starting figure: USD 77,400 per year (boarding).
- Tuition is billed monthly; five academic terms per year; minimum six‑month enrollment; last month's tuition deposit and an Ancillary Account deposit are required.
- Immigration/document processing fees and possible extra fees if the school handles document processing.

- Items not published in publicly accessible materials (no fixed amounts found):
- A specific numeric application fee amount is not published in public admissions materials.
- Per‑grade or per‑year‑group fee schedules (separate fees for grades 9, 10, 11, 12) are not published; the program is presented as a single high‑school boarding program.
- Complete, itemized refund, cancellation, or prorated‑withdrawal policy text is not published in the public pages reviewed; those terms are contained in the enrollment agreement and parent resources not publicly accessible.
- Accepted payment instruments (credit card, bank transfer, wire, etc.) and detailed due‑date/late‑fee schedules are not published in the public summary materials.

Practical notes for parents (facts only)

- Budget using the published boarding figure (USD 77,400/year) as the baseline for total residential program cost; expect monthly billing around USD 6,450 if paying monthly, or per‑term charges near USD 15,480 if using the five‑term academic structure (both figures are arithmetic conversions of the published annual boarding amount).

- Expect to pay at least the last month's tuition deposit plus an Ancillary Account deposit at enrollment, plus routine immigration/documentation fees and potential school processing fees for paperwork handled by the school. Plan for additional optional charges for psychiatry appointments, some certifications, and discretionary experiential activities.

If you need written confirmation of any specific numeric line (application fee, refund windows, exact payment methods, late penalties, or the 2026/27 official fee schedule), those items are contained in the school's enrollment agreement and parent resources which supplement the public admissions summary.
Academics

New Summit Academy Costa Rica teaches American Curriculum for students aged 14 to 18.

Curriculum
New Summit Academy offers a United States college-preparatory curriculum with a U.S. high school diploma. Graduation requires 24 Carnegie units distributed as: English 4 credits; Mathematics through Algebra 2 3 credits; Science including two laboratory sciences 3 credits; Social Studies 3.5 credits (World History and United States History); Foreign Language 2 credits; Art 1 credit; Health / PE 1 credit (2.0 maximum); Computer Education 0.5 credits; Electives 6 credits. NSA is accredited through Cognia through 2027 to deliver a U.S. curriculum and diploma. The academic program emphasizes a Multiple Intelligences-infused approach with cross-curricular integration and enrichment opportunities and a College Guidance Program to prepare students for higher education. Immersion Spanish classes begin at Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced levels and are complemented by a homestay program and daily interactions with native speakers. The course catalog includes English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Arts offerings that align with U.S. standards.

Student Teacher Ratio
The student-to-teacher ratio is 4:1.

Higher Education Progression
NSA offers a College Guidance Program to assist students and families with college search and applications. Graduates receive a college-preparatory transcript aligned with U.S. standards. The program aims to support successful transitions to higher education.

Gifted and Talented
The program uses a Multiple Intelligences-infused learning approach. Enrichment opportunities and cross-curricular integration provide additional rigor for students seeking higher-level work. An Academic Advisor and dedicated teaching team support individualized progress.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school integrates emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual (connectedness) objectives within a holistic program. A Humanistic Paradigm and Holistic Individualization meet each student where he is, nurturing growth and resilience. Integrated Skill Building develops 21st-century skills such as problem solving, executive functioning, self-management, communication, collaboration, leadership, and teamwork. Supportive immersion includes academics, personal growth, student life, and experiential education, with therapeutic groups contributing to emotional and social development. The approach emphasizes a relationship-based, growth-mindset framework to foster lifelong learning.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school is English-speaking.

Mental Wellbeing
Therapeutic services are provided on campus, including individual therapy (at least 1 hour per week) and group therapy (1–3 hours per week) with thematic groups. A full-time nurse and medical coordinator are on staff, and psychiatrist services are available at extra cost. Weekly update calls between advisors and parents, plus regular student–family Zoom sessions, support ongoing wellbeing. Therapist offices are located in the Student Club House and transition-related supports include family workshops and access to The Bridge Costa Rica for young adults.
Parent Experience

History
The school was established in 2005 through a partnership between five founders and eleven families seeking better options for their sons' education. The campus began on a local mango farm, where students helped paint cabins, build desks, and co-create the first handbook. For more than 20 years, the school has grown and remained an owner-operated organization. All five founders work full-time on the campus.

