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Berkeley Academy

Costa Rica, San Jose

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees CRC 1,400 - 10,250
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 350
Type Co-educational
Opened 2013
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish, French
Typical class size 16
Strengths STEM, Languages, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Social and Hobbies, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Berkeley Academy Costa Rica is a private K–12 international school in Santa Ana, established in 2013. It delivers a U.S.-based high school program alongside the Costa Rican National Baccalaureate, awarding diplomas for each track. Instruction is English for U.S. required courses and Spanish for Costa Rican requirements, following a North American two-semester calendar. The curriculum includes the U.S. High School program grounded in UC/CSU A-G Requirements and more than 25 AP courses plus 20 Honors courses, with exams such as AP, PSAT variants, and the SAT. The school promotes bilingualism and multicultural perspectives, supported by comprehensive college counseling. A forthcoming state-of-the-art campus will feature a fully-equipped gym, a regulation soccer pitch, a semi-Olympic pool, an amphitheater, multiple auditoria, four student-research laboratories, four library centers, an art studio, and 60 classrooms. A Senior Thesis in Grade 12 (15 pages, 20 pages for honors) is required, defended under faculty supervision, along with internships and a Global Service program.

150 Metros Oeste 350 Metros Sur, San José Province, Santa Ana, Costa Rica

The Essentials

Berkeley Academy has 350 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
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.

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

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

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

Country affiliation
Costa Rica

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

Uniform Requirement
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.

Food Options
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.

Governance and Ownership
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.
Fees

Annual tuition at Berkeley Academy ranges from CRC 1,400 to CRC 10,250 for 2026/27.

Application / Enrollment fees

- New Family Member fee: USD 500.00 (one-time, non-refundable).

Annual registration (Matricula) and book/materials fees by year group

- Pre‑Kindergarten and Kindergarten
- Matricula / Registration (due once each year in July): USD 575.00.
- Books & Materials / Google Education Apps fee (due once each year in July): USD 250.00.

- Grades 1–5 (Elementary)
- Matricula / Registration (due once each year in July): USD 725.00.
- Books & Materials / Google Education Apps fee (due once each year in July): USD 350.00.

- Grades 6–12 (Middle & High School)
- Matricula / Registration (due once each year in July): USD 825.00.
- Books & Materials / Google Education Apps fee (due once each year in July): USD 350.00.

Tuition (monthly, quarterly equivalents and annual totals) by year group

Berkeley bills tuition monthly (payments due the 1st of each month from August through June). The academy's academic year is divided into four quarters (two semesters). Annual and per‑quarter equivalents below are calculated from the monthly tuition schedule.

- Pre‑Kindergarten and Kindergarten
- Monthly tuition (due 1st of every month, August through June): USD 575.00.
- Annual tuition (11 months, August–June): USD 6,325.00.
- Per quarter (annual ÷ 4): USD 1,581.25.

- Grades 1–5 (Elementary)
- Monthly tuition (due 1st of every month, August through June): USD 725.00.
- Annual tuition (11 months, August–June): USD 7,975.00.
- Per quarter (annual ÷ 4): USD 1,993.75.

- Grades 6–12 (Middle & High School)
- Monthly tuition (due 1st of every month, August through June): USD 825.00.
- Annual tuition (11 months, August–June): USD 9,075.00.
- Per quarter (annual ÷ 4): USD 2,268.75.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Registration (Matricula) and Books & Materials fees are billed once per year and are due in July. Monthly tuition is due the 1st of each month from August through June.
- Late payment policy: a late fee is applied for overdue monthly payments; a daily late charge of USD 3.00 is applied after the first seven (7) working days of the month.

Boarding

- Boarding is not applicable. Berkeley Academy operates as a day school with on‑campus hours for students (day schedule).

Other costs and optional fees

- Lunch: optional; students may purchase lunch/snacks on campus or bring their own.
- Uniforms: available for purchase during on‑campus Uniform Fairs or from selected vendors (e.g., La Gloria); costs vary by item.
- School materials: each grade has a list of required items to purchase before school begins; costs vary by grade and item.
- Bus/transportation: optional; pricing available from administration.
- Course‑specific or occasional charges: charges for field trips, productions, special course materials, AP exam administration/registration fees, standardized test fees or similar items may apply as applicable to particular courses or events.

Refund information

- The New Family Member fee (USD 500.00) is explicitly one‑time and non‑refundable.

Fee payment options

- Bank deposit / bank transfer: payments are accepted via the school's bank accounts (Colones and US Dollars) and families are requested to send proof of deposit/transfer to the administration email.
- Credit / debit card: payment by credit or debit card is available at the administrative office.

(End of fee overview.)
Academics

Berkeley Academy teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

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

Higher Education Progression
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.

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

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school emphasizes character and citizenship through its programs and activities, with a focus on developing students' responsibility and leadership.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
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.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
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.

Mental Wellbeing
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.

Safeguarding
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.
Parent Experience

History
Berkeley Academy Costa Rica was established in August 2013 in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. The leadership includes Peter J. Swing, Ed.M., President & Head of School, and Yorlenny M. Aguilar as Vice President and Co-founder. The school operates under Costa Rican law and Academy policy, offering a U.S.-based graduation program alongside the Costa Rican national curriculum. The official languages of instruction are English for U.S. required courses and Spanish for Costa Rican required courses, following a North American calendar with two semesters.

