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International Christian School - San Jose

Costa Rica, San Jose

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees CRC 11,760 - 36,520
Ages 0 - 17 years
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Bespoke Curriculum, Christian Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin, Spanish
Strengths STEM, Languages, Performing Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

International Christian School (ICS) San José is a PK-11 international school in Costa Rica serving ages 0 to 17. The campus in San Miguel, Santo Domingo, Heredia offers Preschool, Elementary and Secondary education with English and Spanish instruction. The curriculum combines IB programs (PYP and MYP) with a bespoke option, and in high school students choose between the IB Diploma and the National Baccalaureate, decided in ninth grade. A College Preparation Program supports ninth through eleventh graders with career exploration, college applications, and admissions exams such as UCR and TEC, plus SAT or ACT when applicable. The school emphasizes experiential learning through organized outdoor trips, e-learning resources, and a virtual tour. Athletics, arts and robotics are integral, with robotics projects competing nationally, and student art displays and musical productions enriching the creative program. ICS maintains a Christian-values culture and a history of contributing to Costa Rica's education system and society.

XWJW+5V8, Heredia, Santo Domingo, San Miguel de Santo Domingo, Costa Rica

The Essentials

International Christian School - San Jose has instruction in English, Spanish.

Stages
PK-11; Little Jaguars (preschool), Preschool, Elementary, Secondary, College Prep

Type
International school

Country affiliation
Costa Rica

Religious affiliation
Christian
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is led by General Director Guadalupe Picado.
Fees

Annual tuition at International Christian School - San Jose ranges from CRC 11,760 to CRC 36,520 for 2026/27.

Application and admission fees

- Admission test (one-time, for new students): USD 25.
- No separate non-refundable application or registration fee amount is published on the school's public admission pages.

Tuition fees by year group and per term

- No published tuition schedule for any year group (preschool, elementary, secondary/IB) is available on the school's public pages. Specific tuition amounts per term or per academic year are not listed.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- A detailed billing schedule and formal payment terms (for example: number of instalments per year, due dates, late-payment penalties) are not published on the school's public pages. Parents are referred to the school's payment office for clarification and for completing payments.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- No boarding program or boarding fees are published. The school's public information identifies the campus location and presents ICS as a day-school operation; no residential/boarding fees or boarding program details are available.

Other costs and recurring charges

- No published amounts for uniforms, school transportation (bus), activity/athletics fees, materials/lab fees, exam fees, or extracurricular program fees are available on the school's public pages. While the school lists programs such as athletics and arts, specific charges related to these services are not given.

Refund and withdrawal policy

- A published refund or withdrawal fee schedule (for example: pro‑rata refunds, non‑refundable deposits, or deadlines for refunds) is not available on the school's public pages.

Fee payment options

- No public list of accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, local direct debit, cash, online payment portal) is published. Payments are administered through the school's payment office.

Brief summary of findings and gaps

- The only concrete, published fee amount located on the school's public admission pages is the admission test fee of USD 25. Comprehensive published information for annual or per-term tuition, registration/application fees, boarding fees, uniform or transport charges, refund rules, and accepted payment methods could not be found on the school's public pages; parents must obtain those figures and the formal billing schedule directly from the school's payment office or admissions office.
Academics

International Christian School - San Jose teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), Bespoke Curriculum, Christian Curriculum for students aged 0 to 17.

Curriculum
ICS offers Preschool, Elementary, and Secondary education. In high school, students choose between the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and the National Baccalaureate program, with the decision made in ninth grade; completion of either program occurs in the 10th and 11th grades. A College Preparation Program supports ninth through eleventh grade students with career exploration, the college application process, and preparation for admission exams including the UCR and TEC admissions exams as well as the SAT or ACT. The curriculum also emphasizes experiential learning, including organized outdoor trips that enrich the curriculum.

Higher Education Progression
Guidance in career exploration, university selection, and the college application process; support for admission exams (UCR, TEC, SAT, ACT) to improve college admissions.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Values-centered education integrates cognitive, social, and emotional development across the curriculum. It aims to develop proactive, values-driven citizens who serve others and contribute to their communities. The program fosters global awareness and an inclusive environment where students express themselves respectfully and appreciate cultural diversity. Alumni serve as role models for integrity and leadership within their communities. Education rooted in values guides students' decisions and daily actions, extending learning beyond the classroom through experiential activities and outdoor programs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the language of instruction, and the school has bilingual teachers.

Mental Wellbeing
Teachers provide emotional and academic support to students. A healthy and calm environment for children is described, supporting mental wellbeing.

