Edited by Nik Higgins · Co-founder & CEO
Costa Rica offers a range of international schools for expat families, with options spanning British, IB, American, and other curricula. Families relocating here will find schools at various price points, from affordable to premium institutions with world-class facilities.
Compare 46 international schools in Costa rica. Filter by curriculum, fees (average CRC 13,462), location, and more to find the right international school now.
Lighthouse International School is an independent private, college-preparatory school in Costa Rica that serves students from ages 3 to 18. The curriculum combines an American-pattern education with IB Diploma Programme options and a bespoke program, including a High School path that awards the U.S. High School Diploma and the Costa Rican MEP diploma while offering the IB Diploma Programme in grades 11–12. Core subjects are taught in English by native-speaking teachers, with Spanish instruction to support bilingual growth; the primary language of instruction is English. The school emphasizes inquiry, leadership and character development within a Christ-centered environment. Founded in 2008, Lighthouse is accredited by the Ministerio de Educación Pública and authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme, affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Organization. The program runs Preschool through IB, with Applied Technology from Pre‑K to 8th grade and a STEM Fair, plus arts, music, sports, service learning and daily Community Time devoted to spiritual reflection.
GSD International School Costa Rica is part of GSD cooperative network and serves students from 1 to 18 years old, offering Pre‑school to Secondary. It is authorized to deliver the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), with two DP years, six subjects from the IB groups, and core Theory of Knowledge, CAS and the Extended Essay. The DP groups include Language and Literature (Literature), Language Acquisition (English B), Individuals and Societies (Business Management), Sciences (Chemistry), Mathematics (Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation), and Arts (Music). The school emphasizes technology in learning and aims to foster international inquiry and higher education. Opened in 2018, the campus spans 30,000 m2 and features science, computing and robotics laboratories, a pool, football pitch, a sports center, auditorium and green spaces. Extracurricular activities include GSD Sports, GSD Music and Dance, and GSD Culture. A Mandarin immersion program partners with Greentown Yuhua School Hangzhou and Keystone Academy Beijing.
Colegio Saint Clare is a private non-profit school with over 65 years of history in Costa Rica. It provides preschool through secondary with an inclusive special education programme called 'Everyone Matters Here'. Languages include English, Spanish, and French with international exchanges to France, England, and Singapore.
MonteAlto School is a private educational institution in Costa Rica offering comprehensive programs for students.
International St. Jude School is a private day school in San José, Costa Rica, offering international education for ages 0 to 18. The curriculum blends the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) in early years, Cambridge Primary and Cambridge IGCSE in the middle years, Cambridge Secondary, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, plus a Bespoke Curriculum to tailor learning. English and Spanish are the languages of instruction, with French introduced from Preschool onward, resulting in a bilingual IB diploma for graduates. The campus sits in a forested setting with green spaces, and modern facilities support hands-on learning: a robotics lab, a computing lab, a science lab, a gym and a 25-metre heated pool, plus a chapel. Students access a wide range of ISP-led programs (Artists, Changemakers, Chess Masters, Cultural Exchange, Scientists, Filmmakers, MUN) and diverse clubs. The school emphasizes community service, leadership development, and global perspectives through multilingual education and exchanges.
Golden Valley School is an international day school in Costa Rica serving ages 0 to 18. The program blends Montessori philosophy with the International Baccalaureate framework (PYP, MYP, DP) and an American Diploma option, with families able to choose Bachillerato MEP in final years. English is the primary language of instruction, with immersion from early years, and German taught as a third language; in primary, English is delivered for about eight hours weekly. The school emphasizes inquiry-based, cross-disciplinary learning and project experiences, supported by digital platforms that track progress and offer enrichment. Since 1997, Golden Valley has focused on developing principled, well-informed students who contribute to their communities. A STEAM approach sits beside active sport and arts programs. Extras include a Gifted Students Program, university counseling, and social responsibility initiatives such as COEEPI, linking students with Indigenous communities and international university pathways.
