Compare Moderate-level SEN International Schools in Costa rica

📚 Learning Moderate 🧩 Behaviour Basic

Instructs in Spanish, English

Ages 0 - 18 years

Type Co-educational

Anglo American School in Costa Rica is a private day school offering the International Baccalaureate across the full range of grades from 0 to 18. The curriculum includes IB PYP, MYP, and DP, with a emphasis on student-centred inquiry and global-minded learning. The school provides bilingual education from preschool through secondary in a fully bilingual environment, with a total English immersion program. The bilingual program begins at 11 months of age. In 2017 the school was accredited to offer the IB Diploma, and it celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2019. Facilities include wide green spaces designed for early years, a Library and Resource Center with print and Destiny online catalogs, and high-level science laboratories and Design and Technology spaces for practical experiments, robotics, and programming. After-school services and clubs extend learning, including Actividades optativas such as dance, swimming, football, basketball, and taekwondo. Language clubs and Olympiads round out the program.

Location

1 km north of the ICE Substation, Old Road to Tres Ríos, Concepción de la Unión, Cartago 3188-1000, Costa Rica.

Stages

Baby Land (starting at 11 months), Pre-school, Primary, Secondary.

Type

Private day school

Country affiliation

Costa Rica

Bus service

Bus service is provided through partner transportation companies.

Application fees

- Diagnostic admission fee (applies starting at Kindergarten): CRC 10,000.

Tuition fees by school year

- No published per-year or per-term tuition amounts for the 2026/27 academic year (nor a complete 2025/26 fee schedule) are available in the school's publicly available admissions materials. Exact tuition by year group and by payment period cannot be stated here because those figures are not listed in the school's public fee materials.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- No published schedule of tuition billing (annual, semester, term or monthly instalment options), late-payment penalties, or standard payment deadlines is available in the school's public admissions materials; therefore specific billing dates and standard payment terms are not available.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- The school's materials describe education from pre-school through secondary and list day services and extracurricular programs; there is no indication of a boarding (residential) program. As a result, no boarding fees are applicable.

Other costs or fees (examples that are listed or implied)

- Admission/assessment fees at entry: Diagnostic admission fee for Kindergarten (see above).
- Optional after-school programs and extracurricular activities: After-school and optative activity offerings exist; participation and extended-care arrangements are described as having variable “investment” depending on each family's needs, which implies additional charges may apply for those services. Specific per-activity or per-period prices are not published.
- Transport: Transport services are provided through contracted transport companies; transport service fees are treated as an additional cost and are not published in the school's general fee materials.
- Uniforms and educational materials: Uniforms and school materials are available through the school's virtual store (Tienda Virtual); prices for uniforms and materials are set through that store and are not published in the general admissions/fee materials.
- Cafeteria/meal costs: A cafeteria is listed among services, indicating food is an additional cost, but no standard meal-plan prices are published in the general fee materials.

Refund information

- No published, specific refund or cancellation policy for registration, enrollment deposits, or tuition payments is available in the school's public admissions materials; therefore standard refund terms (conditions, deadlines, and percentages refundable) cannot be stated here.

Fee payment options

- The school uses an online payment gateway for collections (RecaudoEnLinea). The existence of the online payment channel is indicated; specific accepted payment methods (for example: credit card brands accepted, local bank transfer/SINPE, recurring-direct-debit availability) are not published in the general admissions materials.

Summary of findings and gaps in available fee detail

- Located, verifiable fee items: diagnostic admission fee for Kindergarten (CRC 10,000); existence of an online uniform store; after-school and transport services as chargeable add-ons; use of an online payment gateway.
- Missing from publicly available fee materials: full tuition amounts by year group (per term / per year), a published billing schedule or standard payment deadlines, explicit boarding fees (no boarding program appears offered), published prices for optional programs, and a published refund/cancellation policy for tuition or enrollment deposits. Because those items are not published in the school's public admissions materials, exact numeric tuition figures, per-term breakdowns, and formal refund terms cannot be provided here.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Wellness & Development Department comprises psychology and pedagogy experts who support students, families, and teachers. The program fosters social-emotional learning across daily life and all learning environments through activities such as the morning meeting, Human Excellence, Caring Kids, workshops, convivencias, and camps. It prioritizes ongoing accompaniment to promote holistic development and a positive school climate. It also focuses on preventing disruptive behaviours and supports the learning environment.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Pedagogy works with teachers in co-teaching; individualized assessment considers the student's needs; one-to-one and small-group instruction; inclusive curriculum planning; and professional development and ongoing monitoring of students who require support to ensure an inclusive and pluralistic learning experience.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Bilingual education is provided from preschool through secondary, with technology-enabled learning and academic excellence.

