Compare British Curriculum International Schools in Costa rica

Instructs in English, Spanish

Ages 3 - 18 years

Pupils 715

Type Co-educational

The British School of Costa Rica is an independent day school for students aged 3 to 18, delivering IEYC and IPC in the primary years, a bespoke middle-years curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE in Years 9–10, and the IB Diploma Programme in Years 11–12. The Diploma is a bilingual English/Spanish two-year programme. The school is bilingual throughout, with most classes in English and the remainder in Spanish (or French), and aims for bilingual proficiency before Year 3. Founded in 1981, it is NEASC-accredited, recognized by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education, and authorised as an IB World School and Cambridge assessment centre. The 2.2-hectare campus includes an Early Years block, 46 general classrooms, five senior science labs, two Makerspaces, an Art Salon, and a 300-seat Auditorium/Theatre plus a 1,200 m2 gym and on-site sports fields. Extracurriculars feature Model United Nations and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, alongside broad arts and sports offerings.

Location

The British School of Costa Rica is located in San José, Costa Rica. The address is From the end of Rohrmoser Boulevard, 125 m north, Pavas, San José 10109, Costa Rica.

Stages

Early Years; Primary; Secondary. Early Years starts at 3 years of age; Primary starts at 6 years of age; Secondary starts at 11 years of age.

Type

The school is an independent day school. It offers education from Early Years 1 (3 year-olds) to Year 12 (12th Grade).

School day structure

School Day starts at 8:00 am for all year levels. Early Years and Years 1–4 finish at 2:00 pm; Year 5 and Secondary finish at 3:00 pm. School Office hours are 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.

Bus service

The School Bus Service is managed by TRANOSYS.

Boarding Arrangements

The school does not offer boarding facilities per se; however, week-day boarding arrangements for children can be made with school families who live in the vicinity.

Uniform Requirement

Uniforms are required for all students. The 2026 uniform guides are available for Primary and Secondary.

House System

Pupils are organized into houses for tournaments and other activities; Primary House tournaments are part of the school.

Governance and Ownership

The British School of Costa Rica is an independent day school. Founded in 1981 by Mr. David Lloyd and Mrs. Liliana Lloyd, who serve as Directors General, it is privately owned and registered in the Costa Rican Public Registry. It is NEASC-accredited, recognized by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education, and is a member of the International Baccalaureate Organization; it is a Cambridge IGCSE Centre and an IELTS Testing Centre, licensed by the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, among other designations.

Application / Admission fees

- Admission quota (one-time, paid by the family): CRC 610,000 (plus 13% VAT).
- Annual matriculation (matrícula) fee (applies per student) for the period 1 January 2026 to 31 October 2026, by year group:
- Early Years 1: CRC 350,000.
- Early Years 2: CRC 507,000.
- Early Years 3: CRC 516,000.
- Years 1–2: CRC 573,000.
- Years 3–5: CRC 582,000.
- Years 6–8: CRC 684,000.
- Years 9–12: CRC 738,000.

Tuition fees (by year group and payment frequency) — academic year 2026

- Annual tuition (single payment) by year group:
- Early Years 1: CRC 4,004,022.
- Early Years 2: CRC 5,793,480.
- Early Years 3: CRC 5,901,210.
- Years 1–2: CRC 6,547,590.
- Years 3–5: CRC 6,643,350 (level marked with includes a Chromebook).
- Years 6–8: CRC 7,816,410.
- Years 9–12: CRC 8,438,850.

- Semester tuition (two payments per year; 2% service charge included in the amounts listed) by year group:
- Early Years 1: CRC 2,042,050.
- Early Years 2: CRC 2,954,675.
- Early Years 3: CRC 3,009,615.
- Years 1–2: CRC 3,339,270.
- Years 3–5: CRC 3,388,110.
- Years 6–8: CRC 3,986,370.
- Years 9–12: CRC 4,303,815.

- Monthly tuition (paid over 12 months) by year group (monthly amounts shown):
- Early Years 1: CRC 350,000 per month.
- Early Years 2: CRC 507,000 per month.
- Early Years 3: CRC 516,000 per month.
- Years 1–2: CRC 573,000 per month.
- Years 3–5: CRC 582,000 per month.
- Years 6–8: CRC 684,000 per month.
- Years 9–12: CRC 738,000 per month.

- Surcharges and notes on payment frequency:
- The school publishes that tuition can be paid annually, by semester (2% surcharge) or by month (5% surcharge). Semester figures shown include the 2% service charge. Monthly payment detail on the fees page also shows a fixed surcharge statement of CRC 12,000 per month for the monthly option.
- Annual tuition payments cover, where appropriate by level, official trips and excursions, most external exams, school photos, a yearbook (e-book), textbooks and most workbooks, equipment and materials; Chromebook is provided at specified levels.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Payment frequency options: annual (single payment), semester (two payments per year), or monthly (12 equal monthly payments). Semester and monthly options are subject to the surcharges noted above. Monthly payments are shown as paid over 12 months.
- When a place is offered, parents have a short reservation period to pay the reservation fee (admissions process states parents have two weeks to pay the reservation fee after admission is confirmed).