Community
Student agency sits at the heart of life at New Summit Academy. Students advocate for their needs and interests, influence school decisions, mentor new students, organize activities, propose changes to guidelines, manage budgets, and lead community projects throughout Costa Rica. Boarding life integrates personal choice and self-discovery into daily routines. The on-campus experience includes clubs, activities, campus tours, and student leadership opportunities. There are 500+ alumni since 2005 who stay connected with the school.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus sits on a seven-acre property in Costa Rica with gardens, flowers, fruit trees, and native plants. The climate is temperate year-round, with 65-85°F temperatures. Campus features include student dorms, a student club house, an academic building, a music and documentary film studio, gardens and a greenhouse, and an administrative building with a kitchen, dining hall, lounge, and gym. The architecture uses an open, flowing design that emphasizes connection with the surrounding natural environment.

Sports Facilities
An on-site gym is located in the administrative building for on-campus fitness. The Student Club House includes a pool and a ping-pong area for recreation and socializing. These facilities support daily physical activity and informal sports participation on campus. The campus life supports a variety of clubs and activities that encourage athletic and recreational engagement.

Academic Facilities
The Academic Building contains five classrooms and an academic resource room. It also features a large common area suitable for events. The Music and Documentary Film Studio provides dedicated creative learning spaces. The campus includes four dorm houses that support student living as part of the learning environment.

Extra Curricular Facilities
A wide range of student clubs is available, including surf, rock climbing, biking, running, ultimate frisbee, art, skateboarding, back-country/camping, film, music, video games, leadership, garden, and yoga. On Fridays, Student Council plans 1-3 activity options such as trips to the cinema or on-campus tournaments in billiards, chess, and board games. On Saturdays, students may participate in sports in town or engage in a beach or nature excursion. On Sundays, newer students participate in cultural immersion outings, while students in their final months engage in a Homestay program to connect with local culture. The on-campus Student Club House supports activities with a kitchen, computer/internet area, therapist offices, a TV room, and a pool and ping-pong area.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Academic approach engages every student as a curious learner within a Multiple Intelligences framework to develop real-world skills. Students produce documentary films by writing, shooting, editing, and premiering their studies and travel experiences; they record albums in a music studio with state-of-the-art equipment and earn professional-level certifications such as Wilderness Advanced First Aid. An Academic Advisor helps set quarterly goals and meet weekly to outline concrete actions, while executive-functioning skills are developed through structured note-taking, analytical reading, writing, technology-enabled organization, and daily Study Hall.

Arts & Creative
Documentary film production and music creation are central creative outlets. Students write, shoot, edit and premiere documentary films about their studies and travel experiences and record albums in a music studio with state-of-the-art equipment.

Cultural & Language
Costa Rican homestay families connect students with local culture for Spanish practice and authentic daily living, with weekly or weekend activities that deepen cultural understanding. The homestay program fosters language learning and cultural immersion through interactions with Costa Rican families, holidays, and community events. Cultural immersion is framed as a valuable language-learning opportunity through on-site experiences and outings.

Social & Hobbies
NSA hosts between 10-20 student clubs at any given time; clubs are created based on student interests. Examples include surfing, rock climbing, skateboarding, art, chess, film, video gaming, cooking, yoga, biking, fishing, running, leadership, gardening, and more. Students can start a new club by gathering 3-4 peers and proposing it to staff.

Community & Service
Service Learning is central to NSA, with students completing community projects such as working with children at local organizations, recycling programs, environmental conservation, beach and river cleanups, teaching English, sea turtle preservation, meals for soup kitchens, building playgrounds, and library movie nights. Hogar de Vida Children's Home is among the causes NSA volunteers with regularly. Students see projects through to completion and reflect on their impact.

