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West College

Costa Rica, San Jose

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 17 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1989
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin, English, Spanish
Strengths STEM, Languages, Sport
Clubs Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional, Academic and Intellectual
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

West College is a bilingual school in Guachipelín, Escazú, Costa Rica serving students aged 2 to 17. English is taught at all levels, and Mandarin is taught from Kinder through 10th. Core subjects include English, Reading and Writing, Mandarin, Science and Research, Math, Thinking Skills, and Literacy (Preschool and Preparatory). Complementary subjects include Educational Technology and Robotics (Preparatoria). Preschool, Primary, and Secondary programs (Preescolar, Primaria, Secundaria) are complemented by exchanges program. West College is affiliated with GERA K-12, enabling K-12 experiences and exchanges. Founded in 1989, Escuela Modelo approach, emphasizing research-based and instrumental training with human quality. It reports 100% examination performance in assessments. The garden campus features green spaces and integrated spaces for each stage, within a family-like environment. Facilities include a gym, science laboratory, and a technology and robotics lab. Seminars and clubs enrich student life, with language and cultural programs and leadership development for international families worldwide.

de, San José, San Rafael, Guachipelin, 1250, Costa Rica

The Essentials

West College has instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
Guachipelín, Escazú, Costa Rica.

Stages
Preschool, Primary, Secondary

Type
Private school
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is a private educational center.
Fees
Application fees
- No published application or registration fee amount is available for the 2026/27 academic year. The school's admissions and matrícula pages list the admission process and required documents but do not state a numerical application fee.

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)
- There are no publicly published tuition amounts broken down by year group, grade, term, or annual total for the 2026/27 academic year. The school's program and admissions information describe offered levels (preescolar, primaria, secundaria) but do not publish per-term or per-year fee schedules.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- No specific billing schedule (for example: number of installments, due dates, or penalty terms) is published online for 2026/27. The admissions and matrícula content describe the enrollment process but do not include payment timetables or default/late-payment terms.

Boarding fees (if applicable)
- The institution's publicly described programs list day-school levels (preescolar, primaria, secundaria) and do not list a boarding program; therefore no boarding fees are published or applicable in available public materials.

Other costs and typical additional charges
- No published, itemized lists of additional compulsory costs are available (for example: uniform, books, transport/route, meals, extracurricular fees, materials, insurance, exam fees, or capital/fund contributions) for 2026/27. The site outlines programs and required admissions documents but does not provide fixed amounts for uniforms or ancillary services.

Refund information
- No public refund or cancellation policy for tuition, registration, or deposits is published in the publicly available admissions or matrícula materials for the 2026/27 year.

Fee payment options
- The publicly available pages do not list accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit/debit card, checks, online payment platforms). Contact with the admissions office is indicated as the route for enrollment details, but payment methods and instructions are not published in the admissions/matrícula materials.

Summary of search findings and limitation
- The school's public pages that describe programs, the admissions steps, and the matrícula requirements provide contact details and process steps but do not publish any numeric fee schedule, installment plan, payment terms, boarding costs, uniform or ancillary-fee amounts, or refund policy for the 2026/27 academic year (nor for 2025/26 in the materials reviewed). For clarity: the absence of numeric figures on those official admissions and matrícula pages is the basis for the statements above.
Academics

West College teaches American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 2 to 17.

Curriculum
West College is a bilingual school located in Guachipelín, Escazú, Costa Rica. English is taught at all levels and Mandarin is taught from Kinder through 10th grade. Core subjects include English, Reading and Writing, Mandarin, Science and Research, Math, Thinking Skills, and Literacy (Kinder and Preparatory). Complementary subjects include Educational Technology and Robotics (Preparatoria). The Preschool, Primary, and Secondary programs (Preescolar, Primaria, Secundaria) are complemented by an international exchanges program. West College is affiliated with GERA K-12, enabling global K-12 education experiences and international exchanges.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides a holistic education that fosters academic, emotional, and social development. It emphasizes values-based learning and aims to cultivate confident, engaged students who contribute to their communities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school supports students with special needs, including autism.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is taught at all levels (preschool through secondary).

