10 Best Neighborhoods in Costa Rica for Top-Rated Schools

Today, moving to a new country is no surprise. Many people believe that this is a great opportunity to broaden their career prospects and gain future benefits. Well, in most cases, such a decision is a really good idea.

Unfortunately, many people are afraid of change and uncertain about their chances. In most cases, the main issue is a new language. Let us calm you down; today, there are a lot of companies that can assist you with this issue. Any student knows that they can turn to a history essay writing service and get professional report writing help or any other type of writing assistance required to enter an educational institution. Alternatively, if you are familiar with the language but unsure if you are fluent, you can use a grammar essay checker to identify and correct any issues.

As you can see, if you have a desire, nothing can stop you. If you have been dreaming of moving to Costa Rica with your child, this article provides a wealth of information to help you understand what this country can offer your young student.

Understanding the Costa Rica Education System

Here, we have gathered some key facts that you should know about the education system in Costa Rica.

• Costa Rica offers free and compulsory education. There, education is absolutely free for children between the ages of 6 and 15.
• Costa Rica is widely recognized for its strong investment opportunities. The government allocates around 7% of its GDP to education, among the highest in Latin America.
• The education system is three-tiered. School years include 2 years of preschool education, 6 years of primary school, and 5-6 years of secondary education.
• Pretty high literacy rate. Costa Rica boasts a literacy rate of over 97%, showing its strong commitment to education.
• Bilingual education. In Costa Rica, it is no surprise to see a school where information is presented in English, as they implement bilingualism from an early age.
• Emphasis on peace and democracy. In Costa Rica, curricula often include civic education and promote peace and harmony. After abolishing its army in 1949, Costa Rica redirected a large amount of funds to education.
• Wide access to higher education. There are both public and private universities; the most prominent is the University of Costa Rica, though.
• Effective technology integration. Most schools in Costa Rica incorporate digital tools and internet access.

Private and International School Options

Costa Rica offers a lot of private and international school options, so this location is ideal for foreign students. Well, these schools usually provide bilingual instruction and follow international curricula such as IB, American, or British systems. Widely renowned institutions, like the Country Day School and Lincoln School, offer modern facilities, small class sizes, and personalized learning. As for the tuition fees, they typically range from $3,000 to $15,000 per year; the cost depends on the school and grade level, though.

Academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and cultural diversity make these schools a strong alternative to public education, and even native students often prefer private schools to public ones.

10 Top-Rated Schools: Costa Rica Neighborhoods

As you can see, Costa Rica is widely known for its professional attitude as well as a large variety of educational opportunities that you can benefit from. If you plan to move to Costa Rica and want to know more about its top-rated schools, we have gathered some alternatives for you.

San José School Districts

The capital of Costa Rica is one of the most preferred destinations for foreigners, and here are some neighborhoods in San Jose with top schools that you should consider if you want to choose one of the best options available today.

Lincoln School

Lincoln School is a private bilingual school that emphasizes holistic development through innovative programs in arts and sports. It offers a world-class entrepreneurship program in alliance with the Lewis Institute at Babson College, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students. ​

Country Day School

CDS is also a private American-accredited school. It offers a personalized learning approach with a focus on preparing students for college and career readiness. The school is bilingual and integrates virtual platforms, while also emphasizing a stimulating learning environment.​ Moreover, CDS offers an American curriculum with Advanced Placement courses.

Blue Valley School

BVS offers a trilingual program and the opportunity to graduate with up to three prestigious diplomas. Among them are the Costa Rican National Baccalaureate, American High School NEASC-accredited Diploma, and International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school emphasizes academic excellence, with students achieving high SAT and IB scores, and provides extensive extracurricular programs in technology, arts, sports, and personal development. ​

Pan-American School

The Pan-American School stands out from the crowd for its trilingual education; students can study in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. The school is also recognized for its dedication to the IB philosophy, promoting global-mindedness and academic excellence.

Saint Mary School

Saint Mary School integrates a literary curriculum that promotes bilingual proficiency through literature. The school offers values-based education and provides meaningful and individual learning across all areas of child development.

International Schools: Costa Rica

If you are unsure about moving to San Jose but want to find the perfect school first, here are the international schools across Costa Rica that offer various opportunities for foreign students.

