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Tree of Life International School

Costa Rica, San Jose

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish, Mandarin
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 230
Type Co-educational
Opened 2008
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, Spanish, Mandarin
Typical class size 18
Strengths STEM, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Tree of Life International School (TOLIS) is a private, non-denominational institution in Santa Ana, Costa Rica, serving students aged 3 to 18. The Cambridge curriculum guides IGCSE, AS Levels, and A Levels, with Cambridge English exams in grades 5, 10 and 11 and Mandarin proficiency exams (YCT/HSK). The school runs a trilingual program—Spanish, English and Mandarin—embedded across age-appropriate classes. Learning is project-based and organized in multi-age cohorts to foster collaboration, problem solving and peer mentoring. Technology features across subjects, including programming, robotics and 3D printing, culminated in an annual Maker's Day. Leadership development is central: TOLIS is the first Franklin Covey Leadership School in Latin America, applying the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and offering an annual leadership camp. Other strengths include nutrition in meals, semi-annual project fairs, a high-school trip to China, and a diverse community representing 25+ nationalities. This combination supports curious, globally aware learners every day.

C. Margarita Este, San José, Santa Ana, 1000, Costa Rica

The Essentials

Tree of Life International School has 230 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English, Spanish, Mandarin.

Location
The school is located in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. It serves students from preschool through high school, aged 3 to 18.

Stages
Early Childhood through Senior year (Preschool to 12th grade).

Type
Private school

Country affiliation
Costa Rica

School day structure
Day structure varies by grade level: Pre-Kinder and Kinder run 7:30 am–12:00 pm; Foundations and Elementary 1 run 7:30 am–2:30 pm; Juniors 1–Seniors run 7:40 am–3:20 pm.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
Founded in 2008 by Angela Jarman and Christian White; Leadership includes Christian White as Director and Executive, and Angela Jarman as Academic Director.
Fees
Application fees

- Not published publicly for the 2026/27 academic year (no separate application fee amount is listed on the school's admissions or homepage pages).

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)

- The school does not publish termly or annual tuition amounts by year group on its public pages for the 2026/27 academic year (no per-term or per-year fee schedule is displayed for preschool, primary or secondary levels).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- No publicly available billing schedule or formal payment-terms text (for example: due dates per term, penalties for late payment, or installment plans) is published on the school's admissions or general information pages.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- There is no listing of a boarding/internado programme or boarding fees on the school's public pages; a boarding programme is not described and therefore no boarding fees are published.

Other costs and typical additional fees

- No published amounts are given for uniforms, registration/enrolment fees, examination fees, extracurricular activity fees, school transport, meals, or learning material charges on the public site. These categories are not itemised with prices on the available admissions material.

Refund information

- Refund policy details (for withdrawn students, deposit refunds, or cancellations) are not published on the admissions or general information pages. No refundable or non-refundable fee terms are shown publicly.

Fee payment options

- The school's public pages do not list accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card, cashier's check) or the mechanics for electronic payments. No payment-channel details are published on the admissions page.

Summary of availability

- A review of the school's public admissions and homepage information for 2026/27 (and for prior academic years) shows that specific numeric fee figures, term or annual schedules, payment terms, boarding fees (if any), and refund/payment-method details are not publicly posted; the admissions page instead invites direct consultation for requirements and prices by level.

Note about published information

- Because the school does not publish a public fee schedule on its admissions or general information pages, no concrete amounts or term-by-term figures can be provided here for the 2026/27 academic year (nor for 2025/26) from the school's public pages. The school's admissions material directs families to contact admissions for prices by level.
Academics

Tree of Life International School teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Tree of Life International School serves students aged 3 to 18 in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. The curriculum emphasizes Project-Based Learning (PBL) and uses multi-age classrooms to foster collaboration and problem-solving. The school uses a trilingual program (Spanish-English-Mandarin) with Cambridge English exams in grades 5, 10 and 11 and YCT/HSK Mandarin exams; Cambridge IGCSE preparation is available through Cambridge accreditation. Leadership development is central; the school is recognized by Franklin Covey as the first Leadership School in Latin America, implementing the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Technology is integrated across disciplines, with programming, robotics, 3D printing and an annual Maker's Day. The curriculum is organized by year group: Early Childhood (Pre-K and Kinder), Foundations, Elementary (1-3), Juniors (6-9), Seniors (10-12); school hours are Section A: 7:30–12:00, Section B: 7:30–2:30, Section C: 7:40–3:20. Nutrition is included (snacks in preschool; lunch in elementary and secondary).