Community
The school enrolls about 350 students, with roughly one-third U.S. and Canadian citizens and two-thirds Costa Rican or other nationalities. Graduates complete 100 hours of community service for graduation (Grades 9–12). Campus life includes on-campus events such as CR MEP Bachillerato exams and lectures, including Professor Peter J. Swing on multiculturalism in Costa Rica. Berkeley Academy PTO organizes social events and school activities to foster community; funds raised supporting enrichment programs and family events.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Berkeley Academy PTO is an organization of parents and teachers that works to provide an enriching environment for parents and staff to be involved in extra-curricular activities with the Berkeley family. The PTO meets to organize social events, school events such as dances, picture day, sponsor/host recognition, and other activities based on parent interest. Participation is voluntary and many parents engage to the extent they choose. Funds raised by the PTO are returned to the school and students as enrichment programs and activities. These efforts help create a sense of community among Berkeley Academy families.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Berkeley Academy is moving to a state-of-the-art campus. Construction plans describe a fully-equipped sports gymnasium, a soccer pitch with official regulation dimensions, and a semi-Olympic swimming pool. The campus will include an amphitheater, two mini-auditoriums, a large auditorium, a student-faculty cafeteria, four student-research laboratories, four library learning resource centers, an art studio, a game hall-arcade, an activity center, a bell tower, and 60 classrooms. The campus decoration is designed to rival most elite U.S. universities.

Sports Facilities
Construction plans include a fully-equipped sports gymnasium, a soccer pitch with official regulation dimensions, and a semi-Olympic swimming pool. The campus also features an amphitheater and multiple auditoria, supporting a broad campus life experience that complements athletic programs.

Academic Facilities
The campus includes four student-research laboratories. It also features four library learning resource centers and an art studio. There is a game hall-arcade, an activity center, a bell tower, and 60 classrooms.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Lion's Club Reading Program supports independent reading across classroom, home, and school. The program aims for 30 books per semester. Creative Movement and Art and Production P.B.L. will be implemented in the Elementary Division to allow expression through performativity, art, dance, singing and music. Senior Theses is a Grade 12 graduation requirement: a 15-page research paper (20 pages for honors) with abstract, overview, quantitative and qualitative analyses, literature review, and coda, supervised by Berkeley Academy high school faculty and administrators and defended before graduation.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Berkeley Academy offers an AP Program with AP Courses and AP Exams, along with world-class college counseling. The program blends an AP honors curriculum with a multicultural studies perspective for PreK–12 students. A Senior Thesis is required in Grade 12; the thesis is 15 pages (20 pages for honors) and must be defended under faculty supervision. The high school curriculum also prepares students for the SAT, SAT II subject tests, AP exams and the Costa Rican Bachillerato exam.

Arts & Creative
Creative Movement, Art and Production is implemented in the Elementary Division as a new creative-movement, art and production curriculum. It enables students to express creativity through performativity, art, dance, singing and music.

Cultural & Language
The program is bilingual and emphasizes a multicultural studies perspective to empower students. Berkeley Academy focuses on multicultural awareness and global perspectives as part of its mission. Spanish language requirements are integrated into the Costa Rican curriculum, including Spanish, estudios sociales and civica.

Social & Hobbies
Lion's Club Reading Program supports independent reading across classroom, home and school, with a goal of 30 books per semester. Athletics reflect a holistic education and teach discipline, dedication, selflessness, teamwork and a no-quit attitude, fostering lifelong physical activity. Campus Life encourages students to be the change they want to see in the world.

Community & Service
Global Service is dedicated to serving the community and helping those in need. Community Service is offered for Grade 8 through Grade 12.

Leadership & Professional
Internship Programs are offered for Grades 10 through 12. Clubs and Extra Curricular Activities are available from Pre-K through 12.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Berkeley Academy supports a holistic education with emphasis on life skills gained through athletics. Sports and Health Education is offered from Pre-K through 12 to promote lifelong physical activity.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the primary language of instruction. Spanish is taught as a second language, with Advanced Spanish offered in Elementary. In Middle School and High School, required courses from the Costa Rican Ministry of Education are taught in Spanish (Estudios Sociales and Civica). A language pathway includes Pre-AP Spanish Language & Culture, AP Spanish Language & Culture, and AP Spanish Literature.

Bilingual Teaching
The school offers bilingual education with English as the primary language of instruction and Spanish language study integrated across grade levels. Elementary includes Advanced Spanish three times per week; Middle School and High School include Spanish-taught courses aligned to the Costa Rican Ministry of Education and offer foreign language coursework.
Reputation

Awards
From 2015–2024 Berkeley Academy students have earned numerous AP-related honors, including AP Perfect Score, AP International Diploma recipients, and multiple AP Scholars with Distinction/Honor; university acceptances to a wide range of institutions are documented in the school profile.

Accreditations
Berkeley Academy Costa Rica is accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education and is a member of College Board, Asociacion de Centros Educativos Privados, and the International Council on Multicultural Diversity. It holds College Board institutional membership (since 2016) and is listed with a College Board school code.
Admissions

Admissions
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.

Scholarships
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.
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