Alzar brings students to the intersection of engaging learning, cultural exchange and outdoor adventure.
Learn More About AlzarCome 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.
Learn MoreLife-changing experiential education for high school graduates. Field-based learning via expeditions, immersions, and exchanges in Patagonia.
Learn MoreSpecial opportunities to participate in an Alzar experience in short courses, events, and on river expeditions.
Learn More
Semester 26 is already out there chasing views, waterfalls, and rainbows in Chile!🌈
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#PatagoniaChile
Semester 26 is already out there chasing views, waterfalls, and rainbows in Chile!🌈
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#PatagoniaChile
There’s something truly magical about the first few weeks of a new semester. The energy is palpable as students, faculty, and staff come together, forging new connections and building a community. We are so excited for all that is to come for Semester 26!
If you’re ready to join an incredible community for a semester, applications for the 2025-2026 Alzar School year are due on February 15th 🏞️🥾✨
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#SemesterSchool
There’s something truly magical about the first few weeks of a new semester. The energy is palpable as students, faculty, and staff come together, forging new connections and building a community. We are so excited for all that is to come for Semester 26!
If you’re ready to join an incredible community for a semester, applications for the 2025-2026 Alzar School year are due on February 15th 🏞️🥾✨
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#SemesterSchool
Students explored Coyhaique, the nearest town to our campus, for the first time this past weekend! We had a blast embarking on a scavenger hunt around town, visiting Aysen Regional Museum, and enjoying a nearby hike. We’re excited for many more trips into town! 🎉🌳🤗
#AlzarSchool
#AdventureAwaits
#WeBuildLeaders
#SemesterSchool
Students explored Coyhaique, the nearest town to our campus, for the first time this past weekend! We had a blast embarking on a scavenger hunt around town, visiting Aysen Regional Museum, and enjoying a nearby hike. We’re excited for many more trips into town! 🎉🌳🤗
#AlzarSchool
#AdventureAwaits
#WeBuildLeaders
#SemesterSchool
Hey everyone! My name is Jonah Lieberman and I went to Alzar in the spring of 2021. Arriving after the height of the covid pandemic, I was hoping to have a school experience as far away from a zoom meeting as possible.
Some favorite memories included playing pickup football in the snow, laughing with my cook group in the Owyhee Canyonlands, making a music video on the banks of the salmon river, and learning about the history of dams on the Klamath River on a rafting expedition.
The expeditions, classes, and leadership opportunities at Alzar have shaped who I am today. Similarly, semester 18ers continue to be some of my best friends.
After Alzar, I was inspired by the awesome teachers, ceas, and staff to pursue leadership in the outdoors. I’ve spent my summers guiding backpacking, kayaking, and canoeing trips at a summer camp in Vermont with other Alzar alums. I also decided to study environmental science at Colby College, much in part by the impassioned discussions about conservation on expedition.
If you want to meet amazing people and learn about the world by seeing it for yourself, apply to Alzar!
#Idahome
#AlzarAlumni
#APPLYTODAY
Hey everyone! My name is Jonah Lieberman and I went to Alzar in the spring of 2021. Arriving after the height of the covid pandemic, I was hoping to have a school experience as far away from a zoom meeting as possible.
Some favorite memories included playing pickup football in the snow, laughing with my cook group in the Owyhee Canyonlands, making a music video on the banks of the salmon river, and learning about the history of dams on the Klamath River on a rafting expedition.
The expeditions, classes, and leadership opportunities at Alzar have shaped who I am today. Similarly, semester 18ers continue to be some of my best friends.
After Alzar, I was inspired by the awesome teachers, ceas, and staff to pursue leadership in the outdoors. I’ve spent my summers guiding backpacking, kayaking, and canoeing trips at a summer camp in Vermont with other Alzar alums. I also decided to study environmental science at Colby College, much in part by the impassioned discussions about conservation on expedition.
If you want to meet amazing people and learn about the world by seeing it for yourself, apply to Alzar!
