International Christian School - San Jose vs The European School - San Jose

	I International Christian School - San Jose San Jose, Costa Rica	T The European School - San Jose San Jose, Costa Rica
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CRC 11,760 - 36,520	Fees / year CRC 8,990 - 15,360
Age range	Age range 0 - 17 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Bespoke Curriculum, Christian Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 540
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Spanish	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1989
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location Located in Heredia, San Pablo, Costa Rica. The European School serves students and teachers from over forty countries. A Waze link is available to find the campus. The bus service is a private service supervised by The European School, and parents must arrange payment with the transportation coordinator.
Stages	Stages PK-11; Little Jaguars (preschool), Preschool, Elementary, Secondary, College Prep	Stages 14 levels: Preschool; Elementary (Grades 1-3 and 4-6); High School (Grades 7-10); IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12).
School type	School type International school	School type IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Students and teachers from over forty countries are represented.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Costa Rica	Country affiliation Costa Rica
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Christian	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Wednesdays are half days.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details The bus service is a private service supervised by The European School; parents must arrange payment with the transportation coordinator.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and admission fees - Admission test (one-time, for new students): USD 25. - No separate non-refundable application or registration fee amount is published on the school's public admission pages. Tuition fees by year group and per term - No published tuition schedule for any year group (preschool, elementary, secondary/IB) is available on the school's public pages. Specific tuition amounts per term or per academic year are not listed. Billing schedule and payment terms - A detailed billing schedule and formal payment terms (for example: number of instalments per year, due dates, late-payment penalties) are not published on the school's public pages. Parents are referred to the school's payment office for clarification and for completing payments. Boarding fees (if applicable) - No boarding program or boarding fees are published. The school's public information identifies the campus location and presents ICS as a day-school operation; no residential/boarding fees or boarding program details are available. Other costs and recurring charges - No published amounts for uniforms, school transportation (bus), activity/athletics fees, materials/lab fees, exam fees, or extracurricular program fees are available on the school's public pages. While the school lists programs such as athletics and arts, specific charges related to these services are not given. Refund and withdrawal policy - A published refund or withdrawal fee schedule (for example: pro‑rata refunds, non‑refundable deposits, or deadlines for refunds) is not available on the school's public pages. Fee payment options - No public list of accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, local direct debit, cash, online payment portal) is published. Payments are administered through the school's payment office. Brief summary of findings and gaps - The only concrete, published fee amount located on the school's public admission pages is the admission test fee of USD 25. Comprehensive published information for annual or per-term tuition, registration/application fees, boarding fees, uniform or transport charges, refund rules, and accepted payment methods could not be found on the school's public pages; parents must obtain those figures and the formal billing schedule directly from the school's payment office or admissions office.	Fee details Registration / Application fees - 2026/27: Registration fee USD 710.00 per year, per child, payable in May. Non‑refundable. - 2025/26 (for reference): Registration fee USD 680.00 per year, per child, payable in May. Non‑refundable. Tuition fees by year group (2026/27 academic year) - Pre‑School: USD 9,800.00 per year (USD 2,450.00 per quarter). - Primary: USD 13,650.00 per year (USD 3,410.00 per quarter). - Secondary: USD 15,600.00 per year (USD 3,900.00 per quarter). - IB (11th and 12th grade): USD 16,750.00 per year (USD 4,180.00 per quarter). For IB students, an individual laptop is required and there is an additional CAS fee of USD 1,470.00 payable before October 1. Tuition fees by year group (2025/26 academic year) - Pre‑School: USD 8,990.00 per year (USD 2,250.00 per quarter). - Primary: USD 12,530.00 per year (USD 3,130.00 per quarter). - Secondary: USD 14,320.00 per year (USD 3,580.00 per quarter). - IB (11th and 12th grade): USD 15,360.00 per year (USD 3,840.00 per quarter). For IB students, an individual laptop is required and there is an additional CAS fee of USD 1,340.00 payable before October 1. