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Golden Valley School - Heredia

Costa Rica, San Jose

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Spanish, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 0 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1997
Bus Service No
Part of
Golden Valley School
Academic offering
Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum
Taught languages English, German
Strengths Languages, STEM, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Golden Valley School is an international day school in Costa Rica serving ages 0 to 18. The program blends Montessori philosophy with the International Baccalaureate framework (PYP, MYP, DP) and an American Diploma option, with families able to choose Bachillerato MEP in final years. English is the primary language of instruction, with immersion from early years, and German taught as a third language; in primary, English is delivered for about eight hours weekly. The school emphasizes inquiry-based, cross-disciplinary learning and project experiences, supported by digital platforms that track progress and offer enrichment. Since 1997, Golden Valley has focused on developing principled, well-informed students who contribute to their communities. A STEAM approach sits beside active sport and arts programs. Extras include a Gifted Students Program, university counseling, and social responsibility initiatives such as COEEPI, linking students with Indigenous communities and international university pathways.

This campus is part of Golden Valley School

800m SO del Lubricentro Heredia San Isidro, 40601, Costa Rica

The Essentials

Golden Valley School - Heredia has instruction in Spanish, English.

Location
The school operates two campuses in Costa Rica: Golden Valley Heredia and Golden Valley Alajuela. It is an international, trilingual institution offering English immersion and German as a third language.

Stages
Preschool, Primary, and Secondary levels are offered. The program integrates Montessori philosophy, the International Baccalaureate (IB) program (MYP), and project-based learning.

Type
International day school

Additional learning support
Learning Support Services department

Religious affiliation
Christian
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
Two campuses in Costa Rica: Golden Valley Heredia and Golden Valley Alajuela.
Fees
Application / enrollment fee

- The school charges an enrollment (matrícula) fee at the time of registration. The most recent publicly listed historic figure located is CRC 185,000 (₡185,000).

Tuition fees (general statement and available figures)

- A published, grade-by-grade fee schedule for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic year is not available publicly. A historic published listing (June–July 2014) shows a general monthly tuition amount of CRC 270,000 (₡270,000); that listing does not break the fee down by individual year groups or by term. No current per-term or per-grade fees for 2025/26 or 2026/27 were found.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The school operates with two academic-calendar options (Local: January–December; International: July–June). Parents should expect an enrollment (matrícula) charge at registration plus recurring tuition billed on a monthly basis in the formats that private schools in the country commonly use; however, a formal, published billing calendar (due dates, late-penalty rules, or term/annual invoicing options) for the 2025/26 or 2026/27 year was not published.

Boarding / residential fees

- Golden Valley School operates as day campuses (Heredia and Alajuela) and does not list boarding or residential provision; therefore no boarding fees are published.

Other costs and typical additional charges

- Materials and school supplies: many private schools itemize an annual materials or supplies charge; the historical listing does not confirm whether materials are included in the tuition or billed separately for Golden Valley.
- Uniforms: no published uniform-fee schedule was found; parents should expect a uniform purchase cost if required.
- Canteen / food service: the school operates a staffed food program (“The Food Place”), indicating an onsite meal service that may carry additional charges.
- Extracurricular clubs and after-school activities: clubs (sports, music, arts, technology) are offered; some clubs or external programs commonly have separate fees. No specific club-fee list was published.
- Transport: no published transport tariff was found in the materials reviewed.

Refund information

- No publicly posted refund policy or formal fee-refund schedule for withdrawals, cancellations, or early departures for the 2025/26 or 2026/27 academic years was located. Refund rules and timelines are not published in the public materials reviewed.

Fee payment options

- The school website structure includes a cart/checkout flow and a WhatsApp contact link for quotes and inquiries, but specific accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, direct debit, cheque) are not published in the public material reviewed. Parents should expect that common payment routes (bank transfer, card, or in-person payment) are used by private schools in the country, but the school's specific accepted methods were not listed publicly.

