Find Schools Events My shortlist My account Ask doris
Parent Guide Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
Search & filter all 3 schools Compare 3 schools in Costa Rica

British Curriculum International Schools in Costa Rica

Edited by · Co-founder & CEO

About international schools in Costa Rica

British-curriculum international schools in Costa Rica are a small group of mostly English-medium or bilingual schools that typically offer Cambridge programmes (Primary/IGCSE) and, in several cases, combine those with the IB Diploma for the final two years. Instruction is usually in English with Spanish taught throughout the school and many institutions offering explicit English - Spanish bilingual pathways; some schools add a third language option. Published annual costs at established international schools in the greater San José and Guanacaste areas commonly fall in a broad mid-four-figure to mid-five-figure US dollar band once enrolment, materials and transport are included, although fees vary markedly by school and by age. Admissions practice differs by provider: some schools publish rolling enrolment and accept applications year-round while others follow either the Costa Rican national calendar (roughly February - December) or an international (August - June) academic year, so families should check each school’s calendar and apply several months before the intended start date.

Compare 3 British Curriculum international schools in Costa Rica. Filter by curriculum, fees, location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 3 schools
Schools listed
3
Curricula
9
Most common curriculum
Cambridge IGCSE (3 schools)
Average school size
473 pupils
Largest by enrolment
The British School of Costa Rica
Oldest
The British School of Costa Rica (1981)

Read our parent's guide to the British Curriculum →

Explore more — related searches, map view, upcoming events

FAQs for Costa Rica

What does ‘British curriculum’ mean in Costa Rica schools?
In practice it usually means programmes and external examinations from Cambridge Assessment (Cambridge Primary, Cambridge Secondary and IGCSE), and some schools also offer Cambridge AS/A-levels or pair Cambridge qualifications with the IB Diploma in the final two years. Schools describe these pathways on their public curriculum pages and as part of their examination centre authorisations.
How much should I budget for annual fees and extra costs?
Published annual tuition at international schools in Costa Rica commonly ranges from the mid-four-figure to mid-five-figure US dollar amounts depending on the school and the year group, with additional charges for enrolment/matriculation, transport, textbooks, technology and optional activities. Families should request a full fee schedule and a list of likely extras from each school to compare true annual costs.
When should we apply and what are the admission rhythms?
Timelines vary by school: some accept applications year-round and will place students when space is available, while others operate on either the Costa Rican national calendar (approximately February - December) or an international August - June year and expect applications months before term start. Check the specific school’s admissions page for application windows, assessment requirements and document lists.
Will my child learn Spanish at a British-curriculum school in Costa Rica?
Most British-curriculum international schools in Costa Rica teach Spanish as a core subject and many offer bilingual programmes that aim for functional bilingualism; some schools also run trilingual streams or additional language options. If maintaining or developing Spanish is important, ask schools for examples of how Spanish language learning is delivered at your child’s year group and for any bilingual-assessment outcomes they can share.
What should parents check when comparing British-curriculum schools here?
Look for the school’s published examination routes (IGCSE/A-level/IB), external accreditations or authorisations, language provision, sample timetables and the full fee schedule including hidden extras; also check pastoral support, special-education provision and transport options for your neighbourhood. Visiting the campus, meeting teachers and asking for recent sample reports or destination data for graduates will help you judge curricular fit and practical suitability for your family.
doris
linked-in-logo facebook-logo instagram-logo
© 2026 doris Worldwide Ltd. All rights reserved.