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Country Day School

Costa Rica, San Jose

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 1 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 750
Type Co-educational
Opened 1963
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish, Mandarin
Typical class size 18
Strengths STEM, Languages, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Country Day School, Costa Rica (CDS) is a US-accredited private day school serving an international community from ages 1 to 18. Founded in 1963, it joined Nord Anglia Education in 2018, strengthening its offerings through collaborations with Juilliard, MIT, and UNICEF. The curriculum follows US frameworks: Elementary and Middle School use Common Core standards; High School leads to the US high school diploma alongside the Costa Rican Bachillerato, with more than 25 AP courses and the AP Capstone Diploma. Students prepare for university with mathematics built on Harvard Pure Math, Harvard Engineering, and MIT curricula, and Mandarin is available as a high school elective. The campus in San Rafael de Alajuela is LEED-certified, solar powered, and designed to save water and energy. It features 81 classrooms, seven STEAM spaces, arts and athletic facilities, and outdoor areas. Global Campus connects students with peers, enabling field experiences, international trips, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Hacienda Espinal, 5 Sobre Ruta 27 Km 17, Alajuela Province, San Rafael, 20108, Costa Rica

The Essentials

Country Day School has 750 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
San Rafael de Alajuela, Hacienda Espinal, Km 17.5 of the Route 27 (San José – Caldera), Costa Rica

Stages
Early Childhood through High School

Type
Private day school

Additional learning support
English as a Second Language

Country affiliation
US-accredited
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are required for all students. Tops are light grey polo shirts with the CDS logo (or white CDS-logo T-shirts for some grades); bottoms are navy blue, with red shorts worn for physical education. Seniors in Grade 12 may wear an approved polo in the Nord Anglia color palette outside the dress code; outerwear with the CDS logo is permitted over the uniform.

Food Options
Primary students bring a snack from home. Cafeteria service is optional and paid separately; hot and cold lunches, drinks, desserts, and a vegetarian menu are available; students may also bring lunch from home. Microwaves are provided for heating food, and water filling stations are available; breakable containers are not allowed for safety.

House System
Country Day School is organized into four Houses: Early Learning (EC), Elementary School (ES), Middle School (MS), and High School (HS). Each division has its own principal, assistant principal, and dedicated administrative staff; the school day is structured around the four educational levels within the House system.

Governance and Ownership
Country Day School is a proprietary institution. It was owned and operated by the Woodson Brown family from 1975 to 2018, and joined Nord Anglia Education in 2018.
Fees
Application and One-time Enrollment Fees
- Application fee: USD 50, payable in full when the application form is submitted.
- Matriculation fee: Early Learning USD 500; PK–12 USD 1,300. The matriculation fee is due in full for all enrolling students regardless of date of entry. Due date for returning students: May 8, 2026; due date for new students: upon enrollment.
- Entrance fee (one-time per student): USD 2,500, due upon acceptance. For students entering Grades 1–12 the full entrance fee is charged at enrollment; for students entering Pre-K through Preparatory 50% of the entrance fee is charged at enrollment and the remaining 50% is due when the student reaches Grade 1.
- Family fee (one-time per family, first-time enrolment): USD 1,000, payable upon initial admission.

Annual Tuition — Yearly, 10-Month, and One-Pay Discounted Rates (2026–2027 academic year)
All tuition figures are listed in U.S. dollars.
- Early Learning (Half day): Yearly USD 7,353; 10-month instalments USD 735.30; one‑pay (3% discount) USD 7,123.41.
- Early Learning (Full day): Yearly USD 8,977; 10-month instalments USD 897.70; one‑pay USD 8,707.69.
- Pre‑Kinder (Half day): Yearly USD 7,353; 10-month instalments USD 735.30; one‑pay USD 7,132.41.
- Pre‑Kinder (Full day): Yearly USD 12,253; 10-month instalments USD 1,225.30; one‑pay USD 11,885.41.
- Kinder: Yearly USD 14,168; 10-month instalments USD 1,416.80; one‑pay USD 13,742.96.
- Preparatory: Yearly USD 15,310; 10-month instalments USD 1,531.00; one‑pay USD 14,850.70.
- Grades 1–5: Yearly USD 20,352; 10-month instalments USD 2,035.20; one‑pay USD 19,741.44.
- Grades 6–8: Yearly USD 21,723; 10-month instalments USD 2,172.30; one‑pay USD 21,071.31.
- Grades 9–11: Yearly USD 21,931; 10-month instalments USD 2,193.10; one‑pay USD 21,273.07.
- Grade 12: Yearly USD 22,015; 10-month instalments USD 2,201.50; one‑pay USD 21,354.55.