Leadership & Professional
Student leadership is encouraged and practiced through student advocacy for needs, influence on school decisions, mentorship of younger students, organization of activities, proposal of guideline changes, budget management, and leadership of community projects throughout Costa Rica.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Physical education and personal training are part of NSA's experiential program. Weekend recreational activities and Aventuras outdoor trips provide fitness, teamwork, and wellness opportunities. A dedicated experiential education team, including psychologists and mentors, provides daily accompaniment to support emotional regulation, wellbeing, and growth; therapeutic services are available, including individual and group therapy and family updates.
Languages

Language Provision
Spanish and English are the languages taught. Spanish is taught through an experiential language program and daily cultural immersion, and English is taught through English-language courses. Language support includes bilingual mentors and staff who facilitate immersion and language practice.

Bilingual Teaching
The school uses English and Spanish in instruction, with English courses available and Spanish language immersion integrated into daily learning. Bilingual mentors support students, and staff are bilingual. The program includes experiential Spanish language learning and cultural immersion that strengthens bilingual communication.

Immersion Programs
Experiential Spanish Language Learning is a supportive immersion program that makes Spanish language learning part of real-world experiences, such as rainforest hikes, salsa lessons, surf outings, and dining in local restaurants. The majority of staff are bilingual, and homestay cultural immersion is offered to deepen language practice. On-campus life integrates language and culture through daily routines.
Reputation

Awards
K12 Digest recognition as Small Boarding School to Watch in 2025

Accreditations
Academic Accreditation by Cognia; Therapeutic licensure by PANI (Costa Rica); International Affiliate School, Boarding Schools' Association; Affiliate Member of Small Boarding Schools Association (SBSA); Associate Member of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS); Recognized by K12 Digest as Small Boarding School to Watch in 2025
Admissions

Admissions
High school boarding program:
1) Review of paperwork (testing, transcripts, etc.). This review is the first component of the admissions process. It involves evaluating the testing materials and transcripts provided as part of the applicant's file. It prepares families for the online application.
2) Online application. The online application is submitted through crm.bestnotes.com. This step collects information used to evaluate the applicant and begin the review. It formalizes the submission that initiates the admissions assessment.
3) Phone calls with referral sources, therapists, and parents, and eventually the student himself. These conversations align expectations and gather context to support the enrollment decision. They help ensure a good fit for NSA's program. The calls provide insight for the admissions team as they review the applicant.
4) Student Questionnaire & Interview. The student completes a questionnaire and attends an interview as part of the admissions process. These elements provide information to inform the enrollment decision. They are integral steps in the high school admissions track.
5) Enrollment Agreement signed. The enrollment agreement confirms enrollment and formalizes placement. Signing the agreement marks a milestone in the admissions process. It commits the family to the program at New Summit Academy Costa Rica.
6) Logistics for enrollment (paperwork, insurance policy, hotel and flight reservations, etc.). The logistics for enrollment coordinate remaining details. This includes paperwork completion, arranging insurance coverage, and securing travel arrangements. Completing these steps enables the student to begin the program.

Gap year program (The Bridge Costa Rica):
7) Review of paperwork (testing, transcripts, etc.). The gap-year admissions process begins with reviewing the applicant's paperwork. This initial review helps determine readiness for The Bridge Costa Rica program. It sets the stage for the online application.
8) Online application. The online application is submitted through crm.bestnotes.com. It collects information necessary for evaluation and initiates the review. This step starts the gap-year admissions path with The Bridge Costa Rica.
9) Phone calls with referral sources, parents and the young adult. These calls coordinate expectations and gather context for the enrollment decision. They help ensure clarity about program fit and goals.
10) Conversation with other young adults at The Bridge. This interaction provides peer perspectives during the admissions process. It helps applicants understand the program's community and environment. It also clarifies expectations and helps align goals.
11) Enrollment Agreement signed. The enrollment agreement confirms enrollment and formalizes placement. Signing the agreement marks a key milestone in the process. It commits the young adult and their family to participate in The Bridge Costa Rica program.
12) Logistics for enrollment (paperwork, insurance policy, hotel & flight reservations, etc.). The logistics for enrollment include completing paperwork, arranging insurance coverage, and coordinating hotel and flight reservations. Families finalize travel details and prepare for arrival. These steps complete the admissions process.

Scholarships
The Scholarship Fund provides around $50,000 a year in scholarships. Application required. 12+ month commitment required.
School Events
The school has not added events
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