Mental Wellbeing
The school promotes emotional development as part of its holistic approach.
Parent Experience

History
West College is a bilingual educational institution founded in 1989 by a group of experienced teachers to provide academic excellence and individualized attention in the western part of the capital. It is based on the Escuela Modelo, a pedagogical and investigative approach that prioritizes research-based and instrumental training with human quality, led by Dr. Quince Duncan. To date, West College has graduated generations of graduates and competent professionals in the country. It consistently achieves 100% performance on examinations administered by the Ministry of Education and by the State Universities.

Community
West College builds a multicultural community through its international exchange programs and cultural experiences for secondary students. Students have opportunities to participate in experiences in countries such as Germany, England, Canada, and China, among others. Through these experiences, students develop a global perspective, improve language skills, and form meaningful relationships. These programs transform students' holistic formation and prepare them for a future without borders.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has a garden setting with expansive green spaces and trees. It is located away from the main street, away from pollution and traffic noise, yet close to services. The campus is organized for preschool, primary, and secondary education with dedicated spaces for each stage and integrated learning environments surrounded by nature. The environment is inclusive, tolerant, and very warm and family-like.

Sports Facilities
The school has a gym equipped with football, basketball, and volleyball courts. It is used for physical education, seminars, and clubs. These facilities support a varied student life.

Academic Facilities
West College has a technology and robotics laboratory that enables students to develop technical skills and apply them in academic and personal contexts, while fostering thinking and creativity. West College has a science laboratory where students learn through observation, experimentation, and analysis, developing research, problem-solving, and collaborative skills. Preschool classrooms are equipped with cutting-edge technology. Areas for preschool, primary, and secondary education are designed as separate but integrated spaces to support learning at each stage.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Seminars and clubs are offered as part of student life. Physical education sessions occur in the gym.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
West College offers preschool, primary, and secondary programs. The preschool focuses on exploration and development in a safe environment surrounded by nature that fosters curiosity and creativity. The primary program blends a solid academic approach with practical activities, applied learning, and collaborative work, cultivating critical thinking and essential life values. In secondary, students become purpose-driven leaders prepared for the future in a globalized world, and they develop strong social skills and a commitment to the environment and society.

Cultural & Language
West College offers multilingual education. International exchanges and cultural experiences enrich the student experience. The school prepares students for a globalized world through language learning and exposure to diverse cultures.

Leadership & Professional
West College prioritizes leadership and professional development as students progress to secondary education. Secondary students become purpose-driven leaders prepared for the future in a globalized world. They also cultivate strong social skills and a commitment to the environment and society.
Languages

Language Provision
The school offers a multilingual language program that enhances communication, critical thinking, and intercultural skills. English is taught at all levels from preschool to secondary. Mandarin is taught from Kindergarten through 10th grade.

Bilingual Teaching
The school has a multilingual program. English is taught at all levels from preschool through secondary. Mandarin is taught from Kindergarten through 10th grade.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Schedule a visit with the West College admissions department. This initial meeting introduces West College and outlines the steps of the enrollment process. It provides an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the student's goals and needs. West College offers language programs including English at all levels and Mandarin from Kindergarten through Grade 10; daycare service is available Monday to Friday, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 2. Gather the documents required to begin the process, described in the enrollment requirements. Primary students provide two passport-sized photos, a birth certificate issued by the Civil Registry, a vaccination card, and vision and hearing test results. They also submit the official records from the last completed year, including curriculum, grades, and country-specific grade equivalencies, and all documents must be legalized. If the student is foreign, a passport copy substitutes for some documents; additional items include a financial status letter from the previous institution, a discipline letter from the psychologist, and kindergarten or preparatory diplomas, along with the current year's report card; Secondary students submit similar documents, plus a minor ID or residency card (or passport copy if foreign) and the completion certificates for the II cycle of Primary and III cycle of Secondary. 3. Schedule an evaluation appointment with the admissions department. This session helps West College learn more about the student and family, and to ensure the school is the right place for the student's development. The admissions team will use this information to tailor an enrollment plan. 4. Confirm enrollment. After the application is approved, the admissions team will send the enrollment details describing how to complete the enrollment and formalize the student's admission. Final steps may include submitting any remaining paperwork or fees and scheduling a start date.
School Events
The school has not added events
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