Payment Plans — Amounts per Instalment (examples by grade band)
- One‑Pay (100%): payable July 17, 2026; one‑pay amounts shown above include the 3% discount when paid in full by the due date.
- Two‑Pay plan (semester-style): first payment 70% due July 17, 2026; second payment 30% due December 4, 2026. Example two‑pay instalments (70% / 30%):
- Grades 1–5: 70% = USD 14,246.40; 30% = USD 6,105.60.
- Grades 6–8: 70% = USD 15,206.10; 30% = USD 6,516.90.
- Grades 9–11: 70% = USD 15,351.70; 30% = USD 6,579.30.
- Grade 12: 70% = USD 15,410.50; 30% = USD 6,604.50.
- Kinder: 70% = USD 9,917.60; 30% = USD 4,250.40.
- Ten‑Pay plan: annual tuition divided into ten instalments with the following scheduled due dates — 1) July 17, 2026; 2) August 14, 2026; 3) September 18, 2026; 4) October 16, 2026; 5) November 20, 2026; 6) December 16, 2026; 7) January 22, 2027; 8) February 18, 2027; 9) March 18, 2027; 10) April 23, 2027. Monthly (10‑pay) amounts are listed above for each grade.

Billing, Currencies and Surcharges
- All school fees are quoted in U.S. dollars. Payments are accepted in U.S. dollars (USD) and Costa Rican colones (CRC); payments made in colones are converted using the official Banco Central sell‑rate as shown on the electronic invoice.
- Accepted card payments: Visa and MasterCard (credit or debit). USD checks drawn on banks domiciled outside the USA are not accepted, except dollar checks drawn on Costa Rican banks. Payments at the school business office may be made by check or credit card; cash or check deposits can be made directly to specified local bank accounts.
- International wire transfers: an additional USD 50 is added to the invoice face value for any international wire or bank transfer (if bank charges are higher, the school will advise and collect the difference). Specific bank account instructions and intermediary bank details are provided for USD transfers.
- Late payment surcharges: 1.5% per month on past due accounts. A 10% surcharge applies to past due matriculation, entrance fee, and family fee invoices. A USD 45 fee is charged for each check rejected by the bank.
- Payments originating from Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria cannot be accepted.

Other Fees and Additional Costs
- School supplies: consumable workbooks, on‑loan classroom textbooks and some basic supplies are included in tuition. Students in Grades 6–12 must supply their own laptop. No lab, locker or computer fees are charged.
- Uniforms and P.E.: students are required to purchase the official P.E. and school uniform.
- Optional and additional charges: regular school‑to‑home transportation (bus service), food service (cafeteria), instrument rentals, class trips and field trips, sports trips, certain after‑school activities, special examination fees (e.g., Advanced Placement and Pre‑SAT), and consumable materials for some courses. Cafeteria service is optional and paid separately via a cafeteria account.
- Bus service: bus fees are charged per year (VAT included) and can be billed by semester; rates vary by service area. Example annual bus rates by area (VAT included): Area 1 USD 2,562.84 per year (Semester 1: USD 1,139.04; Semester 2: USD 1,423.80); Area 4 USD 3,101.85 per year (Semester 1: USD 1,378.60; Semester 2: USD 1,723.25). One‑way service is charged at 75% of the total.
- Special education and additional support services: there may be additional fees for specific special education services, assessments, remediation, or required aides; some families may be asked to provide an adult aide or learning coach as a condition of enrollment and may incur additional costs.

