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Del Mar Academy

Costa Rica, Guanacaste

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 267
Type Co-educational
Opened 2008
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Spanish
Typical class size 10
Strengths Languages, Outdoor Education, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Del Mar Academy is an IB World School in Nosara, Costa Rica, offering a bilingual Montessori-based curriculum for Pre-K through Grade 12. Instruction is in English and Spanish. The Early Years focus on language, mathematics, sciences, geography and culture, and practical life through hands-on, project-based learning. Upper Elementary and Middle School extend interdisciplinary bilingual instruction across core subjects, blending Montessori principles with IB preparation as students advance. The school is fully accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education and authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12, with candidacy for the Middle Years Programme. The 11-acre campus near the beach features indoor classrooms, outdoor labs, gardens, an outdoor stage, and Ecological Blue Flag recognition for water quality and sustainability. Core programs include field trips, environmental studies, theatre, Visual Arts and STEAM, integrated with Technology and Digital Media. Del Mar Academy graduates attend universities worldwide.

www.delmaracademy.com

Guanacaste Province, Nosara, Costa Rica

Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials

Del Mar Academy has 267 pupils, typical class sizes of 10, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
Nosara, Costa Rica. Nosara is a vibrant beach town known for its surf, natural beauty, and diverse international community. Del Mar Academy sits on an 11-acre campus.

Stages
Pre-K to Grade 12; Montessori foundations through the IB Diploma Program.

Type
IB World School; international day school.

Country affiliation
Costa Rica
Diving Deeper
The school has not added this information
Fees
Application and Admissions Fees
- Application (administrative) fee: USD 100 per child. Payment options for the application fee include PayPal, cash, or wire transfer.
- Matriculation fee (to reserve place): USD 979. The matriculation fee is due on January 23, 2026.

2026–2027 Annual Tuition and Core Fees (by student category)
- New students (full rate):
- Tuition (annual): USD 17,992.
- Capital Investment Fee (one-time / new-student level): USD 2,833.
- Scholarship Fee (new-student level contribution): USD 3,090.
- Technology Fee (Grades 4–12, annual): USD 175.
- IB Examination fee (Grades 11–12, annual): USD 550.
- Matriculation Fee (one-time to reserve place): USD 979.
- Payment structure for tuition: first payment USD 4,500 due March 15, 2026; remainder due June 15, 2026 (remainder = USD 13,492 for tuition portion).

- Current (returning) students:
- Tuition (annual): USD 15,920.
- Capital Investment Fee: USD 1,030.
- Scholarship Fee: USD 1,030.
- Technology Fee (Grades 4–12, annual): USD 175.
- IB Examination fee (Grades 11–12, annual): USD 550.
- Matriculation Fee (one-time to reserve place): USD 979.
- Payment structure for tuition: first payment USD 4,500 due March 15, 2026; remainder due June 15, 2026 (remainder = USD 11,420 for tuition portion).

- CASA students (new or returning; early years program category):
- Tuition (annual): USD 13,134.
- Capital Investment Fee: USD 258.
- Scholarship Fee: USD 515.
- Technology Fee: USD 0 (not charged for this category).
- IB Examination fee: USD 0 (not applicable).
- Matriculation Fee (one-time to reserve place): USD 979.
- Payment structure for tuition: first payment USD 4,500 due March 15, 2026; remainder due June 15, 2026 (remainder = USD 8,634 for tuition portion).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Matriculation fee due: January 23, 2026.
- Tuition and fees first payment (standard): USD 4,500, due March 15, 2026.
- Tuition and fees remainder: due June 15, 2026.
- Returning families may request quarterly payment schedules; contact the school's tuition office to arrange alternate payment plans. The tuition agreement (signed) must be returned with required admissions fees to reserve enrollment.

Boarding / Accommodation
- Boarding is not applicable. Del Mar Academy operates as a day school (no boarding fees).

Other costs and additional fees
- Lunch, uniforms, field trips, transportation, and extra-class activities are not included in the tuition figures listed above; these are billed separately or paid as required.
- After-school Academic Support Program (AASP): paid separately (example rate listed on school pages is USD 15 per hour when run by DMA); private one-to-one tutoring listed at USD 25 per hour (paid directly to the tutor). These academic-support charges are additional to tuition.
- IB Diploma examination fees apply for Diploma students (Grades 11–12): USD 550 per student in 2026–2027 where applicable.