United World College Costa Rica

UWC Costa Rica is the only United World College in Latin America. It emphasizes peace, sustainability, and intercultural understanding. The school brings together students from over 70 countries, fostering a diverse and inclusive community.​

European School

The European School offers a multicultural environment with students and staff from over 30 countries. It offers high-quality multilingual education, critical thinking development, and a strong foundation in the sciences and humanities.​

The British School of Costa Rica

The school was established over 80 years ago, and today, it effectively combines British educational traditions with Costa Rican culture. It offers a rigorous academic program and a wide range of extracurricular activities for its students, such as music, drama, and sports.​

American International School of Costa Rica

AIS offers a family-oriented environment with a focus on individualized learning. The school caters to students from preschool through high school, emphasizing academic excellence and character development.​

Lighthouse International School

Lighthouse International School offers project-based learning and community engagement. It builds an environment that supports students’ academic and personal growth.

FAQ: Costa Rica

If you plan to move to Costa Rica, you may have dozens of questions concerning life there, such as living in Costa Rica with children, where to rent an apartment, what to pay attention to, and many more. Thus, we have gathered some information that can help you.

1.Are there real estate opportunities near top schools?

Costa Rica real estate near schools is widely available, especially in San José, offering family-friendly neighborhoods and housing options.

2.Is daily life in Costa Rica child-friendly?

Costa Rica offers various outdoor activities, high-quality healthcare, and welcoming locals; all these options make daily life there very child-friendly.

3.What documentation is required to enroll a child in a school in Costa Rica?

Of course, it is better to address the school you want to apply for and ask about their requirements, but in most cases, you will be asked to provide transcripts, birth certificate, ID, immunization records, and sometimes an entrance essay, especially for private or international schools.

Bottom line

When moving to a new country, it is essential to gather as much information as possible about its opportunities, especially if you have children who need to study there. Well, Costa Rica is one of the most foreign-oriented countries, and it really offers a wide range of opportunities to those who have moved from abroad. We hope this article has answered your questions about the education in Costa Rica, and now you know what to expect from it.

Today, moving to a new country is no surprise. Many people believe that this is a great opportunity to broaden their career prospects and gain future benefits. Well, in most cases, such a decision is a really good idea.

Unfortunately, many people are afraid of change and uncertain about their chances. In most cases, the main issue is a new language. Let us calm you down; today, there are a lot of companies that can assist you with this issue. Any student knows that they can turn to a history essay writing service and get professional report writing help or any other type of writing assistance required to enter an educational institution. Alternatively, if you are familiar with the language but unsure if you are fluent, you can use a grammar essay checker to identify and correct any issues.

As you can see, if you have a desire, nothing can stop you. If you have been dreaming of moving to Costa Rica with your child, this article provides a wealth of information to help you understand what this country can offer your young student.

Understanding the Costa Rica Education System

Here, we have gathered some key facts that you should know about the education system in Costa Rica.

• Costa Rica offers free and compulsory education. There, education is absolutely free for children between the ages of 6 and 15.
• Costa Rica is widely recognized for its strong investment opportunities. The government allocates around 7% of its GDP to education, among the highest in Latin America.
• The education system is three-tiered. School years include 2 years of preschool education, 6 years of primary school, and 5-6 years of secondary education.
• Pretty high literacy rate. Costa Rica boasts a literacy rate of over 97%, showing its strong commitment to education.
• Bilingual education. In Costa Rica, it is no surprise to see a school where information is presented in English, as they implement bilingualism from an early age.
• Emphasis on peace and democracy. In Costa Rica, curricula often include civic education and promote peace and harmony. After abolishing its army in 1949, Costa Rica redirected a large amount of funds to education.
• Wide access to higher education. There are both public and private universities; the most prominent is the University of Costa Rica, though.
• Effective technology integration. Most schools in Costa Rica incorporate digital tools and internet access.

Private and International School Options

Costa Rica offers a lot of private and international school options, so this location is ideal for foreign students. Well, these schools usually provide bilingual instruction and follow international curricula such as IB, American, or British systems. Widely renowned institutions, like the Country Day School and Lincoln School, offer modern facilities, small class sizes, and personalized learning. As for the tuition fees, they typically range from $3,000 to $15,000 per year; the cost depends on the school and grade level, though.

Academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and cultural diversity make these schools a strong alternative to public education, and even native students often prefer private schools to public ones.

10 Top-Rated Schools: Costa Rica Neighborhoods

As you can see, Costa Rica is widely known for its professional attitude as well as a large variety of educational opportunities that you can benefit from. If you plan to move to Costa Rica and want to know more about its top-rated schools, we have gathered some alternatives for you.

San José School Districts

The capital of Costa Rica is one of the most preferred destinations for foreigners, and here are some neighborhoods in San Jose with top schools that you should consider if you want to choose one of the best options available today.

Lincoln School

Lincoln School is a private bilingual school that emphasizes holistic development through innovative programs in arts and sports. It offers a world-class entrepreneurship program in alliance with the Lewis Institute at Babson College, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students. ​

Country Day School

CDS is also a private American-accredited school. It offers a personalized learning approach with a focus on preparing students for college and career readiness. The school is bilingual and integrates virtual platforms, while also emphasizing a stimulating learning environment.​ Moreover, CDS offers an American curriculum with Advanced Placement courses.

Blue Valley School

BVS offers a trilingual program and the opportunity to graduate with up to three prestigious diplomas. Among them are the Costa Rican National Baccalaureate, American High School NEASC-accredited Diploma, and International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school emphasizes academic excellence, with students achieving high SAT and IB scores, and provides extensive extracurricular programs in technology, arts, sports, and personal development. ​

Pan-American School

The Pan-American School stands out from the crowd for its trilingual education; students can study in Spanish, English, and Portuguese. The school is also recognized for its dedication to the IB philosophy, promoting global-mindedness and academic excellence.

Saint Mary School

Saint Mary School integrates a literary curriculum that promotes bilingual proficiency through literature. The school offers values-based education and provides meaningful and individual learning across all areas of child development.

International Schools: Costa Rica

If you are unsure about moving to San Jose but want to find the perfect school first, here are the international schools across Costa Rica that offer various opportunities for foreign students.

United World College Costa Rica

UWC Costa Rica is the only United World College in Latin America. It emphasizes peace, sustainability, and intercultural understanding. The school brings together students from over 70 countries, fostering a diverse and inclusive community.​

European School

The European School offers a multicultural environment with students and staff from over 30 countries. It offers high-quality multilingual education, critical thinking development, and a strong foundation in the sciences and humanities.​

The British School of Costa Rica

The school was established over 80 years ago, and today, it effectively combines British educational traditions with Costa Rican culture. It offers a rigorous academic program and a wide range of extracurricular activities for its students, such as music, drama, and sports.​

American International School of Costa Rica

AIS offers a family-oriented environment with a focus on individualized learning. The school caters to students from preschool through high school, emphasizing academic excellence and character development.​

Lighthouse International School

Lighthouse International School offers project-based learning and community engagement. It builds an environment that supports students’ academic and personal growth.

FAQ: Costa Rica

If you plan to move to Costa Rica, you may have dozens of questions concerning life there, such as living in Costa Rica with children, where to rent an apartment, what to pay attention to, and many more. Thus, we have gathered some information that can help you.

1.Are there real estate opportunities near top schools?

Costa Rica real estate near schools is widely available, especially in San José, offering family-friendly neighborhoods and housing options.

2.Is daily life in Costa Rica child-friendly?

Costa Rica offers various outdoor activities, high-quality healthcare, and welcoming locals; all these options make daily life there very child-friendly.

3.What documentation is required to enroll a child in a school in Costa Rica?

Of course, it is better to address the school you want to apply for and ask about their requirements, but in most cases, you will be asked to provide transcripts, birth certificate, ID, immunization records, and sometimes an entrance essay, especially for private or international schools.

Bottom line

When moving to a new country, it is essential to gather as much information as possible about its opportunities, especially if you have children who need to study there. Well, Costa Rica is one of the most foreign-oriented countries, and it really offers a wide range of opportunities to those who have moved from abroad. We hope this article has answered your questions about the education in Costa Rica, and now you know what to expect from it.