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable: the school operates as an independent day school. No boarding fees are published.

Other costs and recurring charges

- Textbooks and equipment deposit (per student):
- Primary (Years 1–5): CRC 100,000.
- Secondary: CRC 120,000.
- Student medical insurance (accident cover): approximately CRC 22,000 per year per student.
- After School Care / special classes: the school may charge for special classes and After School Care at CRC 2,500 per hour.
- School bus: school bus service pricing is managed by a separate, independent company (Tranosys); bus fees and routes are handled by that company rather than in-school billing.
- Uniform: a 2026 uniform guide is provided for primary and secondary students (uniform items are defined in the published uniform guide). Costs for uniform items are set out in the uniform guide.

Refund information

- The school's published fees and the Terms and Conditions pages do not set out a specific, detailed refund policy for tuition, matriculation, reservation or other fees. No separate, explicit refund schedule is published on those fee and terms pages. For matters requiring an exception or clarification, direct contact with the school's admissions or finance office is the operational route.

Fee payment options (methods accepted)

- Online payment platform: the school uses Placetopay to process online payments. Placetopay accepts Visa and MasterCard credit cards and also allows payment via debit accounts (savings and current accounts) through the electronic payment flow; online payments may be made 24/7 through the payment platform.

- Additional notes on payment processing:
- The school's published materials indicate electronic payments are processed through the virtual store and the Placetopay gateway, which issues transaction receipts to the payer's email address. For questions about payment confirmations the school lists specific contacts.

(End of fees overview.)

Curriculum

IGCSE in Years 9–10 (most of this programme is taught in English) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Years 11–12. The Upper Secondary curricula have been developed by Cambridge Assessment International Examinations and the International Baccalaureate Organization, and the IB Diploma is a bilingual English/Spanish two‑year programme.

Student Teacher Ratio

Class sizes are capped at a maximum of 22 students per teaching class (20 in Early Years) with an average of 19+; the school is bilingual with most classes taught in English and the remainder in Spanish (or French); teaching staff comprises about 14% international, 23% British, and 63% Costa Rican teachers; in secondary levels the ratio of international to national teachers is approximately 50/50.

Exam Results

IB Diploma: 2020–2024 pass rates include 2020: 31/31, 2021: 35/36, 2022: 32/33, 2023: 28/32, 2024: 43/45; notable IB results include best Latin American region performance (1998) and best world individual score (45 points) in 1998. IGCSE: defined pass rate as the percentage of students passing at least five subjects with grade C or higher; 2020–2021: 100% (students took only 2 subject exams due to Covid), 2022: 88%, 2023: 73%, 2024: 75%; historical notes include top Australian/UK/world results in certain years (e.g., 1996 best individual world result; 2009 best world results in French and Spanish).

Higher Education Progression

Graduates have enrolled at universities worldwide, including University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Calgary, Carleton University, York University, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and other Canadian institutions; in the United States, institutions such as MIT, Harvard University, Duke University, New York University (including NYU Abu Dhabi), and Johns Hopkins University are listed among destinations; in the United Kingdom, the University of Cambridge and other UK universities are represented; graduates have also progressed to universities in other countries and locally at institutions such as EARTH and Universidad de Costa Rica.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social and emotional learning is integrated through a focus on emotional wellbeing and social relationships. A Year 5 Social, Emotional and Relationships Talk was delivered with Year 11 student mentors to support the transition to secondary school. Health Week included a workshop on staying safe online delivered by external speakers and a psychologist. House System and Service Learning activities, such as 'Boxes of Hope', promote teamwork and social responsibility across year groups. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is part of the school's extracurricular offerings.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported through a focus on emotional wellbeing and social relationships. A Year 5 Social, Emotional and Relationships Talk involved Year 11 student mentors to build confidence during the transition to secondary school. Health Week included a psychologist-led workshop on online safety and privacy, helping students manage digital life and wellbeing. House System and Service Learning activities promote social connectedness and community involvement across year groups. Values such as honesty, respect and responsibility underpin student wellbeing.

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International St. Jude School

Instructs in English, Spanish

Ages 0 - 18 years

Type Co-educational

International St. Jude School is a private day school in San José, Costa Rica, offering international education for ages 0 to 18. The curriculum blends the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) in early years, Cambridge Primary and Cambridge IGCSE in the middle years, Cambridge Secondary, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, plus a Bespoke Curriculum to tailor learning. English and Spanish are the languages of instruction, with French introduced from Preschool onward, resulting in a bilingual IB diploma for graduates. The campus sits in a forested setting with green spaces, and modern facilities support hands-on learning: a robotics lab, a computing lab, a science lab, a gym and a 25-metre heated pool, plus a chapel. Students access a wide range of ISP-led programs (Artists, Changemakers, Chess Masters, Cultural Exchange, Scientists, Filmmakers, MUN) and diverse clubs. The school emphasizes community service, leadership development, and global perspectives through multilingual education and exchanges.