Located in Sámara, Guanacaste, Mareas Academy is a bilingual school offering Pre-K through High School education. The curriculum blends the Costa Rican framework with North American standards and is delivered in Spanish and English. From Kindergarten through high school, the Singapore Math method is used, supporting strong mathematical thinking. Mareas collaborates with The Ogburn School Inc. in Florida, enabling a fully recognized international program; work is reviewed to high standards and a legally valid certificate is issued by The Ogburn School at the end of each school year. Class sizes are small, with no more than 15 students, fostering individual attention. The new campus provides flexible, technology-enabled classrooms with interactive screens and cameras, barrier-free access, movable walls, an infant reaction area, and accessible restrooms, and runs on solar energy installed in 2016. The school emphasizes field trips, project-based learning, arts, and learning through nature and culture, shaping engaged learners.
Montessori Learning Center in Curridabat provides specialized early childhood education for children aged three months to six years. The center is organized into three specific environments: Nido for infants, Comunidad Infantil for toddlers, and Casa de Niños for older children. Each space is designed with proportional furniture and materials to facilitate autonomy and independence. The curriculum follows the Montessori method, emphasizing practical life skills, sensorial development, and language acquisition in both Spanish and English. A unique feature of the school is the "Montessori in a Box" initiative, a signature program that provides curated materials for families to support their child's development at home. The school is led by Eugenia Acuña, a certified Montessori trainer, ensuring that classroom guides adhere to international standards. Families can view student progress through the "Obras de Arte" gallery, which showcases the creative outputs of the children throughout their developmental stages in a peaceful learning environment.
Founded in 1989 by Miss Anne Aronson, The European School in San José, Costa Rica, serves preschool through high school across 14 levels and about 540 students. It is an IB World School offering the Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12 and is accredited by Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Education and the International Baccalaureate Organization. The curriculum uses integrated teaching that unites literature, history, geography and art under central themes, with typical class sizes around 20. The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., with Wednesdays as half days, and a calendar featuring short vacations every nine to ten weeks. Facilities emphasize the arts and languages, with violin instruction leading to a string orchestra in primary. Meals are provided daily, including a balanced lunch with vegetables, many organic, served family‑style. The campus prioritizes sustainable practices and aims to develop mature, globally engaged graduates who contribute as responsible citizens.
Falcon International School is a private institution serving students from pre-K through 12th grade. It is uniquely positioned as one of the few schools in the nation to offer a dual-track curriculum, allowing students to earn both a US High School Diploma and a Costa Rican Baccalaureate. The campus features state-of-the-art technology, climate-controlled classrooms with ample natural lighting, diverse athletic facilities, and a dedicated activity center for its youngest learners. With a faculty drawn from across the globe, the school recently expanded its international reach by welcoming two instructors from China. These educators will teach Mandarin and Chinese culture to the school's English-Spanish bilingual population, providing a distinct competitive edge for international students.
True North School in Costa Rica offers an innovative, learner-centered education with an American and bespoke curriculum delivered bilingually. The school is the exclusive Costa Rica licensee for Learning 1 To 1, providing personalized, one-to-one learning paths. AYTN, Awaken Your True North, anchors the approach, cultivating five core skills—Appreciation, Audacity, Commitment, Curiosity, and Empathy—through leadership development and wellbeing. The day opens with a 20-minute skills session, then blends project-based learning with academic work and a Goal Time block to support autonomy and collaboration. The curriculum uses US and national standards as benchmarks across math, science, ELA, and Spanish, with enrichments in art, music, and physical education. A distinctive feature is the Conscious Innovation Lab, the first of its kind in Costa Rica, where students work on real-world problems. Accreditation by the Costa Rica Ministry of Education in 2020 and Cognia in 2022 confirms the school's international alignment. Committed to excellence.
Colegio Metodista, founded in 1921, is the first bilingual school and kindergarten established in Costa Rica. It offers preschool through secondary with bilingual English-Spanish instruction plus French and Mandarin Chinese programmes. International exchanges with universities in France, England, China, and Dallas.
Colegio Yorkín is an all-boys school in San José, Costa Rica, established in 1990. Located near the University of Costa Rica’s sports complex in Mercedes de Montes de Oca, the school utilizes the SADEC model, which prioritizes personalized attention through its signature "Preceptoría" program. In this initiative, every student receives individual mentorship from a faculty member to support their academic and personal growth. The curriculum is bilingual (English and Spanish) and follows national standards, with French introduced as a third language. Facilities include dedicated science laboratories, computer centers, and extensive sports grounds for soccer, basketball, and athletics. The school emphasizes character formation through a Catholic-inspired framework, encouraging students to participate in community service projects and family-oriented athletic events. Yorkín focuses on preparing boys for university life while fostering technical skills and social responsibility in a suburban, campus-style setting.