Refunds and Non‑Refundable Policy
- All fees (tuition, matriculation, entrance fee, family fee) are non‑refundable for any reason, except that a tuition refund may be considered only for a prolonged student illness of thirty (30) days or more, certified by an attending physician. No refunds are made for dismissal, suspension, removal, withdrawal, or any other reason.

Boarding
- Country Day School operates as a day school; boarding services are not applicable.

Contact details for payments and business office
- Business office email for payment confirmation and copies of transfer vouchers: cds_businessoffice@cds.ed.cr. Bank account beneficiary name: Country Day School Ltda.; beneficiary ID and account details are provided for wired transfers.
Academics

Country Day School teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
CDS Costa Rica follows US educational frameworks across grade levels, including the American High School Diploma in high school. Elementary and Middle School follow US Common Core standards, while High School prepares students for PSAT, SAT and MEP exams alongside the Costa Rican Bachillerato. The school offers more than 25 Advanced Placement courses and the AP Capstone Diploma Program. University readiness is supported by university‑ready mathematics built from Harvard Pure Math, Harvard Engineering, and MIT curricula. CDS is bilingual with English and Spanish as core languages of instruction, and Mandarin is available as an elective in high school.

Student Teacher Ratio
Early Learning: 8:1; Early Childhood: 4:1; Elementary: 22:1; Middle School: 22:1; High School: 22:1. English and Spanish are the languages taught across levels, with Mandarin available as an elective in high school.

Exam Results
TOEFL scores above 110/120 and SAT scores above 1450/1600 are reported for CDS students applying to top universities. CDS offers more than 25 AP courses, with 91% of students passing AP exams with a score of 3 or higher and the AP Capstone Diploma Program available. 98% of CDS students are admitted to top global colleges and universities. Graduates earn a dual US high school diploma and Costa Rican Bachillerato.

Higher Education Progression
CDS graduates are admitted to top global colleges and universities. Graduates earn a dual US high school diploma and Costa Rican Bachillerato. AP coursework and the AP Capstone Diploma Program provide college credit opportunities and credentials for advanced study.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
CDS Costa Rica fosters social and emotional learning within a caring, inclusive community that values empathy, inclusivity, and aspiration in everyday learning. Teachers know each student personally and are trained to observe and intervene in social‑emotional development. The school emphasizes a sense of security and belonging across all levels, including Early Learning where social and emotional development is foregrounded. An Elementary School counselor supports students' social‑emotional growth, and the Health and Well‑Being program includes a full‑time nurse and a Health and Safety Committee that maintains safety procedures. The overall learning environment prioritizes positive student–teacher relationships as a foundation for motivation and engagement.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
CDS Costa Rica recognizes that some students may have special educational needs or disabilities, and staff are responsible for identifying those in need of assistance and safeguarding. A formal safeguarding and child protection policy governs duties related to supporting vulnerable students, with explicit mention of SEN needs and disability within the policy framework. The school assigns a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and deputies to coordinate safeguarding across the community. Staff and volunteers undergo safeguarding and child‑protection training and safe recruitment procedures are in place. These policies emphasize inclusive practice and the welfare of all students, including those with additional needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Languages taught at CDS Costa Rica include English and Spanish across all levels, with Mandarin offered as an elective in high school. The Early Learning and Early Childhood programs are bilingual, supporting students' cognitive and linguistic development in both languages. Spanish for Native Speakers and Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) are structured in levels to tailor instruction to student needs. Across Elementary and Middle School, instructions are delivered in English and Spanish to promote bilingual proficiency. Mandarin is introduced as an elective in High School to broaden language opportunities.

