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 provides high school graduates with life changing experiences while offering tangible leadership training in world class destinations. If you are seeking something more from your traditional university experience 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 could offer 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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Parque Patagonia on film ✨🏔️🥾
We’re reminiscing on semester 25’s last backpacking expedition, and can’t wait for all of the adventures semester 26 will have in both Chile and Idaho!
📸: @lylaewolf
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#PatagoniaChile
Parque Patagonia on film ✨🏔️🥾
We’re reminiscing on semester 25’s last backpacking expedition, and can’t wait for all of the adventures semester 26 will have in both Chile and Idaho!
📸: @lylaewolf
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#PatagoniaChile
CALLING ALL ALUMNI 📣
Our New Year’s resolution is to connect with YOU! Fill out the survey at the link below to update us on your whereabouts and networking preferences. The link is also posted on our story🤘
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxN0sqYKB6n725atYtC9nuKiOpcbjtOkiEMzx6-VeaPN5ODg/viewform
#AlzarAlumni
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
CALLING ALL ALUMNI 📣
Our New Year’s resolution is to connect with YOU! Fill out the survey at the link below to update us on your whereabouts and networking preferences. The link is also posted on our story🤘
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxN0sqYKB6n725atYtC9nuKiOpcbjtOkiEMzx6-VeaPN5ODg/viewform
#AlzarAlumni
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
Hi! My name is Veronica Hatch and I attended Semester 23. The greatest thing I took away from Alzar was a fundamental change in how I view opportunity. Alzar taught me to say “yes” to everything that came my way. I went from being terrified to flip in my kayak to paddling class 4 rapids, from complaining about the cold to navigating my backpacking group up a mountain in a thunderstorm.
At Alzar, I met my best friends and connected with people all over the country that I would never have met otherwise. Each person comes from a different place, background, and circumstances and has a unique perspective to bring to the community, which is why each semester becomes a family.
My experiences at Alzar brought me to spend a month mountaineering in Alaska and a semester studying in Spain and a lifetime of adventure and community. I hope there is forever dirt under my nails and scars on my knees and that my skin carries lasting grooves from the sun. Peace and chow! - V
P.S. APPLY TODAY!!🏔️
#AlzarAlumni
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
Hi! My name is Veronica Hatch and I attended Semester 23. The greatest thing I took away from Alzar was a fundamental change in how I view opportunity. Alzar taught me to say “yes” to everything that came my way. I went from being terrified to flip in my kayak to paddling class 4 rapids, from complaining about the cold to navigating my backpacking group up a mountain in a thunderstorm.
At Alzar, I met my best friends and connected with people all over the country that I would never have met otherwise. Each person comes from a different place, background, and circumstances and has a unique perspective to bring to the community, which is why each semester becomes a family.
My experiences at Alzar brought me to spend a month mountaineering in Alaska and a semester studying in Spain and a lifetime of adventure and community. I hope there is forever dirt under my nails and scars on my knees and that my skin carries lasting grooves from the sun. Peace and chow! - V
P.S. APPLY TODAY!!🏔️
#AlzarAlumni
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
We’re kicking off 2025 with so much gratitude for this past year!🎉 Here’s to more lifelong friendships, expedition memories, and continuing to build leadership skills in some of the world’s most beautiful places!
#AlzarSchool
#SemesterSchool
#AdventureAwaits
#WeBuildLeaders
We’re kicking off 2025 with so much gratitude for this past year!🎉 Here’s to more lifelong friendships, expedition memories, and continuing to build leadership skills in some of the world’s most beautiful places!
#AlzarSchool
#SemesterSchool
#AdventureAwaits
#WeBuildLeaders
Fall 2024 in photographs - we miss you, semester 25! 📸☺️
#AlzarSchool
#SemesterSchool
#AdventureAwaits
#WeBuildLeaders
Fall 2024 in photographs - we miss you, semester 25! 📸☺️
#AlzarSchool
#SemesterSchool
#AdventureAwaits
#WeBuildLeaders
A little #FlashbackFriday featuring Fall 2023. It’s been a year since you all returned home from your semester with us, and we love seeing all of your #Alzar photos and memories ☺️✨🏔️
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#SemesterSchool
A little #FlashbackFriday featuring Fall 2023. It’s been a year since you all returned home from your semester with us, and we love seeing all of your #Alzar photos and memories ☺️✨🏔️
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#SemesterSchool
It’s been almost one week since our fall 2024 cohort had their graduation ceremony, and we are so proud of all of their accomplishments this past semester. Congratulations to the newest class of Alzar Alumni! We’ll be cheering you all on through the rest of high school and beyond! 🎉🌄
#AlzarSchool
#AlzarAlumni
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
It’s been almost one week since our fall 2024 cohort had their graduation ceremony, and we are so proud of all of their accomplishments this past semester. Congratulations to the newest class of Alzar Alumni! We’ll be cheering you all on through the rest of high school and beyond! 🎉🌄
#AlzarSchool
#AlzarAlumni
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
Hey everyone! I’m Dylan Reepmeyer, a Semester 24 Alum from Boston, Massachusetts. My semester with Alzar School was the greatest 4 months of my life. I will take the lasting friendships, unbelievable stories, and incredible memories with me for the rest of my life. Applying to Alzar was a no-brainer because of my experience living away at summer camp for many years, kayaking around New England, and hiking with my family for much of my life. Coming into the semester last spring, I loved nothing more than my summers at YMCA Camp Lawrence in New Hampshire. Soon, though, I became devoted to the small, tight-knit community that is an Alzar cohort.
Some of my favorite Alzar moments were on the river expeditions. The Rio Baker in Chile and the Salmon River in Idaho are world-class rivers with some of the most stunning scenery. Getting to spend mornings powering through class IV ‘big water’ and the afternoons napping, lounging, and laughing on sunny riverside beaches isn’t a bad way to spend your average school week in April. While expedition life is incredible, my most treasured memories were those days and nights spent on campus in the Baker Yurt (Baker Boys 4L) and Refugio 2.
Spending the Spring semester of my Junior year with Alzar was, without a doubt, the best decision I’ve ever made. I am eternally thankful for the experience and the people I met along the way. If you’re considering the Alzar School, it shouldn’t be a question; APPLY TODAY!
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#SemesterSchool
Hey everyone! I’m Dylan Reepmeyer, a Semester 24 Alum from Boston, Massachusetts. My semester with Alzar School was the greatest 4 months of my life. I will take the lasting friendships, unbelievable stories, and incredible memories with me for the rest of my life. Applying to Alzar was a no-brainer because of my experience living away at summer camp for many years, kayaking around New England, and hiking with my family for much of my life. Coming into the semester last spring, I loved nothing more than my summers at YMCA Camp Lawrence in New Hampshire. Soon, though, I became devoted to the small, tight-knit community that is an Alzar cohort.
Some of my favorite Alzar moments were on the river expeditions. The Rio Baker in Chile and the Salmon River in Idaho are world-class rivers with some of the most stunning scenery. Getting to spend mornings powering through class IV ‘big water’ and the afternoons napping, lounging, and laughing on sunny riverside beaches isn’t a bad way to spend your average school week in April. While expedition life is incredible, my most treasured memories were those days and nights spent on campus in the Baker Yurt (Baker Boys 4L) and Refugio 2.
Spending the Spring semester of my Junior year with Alzar was, without a doubt, the best decision I’ve ever made. I am eternally thankful for the experience and the people I met along the way. If you’re considering the Alzar School, it shouldn’t be a question; APPLY TODAY!
#AlzarSchool
#WeBuildLeaders
#AdventureAwaits
#SemesterSchool
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.
