Choosing among private and international schools in Costa Rica starts with your child’s needs: age, language, learning support, qualifications and the daily journey from home. A school that suits one family may be impractical for another. Use this guide to build a shortlist and ask specific questions before paying a deposit.
The examples below are starting points for research, not a ranking or a complete directory. School descriptions come from their own published information. Confirm the program, campus, fees and available places for your child’s intended year of entry directly with admissions.
Private and international schools: what to compare
Look beyond the word “international.” Ask which curriculum is taught in each grade, which language is used in each subject and what qualification the student will receive. A school may offer several pathways; the advertised diploma is not necessarily available at every age.
For Costa Rican recognition and private-school oversight, consult the MEP Dirección de Educación Privada. Its responsibilities include accreditation and supervision of private educational institutions. Ask about the specific educational offering you are considering, as well as any separate international accreditation.
Schools to include in your research
Lincoln School
Lincoln School lists its location as San Miguel, Santo Domingo de Heredia and offers preschool through grade 12. Its published information identifies International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma programmes. Ask admissions how a transfer student enters the relevant grade and pathway, including language and subject prerequisites.
Country Day School
Country Day School describes US Common Core-based elementary and middle-school curricula and an American High School Diploma with Advanced Placement options. Ask which courses will actually run in the student’s year, how prior credits transfer and which graduation pathway matches future study plans. Confirm the current campus and test the commute rather than relying on an old location description.
The British School of Costa Rica
The British School of Costa Rica is an independent day school in Pavas, San José, serving early years through Year 12. Its website describes several curriculum stages, including IGCSE and International Baccalaureate options. Ask which route applies to your child’s age, the examination schedule and the language support available. Consult its current admissions and fee pages for the intended entry year.
UWC Costa Rica
UWC Costa Rica describes itself as a two-year boarding high school offering the IB Diploma Programme. It is a different choice from a day school for younger children. Families should review its application routes, selection process, residential arrangements and financial-support information directly. Confirm the campus for the entry year: UWC’s August 2026 update describes a new campus scheduled to open in August 2027.
Build a shortlist around daily family life
- Travel: try the journey at school drop-off and pickup times. Ask about bus routes, supervision and after-school transport.
- Calendar: check term dates, holidays, school hours and whether your planned move falls mid-year.
- Language: ask how English and Spanish are used in actual lessons and how new learners receive support.
- Learning needs: discuss accommodations, specialist support, accessibility and any additional charges before accepting a place.
- School culture: ask to visit, observe where permitted and discuss class size, student wellbeing and communication with parents.
- Activities: request the current list, age eligibility, availability and total cost rather than assuming every advertised activity will be offered.
Admissions and the full cost of attendance
Request a written checklist for your child’s grade. Ask about previous report cards, identity records, placement assessments, interviews and any translation or document-recognition steps. If a record is missing, explain the situation and ask how the school handles it. For broader enrollment questions, see our education planning guide and consult MEP.
Compare the entire school year, not just monthly tuition. Request a written breakdown of application and enrollment fees, tuition installments, deposits, books, devices, uniforms, meals, transport, activities and examinations. Ask which charges are refundable, what happens if your move is delayed and how increases are communicated. A historical fee table should not be treated as a current quote.
Help your child settle into a new school
Agree on a realistic homework routine and a way to communicate with teachers. Ask who will help with a change of language, curriculum or friendship group. Share relevant learning information with the school and review the transition after the first few weeks.
Check future transfers and graduation plans
For older students, ask the receiving school to assess completed subjects and credits before you commit. Confirm which examinations and graduation requirements remain, how transcripts are issued and whether a later move would interrupt the chosen pathway. Discuss university entry requirements with the relevant universities and the school’s counselor; the name of a diploma alone does not guarantee admission.
Questions to ask before accepting a place
- Is a place confirmed in the required grade and starting term?
- Which curriculum, languages and qualifications apply to that grade?
- What support can the school provide for this child’s specific needs?
- What is the total annual cost, including transport and required extras?
- What are the withdrawal, refund and transfer-record arrangements?
Keep the admission offer, fee schedule and any agreed support in writing. For the rest of your family move, use our moving checklist. CRIE can help you discuss the residency side of your plans; school admissions decisions belong to the school.
Sources checked September 7, 2026: MEP and the official school pages linked above. School programs, fees and availability can change. Illustrations do not show the named campuses, staff or students.