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Lighthouse International School

Costa Rica, San Jose

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 255
Type Co-educational
Opened 2008
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish, English, French
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, STEM
Clubs Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Lighthouse International School is an independent private, college-preparatory school in Costa Rica that serves students from ages 3 to 18. The curriculum combines an American-pattern education with IB Diploma Programme options and a bespoke program, including a High School path that awards the U.S. High School Diploma and the Costa Rican MEP diploma while offering the IB Diploma Programme in grades 11–12. Core subjects are taught in English by native-speaking teachers, with Spanish instruction to support bilingual growth; the primary language of instruction is English. The school emphasizes inquiry, leadership and character development within a Christ-centered environment. Founded in 2008, Lighthouse is accredited by the Ministerio de Educación Pública and authorized to offer the IB Diploma Programme, affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Organization. The program runs Preschool through IB, with Applied Technology from Pre‑K to 8th grade and a STEM Fair, plus arts, music, sports, service learning and daily Community Time devoted to spiritual reflection.

San Rafael de Escazu, San José Province, Costa Rica

The Essentials

Lighthouse International School has 255 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Escazú, San José, Costa Rica. 1 km north of the Guachipelín Tunnel. Apdo. 127-1255 Escazú, San José, Costa Rica.

Stages
Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade (Pre-K–12).

Type
Independent private, college-preparatory school offering US High School Diploma, MEP Diploma, and IB Diploma Programme.

Pupil Nationality Mix
International students 22%; Costa Rican citizens 78%; 15+ nationalities represented; the most common nationality is Costa Rican.

Additional learning support
The Learning Support Program provides specialized instruction for students with diverse learning needs, with individualized strategies. ESL and SSL language programs support language development; psychology and counseling services are available to support students.

Country affiliation
Costa Rica. Accredited by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP) and authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Religious affiliation
Christian.

School day structure
School day begins at 7:20 a.m. with a community time and ends at 2:30 p.m. with a dismissal pattern at 2:30 p.m. (bus departures around 2:35 p.m.).

Bus service
Transportation is provided in select areas. Bus 1 routes: Santa Ana – Centro, Pozos, Alto de las Palomas, Lindora, Río Oro, Piedades; Bus 2 routes: Guachipelín de Escazú, Distrito Cuatro, Alto de las Palomas, San Rafael de Escazú, San Antonio de Escazú, Trejos Montealegre, Bello Horizonte, Aurora de Alajuelita, Pavas. Buses have seatbelts, insurance, and are inspected regularly; two trained adults supervise. Lighthouse acts as a mediator between parents and the transportation company; the transport contract and payments are made directly between the parent and the provider.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Regular Uniform: Pre-Kinder, Kinder, and Preparatory wear blue Lighthouse shorts or pants. Grades 1–12 wear straight-cut khaki pants, skirts, or Lighthouse shorts with length no shorter than arm's length and four fingers. Official Lighthouse polo shirts (color-coded by level) with the school emblem are required and sold at the Tonka store; socks and closed-toe shoes are required. Seniors may wear a distinct uniform that follows the same guidelines with prior administration approval. The Physical Education uniform is mandatory for PE: Lighthouse blue shorts, blue or black Lycra pants, the official PE T-shirt, and socks, with appropriate footwear; game-day uniforms may be worn on game days; and there are further appearance guidelines (shirt untucked, pants properly fitted, no rolled waist, limited jewelry, no visible tattoos).

Food Options
Cafeteria is operated by a third party; the school does not allow external food deliveries or food brought from outside unless approved by the Administration. The Nutrition Policy requires healthy food for snacks and lunch; candies, sodas, and high-sugar foods are not allowed; for birthday celebrations, healthy foods are encouraged and must be approved; in case of allergies, relevant protocols are applied; external delivery or orders are restricted without permission.

House System
There is a house system used for competitions such as Sports Day, with students and families engaging by house colors.

Governance and Ownership
Private school founded in 2008 in Costa Rica; affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Organization; accredited by the Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP); member of the Asociación de Centros Educativos Privados.
Fees
Application & Entrance Fees

- One-time entrance fee per family for first-year enrollment: USD 1,000 (charged once; not refundable).
- There is no separate non‑refundable application fee shown apart from the entrance fee; an enrollment agreement and payment are required to secure an offered place.