Saint Paul College is a private bilingual school in Costa Rica serving ages 0 to 17 across two campuses: a Preschool/Primary campus and a Secondary campus. The school delivers a bilingual curriculum from preschool through secondary, with active, play‑based learning and early English–Spanish immersion in the early years. In primary, the bilingual program features dynamic activities, STEAM laboratories, and the development of cognitive, academic, social and emotional skills, plus sports and arts. In secondary, students follow a rigorous bilingual program with interdisciplinary projects and technology integration, and have the option to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in grades 10 and 11 alongside national subjects. Cognia accreditation and Cognia Early Learning accreditation acknowledge the school's standards after 44 years of history. Facilities include two campuses with libraries, science and computer labs, technology‑enabled classrooms, a pool, gym, athletics track and football pitches, plus a Green House and garden. Extracurriculars include the ACE Programme, Coding and STEAM Skill International Program, Challenger Program, A.S.A.P, SP Sports Academy, MUN, and the English Musical. Special subjects include Art, Music, Computing, Religion, Guidance, Physical Education, and Swimming.
Located in Tres Ríos near San José, Lycée Franco-Costaricien is a bilingual French international school for ages 2 to 18. It is homologated by the French Ministry of National Education and AEFE and is managed in tripartite collaboration with the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education (MEP) and the AFCE. The school offers a cross-border curriculum that combines the French national program with the Costa Rican system, from Maternelle to Terminale, and enables a double diploma: the Costa Rican baccalaureate and the French baccalaureate. Diplomas include the Diplôme National du Brevet (DBND), the Baccalauréat, Costa Rican diplomas, and DELF–DALF. The Terminale year includes a 20‑minute oral exam and orientation toward higher education with personalized guidance via Parcoursup France. The American Section strengthens English and US history and literature and supports the International French Baccalaureate (BFI). The campus offers on-site dining (Grill & Fresh), lodging with host families, and door-to-door transport across 25 routes. Two libraries—the BCD for primary and the CDI for secondary—support reading and research, with project-based learning across sciences, arts, music and the environment.
Lakeside International School in Costa Rica offers a bespoke bilingual program taught in English and Spanish from Early Years through High School. Early Years (ages 3 to 5) use thematically based units across four strands: independence, exploration, communication and healthy living. Primary Years follow an internationally minded, thematically integrated curriculum that applies learning across subjects to everyday life. In Middle Years, the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) emphasizes independent thinking, interdependence and active learning around conceptual themes. High School augments the National Curriculum with international focus and eight subject groups, guided by five Areas of Interaction. Personal projects, community service and university preparation are integral to the Secondary Program. The campus sits on a 200-acre aquaculture farm with five buildings and 28 classrooms, including outdoor classroom beneath a Malinche tree and a hydroponics garden. Lakeside Learning Center emphasizes technology, and the school holds an ecological blue flag for environmental stewardship.
Colegio Calasanz San José is a Catholic educational institution located in the Montes de Oca district, operated by the Piarist Fathers. The school follows the Costa Rican national curriculum (MEP) integrated with the specific pedagogical traditions of San José de Calasanz. Students receive instruction primarily in Spanish, with English and French taught as core languages to prepare them for local and international communication. The campus includes a dedicated sports pavilion, soccer fields, and science laboratories. A central feature of the school is the "Movimiento Calasanz," a program that facilitates student involvement in community service, pastoral activities, and leadership retreats. This initiative is a cornerstone of the school’s identity, focusing on social responsibility alongside traditional classroom learning. For families seeking an education that combines local national standards with a strong emphasis on Christian values and community engagement, the school provides a structured environment within a well-connected urban setting.