Mental Wellbeing
Student health and well‑being are prioritized through a dedicated Health and Well‑Being program, including a full‑time school nurse who collaborates with families to address medical and wellbeing needs. Teachers know each student personally and monitor development, stepping in to support emotional and behavioral needs when required. The school emphasizes security, belonging, and supportive relationships as part of daily life, including a counselor in Elementary who contributes to social and emotional growth. Safety procedures are regularly reviewed by a Health and Safety Committee to protect all students.

Safeguarding
Country Day School maintains a formal Child Safeguarding Policy that outlines safeguarding principles, procedures, and the protection of students from harm. The policy designates a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and provides contact details for the leads, along with responsibilities for staff to report concerns and maintain records. Staff and volunteers receive safeguarding and safer recruitment training at regular intervals, and safeguarding duties are integrated with curriculum and school operations. The policy anchors safeguarding in international standards and UN rights of the child, and commits to secure practices and ongoing auditing.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1963, Country Day School is a US-accredited private school serving an international community in Costa Rica. It began with 18 students in a house in eastern San José and has since moved to a purpose-built campus in San Rafael de Alajuela, now teaching 750 students. In 2018, CDS joined the Nord Anglia Education family of premium international schools, strengthening its curriculum through world-class collaborations and learning beyond the classroom.

Community
CDS has a lively, inclusive community of more than 45 nationalities. The school comes together through traditions and annual events such as Family Day, the Fun Run, Music Under the Stars, Halloween, Thanksgiving Lunch, UN Day, and the Gift Parade, with active involvement from parents and families. As part of the Nord Anglia family, students connect with peers and alumni worldwide through Global Campus and participate in international experiences, including trips to Tanzania and Switzerland and involvement in Global Games in Florida. The LEED-certified campus and emphasis on sustainability also shape the learning community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Country Day School, Costa Rica maintains an LEED-certified campus with solar-paneled buildings that are resource efficient and designed to save water and energy. Recycling systems and reuse programs support a Zero Waste trajectory. The campus is surrounded by nature and emphasizes learning in an open, bright environment that integrates technology. The facilities span 81 well-equipped classrooms and include seven STEAM spaces, fine and performing arts spaces, athletic facilities, and outdoor areas that support a broad range of activities.

Sports Facilities
The school has athletic facilities including a large sports field for outdoor activities. Outdoor spaces support active learning and movement throughout the day. The campus offers spaces for physical education and team activities as part of the daily learning experience. Facilities are integrated with other learning spaces to enable cross-disciplinary activity during and after classes.

Academic Facilities
The campus is LEED-certified, with solar-paneled buildings that conserve water and energy. The environment is open and bright, fostering learning across disciplines. There are 81 classrooms and seven dedicated STEAM spaces, including science labs, robotics, and maker spaces. Students have access to advanced technology and dedicated STEAM spaces with tools like iPads, drones, spheros, and 3D printers. Fine and performing arts spaces accompany athletic facilities to support a broad curriculum.

Extra Curricular Facilities
CDS Costa Rica collaborates with Juilliard, UNICEF, and MIT to provide world-class experiential learning opportunities. MIT experts deliver STEAM challenges, and students participate in the Roller Coaster Challenge as part of their program. Zero Waste initiatives run through the community, including beach cleanups, recycling projects, and other sustainability activities. Students also undertake international trips to places like Tanzania and Switzerland to learn about different environments, in addition to local field experiences. The school's events and programs, such as Family Day, the Fun Run, Music Under the Stars, UN Day, and the Gift Parade, foster community and global awareness.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
CDS Costa Rica follows US educational frameworks, including the AP Program for high school. Students post strong results, with TOEFL scores above 110 out of 120, SAT scores above 1450 out of 1600, and AP averages above 3 out of 5. A remarkable 91% of CDS students score at least 3 on AP exams, higher than the global average. The school is dually accredited and graduates receive a dual US high school diploma and a Costa Rican degree, with 98% of CDS students admitted to top global colleges.