Annual Enrollment Fee (per student)

- Preschool (Pre‑kinder – Kinder, half day): USD 555.
- Preschool (Pre‑kinder – Kinder, full day): USD 680.
- Preparatory: USD 753.
- Elementary (1st–5th): USD 824.
- Middle School (6th–8th): USD 887.
- High School (9th–12th): USD 887.

(These amounts are listed as the annual enrollment fee charged per student.)

Tuition — payment options and amounts by year group

For each grade band the school publishes three payment options: Yearly (single payment with 10% discount), Half‑Year (two payments with 5% discount), or Monthly (12 equal monthly payments). The published figures for the 2025–2026 school year are as follows.

- Preschool (Pre‑kinder – Kinder, half day):
- Monthly (12 months): USD 555 per month.
- Half‑year payment (5% discount applied): USD 3,164 per half‑year.
- Yearly payment (10% discount applied): USD 5,994 per year.

- Preschool (Pre‑kinder – Kinder, full day):
- Monthly (12 months): USD 680 per month.
- Half‑year payment (5% discount applied): USD 3,876 per half‑year.
- Yearly payment (10% discount applied): USD 7,344 per year.

- Preparatory:
- Monthly (12 months): USD 753 per month.
- Half‑year payment (5% discount applied): USD 4,292 per half‑year.
- Yearly payment (10% discount applied): USD 8,133 per year.

- Elementary (1st–5th grade):
- Monthly (12 months): USD 824 per month.
- Half‑year payment (5% discount applied): USD 4,697 per half‑year.
- Yearly payment (10% discount applied): USD 8,899 per year.

- Middle School (6th–8th grade):
- Monthly (12 months): USD 887 per month.
- Half‑year payment (5% discount applied): USD 5,056 per half‑year.
- Yearly payment (10% discount applied): USD 9,580 per year.

- High School (9th–12th grade):
- Monthly (12 months): USD 887 per month.
- Half‑year payment (5% discount applied): USD 5,056 per half‑year.
- Yearly payment (10% discount applied): USD 9,580 per year.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Payment periodicity permitted: Monthly (12 equal payments), Half‑Year (two payments per academic year with a 5% discount), or Yearly (single payment with a 10% discount). Payments to secure a place are required at enrollment.
- Discount for families with multiple children: 20% discount applies for the 3rd and 4th child.
- The USD 1,000 entrance fee per family is charged at first‑year enrollment and is explicitly stated as non‑refundable.

Boarding

- Boarding is not provided as a school service. The school lists day‑school services (for example transportation, cafeteria, library, academic support) and operates as a day school.

Other costs and typical additional charges

- School transport (bus): Service is arranged by independent transport companies; contracts, fees and payments for bus service are handled directly between families and the transport provider (transport fees are not included in published tuition figures).
- Uniforms: Official school uniform items (for example the official polo) are purchased through an external uniform supplier (Tonka) as specified by the school. Uniform costs are additional to tuition.
- Copying/office charges: Small administrative or copy fees apply when students request copies or similar services; these are charged separately.
- Exam replacement / administrative exam fee: A replacement/rescheduling fee for a missed test or exam is published as CRC 20,000 (Costa Rican colones) for exam re‑sits where applicable.
- Clubs and extracurricular activities: Some clubs or after‑school activities may involve third‑party charges or additional fees payable separately.

Refunds and cancellation

- The one‑time entrance fee (USD 1,000 per family) is non‑refundable.
- Parents complete an enrollment agreement and payment at enrollment to secure a place; the enrollment agreement governs further payment and withdrawal terms. (Specific refund terms for tuition payments, or for mid‑year withdrawals, are set in the school's enrollment agreement and related policy documents.)

Fee payment mechanics (how payments are handled)

- Families make required payments at enrollment to secure an offered place; the school accepts payments according to the selected periodicity (yearly, half‑year, or monthly). Specific payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit card, cash) are managed through the school's finance office at enrollment and in the enrollment agreement.

