Schools in Costa Rica for American families

Families moving to Costa Rica often choose where to live by where the school is. The country has free public schools, a large number of private bilingual schools, and international schools that follow US or international programmes.

The three kinds of school

	Public	Private bilingual	International
Language	Spanish	Spanish and English	Mostly English
Calendar	February to December	Usually February to December	Often August to June
Curriculum	Costa Rican national	Costa Rican national, with more English	US-style, International Baccalaureate, or both
Diploma	Costa Rican bachillerato	Costa Rican bachillerato	US diploma or IB; some also offer the bachillerato
Cost	Free	Low to moderate	Moderate to high

Public schools are free and children pick up Spanish quickly, especially in the early grades. Facilities and hours vary, and school days can be short.

Private bilingual schools are what many middle-class Costa Rican families use. Teaching is in both languages, and the classmates are mostly local.

International schools suit families who may move again or whose children are heading to US universities. Check each school’s accreditation, since “international” is not a protected term.

Where the schools are

• Central Valley. The widest choice, concentrated in Escazú, Santa Ana, Heredia and the western suburbs of San José.
• Guanacaste. Several international and bilingual schools serve the beach towns, around Tamarindo, Flamingo, Playas del Coco, Nosara and Liberia.
• Central Pacific and Southern Zone. A smaller number of schools around Jacó, Manuel Antonio and Uvita.
• Elsewhere. In smaller towns the options may be the public school and one or two small private schools.

School traffic is a real consideration in the Central Valley. A school 10 kilometres from home can be an hour away at 7 am.

Costs to ask about

Fees differ a great deal, so get each school’s current fee sheet. Ask about:

• Monthly or annual tuition, and whether it is billed in dollars or colones.
• A one-time enrolment or capital fee, which at some schools is large.
• Annual registration (matrícula).
• Uniforms, books, devices, transport and lunch.
• Sibling discounts.

Calendar and timing

If you arrive in August from a US school, a school on the Costa Rican calendar will be more than halfway through its year. Schools on the US calendar avoid that problem. Either way:

• Popular schools have waiting lists in some grades. Contact them six months or more before you move.
• Expect an application, previous school records, an assessment and often an interview.
• School records from the US may need to be apostilled and translated for schools that follow the Costa Rican curriculum. Ask the school what it needs before you leave.

How to choose

1. Decide how long you expect to stay. A short stay points to an international school; a permanent move makes a bilingual school more attractive.
2. Think about where your children will go next: a US university, a Costa Rican one, or another country.
3. Visit in person during a school day.
4. Ask about teacher turnover, class sizes, and support for children who arrive without Spanish or with learning differences.
5. Speak with parents who have been there more than a year.
6. Choose the school before the house.

Other options

Some families use online schools or homeschool. Costa Rican law is built around school attendance and doesn’t set out a clear framework for homeschooling, so if your children will be residents, take advice on how to document their education.

How school fits the rest of the move

• Children are included as dependents in a parent’s residency application.
• The school run decides which neighbourhoods work. See the best places to live in Costa Rica.
• A relocation planner can shortlist schools and arrange visits around a scouting trip.

Common questions

Are there international schools in Costa Rica?

Yes. Most are in the Central Valley west and north of San José, with others in Guanacaste and a smaller number in the Central Pacific and Southern Zone. They teach mostly in English and offer a US-style diploma, the International Baccalaureate, or both.

Can foreign children attend public school in Costa Rica?

Yes. Public school is free and open to children living in Costa Rica. Teaching is in Spanish and the school year runs from about February to December.

How much do private schools cost in Costa Rica?

It varies widely. Small bilingual schools can cost a few hundred dollars a month. The best-known international schools charge well over $1,000 a month, plus enrolment fees. Ask each school for its current fee sheet.

When does the school year start in Costa Rica?

The Costa Rican school year starts in February and ends in late November or December. Many international schools follow the US calendar instead, starting in August.