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is billed and payable by quarter. Payment schedule: August, November, February and May. All tuition payments must be made by the 15th of each indicated month. Boarding / Residential provision and related fees - The school operates with day services (transportation and on‑site meals are provided). No boarding or residential program fees are listed; bus transportation and daily lunch/snack services are available instead. - Bus service is offered across the Central Plateau and is managed as a separate service with its own billing options (monthly, five‑month or annual payment plans, with stated discounts for multi‑period payments). The bus service contract requires payment according to the selected plan and notes that service suspension does not automatically result in a refund or payment reduction. Specific bus fees are billed separately. Other costs and typical additional fees - IB programme: laptop requirement for each IB student and the CAS fee (USD 1,470.00 for 2026/27; USD 1,340.00 for 2025/26) due before October 1. - After‑school clubs: selected clubs are charged separately in Costa Rican colones. Example club fees (samples from published club schedule): Art ¢67,000; Yoga ¢55,000; Crafts & Jewelry ¢60,000; Ballet ¢55,000; Crochet ¢65,000; Soccer ¢55,000; many other clubs range approximately ¢45,000–¢67,000 depending on activity and grade. These club fees commonly include lunch or snack and materials as indicated per activity. - Transportation billing options: monthly, five‑month (with a discount), or annual (with a larger discount) payment options are available for the bus service. - No additional charges are applied for textbooks, class materials, snack, lunch (in primary and high school), international examination fees, local class trips, and most outdoor educational trips. Refund information (applicable items) - The annual registration fee is explicitly non‑refundable. - For bus service, the transport agreement states that suspension of the transport service will not automatically imply a refund or reduction of payment for the service. Fee payment options and bank details - Payments by bank transfer are accepted. Local bank account details are provided for BAC San José and Banco Nacional (account numbers and IBANs are published for payments in Costa Rica). International transfer details include the beneficiary name (Colegio Europeo), an IBAN account number and a SWIFT code for international payments. Sample published details: Beneficiary Name: Colegio Europeo; IBAN (example): CR92010200009027714273; Bank Name: BANCO BAC SAN JOSE; SWIFT: BSNJCRSJ. Local account numbers for BAC San José and Banco Nacional are also published for domestic transfers. - After‑school club fees are listed in Costa Rican colones and are billed separately according to the club schedule. Bus payments may be arranged monthly, five‑month or annually per the transport form.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement The school has a uniform policy. All students must wear uniforms. Pre-school to 6th grade wear a white polo with blue jeans, blue jean shorts, or denim skirt; 7th to 10th grade wear a blue polo with blue jeans, blue jean shorts, or denim skirt; IB students wear an IB T‑shirt with blue jeans, blue jean shorts, or denim skirt. Only school T‑shirts and shorts are used for P.E.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Lunch and snacks are provided as part of tuition. Bus service is available for an extra cost.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is led by General Director Guadalupe Picado.	Governance and ownership The European School was founded by Miss Anne Aronson and continues to be run by her.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details ICS offers Preschool, Elementary, and Secondary education. In high school, students choose between the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and the National Baccalaureate program, with the decision made in ninth grade; completion of either program occurs in the 10th and 11th grades. A College Preparation Program supports ninth through eleventh grade students with career exploration, the college application process, and preparation for admission exams including the UCR and TEC admissions exams as well as the SAT or ACT. The curriculum also emphasizes experiential learning, including organized outdoor trips that enrich the curriculum.	Curriculum details Integrated teaching unifies and interrelates academic work through central themes. The European School serves Preschool through High School, distributed across 14 levels with an ideal class size of 20. The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. (Wednesdays are half days). It is accredited by Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Education and by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). The IB Diploma Programme is offered for Grades 11-12.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio About 20 students per class.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Guidance in career exploration, university selection, and the college application process; support for admission exams (UCR, TEC, SAT, ACT) to improve college admissions.	Higher education progression IB Diploma graduates are accepted at hundreds of universities worldwide, often with preferential admission and advanced standing.