Alzar brings students to the intersection of engaging learning, cultural exchange and outdoor adventure.
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Come live and learn in the peaks of Patagonia and along the rivers of Idaho for a semester of high school. Laughter, challenge, and adventure define your days at Alzar School. Engaging academic curriculum is intentionally crafted to connect to student experiences on the trail and abroad in Chile. Small class sizes and strong relationships with faculty who live, study, and travel alongside the students result in a community of learners dedicated to leadership education. This is high school.
Alzar Gap offers high school graduates with life-changing experiences while offering tangible leadership training in stunning destinations. If you are seeking something more than the traditional university path and are excited to learn more about yourself, gain a broader world view, and make authentic connections with diverse people in wild and untamed parts of the world, then Alzar Gap is your next step.
Alzar’s mission is to build leaders who positively impact the world. In addition to the semester school and gap programs, we offer special opportunities to participate in an Alzar experience.
Each cohort of students joins us from across the country and world for an educational experience unlike any other. Imagine having thoughtful leadership discussions with the Patagonian Andes as a backdrop. Live in a yurt along the North Fork of the Payette River. Don’t just take our word for it, hear from Alzar alumni themselves.
"I expect that Alzar School helped me with my college applications, but I know that the unparalleled growth, broader perspective, and deeper understanding of life I gained there were a true differentiator."
"I came into Alzar not sure about what I wanted from life or from my studies. My learning experience at Alzar is, to this day, one of the most powerful academic experiences I’ve had."
"Alzar made me more confident in myself by pushing me out of my comfort zone. I created life-long friendships and have memories of adventures I will never forget. If you are even considering applying to Alzar, do it! It was one of the best decisions I have ever made."
“Natalie felt well-prepared to pick up where she left off after coming back from Alzar School. Noticeably, her advocacy for self and others made a huge leap when she returned to school here. She loved her time there!”
“I have learned not to take the easy way out and to push through challenging situations. I will not forget my lessons here and I will keep pushing myself and keep stepping out of my comfort zone.”
“I now speak up in difficult situations, take risks, and embrace challenges. I learned to roll myself back up during my semester at Alzar School and it marked my transition into adulthood.”
Intentionally crafted, engaging academic semesters for students in 10th and 11th grade, using the peaks of Patagonia and the rivers of Idaho as classrooms.
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Life-changing experiential education for high school graduates. Field-based learning via expeditions, immersions, and exchanges in Patagonia.
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Special opportunities to participate in an Alzar experience in short courses, events, and on river expeditions.
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It’s been a little over a week since our Spring 2026 students left campus, and we wanted to share a few highlights of a wonderful semester in Idaho & Chile 🌟🏔️📚
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This past weekend’s graduation was a wonderful moment to celebrate Alzar’s newest alumni and their semester together. Peace and chao, Spring 2026!🩵🏔️
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Thank you to our Spring 2026 students for an incredible 28th semester. Keep following rivers, and we’ll see you downstream! 😉🏔️🫶
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To celebrate the last day of classes on campus, we wanted to take a look back at students studying aquatic macro invertebrates on the Main Salmon River, because learning doesn’t stop when we leave the classroom behind!☀️
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Did someone say Alzar prom?! Students boogied the night away for their last Saturday night together on campus.🪩🕺🏼✨
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Come with Maisy on an academic day in the life of an Alzar School student 🏔️✨📚
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Today, we’re taking a look back at Semester 28’s time living and learning in Patagonia, Chile, where their semester with us began. Here’s to the last week of the Spring 2026 semester!🇨🇱🏔️
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With less than two weeks left in the semester, Semester 28 is making the most of their time together on campus📚☀️
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Alzar School does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or national and ethnic origin in its administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, and other school administered programs for students, or in its employment practices. Alzar School is not affiliated with any religious or political organization. Alzar School is an equal opportunity service provider and operates on special use permits from the Klamath, Boise, Payette, and Shasta-Trinity National Forests.