Brief note on availability of up-to-date fee details

- No official, current fee schedule for the 2026/27 academic year (and none for 2025/26) was published in the public pages or documents reviewed. The only concrete numeric figures located in public materials were from an older private-schools guide (June–July 2014), which lists an enrollment fee of CRC 185,000 and a monthly tuition of CRC 270,000; those figures are historical and should not be assumed current for 2025/26 or 2026/27. For many line items requested (per-term or per-grade tuition, boarding fees, formal refund policy, and a published list of accepted payment methods) no current public detail was available.
Academics

Golden Valley School - Heredia teaches Montessori Curriculum, IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 0 to 18.

Curriculum
Golden Valley School is an international, trilingual center that blends Montessori philosophy with IB and project-based learning. English is used with immersion from early years, and German is taught as a third language, with eight hours of English weekly in primary. The curriculum includes PYP (ages 3-12), MYP (ages 11-16), and DP (ages 16-19), with an American Diploma option to complement IB; in final years families may choose between the national Bachillerato (MEP) and IB DP. The program emphasizes inquiry-based, cross-disciplinary learning and project experiences that can support scholarships at universities worldwide. English immersion and German as a third language are complemented by digital platforms for progress tracking and diverse enrichment opportunities.

Higher Education Progression
International university counseling is available for grades 9–12 on an individualized plan and works with families to connect with international universities. Students can participate in university fairs, summer pre-university programs, and information requests to international universities, and may pursue international postgraduate studies. The office supports university admissions with exam preparation (SAT, TOEFL, subject tests), career guidance, and letters of recommendation, and coordinates student-led projects with international organizations.

Gifted and Talented
Gifted and Talented Program: This program provides curricular enrichment through active methodologies and project-based learning to nurture talents; offers meaningful, challenging experiences; and supports high-performing students in sport and other areas.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Student Wellbeing Department provides academic and socio-emotional support with preventive care and remedial interventions to address students' academic and emotional needs. Family guidance supports families in the educational process with guidance and resources. The department also offers talks and workshops, career guidance, and ongoing professional development for staff.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Gifted and Talented Education Program supports high-ability students, creativity, and talent. It includes curricular enrichment, meaningful experiences, and athletic support to help students reach their goals.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Golden Valley School is an international, trilingual institution. Language learning emphasizes Spanish as the mother tongue; as a foreign language, students receive eight hours of English per week. Students learn three languages.

Mental Wellbeing
The Student Wellbeing Department is committed to supporting every member of our community to foster holistic development. It provides academic and socio-emotional support with preventive care and remedial interventions. Family guidance offers support to families; the department runs talks and workshops, vocational guidance, and teacher training on emotional and educational topics.
Parent Experience

History
Since its beginnings in 1997, Golden Valley has been committed to forming better men and women to make Costa Rica and the world a better place, developing leaders and lifelong learners; curious, well-informed and educated children and youth, supportive, thoughtful, bold, open-minded, principled, good communicators, balanced and reflective. At Golden Valley, students experience immersion in English, German as a third language, and a STEAM approach that fosters creativity and critical thinking. In addition, our active methodologies, sports, and arts enrich their learning. Our educational approach combines Montessori philosophy, the International Baccalaureate (IB), and project-based learning, offering a holistic education that nourishes each student in all aspects of their development.

Community
COEEPI is composed of fifteen sixth-to-twelfth grade students passionate about social work. COEEPI stands for Comisión Organizadora del Encuentro Estudiantil sobre Pueblos Indígenas and was founded in 2022 to raise awareness about cultural diversity in Costa Rica through a meeting with students from Indigenous communities. Over time, the mission has evolved to address the needs identified during these encounters and educational tours; this year the group aims to act as a bridge between Golden Valley students and Indigenous peoples to establish strong, lasting relationships. Through socialization, COEEPI seeks to raise awareness about the challenges these communities face, including limited access to basic education.
Facilities