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Values-centered education integrates cognitive, social, and emotional development across the curriculum. It aims to develop proactive, values-driven citizens who serve others and contribute to their communities. The program fosters global awareness and an inclusive environment where students express themselves respectfully and appreciate cultural diversity. Alumni serve as role models for integrity and leadership within their communities. Education rooted in values guides students' decisions and daily actions, extending learning beyond the classroom through experiential activities and outdoor programs.	Social & emotional learning The Preschool emphasizes a calming atmosphere where emotional sensitivity, responsibility, respect, and aesthetics are developed through play, art and music.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language English is the language of instruction, and the school has bilingual teachers.	English as an additional language The school fosters expression in at least two languages.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Teachers provide emotional and academic support to students. A healthy and calm environment for children is described, supporting mental wellbeing.	Mental wellbeing Emotional sensitivity and social development are fostered in the Preschool, supporting emotional wellbeing.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The school emphasizes safety and a safe environment for students.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview International Christian School is a PK-11 school of excellence that offers instruction in English and Spanish. It promotes critical thinking and lifelong learning through research. The school fosters a Christian-values culture and aims to develop knowledgeable, principled, balanced, and caring leaders with social responsibility in a changing global world. It supports learning beyond the classroom through organized outdoor trips. E-learning resources and a virtual campus tour are available to students and families.	Facilities overview The European School accommodates approximately 540 students across 14 levels, with class sizes around 20. The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., with Wednesdays half days, followed by a rich extracurricular program. Each classroom has a wealth of books to support learning. Meals are provided daily with a snack and a complete, well-balanced lunch, with many vegetables organic, served family-style. The school is accredited by Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Education and the International Baccalaureate Organization. The campus uses resources in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Robotics and programming projects are part of the technology program. Students develop critical thinking and problem-solving through challenging robotics projects. The program includes participation in national and international robotics competitions. The school also emphasizes responsible digital citizenship and the ethical use of digital tools.	Academic facilities The school is accredited by Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Education and the International Baccalaureate Organization. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered for grades 11-12, with students selecting courses from six subject groups: studies in language and literature; language acquisition; individuals and societies; sciences; mathematics; and the arts. The Diploma Programme requires an extended essay, Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and CAS for graduation. An integrated teaching approach unites literature, history, geography and art under central themes, preparing students for the IB Diploma. These structures support university entrance at hundreds of universities worldwide.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Art classes are part of the primary curriculum, with multiple levels of Art offered in middle and upper school; student artworks are displayed throughout the year. Music classes are provided in the Lower School, with a Musical produced in the Middle/Upper School. ICS offers international programs during the summer, including New York Parsons School of Design and Nouva Accademia Di Belle Art in Rome, a Summer Camp in Film Making, and Exchange Programs with AFS.	Extra curricular facilities The After School Clubs program offers a wide range of options which help students explore their sports, artistic, and academic interests or talents. All classes take place within the school facilities, right after the school day is over.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History International Christian School (ICS) is a PK-11 school in Costa Rica. It has contributed to the Costa Rican educational system for more than 40 years. Its program is bilingual, delivering instruction in English and Spanish and offering Preschool, Elementary, Secondary, and College Prep with international standards. ICS is located in San Miguel, Santo Domingo, Heredia, Costa Rica.	History Miss Anne Aronson founded The European School in 1989 and continues to lead it today. The school emphasizes the Liberal Arts and Humanities. It aims to provide an academically rigorous education with freedom and opportunity for individualized learning. The result is mature, morally attuned, self-confident graduates who become responsible global citizens.
