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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
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.

Guanacaste Province, Nosara, Costa Rica

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

Uniform Requirement
Official Del Mar Academy polo shirts on regular school days and official Del Mar Academy T-shirts on P.E. days, paired with khaki or black shorts/skorts.

Food Options
Hot lunch is provided daily with vegetarian options; a monthly menu includes Costa Rican dishes such as casados, pasta, tacos, and pizza, plus a daily salad bar and regular desserts. Lunches are $5.50 for younger students (grades 3 and below) and $6.50 for older students; students may also bring their own lunch and snacks.

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by a Board of Trustees, which includes the founders; it is accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education (MEP) and is an IB World School (IB Diploma Programme; Middle Years Programme in candidacy). Del Mar Academy became a nonprofit foundation in September 2018.
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

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Guardians of Nature empowers children and teachers with tools for environmental education and socio-emotional learning; children from toddler through 5th grade have a Guardian of Nature hour every week, and core virtues guide the program.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Del Mar Academy provides Special Education accommodations in line with IEPs or similar adjustments, offers Learning Support for a range of needs, and admits students with cognitive and behavioral differences on a case-by-case basis.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school provides a bilingual English–Spanish program; students with limited English or Spanish may be admitted, but in grades 4–12 after-school language classes (for an additional fee) are required until the student reaches academic competence in both languages.
Parent Experience

History
Del Mar Academy was founded in 2007 by its original founders, who remain on the Board of Trustees. The Board includes Costa Rican and long-term international residents with expertise across finance, law, government, non-profits, technology, fundraising, construction, and education. The DMA Foundation governs Del Mar Academy, serving as the umbrella for the Guardians of Nature initiative and supporting its environmental and community programs, reflecting its non-profit governance. The campus sits on 11 acres in Nosara, Costa Rica, with facilities for science, arts, athletics, and outdoor learning. The academy is an IB World School, accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education and offering the IB Diploma Programme in grades 11-12, with candidacy for the IB Middle Years Programme.

Community
Del Mar Academy has a diverse, international community of about 280 students representing more than 25 countries and languages. Approximately 50% of students come from North America, 25% from Europe and the Middle East, and 25% from Costa Rica; about 45% receive scholarships or financial aid. Learning is hands-on and experiential, with multi-day field trips to Costa Rica's biodiversity and ecosystems as part of the IB and experiential learning programs. Community service and environmental initiatives are integral, with students engaging in projects at the school and with local organizations in Nosara as part of Guardians of Nature and the DMA Foundation. Del Mar Academy emphasizes global citizenship and diversity, guiding students to become engaged, culturally aware members of their communities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Del Mar Academy sits on an 11-acre campus in Nosara, Costa Rica, just minutes from the beach. Indoor classrooms are paired with wide-open outdoor spaces, gardens, and outdoor labs that bring learning to life. The Montessori foundations support a bilingual program with daily outdoor and experiential learning, including field trips and nature-based activities. A dedicated outdoor stage and various learning spaces enable performances and experiential projects that connect students with Costa Rica's natural environment.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor spaces support physical education and sports, including an outdoor field used for soccer. Outdoor and Physical Education is a formal part of the Upper Elementary program.

Academic Facilities
Montessori foundations serve early years with indoor classrooms and outdoor spaces on the 11-acre campus. The school offers a bilingual program with English Humanities, and IB Middle School and IB Diploma Program sequences with project-based learning and field trips. Science labs, outdoor labs, STEAM, Earth Science, Theater, Visual Arts, Technology and Digital Media integrate academics with hands-on experiences.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Theater and Expression provide performance opportunities; Community Service and Environmental Studies foster social responsibility; the CREW Advisory Program supports small-group mentoring; Day Trips and field trips extend learning beyond the classroom; gardens and outdoor spaces enrich environmental learning.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Del Mar Academy serves pre-K through Grade 12. It is an IB World School offering the IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11 and 12 and is in candidacy for the IB Middle Years Programme. It is fully accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education and is an authorized IB World School. The programs span Montessori through the IB Diploma Program, with a student-centered approach.

Cultural & Language
Del Mar Academy provides a bilingual learning environment in English and Spanish. The student body represents more than 25 countries and languages. Diversity is valued and cultural perspectives are explored through the curriculum. Global citizenship is a core aim of the school.

Social & Hobbies
Experiential learning includes day trips and multi-day expeditions to Costa Rica's national parks, volcanoes, the Caribbean coast, and cultural visits. Field experiences bring learning to life beyond the classroom. Environmental studies and community service activities are integrated as part of student life.

Community & Service
Students engage in meaningful community service that fosters compassion, problem-solving, leadership, and collaboration. They support local Nosara organizations and participate in environmental projects at the school and in the community.

Leadership & Professional
Students develop individual skills and talents and pursue investigations independently, becoming decision-makers, creative producers, and active researchers. Community service and enrichment experiences foster leadership and professional skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The campus sits on 11 acres in Nosara, a coastal surf town in Costa Rica, with expansive outdoor spaces for learning. Facilities include a science lab, an art studio, a covered basketball court, two soccer fields, a climbing wall, and a full-size pool. The school holds the Ecological Blue Flag (5 stars) for water quality, environmental education, and sustainable practices.
Languages

Language Provision
Spanish and English are the languages taught and used in instruction. Most graduates earn a bilingual IB Diploma. SSL and ESL courses are offered for students who need additional language support in Grades 4–12.

Bilingual Teaching
The school offers a bilingual program in Spanish and English. It provides dual-language immersion through toddler through Grade 3 and a program where instruction language varies by subject area from Grades 4–12. The goal is for students to become bilingual and bi-literate, with literacy and content taught in both languages. In Grades 1–3, the school pursues a 50–50 English–Spanish immersion, while in Grades 4–12 language allocation follows the curriculum; second-language acquisition classes are available at additional cost and language proficiency may influence admissions.

Immersion Programs
Del Mar Academy uses a dual-language immersion approach in Spanish and English. Immersion is emphasized in pre-primary through Grade 3 with a focus on literacy and content in both languages, and continues in Grades 4–12 with language assignment by subject area. The program supports students' language development through targeted language plans and family involvement.
Reputation

Awards
Ecological Blue Flag 5 Stars; Green Latin American Awards

Accreditations
Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education (MEP) accreditation; International Baccalaureate (IB) World School accreditation
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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