Mental Wellbeing

The Wellness & Development Department promotes socio-emotional skills and daily well-being through psychology and pedagogy professionals. It provides accompaniment to students, families, and teachers and uses programs such as morning meeting, Human Excellence, Caring Kids, workshops, convivencias, and camps. It emphasizes prevention of disruptive behaviors and supports teachers with inclusive planning and professional development to foster healthy student life.

Admissions

1. Visit and tour: A personalized appointment with the family and admissions officer, including a tour of the facilities. This initial visit gives families an opportunity to learn about the school and meet the admissions team. The tour showcases classrooms, laboratories, the library, and other facilities.

2. Interview and diagnostic: The Wellness and Development team conducts an interview to understand the family and determine how the school will work with you to support your child's development. From first grade, the diagnostic assessment uses MAP Screening to establish the starting point of your child's academic journey with us. MAP Growth assessments follow, covering English, mathematics, and reading comprehension in Spanish. The results guide planning and ongoing support to help the student thrive.

3. Submission of required documents: Complete the admission application with the following documents. Two passport-sized photos are required and a copy of the vaccination certificate. The admission diagnostic fee for kindergarten entries is ₵10,000, and copies of vision and hearing exams are required for preschool to second grade. Also needed are an Institutional Reference Document, a Financial Reference from the previous institution, and the report cards for the last three academic terms, including progress for the current year; these documents are used to evaluate entry and may be required for transfers from other schools.

4. Feedback: A response to the admissions process is provided within 3 business days after submitting the indispensable admission documents for evaluation. The school will contact families with the outcome and any next steps. Families may contact the admissions office with questions during this period.

5. Request our Educational Proposal: Complete the form with your details to receive the Anglo American School Educational Proposal. The proposal offers an overview of the school's educational approach and program options. Entering your information initiates the process for receiving the proposal. This step helps families understand fit and next steps.

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Colegio Saint Clare

📚 Learning Moderate 🧩 Behaviour Basic

Instructs in Spanish, English

Ages 4 - 18 years

Type Co-educational

Colegio Saint Clare is a private non-profit school with over 65 years of history in Costa Rica. It provides preschool through secondary with an inclusive special education programme called 'Everyone Matters Here'. Languages include English, Spanish, and French with international exchanges to France, England, and Singapore.

Location

San Juan de la Union, 900m east and 200m south of Curridabat Walmart, Costa Rica

Stages

Preschool through Secondary

Type

Private non-profit school

Additional learning support

Inclusive special education programme 'Everyone Matters Here'

Religious affiliation

Franciscan

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Personalised socio-emotional accompaniment based on 'Philosophy of Tenderness'. Self-awareness tools and emotion management training.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Inclusive special education programme 'Everyone Matters Here'.

Mental Wellbeing

Healthy relationship building and prevention programmes

Safeguarding

Prevention programmes in place

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United World College Costa Rica

📚 Learning Moderate 🧩 Behaviour Basic

Instructs in English, Spanish

Ages 13 - 18 years

Pupils 200

Type Co-educational (boarding)

United World College Costa Rica is a two-year residential IB Diploma Programme school for students aged 13 to 18. It delivers the full IB DP in Spanish with a bilingual diploma option (Spanish and English) and emphasizes experiential learning through Experiential Days across Costa Rica. The campus moves from Santa Ana to San Isidro, Heredia, on 40 hectares of nature reserve to support nature-based inquiry. The college operates as a foundation with an Executive Board and a Board of Trustees, and a Board of Directors was established in 2013. The IB DP core includes Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, and Service across six subject groups. Co-curricular initiatives such as Agents of Change, Thematic Weeks, and CAS Experiences extend learning beyond the classroom. Eight residences host students with wellness support and vegetarian and vegan dining. One-on-one university counseling helps students pursue global destinations, with Davis Foundation scholarships for UWC Costa Rica students at over 100 U.S. universities. Arts opportunities include Music Ensemble, Art, Film Production, and CAS activities.

Location

Santa Ana, Costa Rica. Located in the Santa Ana suburb of San José. The campus is listed as located in Santa Ana (soon to be in San Isidro). The campus address is San José, Costa Rica 10901.

Stages

Two-year residential pre-university program for students to achieve the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Type

Two-year residential college offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme with on-campus housing.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Around 200 students representing 70+ countries.

