Compare International Schools in Costa rica

Two campuses in Costa Rica: Tamarindo (152, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo 50309) and Jacó (Calle Ancha, Plaza Boulevard Local

33, Garabito, Jacó 61101). Tamarindo is the flagship campus on the Gold Coast in Guanacaste; Jacó is in the Central Pacific region.

International bilingual day school

Students from 35 countries; 27 languages spoken.

Student Support Services provides social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, ADHD support, academic modifications, reading support, and ESL; approximately 20% of students require specialized support; the team includes a neuropsychologist, a psychiatrist, a school psychologist, an ESL and reading coordinator, and a social-emotional coordinator.

Franchise-based governance and ownership. Journey School of Costa Rica operates as a franchise program with multiple campuses (Tamarindo and Jacó). The franchise program provides accreditation support and leadership guidance through the process, including pre-approved architectural plans and ongoing mentorship. Accreditations across the network include IB, MEP, DGE, MSA, and Cognia.

Dual-language, PreK–12 curriculum. Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Reggio Emilia-inspired practices form the core, with the '100 Languages of Children' guiding expression through multiple modalities. Social-Emotional Learning is integrated through Conscious Discipline and restorative justice to support well-being and community. The Tamarindo campus is accredited by International Baccalaureate (IB), the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), Dirección de Educación Privada, and the Middle States Association (MSA); other campuses are pursuing similar accreditations.

253 students and 30 teachers/advisors at the Tamarindo campus; student-teacher ratio approximately 8.4:1.

Alumni have attended Berklee School of Music, Cornell University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas at Austin, University of Washington, Pepperdine University, University of Illinois Chicago, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. Edward's University, University of Minnesota, University of North Carolina, McGill University, McMaster University, University of Prince Edward Island, University of Toronto, University of Vancouver, Catholic University of Milan, University of Amsterdam, King's College, and Edinburgh School of Art.

The school integrates social-emotional learning (SEL) into every aspect of the curriculum to prioritize emotional well-being and resilience. The Conscious Discipline trauma-informed framework is used to integrate SEL, discipline, and self-regulation, and Restorative Justice supports conflict resolution and empathetic communication.

Approximately 20% of students require more specialized support, and follow individualized plans with accommodations and modifications. The Student Support Services team provides expertise in social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, ADHD, academic modifications, reading support, and ESL. The team includes a neuropsychologist, a psychiatrist, a school psychologist, an ESL and reading coordinator, and a social-emotional coordinator.

ESL services are provided through Student Support Services, with an ESL and reading coordinator on staff.

Mental well-being is supported through the integration of SEL into the curriculum and the Conscious Discipline framework for self-regulation; a dedicated social-emotional coordinator supports students alongside other mental-health professionals on the Student Support Services team.

Annual Scholarship Application Review Process: Scholarships are reviewed once a year and weighed by needs, and dependent upon availability. To assist eligibility, the scholarship information form asks for: 1) Requested Scholarship Amount; 2) Expected Earned Income; 3) Property & Assets; 4) Business Interests. The Apply link leads to a Google form. Journey School of Costa Rica Tamarindo is accredited by the International Baccalaureate (IBO Code: 062813), the Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP), Dirección de Educación Privada, and the Middle States Association (MSA).

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.

14 levels: Preschool; Elementary (Grades 1-3 and 4-6); High School (Grades 7-10); IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12).

IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Students and teachers from over forty countries are represented.

Costa Rica

The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Wednesdays are half days.

The bus service is a private service supervised by The European School; parents must arrange payment with the transportation coordinator.

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.

Lunch and snacks are provided as part of tuition. Bus service is available for an extra cost.

The European School was founded by Miss Anne Aronson and continues to be run by her.

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.

About 20 students per class.

IB Diploma graduates are accepted at hundreds of universities worldwide, often with preferential admission and advanced standing.

The Preschool emphasizes a calming atmosphere where emotional sensitivity, responsibility, respect, and aesthetics are developed through play, art and music.

The school fosters expression in at least two languages.

Emotional sensitivity and social development are fostered in the Preschool, supporting emotional wellbeing.

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.

Berkeley Academy is located in Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica. The official address is De la Cruz Roja, 150 Metros Oeste, 350 Metros Sur, Santa Ana, Costa Rica 10901.

Pre-K through 12 (Elementary, Middle School, High School).

Private, K-12 international school offering U.S. high school program and Costa Rican national program.

Enrollment is about one-third U.S. and Canadian citizens, and about two-thirds Costa Rican or other nationalities.

Costa Rica

School days run 7:45am–2:45pm, Monday through Friday; North American academic calendar with two semesters and four quarters.

