Compare International Curriculum International Schools in Costa rica

The British School of Costa Rica is located in San José, Costa Rica. The address is From the end of Rohrmoser Boulevard, 125 m north, Pavas, San José 10109, Costa Rica.

Early Years; Primary; Secondary. Early Years starts at 3 years of age; Primary starts at 6 years of age; Secondary starts at 11 years of age.

The school is an independent day school. It offers education from Early Years 1 (3 year-olds) to Year 12 (12th Grade).

School Day starts at 8:00 am for all year levels. Early Years and Years 1–4 finish at 2:00 pm; Year 5 and Secondary finish at 3:00 pm. School Office hours are 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.

The School Bus Service is managed by TRANOSYS.

The school does not offer boarding facilities per se; however, week-day boarding arrangements for children can be made with school families who live in the vicinity.

Uniforms are required for all students. The 2026 uniform guides are available for Primary and Secondary.

Pupils are organized into houses for tournaments and other activities; Primary House tournaments are part of the school.

The British School of Costa Rica is an independent day school. Founded in 1981 by Mr. David Lloyd and Mrs. Liliana Lloyd, who serve as Directors General, it is privately owned and registered in the Costa Rican Public Registry. It is NEASC-accredited, recognized by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education, and is a member of the International Baccalaureate Organization; it is a Cambridge IGCSE Centre and an IELTS Testing Centre, licensed by the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, among other designations.

IGCSE in Years 9–10 (most of this programme is taught in English) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Years 11–12. The Upper Secondary curricula have been developed by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations and the International Baccalaureate Organization, and the IB Diploma is a bilingual English/Spanish two‑year programme.

Class sizes are capped at a maximum of 22 students per teaching class (20 in Early Years) with an average of 19+; the school is bilingual with most classes taught in English and the remainder in Spanish (or French); teaching staff comprises about 14% international, 23% British, and 63% Costa Rican teachers; in secondary levels the ratio of international to national teachers is approximately 50/50.

IB Diploma: 2020–2024 pass rates include 2020: 31/31, 2021: 35/36, 2022: 32/33, 2023: 28/32, 2024: 43/45; notable IB results include best Latin American region performance (1998) and best world individual score (45 points) in 1998. IGCSE: defined pass rate as the percentage of students passing at least five subjects with grade C or higher; 2020–2021: 100% (students took only 2 subject exams due to Covid), 2022: 88%, 2023: 73%, 2024: 75%; historical notes include top Australian/UK/world results in certain years (e.g., 1996 best individual world result; 2009 best world results in French and Spanish).

Graduates have enrolled at universities worldwide, including University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Calgary, Carleton University, York University, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and other Canadian institutions; in the United States, institutions such as MIT, Harvard University, Duke University, New York University (including NYU Abu Dhabi), and Johns Hopkins University are listed among destinations; in the United Kingdom, the University of Cambridge and other UK universities are represented; graduates have also progressed to universities in other countries and locally at institutions such as EARTH and Universidad de Costa Rica.

Social and emotional learning is integrated through a focus on emotional wellbeing and social relationships. A Year 5 Social, Emotional and Relationships Talk was delivered with Year 11 student mentors to support the transition to secondary school. Health Week included a workshop on staying safe online delivered by external speakers and a psychologist. House System and Service Learning activities, such as 'Boxes of Hope', promote teamwork and social responsibility across year groups. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is part of the school's extracurricular offerings.

Mental wellbeing is supported through a focus on emotional wellbeing and social relationships. A Year 5 Social, Emotional and Relationships Talk involved Year 11 student mentors to build confidence during the transition to secondary school. Health Week included a psychologist-led workshop on online safety and privacy, helping students manage digital life and wellbeing. House System and Service Learning activities promote social connectedness and community involvement across year groups. Values such as honesty, respect and responsibility underpin student wellbeing.

Admissions are welcome year round. Complete the official Admissions Form. An admissions officer will arrange a virtual meeting with the relevant coordinator. The school will arrange an evaluation of the child, conducted virtually with the parents. Results are sent to the parents within the following week. If a place is offered, the parents have two weeks to pay the reservation fee. Evaluations are scheduled only if there is space available. The school serves Early Years (3 to 6 years), Primary (6 to 11 years) and Secondary (11 to 18 years).

San José, Pozos, Valle del Sol, Costa Rica. The school is located in the Valle del Sol area of Pozos in the San José province. The address and contact details indicate it serves the local community in this part of Costa Rica.

Preschool Ages 6 months - 6 years; Primary School Ages 6 - 11; Secondary School Ages 11 - 18; IB Diploma Programme Ages 16 - 18. The curriculum includes the Cambridge international pathways and the IB Diploma Programme, with bilingual instruction in English and Spanish and French taught from Preschool to Secondary.

Private international day school

CASE-V for high-performance athletes; LEAP for gifted learners; small classes for tailored support.

Affiliated with International Schools Partnership (ISP).

Rooted in faith.

School transport is provided through partnered providers. Routes cover Santa Ana, Escazú, San José, Heredia, Ciudad Colón and Lindora. Pick-up times are between 5:30 and 7:00 am, drop-off is at 2:50 pm; monthly fees range from $95 to $170. Buses meet safety standards and schedules are coordinated with families.

St. Jude School has a uniform. Preschool wear white institution shirt, red shorts, white or red socks, closed shoes, and a red sweatshirt with a hat; Primary wear a beige polo shirt with blue pants, and Secondary wear a beige polo shirt with marine-blue pants, with a red sweatshirt and hat for all levels. The PE uniform uses the official house shirt, and the complete uniform can be purchased at the school store.

Dining service: Students enjoy a cafeteria service organised by sections and staggered schedules, with nutritious, well-balanced menus every day of the week.

The school uses a house system for physical education; students wear the official shirt of the house to which they belong.

St. Jude School is part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) network.

Comprehensive academic programme through the Cambridge Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma; Preschool uses the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC); Primary and Secondary follow Cambridge pathways, culminating in the IB Diploma Programme for ages 16–18; English and Spanish are used as languages of instruction, with French taught from Preschool through Secondary; graduates earn a bilingual IB diploma.

MAP (NWEA) scores exceed global benchmarks, and 98% of graduates are admitted to universities in Costa Rica, the US, and Europe.

Future Pathways provides personalised guidance for university and career planning, helping students move toward higher education or careers.

CASE V supports high-performance athletes and LEAP supports gifted learners, within a framework of small classes.

A nurturing learning environment with balanced, joyful classrooms that cultivate empathy, collaboration, and resilience, while growing students' confidence to lead with kindness.

Develop multilingual skills in English and Spanish, study French from Preschool to Secondary, and graduate from the IB Diploma Programme with a bilingual diploma and global opportunities.

Mental wellbeing is supported by a nurturing environment that emphasises empathy, collaboration, resilience, and confidence to lead with kindness.

Learn in a secure, caring environment upheld by international safeguarding standards with trained staff, clear procedures, and open communication, so students feel safe, supported, and focused.

The school serves learners from 6 months to 18 years. The school offers Preschool, Primary School, Secondary School, and an IB Diploma. The school is part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) network. The admissions section includes How to apply, Tuition fees, Inquire now, and Book a tour. How to apply provides a clear admissions guide, details about upcoming open days, and a simple application form. Tuition fees are presented with information for planning costs and guidance from staff. Inquire now invites prospective families to request information and learn how the school can support their journey. Book a tour invites visitors to experience the learning environment. The school is located in San José, Pozos, Valle del Sol, Costa Rica.