Arts & Creative
The school collaborates with Juilliard, UNICEF, and MIT to provide learning experiences beyond traditional classrooms. These partnerships connect students with world‑class experts and offer exposure to arts and STEAM through Juilliard and MIT. High school students participate in MIT challenges, including the Roller Coaster Challenge, where they present their findings.

Cultural & Language
The Spanish Language Program boosts linguistic proficiency with Spanish for Native Speakers and Spanish as a Second Language. Spanish for Native Speakers follows the Costa Rican Ministry of Education curriculum, with literacy, grammar, writing, and spelling developed from first through later grades. SSL is divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. A placement exam determines the appropriate level before joining.

Social & Hobbies
CDS Costa Rica hosts annual events including Family Day, the Fun Run, Music Under the Stars, Halloween, Thanksgiving Lunch, and UN Day. The school is part of the Nord Anglia family, with a diverse community of over 45 nationalities that fosters belonging and friendships. Students can connect with peers worldwide on Global Campus and participate in Nord Anglia activities such as Global Games in Florida and trips to Tanzania and Switzerland.

Community & Service
CDS has LEED-certified facilities and sustainability runs through the community. Through UNICEF collaboration, students analyze the United Nations SDGs and apply them in local outreach opportunities as well as international Nord Anglia opportunities. Zero Waste threads through student initiatives, including beach and river cleanups, recycling projects, and support for Habitat for Humanity and Sister Schools. The Centre for Regenerative Design and Collaboration (CRDC)also collaborates on projects using non-recyclable plastics to create new materials.

Leadership & Professional
CDS defines its approach through six educational pillars that guide students to become leaders. The Nord Anglia University provides ongoing professional development for teachers to maintain high teaching standards. Collaborations with MIT and other partners offer design-thinking and leadership-building challenges in STEAM. Global Campus connects CDS students with peers worldwide to collaborate on challenges and learn from each other.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
CDS prioritizes happiness and wellbeing; 96% of CDS parents say their child is happy at CDS and 99% report a great relationship with their teachers. The school provides an open, bright environment surrounded by nature and a LEED-certified campus that supports sustainable learning. Teaching with technology follows a ‘learn first, tech second' approach, encouraging students to use digital tools to enhance research, communication, and creativity.
Languages

Language Provision
Spanish is taught at CDS Costa Rica through two programs: Spanish for Native Speakers and Spanish as a Second Language. Spanish for Native Speakers follows the Costa Rican Ministry of Education curriculum and begins in first grade, with literacy in first grade and grammar and writing in second grade. Spanish as a Second Language offers three levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—and focuses on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Before joining us, your child will sit a short placement exam to determine which SSL level is best.

Bilingual Teaching
Spanish for Native Speakers and Spanish as a Second Language are offered. Spanish for Native Speakers follows the Costa Rican Ministry of Education curriculum and begins in first grade, with literacy in first grade and grammar and writing in second grade. Spanish as a Second Language is offered at three levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—with emphasis on listening, speaking, reading, and writing. CDS notes that students become fully bilingual through the language program.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Inquire: Inquire through our online form, by email, or by phone. From Pre-Kinder to 12th grade, admissions are competitive and applicants should be ready to innovate in our learning environment. We seek students who are curious and motivated to learn and who will contribute to the diversity and strength of our community. This initial contact begins the Country Day School Costa Rica admissions journey.

2. Visit Our Campus: Visit the campus in person or online through a virtual discovery meeting. You'll imagine your child learning in all spaces of our warm campus, and you'll be introduced to our teachers and our students.

3. Apply: Submit your online application form and supporting documents. There is a $50 non-refundable application fee when you send your application. Applications are accepted throughout the year depending on space and availability, but to guarantee a place for the start of the school year, follow the deadlines: Jun 1, 2026 for Fall and Nov 30, 2026 for Winter. A family interview and student assessment follow the application, and you will be notified about a week after these steps of the admissions decision.
School Events
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