The Humboldt-Schule is a private, bilingual, bicultural school in Costa Rica offering Kindergarten through Abitur and the Costa Rican Bachillerato for ages 3 to 18. It operates as a three-language center - German, Spanish and English - with German as the main language in Grundschule (grades 1–6). From grade 5 English is a core subject and students can pursue Deutsche Sprachdiplom I in grades 8–9 and Diploma II in grades 10–11. The curriculum prepares students for both the Costa Rican Bachillerato and the German Abitur, and includes a Germany trip with a student exchange in grade 10. Facilities blend modern science laboratories, spaces for the arts and auditoria with green grounds and strong sports amenities - football pitch, gym and a half-Olympic pool. The Humboldt Club connects families to campus life, and the school's history includes its 1912 founding and Abitur introduction in 1986.
West College is a bilingual school in Guachipelín, Escazú, Costa Rica serving students aged 2 to 17. English is taught at all levels, and Mandarin is taught from Kinder through 10th. Core subjects include English, Reading and Writing, Mandarin, Science and Research, Math, Thinking Skills, and Literacy (Preschool and Preparatory). Complementary subjects include Educational Technology and Robotics (Preparatoria). Preschool, Primary, and Secondary programs (Preescolar, Primaria, Secundaria) are complemented by exchanges program. West College is affiliated with GERA K-12, enabling K-12 experiences and exchanges. Founded in 1989, Escuela Modelo approach, emphasizing research-based and instrumental training with human quality. It reports 100% examination performance in assessments. The garden campus features green spaces and integrated spaces for each stage, within a family-like environment. Facilities include a gym, science laboratory, and a technology and robotics lab. Seminars and clubs enrich student life, with language and cultural programs and leadership development for international families worldwide.
Washington School – San Jose offers education for ages 3 through 18. It follows an American curriculum with AP courses alongside a Costa Rican program and is approved by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education. ESL support is available, and faculty include educators affiliated with Harvard, UC Berkeley, and the University of Costa Rica. The school emphasizes Thought-Based Learning (TBL) and integrates Project-Based Learning (PBL), Solution-Based Learning (SBL), Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) and Creative Arts-Based Learning (ABL). This approach helps students develop critical thinking and digital fluency for leadership in a progressive society. Washington School offers a Model United Nations program (WCRMUN) and a Soccer Team, with field trips as part of school life. Creative arts, including a Talent Show and video activities, are woven into learning. University connections provide exposure to international universities and opportunities for engagement with global peers.
Academia Teocali is a private educational institution in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, founded in 1982 as the first bilingual school. The campus delivers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in a bilingual English–Spanish environment, serving students from preschool through grade 12. The school is recognized by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education and accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization, enabling the IB Diploma and meeting national diploma requirements. The program emphasizes inquiry, research, teamwork, and the development of thinking skills, with a strong focus on critical and global thinking, problem solving, communication, and autonomous learning. Core values include integrity, harmonious coexistence, honesty, solidarity, and social sensitivity. English and Spanish are taught in most classes, fostering intercultural understanding and linguistic proficiency. In grade 11–12, students undertake the Diploma Programme after a selective process in grade 10. The school aims to prepare graduates for university study and international opportunities within a rigorous framework.
La Paz Community School is a PreK–12, non-profit, dual-immersion school in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, operating on two campuses: Cabo Velas and Tempisque, plus an Events and Sports Center on the Cabo Velas campus. The school teaches in English and Spanish and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for 11th and 12th grades, with a bilingual PreK–12 education that immerses students in two languages and two cultures. Its experiential learning approach brings hands-on, real-world connections to every subject, from science labs and gardens to anchor projects such as managing a chicken coop, greenhouses, and composting. Facilities include air-conditioned classrooms, libraries, science labs, art and music spaces, a stage, and a semi-Olympic pool and arena for sports and performances. The Extracurricular Program spans sports, arts, recreation and culture, and anchor projects feed opportunities for leadership, service, and community impact across grades. Our teachers collaborate with families to support each student's growth everyday.
Monterrey Christian School (MCS) is a Christian educational institution in Costa Rica, founded on March 1, 1956. Operating as Asociación Cultural Monterrey, the school has been glorifying God's name for nearly seven decades and employs between 51 and 200 staff members. MCS provides a faith-based educational environment rooted in Christian values.