Safeguarding
The school emphasizes safety and a safe environment for students.
Parent Experience

History
International Christian School (ICS) is a PK-11 school in Costa Rica. It has contributed to the Costa Rican educational system for more than 40 years. Its program is bilingual, delivering instruction in English and Spanish and offering Preschool, Elementary, Secondary, and College Prep with international standards. ICS is located in San Miguel, Santo Domingo, Heredia, Costa Rica.

Community
ICS emphasizes a family-oriented community; parents and students describe ICS as a place that values family and makes them feel at home. The school encourages learning beyond the classroom with organized outdoor trips to enrich the curriculum. The site provides a Parent Corner with articles and resources for families, covering topics such as health, reading, and mental well-being. The Sports Festival and other news highlight ongoing community activities.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
International Christian School is a PK-11 school of excellence that offers instruction in English and Spanish. It promotes critical thinking and lifelong learning through research. The school fosters a Christian-values culture and aims to develop knowledgeable, principled, balanced, and caring leaders with social responsibility in a changing global world. It supports learning beyond the classroom through organized outdoor trips. E-learning resources and a virtual campus tour are available to students and families.

Academic Facilities
Robotics and programming projects are part of the technology program. Students develop critical thinking and problem-solving through challenging robotics projects. The program includes participation in national and international robotics competitions. The school also emphasizes responsible digital citizenship and the ethical use of digital tools.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Art classes are part of the primary curriculum, with multiple levels of Art offered in middle and upper school; student artworks are displayed throughout the year. Music classes are provided in the Lower School, with a Musical produced in the Middle/Upper School. ICS offers international programs during the summer, including New York Parsons School of Design and Nouva Accademia Di Belle Art in Rome, a Summer Camp in Film Making, and Exchange Programs with AFS.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ICS offers a College Preparation Program for ninth through eleventh grade designed to guide students toward higher education and future careers. Guidance in Career Exploration supports students in identifying interests and talents, while the College Application Process helps with university selection, documentation, and interviews. The program includes preparation for admissions exams such as UCR and TEC, and offers guidance for tests like the SAT or ACT when applicable. Students may also choose the International Baccalaureate (IB) pathway, which emphasizes critical thinking, effective communication, and collaboration.

Arts & Creative
All Primary School students have Art class within their weekly schedule. Lower School students take weekly music classes, and fifth grade participates in a Musical as a final project. Middle and High School students can choose to participate in a musical, and student artwork is prominently displayed throughout the year.

Cultural & Language
ICS provides summer International Programs with opportunities such as New York Parsons School of Design, Nouva Accademia di Belle Arte in Rome, and a Summer Camp in Film Making, along with Exchange Programs with AFS.

Social & Hobbies
Organized outdoor trips are part of learning outside the classroom, connecting subjects to real-world experiences. The arts program includes musical productions, and the athletics program offers teams in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and track, fostering teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Student artwork and performances showcase engagement beyond regular classes.

Leadership & Professional
Guidance in Career Exploration supports students in identifying interests and talents, and the College Application Process helps with applying to universities. The program provides exam preparation guidance for admissions tests such as UCR and TEC, and offers college preparation resources designed to equip students for success in higher education and their future careers. The College Preparation Program demonstrates ICS's commitment to supporting students through higher education planning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
ICS offers athletic programs with teams in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and track, promoting leadership, teamwork, discipline, and resilience. Participation in sports is presented as a path to success beyond the playing field.
Languages

Language Provision
The languages used for instruction and research are English and Spanish. The school aims to foster bilingual competence across its PK-11 program.

Bilingual Teaching
ICS provides bilingual education with English and Spanish used across the curriculum. The PK-11 program supports learning in both languages.

Immersion Programs
Preschool includes English language immersion, with instruction delivered in English as part of the early years program.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1. Submit documents. Enrollment requires submitting the documents listed. Preschool applicants provide pre-school reports or a copy of the previous year's report or evaluation. Elementary and high school applicants provide an official transcript with grades from the last three years. Additional items include a reference letter from a teacher, counselor or principal; reports from a psychologist or a learning disabilities professional if applicable; a payment letter if previously enrolled in a private school; two passport-size photos; a photocopy of the birth certificate; photocopy of the immunization records; photocopy of the passport photo and visa pages for foreigners or those with double-nationality; a correctly filled-out student application form; and the interview form (first page filled out). Step 2. Interview and admission test. All students should be interviewed. All students are given an admission test. The test fee is $25. Please see the payment office for clarification and to handle payments. Step 3. Start. The admission procedure must be concluded before a student is allowed to start classes.
School Events
The school has not added events
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