Refunds and cancellation
- Tuition and fees are non-refundable. At the beginning of the school year each family signs a contract stating that tuition is non-refundable; refunds are not provided except under extraordinary circumstances as specified by the school's financial contract. Application/administrative fees are non-refundable.

Fee payment options and accepted payment methods
- Application fee payment methods noted for admissions: PayPal, cash, or wire transfer.
- Tuition payment schedules include single-payment and multi-payment options; alternate payment plans may be arranged through the tuition office (contact tuition@delmaracademy.com for arrangements). Specific merchant methods for larger tuition payments (for example, credit-card acceptance for tuition) should be arranged through the school's tuition office at the time of agreement.

Notes on what is included in the listed fees
- Technology Fee covers educational technology for the listed grades where applied. IB Exam fee covers examination costs for Diploma Programme students. Any other items explicitly excluded (lunch, uniforms, field trips, extra-class activities) are the family's responsibility and are not covered by the tuition figures above.
Academics

Del Mar Academy teaches Montessori Curriculum, IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Del Mar Academy offers a bilingual, Montessori-based curriculum for Pre-K through Grade 12, with instruction in English and Spanish. The Early Years (Casa and Lower Primary) focus on language, mathematics, sciences, geography and culture, and practical life through hands-on, project-based learning. Upper Elementary and Middle School extend interdisciplinary bilingual instruction across core subjects, blending Montessori principles with IB preparation as students advance. The school is fully accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education (MEP) and authorized as an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11–12 and candidacy for the Middle Years Programme. The Diploma Programme includes Language and Literature in English and Spanish, Environmental Systems and Societies, Biology, Mathematics Applications and Interpretations, and Visual Arts, along with Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service. Graduates go on to universities around the world, including University of St. Thomas, University of Colorado Boulder, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Oregon, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, Domus Academy Milano, Santa Barbara City College, and University of Victoria.

Student Teacher Ratio
The teacher-to-student ratio is optimal for individualized and small-group instruction.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates pursue higher education at universities around the world. Notable destinations include University of St. Thomas (USA), University of Colorado Boulder, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Oregon, Universidad Latina de Costa Rica, Domus Academy Milano, Santa Barbara City College, and University of Victoria.

Gifted and Talented
Enrichment is an integral part of the program; the curriculum is multidisciplinary and tailored to each child's needs, strengths, and interests. Teachers emphasize creative problem-solving, independent inquiry, and collaborative learning as part of the student experience.
Wellbeing
The school has not added this information
Parent Experience
The school has not added this information
Facilities
The school has not added this information
Extra-Curricular Activities
The school has not added this information
Languages
The school has not added this information
Reputation
The school has not added this information
Admissions

Admissions
Join the Del Mar Academy Community. Del Mar Academy is an internationally accredited school in Nosara, Costa Rica serving students from early childhood through grade 12. The admissions process is designed to help families learn about the school's philosophy and programs while ensuring each student is well-matched to the opportunities Del Mar Academy provides. If you have questions about the admissions process or wish to speak to the team, call +506 2682 1213 or email [email protected].

Step 1: Contact our Admissions Team. Fill out the short inquiry form, and a member of our Admissions team will contact you within 24 hours Monday through Friday.

Step 2: Application Form and Fee. Submit the application form along with the $100 administrative fee. You'll find the list of necessary documentation on the form. Applications are accepted year-round, but deadlines for the upcoming school year are December 1 for application, March 1 for interviews and placement tests, and April 1 for acceptance letters, sent on a rolling basis. Many grades are full with a wait list, so submit the application form and fee as soon as possible.

Step 3: Interview and Academic Testing. A member of the Admissions team or Head of School may schedule a parent or student interview. If necessary, academic testing may also be done at this stage.

Step 4: Acceptance. If your child is accepted, you will receive an acceptance letter and a tuition/matriculation agreement. The tuition agreement specifies the contractual terms of enrollment and must be returned with admissions fees. To reserve your child's space, admissions fees must be paid within two weeks of acceptance or by April 1 for the following school year. Many grades have limited spaces available.

Scholarships
Del Mar Academy offers scholarships and financial aid to help make programs accessible to a diverse community of students. Scholarships and financial aid are available to support access to education; 2026-2027 tuition and fees are published.

Waitlist
Many grades are full with a wait list; spaces are limited and admission spaces are filled as they become available. Submitting the application form and fee early is recommended.
School Events
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