American International School of Costa Rica (AIS) is a private, co-educational, non-profit day school serving ages 3 through 18 in Heredia, near San José. The school follows an American curriculum with Advanced Placement courses and offers both U.S. and Costa Rican high school diplomas, enabling students to pursue college paths in the United States or locally. Beginning in high school, students prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT, with some taking honors and AP courses. AIS emphasizes critical thinking, writing, creativity, physical activity, leadership, and global mindedness across its programs. Complementary offerings include Music, Art, Drama, MakerSpace, Life Skills, Phys-Ed, Science Lab, and Model UN, plus Learning Support, SSL, and ESL. Facilities emphasize technology integration and hands-on learning, with a small campus that includes a MakerSpace, Science Lab, and a soccer field. The school has a longstanding, international community, supported by college counseling and a non-profit, service-minded culture for global opportunities.
Journey School of Costa Rica is an international, bilingual day school serving ages 2–18 across two campuses: Tamarindo (the flagship) and Jacó. The school offers a dual-language PreK–12 program aligned with the IB Primary Years (PYP) and Middle Years (MYP) frameworks, with instruction in English and Spanish. A transdisciplinary, project-based approach unites mathematics, science, language, and the arts, anchored by a Reggio Emilia-inspired ethos and the idea of the '100 Languages of Children' to support expression through multiple modalities. Social-emotional learning is woven into daily life via Conscious Discipline and restorative justice. Tamarindo carries IB accreditation and national approvals (MEP, Dirección de Educación Privada) as well as Middle States Association, while Jacó pursues similar accreditations. The community includes students from 35 countries, speaking 27 native languages. After-school options span sports, arts, robotics, culture, and service, reinforcing inquiry, well-being, and global citizenship. Students benefit from a collaborative, international community that supports curiosity, kindness, and discovery.
Golden Valley School is an international day school in Costa Rica serving ages 0 to 18. The program blends Montessori philosophy with the International Baccalaureate framework (PYP, MYP, DP) and an American Diploma option, with families able to choose Bachillerato MEP in final years. English is the primary language of instruction, with immersion from early years, and German taught as a third language; in primary, English is delivered for about eight hours weekly. The school emphasizes inquiry-based, cross-disciplinary learning and project experiences, supported by digital platforms that track progress and offer enrichment. Since 1997, Golden Valley has focused on developing principled, well-informed students who contribute to their communities. A STEAM approach sits beside active sport and arts programs. Extras include a Gifted Students Program, university counseling, and social responsibility initiatives such as COEEPI, linking students with Indigenous communities and international university pathways.
Franz Liszt Schule is an international private school in Santa Ana, Costa Rica, offering education from ages 3 to 18. It is affiliated with Germany's Auslandsschulwesen and follows the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in its upper grades. The school describes a tri-lingual program in German, English and Spanish and weaves music throughout the curriculum. Music education is supported by the Conservatorio de Música and ensembles such as the Franz Liszt Choir and Franz Liszt Orchestra. The program spans Preschool through IB DP; Primary and Secondary emphasize academic and emotional development and mastery of English and German to prepare for a globalized world. The IB DP aims to develop critical thinking, problem-solving and time management, promoting an international and environmental mindset. They also present a music curriculum with instruments including piano, guitar, singing, violin, viola, cello, bass, percussion, flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, French horn and trombone, with program emphasizing holistic development.
United World College Costa Rica is a two-year residential IB Diploma Programme school for students aged 13 to 18. It delivers the full IB DP in Spanish with a bilingual diploma option (Spanish and English) and emphasizes experiential learning through Experiential Days across Costa Rica. The campus moves from Santa Ana to San Isidro, Heredia, on 40 hectares of nature reserve to support nature-based inquiry. The college operates as a foundation with an Executive Board and a Board of Trustees, and a Board of Directors was established in 2013. The IB DP core includes Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, and Service across six subject groups. Co-curricular initiatives such as Agents of Change, Thematic Weeks, and CAS Experiences extend learning beyond the classroom. Eight residences host students with wellness support and vegetarian and vegan dining. One-on-one university counseling helps students pursue global destinations, with Davis Foundation scholarships for UWC Costa Rica students at over 100 U.S. universities. Arts opportunities include Music Ensemble, Art, Film Production, and CAS activities.
La Paz Community School is an IB-authorized institution emphasizing peace practices, mindfulness, and community belonging. The school serves students from preschool through grade 12 across multiple campuses.
Iribó School is a private educational institution in Costa Rica. The school provides comprehensive education with a focus on academic excellence and character development.