Additional learning support

Wellness and Learning Support includes one-on-one and group spaces addressing academic, emotional, and well-being needs; a Student Academic Success System for Youth (SASSY); Student Internal Support; and a dedicated wellness team.

Country affiliation

Costa Rica.

Bus service

The College provides transportation for students to and from the San José airport (SJO) on official arrival dates only; otherwise, students arrange their own transport.

Application fees
- No separate college-level application fee is published. The first formal payment required after an offer is the non-refundable reservation deposit described below.

Tuition and boarding (annual and total for the two‑year IB programme)
- Cost of attendance for incoming (first‑year) students: USD 86,000 in total (presented as USD 43,000 per year). This total includes tuition, books, room, food, health insurance, field trips, IB examination fees, and co‑curricular activity fees.

Breakdown by payment instalment (billing schedule and payment terms)
- Reservation / enrolment deposit: a non‑refundable payment equal to 10% of the tuition fee plus 100% of the extra costs (immigration fees and the security deposit) is due within seven days of receiving the Welcome Letter.
- Second instalment: 40% of the total tuition is due within 30 days of receiving the Welcome Letter.
- Final instalment: the remaining 50% of the tuition must be paid by the final deadline provided in the financial contract (the published example deadline for the intake described was June 25). Upload proof of international transfer (ideally the MT103) after each payment.

Boarding fees
- Room and food (boarding) are included in the annual cost stated above (USD 43,000 per year). There is no separately published line item for boarding outside the stated cost of attendance.

Other compulsory fees and one‑time charges
- Security deposit: USD 500 (one‑time). The deposit may be used to cover damage or other discretionary charges; the Financial Office issues a statement at the end of the first year and an invoice for the second year as required. After the second year, USD 70 is deducted for shipping the IB Diploma and results outside Costa Rica using DHL.
- Immigration / visa administrative fees: charged by region and invoiced to the family; range is USD 550–750. Example regional amounts given: USA/Canada/Brazil (non‑Spanish speaking) USD 750; Latin America (Spanish‑speaking) USD 550; Asia/Africa/Europe/Middle East USD 750.
- Activity attendance penalty: unexcused absence from a co‑curricular, residential, or academic activity is charged at USD 30 per activity.
- International bank handling fee: USD 45 per transfer is applied to cover international bank charges. Families are asked to upload the international transfer confirmation (and MT103 if available) to the college's records.

Refund information
- The reservation deposit described above is explicitly non‑refundable. The security deposit is held to cover damages or discretionary charges and is accounted for by the Financial Office; specific refund amounts (if any) are determined after deductions for damages or approved expenses. No separate, detailed tuition‑refund schedule for early withdrawal or partial attendance is published with the payment schedule provided.

Fee payment methods and instructions
- Payment method: international bank transfer is the required method referenced; families must upload a scanned copy of the international transfer document and, if possible, the MT103 transfer confirmation to the college's financial records (financial.department@uwccostarica.org is the contact given for transfer confirmations). An international bank fee of USD 45 is applied per transfer.

Incidental and optional additional costs to budget for
- Immigration/visa fees (USD 550–750, region dependent).
- Personal spending money, travel to/from country, visa‑related expenses, and any optional or externally charged activities or trips beyond standard field trips and co‑curricular offerings (these are not included in the one‑line items above and should be budgeted separately).

Notes on invoicing and year‑to‑year administration
- The Financial Office provides an end‑of‑first‑year statement summarising costs and issues an invoice for the second year as required; families are expected to follow the Financial Terms agreement and the payment schedule in their enrolment contract.

Boarding Arrangements

The school provides on-campus boarding in eight residences named after Costa Rican beaches. Residences are mostly gender-separated with a mix of non-binary/mixed spaces. Eight Day Residence Coordinators and two Night Coordinators supervise daily life, supported by seven additional residential staff, including health professionals. A medical team and wellness programs ensure student safety and well-being.

Uniform Requirement

The school has no uniform requirement. Attire is casual, with formal dress required only for certain events.

Food Options

The Cafeteria offers meal options to accommodate diverse dietary preferences. Typically, vegetarian and vegan options are available at every meal. If food remains at the end of a meal service, students may return to the line for an additional portion.

House System

Students live in eight on-campus residences named after iconic Costa Rican beaches. Residences are mostly divided by gender, with a mix of non-binary/mixed spaces. Each residence has a residence coordinator who provides direct support, and regular residence meetings help foster community.

Governance and Ownership

The school is a non-profit foundation.