Academic Facilities
PYP (Primary Years Programme) covers ages 3 to 12 with inquiry-based and transdisciplinary learning. MYP (Middle Years Programme) covers ages 11 to 16, developing critical thinking and applying knowledge across disciplines. DP (Diploma Programme) covers ages 16 to 19, offering advanced academic study and research skills. Graduation with the American Diploma is available, complementing IB education with the internationally recognized degree and broadening post-secondary opportunities. Gifted Students Program offers curricular enrichment, meaningful experiences, and targeted support for high-ability learners.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Sports programs connect passion for sport with teamwork and healthy competition, with regular trainings scheduled to fit student timetables and promote participation. Our sports teams help students develop athletically, learn important values, and make new friends, celebrating achievements along the way. COEEPI is a fifteen-student committee from sixth through twelfth grade coordinating social welfare projects and fostering connections with Indigenous communities. The Social Responsibility initiative promotes awareness of diversity and supports education access for Indigenous communities. Career guidance and university fairs help students plan future studies and careers.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school uses project-based learning and differentiated instruction, with formative and summative assessments. Teacher-created rubrics guide each learning experience under the guidance of the Assessment Team. In the final years of secondary education, students may choose between the National Bachillerato (Bachillerato MEP) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). The school offers PYP for ages 3–12, MYP for ages 11–16, and DP for ages 16–19, and graduates can also obtain the American Diploma to complement IB, broadening academic and university pathways.

Arts & Creative
The school offers clubs in musical, artistic, athletic, technological, and language areas. Robotics and debate are among the activities available through clubs, supporting exploration of diverse interests. Club sessions occur weekly for one hour and are led by highly qualified teachers to ensure both enjoyment and learning. Students pursue their passions—whether in sports, science, literature, or the arts—through clubs that challenge and inspire growth.

Cultural & Language
Golden Valley is an international, trilingual school with English immersion and German as a third language. English is taught with eight hours per week as a foreign language on the Heredia campus, and language clubs complement the core program. The school emphasizes cross-cultural and multilingual learning as part of its holistic approach.

Social & Hobbies
Club offerings span Musicales (Music), Artísticos (Arts), Deportivos (Sports), Tecnológicos (Technology), and Idiomas (Languages); clubs meet once per week for one hour. The program encourages students to engage in extracurriculars that nurture social ties, creativity, and collaborative problem-solving across diverse fields.

Community & Service
COEEPI comprises fifteen students from sixth to twelfth grade and stands for Comisión Organizadora del Encuentro Estudiantil sobre Pueblos Indígenas. Founded in 2022, its mission broadened from raising cultural awareness to building lasting relationships between Golden Valley students and Indigenous communities, aiming to address educational access and social equity.

Leadership & Professional
From ninth grade to twelfth grade, international university counseling is individualized and comprehensive, helping students and families build relationships with international universities. Students can apply to pre-university summer programs, contact international universities, and pursue international graduate studies. The office collaborates with the Learning Support Services Department for activities such as College Day and career guidance, and provides guidance on the university application process, letters of recommendation, and developing an informed student profile.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Student Wellbeing Department supports emotional well-being as a core component of academic success, offering preventive and remedial academic and socio-emotional support. It provides family guidance, talks and workshops, and career guidance, and also coordinates teacher training to support holistic student development.
Languages

Language Provision
The school is international and trilingual, teaching three languages. All students are bilingual.

Bilingual Teaching
The school is an international, trilingual educational center. Its mission is to educate for life and to develop students into responsible individuals. It offers a robust academic program that encourages students to adhere to their ideals and contribute to their communities. Teaching and learning are based on a process of continuous improvement through holistic education, centered on God's love, a culture of peace, and environmental protection.

Immersion Programs
From day one, students are immersed in an environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and the constant pursuit of knowledge. The faculty consists of passionate and dedicated professionals who strive to inspire and challenge each student to reach their full potential.
School Events
The school has not added events
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