Del Mar Academy is an IB World School in Nosara, Costa Rica, offering a bilingual Montessori-based curriculum for Pre-K through Grade 12. Instruction is in English and Spanish. The Early Years focus on language, mathematics, sciences, geography and culture, and practical life through hands-on, project-based learning. Upper Elementary and Middle School extend interdisciplinary bilingual instruction across core subjects, blending Montessori principles with IB preparation as students advance. The school is fully accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education and authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12, with candidacy for the Middle Years Programme. The 11-acre campus near the beach features indoor classrooms, outdoor labs, gardens, an outdoor stage, and Ecological Blue Flag recognition for water quality and sustainability. Core programs include field trips, environmental studies, theatre, Visual Arts and STEAM, integrated with Technology and Digital Media. Del Mar Academy graduates attend universities worldwide.
Marian Baker School (MBS) is a private international school in Costa Rican Central Valley serving students aged 2 to 18. The campus overlooks San José and offers English-dominant instruction with Spanish taught across all grades and French introduced early. The school provides the IB Diploma Programme alongside the Cognia High School Diploma and the Costa Rican high school diploma, enabling graduates to pursue colleges worldwide, including the United States and Costa Rica. In addition to the bespoke curriculum and American-style options, MBS emphasizes bilingual literacy and prepares students for diverse paths. Facilities include a gym, a library, a cafeteria, and modern classrooms for middle and high school, with dedicated spaces and campus spaces for efficient movement. Extracurriculars feature Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Student Government, and AASCA sports; arts electives include drama, band, and cinematography. The school is nut-free and promotes wellness through nutrition and physical education for all.
International Christian School (ICS) San José is a PK-11 international school in Costa Rica serving ages 0 to 17. The campus in San Miguel, Santo Domingo, Heredia offers Preschool, Elementary and Secondary education with English and Spanish instruction. The curriculum combines IB programs (PYP and MYP) with a bespoke option, and in high school students choose between the IB Diploma and the National Baccalaureate, decided in ninth grade. A College Preparation Program supports ninth through eleventh graders with career exploration, college applications, and admissions exams such as UCR and TEC, plus SAT or ACT when applicable. The school emphasizes experiential learning through organized outdoor trips, e-learning resources, and a virtual tour. Athletics, arts and robotics are integral, with robotics projects competing nationally, and student art displays and musical productions enriching the creative program. ICS maintains a Christian-values culture and a history of contributing to Costa Rica's education system and society.
Country Day School, Costa Rica (CDS) is a US-accredited private day school serving an international community from ages 1 to 18. Founded in 1963, it joined Nord Anglia Education in 2018, strengthening its offerings through collaborations with Juilliard, MIT, and UNICEF. The curriculum follows US frameworks: Elementary and Middle School use Common Core standards; High School leads to the US high school diploma alongside the Costa Rican Bachillerato, with more than 25 AP courses and the AP Capstone Diploma. Students prepare for university with mathematics built on Harvard Pure Math, Harvard Engineering, and MIT curricula, and Mandarin is available as a high school elective. The campus in San Rafael de Alajuela is LEED-certified, solar powered, and designed to save water and energy. It features 81 classrooms, seven STEAM spaces, arts and athletic facilities, and outdoor areas. Global Campus connects students with peers, enabling field experiences, international trips, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Mount View School is a private day school in Guachipelín de Escazú, San José, Costa Rica, serving ages 1–18. English is the language of instruction across levels; preschool is English-only. Portuguese runs 1st–9th, Mandarin Preparatory–6th, and French 7th–9th. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme as an optional track introduced in 2024, with IB exam fees borne by families. Facilities include a FIFA-certified synthetic playing field, a volleyball court, three multi-use courts, a computer lab, an art workshop, and a daily lunch cafeteria. Interactive whiteboards and a parent-communication app support learning, and ACEP and MEP recognition confirm accreditation. Mount View partners with families to support holistic development within a framework of religious, spiritual, moral, and social values. Programs include Home Skills, El viaje de Emprender entrepreneurship with Business Kids (4th–6th), and Electives, plus after-school clubs and cultural events. The school emphasizes student growth within a community that values academics, sports, and culture.