Curriculum

IB Diploma Programme (DP) curriculum with six subject groups and the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity, Service, and the Extended Essay). It is the only UWC College offering the full IBDP in Spanish, with an option to earn a bilingual diploma. The academic model is based on experiential learning, and includes Experiential Days outside the classroom across Costa Rica. The college frames its educational approach as distinctive and globally oriented within the IB framework.

Exam Results

Class of 2023 IB Pass Rate: 79.6% (Worldwide 87.5%). Class of 2023 Bilingual Diplomas: 26.8% (Worldwide 42.8%).

Higher Education Progression

One-on-one university counseling is provided to help students plan for higher education beyond UWC Costa Rica. Staff assist with university applications worldwide and with securing partial and full scholarships. The college collaborates with the Davis Foundation to support UWC graduates at more than 100 universities in the United States.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Residential Life Program provides Community Wellbeing Activities that create a preventive culture space in the residential area for students' comprehensive well-being. Life at UWC Costa Rica is Safe, Exciting, and Diverse. The program uses an experiential learning approach to empower students as agents of change. Eight Day Residence Coordinators and two Night Coordinators support daily life, along with seven other residential staff. The team includes licensed psychologists, nurses, paramedics, physical trainers, educators, and a doctor to support students' physical and mental well-being. Wellness activities, such as outings, camps, excursions, movie nights, dinners, meditations, and exercise, are regularly organized to support students' academic and social journeys.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The school offers a bilingual program in English and Spanish. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme allows a two-year school-supported self-taught course in a student's first language if it is not English or Spanish.

Mental Wellbeing

The Residential Life Program includes licensed psychologists, nurses, paramedics, physical trainers, educators, and a doctor to support students' physical and mental well-being. The staff focuses on ensuring students lead healthy, balanced lifestyles. Wellness activities accompany daily life, including outings, camps, excursions, movie nights, and meditation. The team collaborates with health professionals to monitor and promote student well-being.

Safeguarding

UWC Costa Rica safeguards all students from harm and promotes student welfare. Safeguarding covers protection from physical, emotional, neglectful, and sexual abuse, and supports well-being in both physical and digital environments. A Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy exists in English and Spanish. The UWC International Common Standards for Safeguarding are in place. A Student Procedure for Reporting Safeguarding Cases provides students with a clear path to report incidents with respect, compassion, and discretion.

Admissions

Two routes exist to apply to UWC Costa Rica: Global Selection Programme (GSP) and National Committees (NCs), including the Costa Rica National Committee and other National Committees. GSP is an IB Diploma Programme route with limited places at UWCs; you can apply to UWC Costa Rica or to 15 other UWCs, and you are expected to cover the total tuition cost. Most students are selected through NCs, which provide guidance in the application process and often offer scholarships to applicants; this route is subject to each NC's deadlines, so applicants should check with their NC. Applicants may choose from three options to express their UWC preferences: application to a specific school, up to three schools, or all UWCs. Entry is not guaranteed for either route. Scholarships are not available via GSP, but are available via NCs based on demonstrated need. Can I apply in a language other than English? GSP applications are in English; NC routes can in most cases be in languages other than English. Selected students are expected to meet all academic and co-curricular responsibilities, learn to communicate in both English and Spanish, and embrace diversity while abiding by UWC Costa Rica policies. To start, subscribe to the Admissions Newsletter for updates, guides, and tips, and apply via the GSP route (Apply Now) or through your NC; you can also Find Your National Committee for information on NC deadlines and procedures. The Costa Rica NC route offers guidance and often scholarships, with NCs providing accompaniment in the application process. Over the past year, UWC Costa Rica and the movement have granted substantial scholarships across the network.

Scholarships

Scholarships are offered primarily through National Committees, which accompany applicants and often provide funding; scholarships are based on demonstrated need. GSP does not provide scholarships. In the movement, more than $13 million in scholarships were granted in the last year.

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Compare Moderate-level SEN International Schools in Costa rica

Location

Stages

Type

Country affiliation

Bus service

Food Options

Curriculum

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Admissions

Location

Stages

Type

Additional learning support

Religious affiliation

Food Options

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

Admissions

Location

Stages

Type

Pupil Nationality Mix

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

Bus service

Boarding Arrangements

Uniform Requirement

Food Options

House System

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Exam Results

Higher Education Progression

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

Admissions

Scholarships

Filters

📚 Learning support level

🧩 Behaviour support level

Currency

Annual fees

Children's Ages

Curriculum offered

Brand

Preschool

Primary

Secondary

Pre-University

National Curriculums

Other Approaches

Language of instruction