Community	Community ICS emphasizes a family-oriented community; parents and students describe ICS as a place that values family and makes them feel at home. The school encourages learning beyond the classroom with organized outdoor trips to enrich the curriculum. The site provides a Parent Corner with articles and resources for families, covering topics such as health, reading, and mental well-being. The Sports Festival and other news highlight ongoing community activities.	Community The school promotes responsible participation in local and global community activities that celebrate and respect cultural diversity. Its core values are Creativity, Respect, Diversity, Service and Responsibility. It emphasizes empathy and compassionate engagement as part of its community ethos. Through its values, the school fosters a sense of belonging and engagement within the school and broader community.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual ICS offers a College Preparation Program for ninth through eleventh grade designed to guide students toward higher education and future careers. Guidance in Career Exploration supports students in identifying interests and talents, while the College Application Process helps with university selection, documentation, and interviews. The program includes preparation for admissions exams such as UCR and TEC, and offers guidance for tests like the SAT or ACT when applicable. Students may also choose the International Baccalaureate (IB) pathway, which emphasizes critical thinking, effective communication, and collaboration.	Academic & intellectual The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered for Grades 11-12 and has been taught since 1997. To earn the diploma, students complete an extended essay, Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). The school is accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization and by Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Education.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative All Primary School students have Art class within their weekly schedule. Lower School students take weekly music classes, and fifth grade participates in a Musical as a final project. Middle and High School students can choose to participate in a musical, and student artwork is prominently displayed throughout the year.	Arts & creative The European School places a high value on the fine arts, encouraging students to express their artistic talents through art and music. Violin classes are offered to all students in preparatory to develop fine motor skills, attention span, and musical sensitivity; those showing disposition may join the string orchestra later in primary. The curriculum emphasizes arts and music as a core area of study.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language ICS provides summer International Programs with opportunities such as New York Parsons School of Design, Nouva Accademia di Belle Arte in Rome, and a Summer Camp in Film Making, along with Exchange Programs with AFS.	Cultural & language The European School serves students and teachers from over forty countries around the world. Integrated teaching unifies literature, history, geography and art through the broader perspective of a given geographical area or historical period. Central themes in the curriculum connect these subjects to cultural contexts.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Organized outdoor trips are part of learning outside the classroom, connecting subjects to real-world experiences. The arts program includes musical productions, and the athletics program offers teams in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and track, fostering teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Student artwork and performances showcase engagement beyond regular classes.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Guidance in Career Exploration supports students in identifying interests and talents, and the College Application Process helps with applying to universities. The program provides exam preparation guidance for admissions tests such as UCR and TEC, and offers college preparation resources designed to equip students for success in higher education and their future careers. The College Preparation Program demonstrates ICS's commitment to supporting students through higher education planning.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing ICS offers athletic programs with teams in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and track, promoting leadership, teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Participation in sports is presented as a path to success beyond the playing field.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., with Wednesdays half days. It follows a balanced calendar with short vacations every nine to ten weeks. The school offers a rich extracurricular program that complements students' academic training.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision The languages used for instruction and research are English and Spanish. The school aims to foster bilingual competence across its PK-11 program.	Language provision The school supports expression in at least two languages.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching ICS provides bilingual education with English and Spanish used across the curriculum. The PK-11 program supports learning in both languages.	Bilingual teaching The school fosters students' ability to express themselves in at least two languages.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Preschool includes English language immersion, with instruction delivered in English as part of the early years program.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Education accreditation. International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) accreditation.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Step 1. Submit documents. Enrollment requires submitting the documents listed. Preschool applicants provide pre-school reports or a copy of the previous year's report or evaluation. Elementary and high school applicants provide an official transcript with grades from the last three years. Additional items include a reference letter from a teacher, counselor or principal; reports from a psychologist or a learning disabilities professional if applicable; a payment letter if previously enrolled in a private school; two passport-size photos; a photocopy of the birth certificate; photocopy of the immunization records; photocopy of the passport photo and visa pages for foreigners or those with double-nationality; a correctly filled-out student application form; and the interview form (first page filled out). Step 2. Interview and admission test. All students should be interviewed. All students are given an admission test. The test fee is $25. Please see the payment office for clarification and to handle payments. Step 3. Start. The admission procedure must be concluded before a student is allowed to start classes.	Admissions The school has an online application form. Fees for 2025-2026 include a non-refundable Registration Fee of $680 per year per child paid in May; Yearly payments: Pre-School $8,990 ($2,250 per quarter); Primary $12,530 ($3,130 per quarter); Secondary $14,320 ($3,580 per quarter); IB (11th and 12th grade) $15,360 ($3,840 per quarter); an additional CAS fee of $1,340 is due before October 1. Fees for 2026-2027 are: Registration $710; Pre-School $9,800 ($2,450 per quarter); Primary $13,650 ($3,410 per quarter); Secondary $15,600 ($3,900 per quarter); IB $16,750 ($4,180 per quarter); CAS fee $1,470 due before October 1. No additional fees are required for textbooks, class materials, snacks, lunch (in primary and high school), international examination fees, local class trips, or most outdoor educational trips. Tuition is paid by QUARTER, during August, November, February and May respectively; all payments must be made by the 15th of each indicated month. Location: San José, Costa Rica.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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