Schools
For those who have children and are considering living in Costa Rica, there are many fine quality bilingual schools in Costa Rica. Here is a listing to assist you in determining what may be the best areas for you and your family to consider purchasing a home. Once you have decided, why not let Buyers Agents help you find the very best opportunities within the region. Our agents live, work and in most cases have investments in Costa Rica. This local knowledge can be a great help in knowing where the best values are in real estate.
American International School
American International School of Costa Rica, AIS (formerly the Costa Rica Academy) was founded in 1970. This school has a student body of a little over 200 students and is located in Cariari, near the outskirts of San Jose. Classes are taught in English and students graduate with a US High School Diploma. (They also have to option to graduate with a Costa Rican National Baccalaureate.) The school prides itself on have a high teacher to student ratio. Most classes average 16 students. The student body is comprised of over 25 different nationalities.
Blue Valley School
Blue Valley has a student body of around 670 students from a range of 27 different nationalities, yet most students at this institution are Costa Ricans. The school is located in Escazu. The focus of the school is to provide academic excellence in an atmosphere of Costa Rican culture. At the same time, diversity is emphasized. Blue Valley offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) and the Costa Rican National Baccalaureate (MEP) but does not offer the United States Diploma.
British School
The British School is comprised of approximately 900 students. About 85% of the student body is Costa Rican yet the remaining 15% come from a wide array of nationalities. The school’s mission is to integrate British and International teaching methods and programs into the Costa Rican Ministry of Education standards. Classes are taught in English. There is a strong emphasis throughout the whole school on experimental science, investigation and language development towards reading skills and Literature comprehension. Most teachers are either Costa Rican or British.
Country Day School
Country Day School (CDS) has about 750 students and is located in Escazu, on the West side of San Jose. The school uses a United States curriculum and the United States calendar school year. Every year over 90% of the graduates apply and are admitted to U.S. and Canadian universities and colleges. Country Day School’s mission is to “provide an English-language school to students with a traditional college preparatory education committed to high academic standards and achievement”. They focus more on US standards, and do not include as much local culture and language.
European School
The European school is located in Heredia and has a student body of about 300 students. The school begins to teach English in Kindergarten and from then on the only Spanish class is “Spanish grammar and literature”. The school was founded in 1989 and its focus is on Liberal Arts and Humanities. Both the International Baccalaureate (IB) and the Costa Rican National Baccalaureate (MEP) are offered.
Humboldt School
Humboldt School is located in Rohrmoser, San Jose and has approximately 750 students. Classes are taught in German and Spanish and starting in the 5th grade English is introduced into the curriculum. Most children of German decent are admitted without a problem. If your child is not of German decent they will most likely be placed on a waiting list.
International Christian School
Lincoln School
Lincoln is Costa Rica’s largest private school with 1100 children enrolled. It just relocated to a new campus near Heredia. Currently it is the best campus that Costa Rica has to offer (in terms of sports, technology, space, and newness). Classes are taught in English following the United States curriculum and United States calendar. ESL & SSL are offered in addition to the regular schedule.
Marian Baker
Marian Baker School is located in San Ramon de Tres Rios and has a student body of about 250 students. This school offers a United States and Costa Rican based curriculum following the United States schedule. Classes are taught in English (with the exception of Spanish class and Costa Rican civics). ESL and SSL are taught for those that are not at the same level of the other children. It is known for a caring faculty in a smaller setting. Marian Baker offers both the Costa Rican National Baccalaureate (MEP) and the United States Diploma.
Marian Baker
Marian Baker School is located in San Ramon de Tres Rios and has a student body of about 250 students. This school offers a United States and Costa Rican based curriculum following the United States schedule. Classes are taught in English (with the exception of Spanish class and Costa Rican civics). ESL and SSL are taught for those that are not at the same level of the other children. It is known for a caring faculty in a smaller setting. Marian Baker offers both the Costa Rican National Baccalaureate (MEP) and the United States Diploma.