Important summary points

- Published tuition figures above correspond to the school's published schedule for the 2025–2026 school year; the school offers discounts for half‑year (5%) and yearly (10%) payments and a family entrance fee of USD 1,000 charged once for first‑year enrollment.
- Additional recurring or one‑time charges that are commonly payable by families include uniforms (purchased from the designated supplier), transport fees (contracted and paid to the transport company), small administrative fees (copies), and specific exam or administrative charges (for example CRC 20,000 for exam re‑sit).
Academics

Lighthouse International School teaches American Curriculum, IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Preschool through 12th grade, including a High School program that awards the U.S. High School Diploma and the Costa Rican MEP diploma, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for grades 11–12. Core classes are taught in English by native-speaking teachers, with Spanish instruction to support bilingual growth. The primary language of instruction is English. The curriculum covers English and literature, mathematics, science, social studies, languages, arts, technology, and physical education, with a focus on inquiry, leadership and character development within a Christ-centered environment.

Exam Results
Average IB Diploma score (2025) is 32.6 points. Graduates have a high acceptance rate to top universities worldwide, often accompanied by merit scholarships.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates pursue higher education worldwide. Alumni have been accepted to universities across the United States, Costa Rica, Canada, Australia, and Europe, including American University, Arizona State University, University of Pennsylvania, Concordia University, York University, and Lancaster University Leipzig.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides guidance and behavioral and emotional support to students as part of daily school life. Social-emotional learning classes are offered to help students develop emotional skills and address age-appropriate topics in a preventive manner. The Educational Psychology Department responds to and follows up on specific situations but does not provide ongoing clinical psychology services. Supports focus on addressing emotional and behavioral needs to foster a safe learning environment appropriate to students' ages and needs. The Institution collaborates with external psychologists to provide coordinated wellbeing support for students.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Learning Support Program (LSP) manages educational supports and reasonable adjustments for students who require them. The teacher determines the application of supports based on reasonable and technically grounded criteria in line with current law. The process covers situations requiring curricular adjustments; at the start of each school year, supports are reviewed to determine continuity, and a document is sent to parents with changes. The Institution may refer students for external evaluations or supports to coordinate services for the student and family.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as a Second Language (ESL): Personalized support for students whose first language is not English, helping them develop proficiency and confidence in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Spanish as a Second Language (SSL): Tailored guidance for students whose first language is not Spanish, fostering language skills and cultural understanding.

Mental Wellbeing
Psychology and counseling services support students in navigating social, emotional, and personal challenges. The program includes individual guidance and group sessions, and offers social-emotional learning classes to build essential life skills. The Educational Psychology Department responds to and follows up on specific situations and does not provide ongoing clinical psychology services; external psychologists are engaged to provide coordinated wellbeing support.

Safeguarding
The Code of Ethics and Conduct commits to safeguarding the wellbeing and safety of all members of the Lighthouse community. It establishes channels to report concerns or inappropriate behavior to school authorities and to escalate issues as needed, and emphasizes respectful conduct and proactive prevention of harm. Administrative channels exist for concerns and complaints.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 2008 in Costa Rica, Lighthouse International School is an independent private school that combines academic excellence with a vibrant, Christ-centered environment. The educational program partners with parents to develop character and values while building a solid academic foundation to prepare students for productive citizenship. By educating the whole child, Lighthouse aims for graduates who influence the future of Costa Rica and beyond as leaders across various domains, with coursework taught by experienced, Christ-centered teachers. Lighthouse is affiliated with the International Baccalaureate Organization, accredited by the Ministerio de Educación Pública de Costa Rica, and a member of the Asociación de Centros Educativos Privados.

Community
Student life extends beyond the classroom and includes spiritual, artistic, athletic, technological, and service experiences that help students grow as well-rounded individuals, confident in their identity in Christ and committed to making a positive impact in their community. Character formation and spiritual growth are at the heart of every student's experience; daily Community Time provides prayer, Bible reading, and scripture to set a God-centered tone for the day. Students participate in Service Learning from Pre-K through 12th grade, engaging in meaningful community service projects that cultivate empathy, responsibility, and leadership. Middle and High School students take part in annual spiritual retreats and camps to deepen their relationship with God and grow as a community.
Facilities