#Idahome
#AlzarAlumni
#APPLYTODAY
Anita, here! Within the Confluence Building fireplace is a mosaic of the Payette River comprised of rocks from around the world sent to us from early day supporters and believers. These rocks remain a symbol of the collective strength of the Alzar community🏔️
As we work towards completing the infrastructure of our campus in Chile, we invite our alumni, families and supporters to once again send us a rock to become a permanent fixture in the main classroom building at base Patagonia. You can find shipping instructions in the link of our bio. Thank you to our entire community for helping building Alzar School!💙
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AlzarAlumni
#BasePatagonia
Anita, here! Within the Confluence Building fireplace is a mosaic of the Payette River comprised of rocks from around the world sent to us from early day supporters and believers. These rocks remain a symbol of the collective strength of the Alzar community🏔️
As we work towards completing the infrastructure of our campus in Chile, we invite our alumni, families and supporters to once again send us a rock to become a permanent fixture in the main classroom building at base Patagonia. You can find shipping instructions in the link of our bio. Thank you to our entire community for helping building Alzar School!💙
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AlzarAlumni
#BasePatagonia
As we welcome new students and families to the Alzar community, we’re looking back at past semesters through the eyes of our alumni parents. Through outdoor expeditions and intentional communal living, students learn to navigate decisions, develop resilience, and become impactful leaders from our campuses in Idaho and Chile.
Enjoy this video from the #AlzarSchool archives!🌍
#WeBuildLeaders
#OutdoorEducation
#HighSchoolReimagined
#FutureLeaders
As we welcome new students and families to the Alzar community, we’re looking back at past semesters through the eyes of our alumni parents. Through outdoor expeditions and intentional communal living, students learn to navigate decisions, develop resilience, and become impactful leaders from our campuses in Idaho and Chile.
Enjoy this video from the #AlzarSchool archives!🌍
#WeBuildLeaders
#OutdoorEducation
#HighSchoolReimagined
#FutureLeaders
“Hi! I’m Jacinta Domìnguez and I attended Alzar School in the fall of 2017. The remote places we had access to—kayaking down rivers and camping on the riverbanks with a group of family-like friends—are memories I’ll never forget. I truly appreciate the tight-knit community that formed during our semester among the alumni, teachers, and faculty. They constantly encouraged us to explore new skills and activities that I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.
I learned from every expedition, from living fully in the present and enjoying great company, to developing leadership and teamwork skills that have helped me since. And the absolute best part? Learning to cook burritos for a big group in the middle of Patagonia, with high winds working against you, while discovering real comfort in nature.
These experiences also shaped my professional path. I am currently completing my internship in clinical psychology at a health center within the public healthcare system in Santiago, Chile.”
APPLY TODAY!🏔️
#AlzarSchool
#AlzarAlumni
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#PatagoniaChile
“Hi! I’m Jacinta Domìnguez and I attended Alzar School in the fall of 2017. The remote places we had access to—kayaking down rivers and camping on the riverbanks with a group of family-like friends—are memories I’ll never forget. I truly appreciate the tight-knit community that formed during our semester among the alumni, teachers, and faculty. They constantly encouraged us to explore new skills and activities that I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.
I learned from every expedition, from living fully in the present and enjoying great company, to developing leadership and teamwork skills that have helped me since. And the absolute best part? Learning to cook burritos for a big group in the middle of Patagonia, with high winds working against you, while discovering real comfort in nature.
These experiences also shaped my professional path. I am currently completing my internship in clinical psychology at a health center within the public healthcare system in Santiago, Chile.”
APPLY TODAY!🏔️
#AlzarSchool
#AlzarAlumni
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#PatagoniaChile
HOLA, SEMESTER 26!👋
We are so excited to meet you this weekend, and can’t wait to begin our semester together. While you’ll meet a few of your teachers and administrators in the airport, the rest of us here in Chile can’t wait for your arrival. See you soon! 🇨🇱✈️
#AlzarSchool
#PatagoniaChile
#SemesterSchool
#AdventureAwaits
HOLA, SEMESTER 26!👋
We are so excited to meet you this weekend, and can’t wait to begin our semester together. While you’ll meet a few of your teachers and administrators in the airport, the rest of us here in Chile can’t wait for your arrival. See you soon! 🇨🇱✈️
#AlzarSchool
#PatagoniaChile
#SemesterSchool
#AdventureAwaits
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.