Colegio Nuevo Mundo provides education in Costa Rica.
Blue Valley School is a private international campus in Guachipelín, Escazú, enrolling ages 2 to 18. The school delivers a bilingual English–Spanish curriculum from preschool through grade 12, blending Costa Rican requirements with international frameworks. Students can earn a U.S. High School Diploma, a NEASC-accredited American diploma, and the IB Diploma Programme in grades 11 and 12. The IBDP is bilingual in English and Spanish, with mandatory English and Spanish A Language and Literature courses, and includes Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service. The Costa Rican Bachillerato is awarded after government exams in 11th grade, while the U.S. Diploma is earned by meeting Blue Valley's requirements in 12th grade, and the IB Diploma after two years in the program. English is the primary language of instruction for most subjects; Spanish supports campus life and bilingual proficiency. Modern facilities support science, arts, and collaborative learning everyday.
Berkeley Academy Costa Rica is a private K–12 international school in Santa Ana, established in 2013. It delivers a U.S.-based high school program alongside the Costa Rican National Baccalaureate, awarding diplomas for each track. Instruction is English for U.S. required courses and Spanish for Costa Rican requirements, following a North American two-semester calendar. The curriculum includes the U.S. High School program grounded in UC/CSU A-G Requirements and more than 25 AP courses plus 20 Honors courses, with exams such as AP, PSAT variants, and the SAT. The school promotes bilingualism and multicultural perspectives, supported by comprehensive college counseling. A forthcoming state-of-the-art campus will feature a fully-equipped gym, a regulation soccer pitch, a semi-Olympic pool, an amphitheater, multiple auditoria, four student-research laboratories, four library centers, an art studio, and 60 classrooms. A Senior Thesis in Grade 12 (15 pages, 20 pages for honors) is required, defended under faculty supervision, along with internships and a Global Service program.
Anglo American School in Costa Rica is a private day school offering the International Baccalaureate across the full range of grades from 0 to 18. The curriculum includes IB PYP, MYP, and DP, with a emphasis on student-centred inquiry and global-minded learning. The school provides bilingual education from preschool through secondary in a fully bilingual environment, with a total English immersion program. The bilingual program begins at 11 months of age. In 2017 the school was accredited to offer the IB Diploma, and it celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2019. Facilities include wide green spaces designed for early years, a Library and Resource Center with print and Destiny online catalogs, and high-level science laboratories and Design and Technology spaces for practical experiments, robotics, and programming. After-school services and clubs extend learning, including Actividades optativas such as dance, swimming, football, basketball, and taekwondo. Language clubs and Olympiads round out the program.
SEK International School Costa Rica is a private institution serving students from preschool through high school in Costa Rica. The school has offered the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme since 2018 and provides a bilingual start: Play Group (Maternal) with bilingual teachers, Preschool with digital boards and iPads, and Primary education delivered in Spanish and English to build multilingual literacy. The Secondary School blends the Academic Curriculum with a Complementary Curriculum that includes Programming, Robotics, Plastic Arts, Karate, Dance, and Swimming. More than 50% of teaching hours are conducted in English from the early years. Students may participate in English-immersion opportunities at SEK Preparatory International School in Florida or Boca Raton for seamless SEK studies. SEK Costa Rica is part of the SEK International Institution, a private education group with over 134 years of service, opened here in 1988. The campus features extensive educational technology: iMac laboratories, interactive whiteboards, three iPad carts carrying 90 iPads for Infant and Primary Education, campus-wide Wi-Fi, Moodle, and G Suite, with digital tools integrated across subjects.
The British School of Costa Rica is an independent day school for students aged 3 to 18, delivering IEYC and IPC in the primary years, a bespoke middle-years curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE in Years 9–10, and the IB Diploma Programme in Years 11–12. The Diploma is a bilingual English/Spanish two-year programme. The school is bilingual throughout, with most classes in English and the remainder in Spanish (or French), and aims for bilingual proficiency before Year 3. Founded in 1981, it is NEASC-accredited, recognized by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education, and authorised as an IB World School and Cambridge assessment centre. The 2.2-hectare campus includes an Early Years block, 46 general classrooms, five senior science labs, two Makerspaces, an Art Salon, and a 300-seat Auditorium/Theatre plus a 1,200 m2 gym and on-site sports fields. Extracurriculars feature Model United Nations and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, alongside broad arts and sports offerings.