Academic Facilities
Dual-diploma program including the U.S. High School Diploma and the Costa Rican MEP diploma; International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12; core classes taught in English by native-speakers; Spanish instruction supports bilingual growth; the program runs from Preschool through IB within a Christ-centered environment.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Arts: music, visual arts; school band; art galleries. Athletics: comprehensive program including soccer, basketball, volleyball; Sportsmanship Festival and Sports Day events. Technology & Innovation: Applied Technology program (computer science, typing, robotics, drone programming, 3D printing) for Pre-K to 8th grade, culminating in a STEM Fair. Clubs: Soccer, Basketball, Gymnastics, Science, Folklore Dance, Piano, Art, Crochet, Cooking, Business Kids, Taekwondo, Chess, Drama, Drums, Guitar.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
An Applied Technology program from Pre-K through 8th grade includes computer science, typing, robotics, drone programming, and 3D printing. In Middle and High School, Lighthouse students engage in STEM projects that culminate in the annual STEM Fair. Clubs such as Science support inquiry and problem-solving beyond the classroom, and after-school activities include Chess, Drama, Drums, and Guitar. These opportunities nurture curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

Arts & Creative
Students explore music, visual arts, and literature. Select Middle and High School students participate in the school band, leading worship and performing at special events. Art Galleries provide opportunities to showcase student creations to the school community and parents.

Cultural & Language
Folklore Dance is offered as an after-school activity. Cultural expression is celebrated through student life.

Social & Hobbies
After-school Activities include Soccer, Basketball, Gymnastics, Science, Folklore Dance, Piano, Art, Crochet, Cooking, Business Kids, Taekwondo, Chess, Drama, Drums, and Guitar. These clubs offer opportunities to develop friendships, leadership, teamwork, and personal interests.

Community & Service
Service Learning runs from Pre-K through 12, with students engaging in meaningful community service projects. Every day features Community Time, a devotional period with prayer, Bible reading, and scripture. Middle and High School participate in spiritual retreats and camps annually. These experiences cultivate empathy, responsibility, and leadership.

Leadership & Professional
Student Council (STUCO) elects student leaders to plan events, organize recreational activities, and represent peers. National Honor Society (NHS) invites outstanding students to join, emphasizing scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Model United Nations (MUN) provides training and conferences, helping students develop diplomacy, public speaking, research, and critical thinking. Discipleship Groups (D-groups) offer small-group mentorship for younger students in a Christ-centered environment.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Lighthouse runs a comprehensive athletics program from Preschool through middle and high school, with soccer, basketball, and volleyball. The school hosts the Sportsmanship Festival and Sports Day to celebrate teamwork, skill development, and family involvement. Sports and physical activity support overall well-being and character development. Participation in athletic and faith-based activities reinforces a balanced, healthful lifestyle.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction for core classes. Spanish is taught as a dedicated subject to support bilingual growth from Elementary through High School. In the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, students study English B and Spanish A.

Bilingual Teaching
Spanish instruction supports bilingual growth. Core classes are taught in English by native speakers. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme includes English B and Spanish A.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1 — Application: Fill out the application form with all required information and email it to [email protected]. Include the child's birth certificate, passport or national ID, and a recent photo. For Pre-K to 1st grade, include hearing and vision test results and any nutrition/development/physical assessments; for 1st grade and above, include transcripts from the last two years and a teacher recommendation. Core classes in English are taught by native-speakers.

Step 2 — Visit Day and Academic Assessment: After the application and documents are received, the student will be scheduled for a Visit Day. During the Visit Day, the student participates in classroom activities and completes the corresponding academic assessments according to their grade level. The assessments help the Admissions Committee evaluate readiness and fit for Lighthouse's program. The process aims to provide a thorough understanding of the student's strengths and needs.

Step 3 — Parent Interview: After the Visit Day, parents or guardians participate in a virtual interview with a member of the Admissions Committee. The interview covers the student's prior experiences and goals for schooling. It also provides an opportunity to discuss the family's expectations and Lighthouse's values. The Admissions Committee uses this information to inform next steps.

Step 4 — Decision: The Admissions Committee reviews all documentation, assessment results, and interview notes. Families are then formally notified of the decision. Notifications may include conditions for admission and guidance on enrollment.

Step 5 — Enrollment: If admitted, the parent or guardian completes the enrollment agreement and pays the corresponding tuition and fees to secure the student's place. Enrollment confirms the student's place for the upcoming term. The enrollment terms and deadlines are outlined in the enrollment agreement.

Step 6 — Tuition & Fees: Half-year payments receive a 5% discount; yearly payments receive a 10% discount. An entrance fee of $1,000 per family is charged for first-year enrollment and is not refundable. There is a 20% discount for the 3rd and 4th children. Tuition costs for the 2025-2026 school year are available on the Tuition & Fees page.
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