New Summit Academy | The Bridge | Pathfinder ~ Costa Rica

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  Greg G.Family member

  5/5Sep 24, 2026

  NSA meets your child 'where they are' and guides them to a better place

  our son did not do well at a highly structured, isolated therapeutic school. NSA offered a more flexible, client centered approach in a community connected location. the diversity of local and regional recreational/learning activities along with local social engagement opportunities made a world of difference when combined with the focused treatment program. and travel to Costa Rica was quicker than going out west. everyone wins! NSA is highly recommended.

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  Lynda W.Family member

  5/5Sep 24, 2026

  New Summit Success Where Other Programs Failed

  Our son's therpeautic journey was extremely difficult. We often questioned if we were doing the right thing. He ran away from one school and begged to return to wilderness, the nomadic one, not the adventure/fun one. We were at first skeptical but after talking with the New Summit team had a new sense of purpose and hope. Our son thrived. He became actively involved in the Hogar da Vida child care program, cross country running, ukulele, and he completed the program, receiving several awards, in record time. We felt completely supported by the staff and continue to stay connected to both New Summit and Hogar da Vida. I highly recommend you consider the active, engaged, academic, and loving program that New Summit Academy provides.

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  Barbara C.Family member

  5/5Sep 23, 2026

  Customized, Holistic, Professional, Comprehensive, Effective Residential Therapy Program for Young People

  I first know NSA in May 2021 as a mother of a depressed, anxious, unconfident, insecure seventeen-year-old boy who was bullied by other schoolmates and was searching for the meaning of his life. I was referred by my son's therapist at the three-month wilderness camp and our educational consultant. After researching on residential treatment options and talking with parents whose sons graduated or will graduate from these programs, I enrolled my son at NSA, knowing that NSA is the best fit for his needs and that he will be in Costa Rica during the pandemic in a country with available no vaccines. NSA staff helped made the my son's/my transition from the wilderness camp to NSA extremely smooth, including informing me of its safety protocol during the pandemic. After my son got his Covid vaccine in the US, my son and I traveled to NSA where we saw a beautiful, comfortable, serene, secured campus with friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, skilled staff. After leaving my son at NSA, I communicated with NSA frequently and as needed, and found the parents' workshops via Zoom helpful as well. During the five months at NSA, my son gradually felt secure, confident and happy, was reassured of his ability and future, figured out what he would like to do with his life for the next few years, connected well with others, became a leader among his peers, worked collaboratively with staff on his own health and on campus-wide activities, graduated early from the high school curriculum and applied to colleges. Then he transferred to the next component of NSA where he can apply the knowledge and skills he learned from NSA in a more independent setting nearby but equally supportive environment, including continuing his work with the same therapist: The Bridge. During his five months at the Bridge, my son became more skilled and independent in managing his feelings, problems/issues, relationship with peers, activities, and responsibilities, getting ready to be a young adult living independently on a college campus. He felt good, he felt good about himself, know his worth and what he would like to do with his life for the next few years and was proud of his accomplishments in the program. He was accepted into his first choice of college, was mesmerized by a class at the local international college in environmental science which later became his major in college, worked with a local tradesperson to renovate a few homes for low-income disabled people as community service, and learned to converse in Spanish in the process. My son acknowledged the love, respect and support he received from all the staff and the local community where he volunteered as he had learned that by helping others he had helped himself. NSA/The Bridge helped my son to be a confident, assertive, skilled and capable person whom has supporters throughout the US and in Costa Rica. NSA/The Bridge staff went beyond the call of duty for my son and me, even to this day for any additional help.

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  Kolby O.Alumnus

  5/5Sep 23, 2026

  LIFE Changing

  I am the father of a now 21 year old who attended New Summit Academy (NSA) when he was 16-17. He and our family struggled with the social and emotional challenges of Covid, undiagnosed Autism, and overall modern teenage hurdles. After 100 days in an amazing wilderness therapy program, we struggled with "next steps" as nothing felt like a good fit and we knew coming "home" would only foster old habits. After a recommendation, we met the NSA ED virtually and we immediately started to conceptualize the direct and indirect benefits from this type of education. Cultural emersion, global respect, and personal challenges, helped our family grow together. Sure, our son was the one who moved to another country, however, the surrounding culture and focus on humanity is a perfect platform for what we needed. Our son and family needed connection, personal growth and successes. I've said this to anyone who will listen...I wish this education on anyone, young, old, neurotypical or diverse...our world would be a much better place. Our son continues to use his experience at NSA as a platform of reflection for challenges and successes in life. He has identified and developed a career that he loves and we would not be the family we are without this education for all.

Reviews are written by members invited by the listing.