The Costa Rica education system is free and compulsory from preschool to the end of secondary school in public schools, and the country has built its national identity around schooling for more than 150 years. If you are moving here with children, the choice of school will shape where you live. This guide explains how the system is organised, how public and private schools compare, how foreign children enrol, and what to check before you sign a lease.
How the Costa Rica education system works
Education is run by the Ministry of Public Education (MEP). Article 78 of the Constitution makes preschool, general basic education and diversified (upper secondary) education compulsory, and free in the public system, as the Legislative Assembly’s explanation confirms. Primary schooling has been free and compulsory in Costa Rica since the 1869 Constitution.
The levels of schooling
- Preschool: the years before first grade, ending with the transition year (transición).
- Primary school (escuela): grades 1 to 6, the first and second cycles of general basic education.
- Lower secondary (colegio): grades 7 to 9, the third cycle.
- Upper secondary: the diversified cycle, grades 10 and 11 at academic high schools, or 10 to 12 at technical high schools (colegios técnicos).
- University: five public universities, including the University of Costa Rica (UCR), the Technological Institute (TEC), the National University (UNA), the distance-learning UNED and the Technical University (UTN), plus many private universities.
MEP’s 2023 education-services compendium describes each stage and the different modalities, such as night schools, technical schools and adult education. The school year usually runs from February to December, with a short mid-year break around July. Check the current MEP calendar, because dates change each year.
How does Costa Rica rank in education?
Costa Rica’s literacy rate is among the highest in Latin America, and the country became a member of the OECD in 2021. It takes part in the OECD’s PISA tests, where its students score below the OECD average but in line with other Latin American countries. Quality varies a lot from school to school and between the Central Valley and rural areas, so judge each school on its own rather than relying on national rankings.
Public and private schools
Public schools teach in Spanish and follow the MEP curriculum. Private schools range from small local schools to bilingual and international schools offering the International Baccalaureate or US-style programmes; see our guide to international schools in Costa Rica. When you compare schools:
- Confirm the curriculum and how its qualifications are recognised, here and in your home country.
- Ask about the language of instruction and support for children who are new to Spanish.
- Check the calendar, the school day and transport arrangements.
- Discuss learning support and accessibility directly with the school.
- Ask for a full list of what families pay for, including materials, uniforms, meals and transport.
Free public education does not remove every household expense, and private tuition does not guarantee smaller classes or a particular outcome, so ask each school for its current details.
Enrolling foreign children
Start early. Ask the school which identity, address and previous-study records it needs, and explain your child’s age, completed grades, language background and any missing documents. MEP’s legal guidance on foreign-student enrollment is about guaranteeing foreign students a place in the system, including placement when earlier school records are not available.
Do not wait for your residency to be approved before asking about enrolment. Ask the school and MEP how to handle your documents while your immigration paperwork is in progress, and do not assume a foreign grade level transfers automatically. Placement and age cut-offs follow MEP’s current enrolment instructions.
Helping your child settle in
MEP publishes guidance for students who do not speak Spanish. Talk to the school about the support it offers, build a homework routine and keep in regular contact with teachers during the first months.
Before choosing a home
- Try the school run in normal traffic before you commit to a neighbourhood.
- Confirm a place is available before paying any non-refundable fees.
- Ask how a transfer would work if you move later.
- Keep enrolment confirmations and report cards organised, since you may need them again.
If you are considering teaching your children at home, read our homeschooling guide and check recognition requirements with MEP.
Frequently asked questions
Is school free in Costa Rica?
Public schooling is free and compulsory from preschool through secondary school under article 78 of the Constitution. Families still pay for items such as uniforms and materials.
Can foreign children attend public school in Costa Rica?
Yes. MEP’s guidance is aimed at guaranteeing foreign students a place in the system. Contact the school early with your child’s documents.
What language are classes taught in?
Public schools teach in Spanish and also teach English as a subject. Bilingual and international private schools teach partly or mainly in English.
How many years of school are there in Costa Rica?
Six years of primary school, then five years of academic secondary school or six years at a technical high school, after preschool.
This guide is general information. Check current requirements with MEP and the school for your child’s situation.