Alzar brings students to the intersection of engaging learning, cultural exchange and outdoor adventure.
Learn More About Alzar
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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Hey ‘25-‘26 Alzar Applicants…You’ve Got (E)Mail!🎉📧
The Admissions Team is so very excited to announce that general admissions decisions have been sent out this afternoon via email. We are so happy for all of our future Alzar students and are proud of the work that went into your applications. This is just the beginning of your adventure and we can’t wait to see you on campus next year! 🏔️📚👏
#WeBuildLeaders
#AlzarSchool
#SemesterSchool
#AdventureAwaits
Hey ‘25-‘26 Alzar Applicants…You’ve Got (E)Mail!🎉📧
The Admissions Team is so very excited to announce that general admissions decisions have been sent out this afternoon via email. We are so happy for all of our future Alzar students and are proud of the work that went into your applications. This is just the beginning of your adventure and we can’t wait to see you on campus next year! 🏔️📚👏
#WeBuildLeaders
#AlzarSchool
#SemesterSchool
#AdventureAwaits
Ruby’s English class enjoyed being lakeside while analyzing “One Friday Morning” by Langston Hughes. On days like these, we just can’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful campus. 📚☀️
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#PatagoniaChile
#SemesterSchool
Ruby’s English class enjoyed being lakeside while analyzing “One Friday Morning” by Langston Hughes. On days like these, we just can’t pass up the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful campus. 📚☀️
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#PatagoniaChile
#SemesterSchool
Time in the backcountry is always special, and semester 26 crushed their first expedition!🤘
#AlzarSchool
#BasePatagonia
#SemesterSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
Time in the backcountry is always special, and semester 26 crushed their first expedition!🤘
#AlzarSchool
#BasePatagonia
#SemesterSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
Students enjoyed local food, music, and art this past weekend at Expo Patagonia!🇨🇱
#AlzarSchool
#BasePatagonia
#SemesterSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
Students enjoyed local food, music, and art this past weekend at Expo Patagonia!🇨🇱
#AlzarSchool
#BasePatagonia
#SemesterSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
Check out the exciting efforts of our Leaders Rising Campaign and the current construction of the Lodge at Base Patagonia! A huge thanks to all the families, alumni and supporters who have helped make this possible.
The finish line to our goal is within sight. DM us to learn more about our current projects and how you can be a part of what lies ahead for Base Patagonia 🎉🏔️
#AlzarSchool
#BasePatagonia
#AlzarAlumni
#WeBuildLeaders
Check out the exciting efforts of our Leaders Rising Campaign and the current construction of the Lodge at Base Patagonia! A huge thanks to all the families, alumni and supporters who have helped make this possible.
The finish line to our goal is within sight. DM us to learn more about our current projects and how you can be a part of what lies ahead for Base Patagonia 🎉🏔️
#AlzarSchool
#BasePatagonia
#AlzarAlumni
#WeBuildLeaders
EXPEDITION DROP 🏔️🥾
We had an awesome time backpacking up to Torres de Avellanos, part of the Greater Patagonian Trail over the past two weeks.
Swipe for an alpine lake view and keep your eye out for more expedition photos to come!
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#PatagoniaChile
#SemesterSchool
EXPEDITION DROP 🏔️🥾
We had an awesome time backpacking up to Torres de Avellanos, part of the Greater Patagonian Trail over the past two weeks.
Swipe for an alpine lake view and keep your eye out for more expedition photos to come!
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#PatagoniaChile
#SemesterSchool
Semester 26 is cooking‼️🛒🤌
After returning from expedition, students get the long-awaited opportunity to cook with and for their peers for the remainder of breakfasts and lunches in Chile. This cultural opportunity to grocery shop in Coyhaique (not to mention to budget and meal plan in a Chilean grocery store) and prepare their food in a quincho is a wonderful way to strengthen the community.
Alumni: Drop your fav quincho memories in the comments⬇️
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#SemesterSchool
Semester 26 is cooking‼️🛒🤌
After returning from expedition, students get the long-awaited opportunity to cook with and for their peers for the remainder of breakfasts and lunches in Chile. This cultural opportunity to grocery shop in Coyhaique (not to mention to budget and meal plan in a Chilean grocery store) and prepare their food in a quincho is a wonderful way to strengthen the community.
Alumni: Drop your fav quincho memories in the comments⬇️
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#SemesterSchool
How lucky are we to call not one, but TWO campuses home?! These videos were taken on the same sunny day from our Patagonia and Idaho campuses. So much gratitude for these special places in the world 🌎🏔️
#AlzarSchool
#AdventureAwaits
#Idaho
#PatagoniaChile
How lucky are we to call not one, but TWO campuses home?! These videos were taken on the same sunny day from our Patagonia and Idaho campuses. So much gratitude for these special places in the world 🌎🏔️
#AlzarSchool
#AdventureAwaits
#Idaho
#PatagoniaChile
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.