Uniforms are required. Polo shirts with grey pants, a black or brown belt, black socks, and black dress shoes are worn on Mondays, Wednesdays, and alternating Fridays. PE uniforms (grey PRIDE shirt and black shorts/lycra) are worn on PE days (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Polo shirts must be tucked in; Fridays alternate between social etiquette dress and free dress.

Lunch is part of the regular schedule. Lower Elementary lunch is from 11:00 to 11:45; Upper Elementary lunch is from 11:30 to 12:30.

The school is privately owned and governed by a Board of Directors. Leadership includes President and Co-founder Peter J. Swing; Vice President and Co-founder Yorlenny Aguilar; Head of School Beth Martin; Deputy Head of School Ximena Castillo.

The U.S. High School curriculum (based on the UC/CSU A-G Requirements) and the Costa Rican National Baccalaureate are offered, with diplomas awarded for each program. Official languages of instruction are English for U.S. required courses and Spanish for Costa Rican required courses. The academic calendar runs two semesters per year. Berkeley Academy offers 25 AP courses and 20 Honors courses, including Biology, Calculus AB/BC, Chemistry, Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish Literature and Culture, U.S. History, and World History. Standardized exams include AP Exams, PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, and SAT.

Student/Faculty Ratio is 17:1; average class size is 16.

University acceptances include a broad range of U.S., Canadian, and international universities, including University of California campuses (Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz), University of Florida, Northeastern University, University of Ottawa, Universidad de Navarra, and Universidad de Costa Rica.

AP Program and Honors courses provide advanced coursework for high‑achieving students; AP achievements include a perfect score and multiple AP Scholars.

The school emphasizes character and citizenship through its programs and activities, with a focus on developing students' responsibility and leadership.

The school profile notes general compliance with local education standards and does not specify separate SEN facilities on the profile, but includes a broad range of student services and supports typical of a K–12 international program.

The primary language of instruction is English. The Elementary program includes Spanish-language study (three times per week) within its social studies/civics content, and Middle/High School courses include Spanish-language requirements and AP/Pre-AP Spanish options.

The program includes a diverse set of clubs, service opportunities, and counseling supports as part of its college-prep and student-life offerings to support well-being through academics and services.

The school operates under Costa Rican law and Academy policy with non-discrimination and harassment policies in place; campus safety and safeguarding are aligned with standard private-school practices in Costa Rica.

Berkeley Academy uses a rolling admissions policy with a preferred application window from April to July for admission in August. Admission is selective and based on conduct, academic performance, specialized talent, and diversity of personal background, with preference given to students who demonstrate outstanding citizenship, core values and academic excellence. Required documents for registration are: Berkeley Academy Student Application; birth certificate; passport identification page; vaccination record; one passport photo; two years of official transcripts; letter of good financial standing from the previous institution; and official police reports/background checks for both parents. The Application Process follows three steps: 1. Application — send an official request to Berkeley Academy administration for an admissions interview; academic transcripts, conduct records, and at least one letter of recommendation from an academic or community service-related source are required for applicants entering middle school and above; applicants are notified within seven working days if they have received an offer for interview. 2. Interview — admissions officers assess conduct, English language level, and knowledge appropriate for age; if successful, the candidate is scheduled for an entrance examination. 3. Entrance Examination — tests cover Public Speaking, English, Math, Reading Comprehension, and Essay Writing; a score of 85% or higher in all areas is preferred. The school uses a holistic admissions approach.

John Swing Scholarship: Candidates must reside in Costa Rica and be in Grade 8 or 9 in good standing. Three letters of recommendation from a teacher, community leader, mentor, coach, or someone who can attest to the candidate's personal and professional character are required. Candidates write a 500-word essay describing background, passion, drive and talent and explaining why they should be selected as a recipient of the scholarship. A video (no longer than one minute) telling the candidate's story is also required. Selected candidates or finalists will be asked to attend Berkeley Academy for a one-day student evaluation. Submit all application materials to swingscholarship@berkeleycr.com by March 4, 2025.

PK-11; Little Jaguars (preschool), Preschool, Elementary, Secondary, College Prep

International school

Costa Rica

Christian

The school is led by General Director Guadalupe Picado.

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.

Guidance in career exploration, university selection, and the college application process; support for admission exams (UCR, TEC, SAT, ACT) to improve college admissions.

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.

English is the language of instruction, and the school has bilingual teachers.

Teachers provide emotional and academic support to students. A healthy and calm environment for children is described, supporting mental wellbeing.

The school emphasizes safety and a safe environment for students.

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.