Higher Education Progression
Seniors can take 6 AS courses or 3 A Level courses to prepare for university admission.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Emotional Support is provided through a dedicated Student Support Department and a 7 Habits Council. Students are empowered to see themselves as unique and significant, which is the cornerstone of their own success. They learn to identify and express their emotions and know when to take positive action. The Student Support Department and the 7 Habits Council work with teachers, students, and parents to help them discover more about themselves. The school emphasizes leadership development through the 7 Habits framework and uses multi-age classroom structures to foster social-emotional growth and peer collaboration.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school is trilingual, teaching Spanish, English and Mandarin, with immersion across the program. In grades 5, 10, and 11, students take Cambridge English exams to certify their English proficiency, and Mandarin proficiency is certified through YCT/HSK exams.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through Emotional Support, with students learning to identify and express their emotions and to take positive action. The Student Support Department and the 7 Habits Council work with teachers, students, and parents to foster self-awareness, resilience, and healthy social interactions.
Parent Experience

History
Tree of Life International School (TOLIS) began in 2008 as a preschool with five girl students aged 3 to 7 in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. It gradually evolved to become a full school and secondary school. The founders and directors are Angela Jarman and Christian White, who started the school after their older daughter did not fit the traditional system, prompting them to create an alternative teaching-and-learning model centered on the child and youth, based on respect and support for their interests and needs. Over the past 18 years, hundreds of children and youths have studied at Tree of Life International School, growing into leaders with character. The Executive Director is Christian White and the Academic Director is Angela Jarman.

Community
Tree of Life International School believes in the power of community. Discover in this space the businesses and companies of TOLIS families, connect with them, and be part of a network where we grow and support one another. The community section lists partner businesses including CMS Sportswear (custom sportswear design and cycling-event production), Sagrada (online skincare and lifestyle store), Ananda Yoga & Movement (yoga, barre and Pilates), Casago Costa Rica (vacation rentals in the Jacó area), Embutidos Hispania (Spanish-style deli meats produced in Costa Rica with spices from Spain), Safetynet (nylon safety-net installations), Tukuy (handmade jewelry), Decasa (home décor), Porto 8 (premium seafood restaurant), Villa María (event complex), Carvaly (law firm), Hotel Naoz (beachfront hotel), and more.
Facilities

Academic Facilities
Technology is a cross-cutting theme across subjects; students learn programming, robotics, and 3D printing depending on age. Cambridge English exams are taken in grades 5, 10, and 11 to certify English, and Mandarin proficiency is certified through YCT/HSK exams. Multi-age classrooms with a two-year span support peer learning and emotional intelligence. The school is a Franklin Covey–recognized Leadership School and applies the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to student development.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Semi-annual project fairs across all levels. A trip to China in high school and annual participation in the Puente Chino competition. Week of social service for organizations or communities. An annual Maker's Day involving families. Celebrations of cultures and United Nations Day; more than 25 nationalities are represented among students and staff.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Project-Based Learning engages students in practical, interdisciplinary work, with a semi-annual project fair at all levels. The school operates a trilingual program—Spanish, English, and Mandarin—supported by Cambridge English exams in grades 5, 10, and 11 and Mandarin proficiency exams (YCT/HSK). Multi-age learning occurs in classrooms spanning two-year cohorts to foster collaboration and higher-level progression.

Arts & Creative
Art and Music are part of the preschool and early elementary curriculum. Hands-on projects encourage creativity and collaboration, with connections to the community and the natural world.

Cultural & Language
English, Mandarin, and Spanish are taught through immersion. In early grades English and Mandarin are taught; Mandarin and Spanish appear in Preparatory and secondary levels, with Cambridge English exams in certain grades and Mandarin proficiency exams (YCT/HSK). The school fosters international exchange and has more than 25 nationalities represented, with cultural celebrations and events.

Social & Hobbies
Hands-on projects stimulate creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and critical thinking with connections to the community and the natural world. The school runs a Maker's Day and a semi-annual project fair to showcase student work.

Community & Service
Social service is integrated into the Growth Model, including a Week of Social Service for organizations or communities; secondary electives for social service; excursions to raise awareness for the environment.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership Development is central; Tree of Life is the first Leadership School in Latin America recognized by Franklin Covey. The program develops leadership through the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and includes an annual leadership camp.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Emotional Support empowers students to see themselves as unique and significant, with the Student Support Department collaborating with teachers, students, and parents. Meals are included: snacks in preschool and lunch in primary and secondary. The school also emphasizes international exposure, celebrating diverse cultures and hosting festivals to foster global citizenship.
Languages

Language Provision
Since 2021, Tree of Life International School (TOLIS) has been accredited by Cambridge International Education, preparing students from primary to take the Cambridge IGCSE and developing communication in multiple languages. Since 2023, Tree of Life International School has been accredited by Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) as an International Model School of Teaching Materials in Chinese. Since 2025, Tree of Life International School is a UNESCO Associated School, joining a global network. Since 2013 in primary and 2018 in secondary, Tree of Life International School is accredited by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP).
Reputation

Accreditations
Cambridge International Education (since 2021); Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) International Model School for Chinese Teaching Materials (since 2023); UNESCO Associated Schools Network member (since 2025); Ministerio de Educación Pública accreditation (since 2013 primary; since 2018 secondary).
Admissions

Admissions
Inquiries / Tours: Check the requirements for the admission process, the prices by level, or schedule a school tour here.
School Events
The school has not added events
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