Tree of Life International School (TOLIS) is a private, non-denominational institution in Santa Ana, Costa Rica, serving students aged 3 to 18. The Cambridge curriculum guides IGCSE, AS Levels, and A Levels, with Cambridge English exams in grades 5, 10 and 11 and Mandarin proficiency exams (YCT/HSK). The school runs a trilingual program—Spanish, English and Mandarin—embedded across age-appropriate classes. Learning is project-based and organized in multi-age cohorts to foster collaboration, problem solving and peer mentoring. Technology features across subjects, including programming, robotics and 3D printing, culminated in an annual Maker's Day. Leadership development is central: TOLIS is the first Franklin Covey Leadership School in Latin America, applying the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and offering an annual leadership camp. Other strengths include nutrition in meals, semi-annual project fairs, a high-school trip to China, and a diverse community representing 25+ nationalities. This combination supports curious, globally aware learners every day.
Lincoln School in San Jose is a Costa Rican non‑profit international school serving students aged 4 to 18. The seven‑hectare campus in Santo Domingo de Heredia features a central plaza, flexible libraries, an Arts Center with theatre and visual arts classes, four gyms, and a soccer field. In 2023, the Lincoln Innovation Center (LINC) opened to support project‑based learning and prototyping. The school offers the International Baccalaureate across its program: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP), and a candidate for the Career‑related Programme (CP). The DP can be pursued as a full IB Diploma or via individual IB courses, with subjects including English, Spanish and French language and literature, business management, economics, sciences, mathematics, computer science, film, music, and visual art. Lincoln emphasizes a bicultural, bilingual heritage and features strong arts and sports programs, complemented by a broad range of extracurriculars such as HMUN, AASCA participation, and leadership activities through LEAD and Babson partnerships.
Costa Rica International Academy (CRIA) is a private day school in Guanacaste serving the international community from PreK through 12. The school teaches a U.S.-based curriculum with AP courses and dual-enrollment university partnerships. It is fully accredited KG–12 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education. The 32-acre campus features 41 classrooms, science labs, a STEM Lab, two fine arts suites, a performing arts stage, a multipurpose court, soccer and beach volleyball facilities, a swimming pool, a cafeteria, and a library. The program is bilingual in English and Spanish and integrates Spanish language and culture across the curriculum; AP Spanish Language & Composition is offered. Extracurriculars include National Honor Society, Model UN, leadership councils, and service learning, with a Community Service requirement for grades 9–12, plus dual-enrollment with Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University.
Futuro Verde is an IB World School in Costa Rica offering preschool through 12th grade (ages 3 to 18). The campus on the Nicoya Peninsula sits amid lush jungle, where learning regularly unfolds in contact with the natural environment. The school is bilingual, with instruction in English and Spanish, and follows a constructivist, inquiry-based approach. Its transdisciplinary curriculum blends multiple disciplines through project-based inquiry to foster international mindedness, with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship, global issues, social justice, and intercultural relations. The Diploma Programme forms part of the upper secondary continuum, and the school serves about 230 students from diverse backgrounds. Since 2018 Futuro Verde has been an IB World School authorized to offer the IB DP. It maintains Costa Rica's highest green certification and runs campus initiatives to reduce waste and conserve energy, reflecting its commitment to sustainability as a core value. Well-being and service are central values.
Pan-American School is a private international day school in San Antonio de Belén, Heredia, Costa Rica, serving students aged 1 to 18. It offers the IB Continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) alongside an American Curriculum and a Bespoke Curriculum, delivering a bilingual English-Spanish education within an inclusive, non-selective program. The school is the first IB Continuum in Costa Rica and is accredited by NEASC-CIE in the United States. The curriculum emphasizes skill development and a broad range of arts, design, and physical education, with social-emotional support and a focus on service and global sustainability. Languages taught are English and Spanish. The campus spans 35,000 m² in natural setting, with five classrooms, academic facilities, sports fields, and recreational spaces. It has 24-hour supervised entrances, Carbon Neutral certification via solar energy and recycling, and spaces rentable when not in session. Extracurriculars include Model United Nations (PASMUN), attracting over 300 participants from eight countries.
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