Location

San José, Pozos, Valle del Sol, Costa Rica. The school is located in the Valle del Sol area of Pozos in the San José province. The address and contact details indicate it serves the local community in this part of Costa Rica.

Stages

Preschool Ages 6 months - 6 years; Primary School Ages 6 - 11; Secondary School Ages 11 - 18; IB Diploma Programme Ages 16 - 18. The curriculum includes the Cambridge international pathways and the IB Diploma Programme, with bilingual instruction in English and Spanish and French taught from Preschool to Secondary.

Type

Private international day school

Additional learning support

CASE-V for high-performance athletes; LEAP for gifted learners; small classes for tailored support.

Country affiliation

Affiliated with International Schools Partnership (ISP).

Religious affiliation

Rooted in faith.

Bus service

School transport is provided through partnered providers. Routes cover Santa Ana, Escazú, San José, Heredia, Ciudad Colón and Lindora. Pick-up times are between 5:30 and 7:00 am, drop-off is at 2:50 pm; monthly fees range from $95 to $170. Buses meet safety standards and schedules are coordinated with families.

Uniform Requirement

St. Jude School has a uniform. Preschool wear white institution shirt, red shorts, white or red socks, closed shoes, and a red sweatshirt with a hat; Primary wear a beige polo shirt with blue pants, and Secondary wear a beige polo shirt with marine-blue pants, with a red sweatshirt and hat for all levels. The PE uniform uses the official house shirt, and the complete uniform can be purchased at the school store.

Food Options

Dining service: Students enjoy a cafeteria service organised by sections and staggered schedules, with nutritious, well-balanced menus every day of the week.

House System

The school uses a house system for physical education; students wear the official shirt of the house to which they belong.

Governance and Ownership

St. Jude School is part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) network.

Fees overview (2025–26 academic year)

Application & enrolment fees
- An application fee is charged as part of the admissions process. The school also charges an enrolment/registration charge at acceptance. Specific application and registration line-item amounts are included in the school's online fee calculator and billing breakdown.

Tuition / enrolment fees by school stage (amounts shown as the enrolment/tuition figure for the 2025–26 academic year)
- Preschool (6 months–6 years):
- Toddler — USD 982.51.
- Nursery — USD 982.51.
- Pre-Kinder — USD 984.66.
- Kinder 1 — USD 984.66.
- Kinder 2 — USD 999.18.
- Preschool (general) — USD 999.18.
- Primary School (ages 6–11) — USD 1,479.94 (enrolment/tuition figure).
- Secondary School (ages 11–18) — USD 1,550.78 (enrolment/tuition figure).
- IB Diploma — USD 1,550.78 (enrolment/tuition figure).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school publishes a fee calculator and an online billing arrangement for families; fees may be billed in instalments or monthly payment plans as managed through the school's billing system.
- Re-enrolment and invoicing deadlines include advance payments for the coming year; the school has used advance-payment requirements (for example, requesting 50% of tuition by a re-enrolment deadline in prior communications).

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not part of the school offering; St. Jude operates as a day school with scheduled school-day hours and dedicated transport (bus) services.

Other costs and recurring extras
- School uniform: Students obtain uniforms from the school's official uniform store; uniform costs are charged separately.
- Dining / cafeteria service: Daily cafeteria service is available and billed separately from tuition.
- Transport / bus service: School bus services covering several areas are offered; transport is an additional cost.
- Extracurricular activities and after‑school care: Extracurricular programmes and after‑school care are billed separately; a previously published fee schedule recorded an after‑school fee example of CRC 57,000 for an after‑school offering.
- Admission bond / family deposit: A family admission bond (noted in published fee materials) is charged from Elementary 1 onwards (example amount previously published: CRC 600,000 per family).
- Referral / promotional allowances: The school has run referral programmes that give a discount equivalent to one monthly fee for a successful referral; programme details and eligibility are applied at enrolment.

Refunds and cancellations
- The school's enrolment and admissions process requires payment to secure place and these enrolment/application charges are processed at acceptance or via the school's billing system. Parents should note enrolment and application payments are applied at the time of registration; specific refund or cancellation terms for application, enrolment, or tuition payments are defined in the school's admissions/enrolment policies and billing terms.

Fee-payment methods and administration
- Fees and invoicing are managed through the school's online billing and parent‑portal tools (fee calculator and parent portal are the published payment/administration routes). For detailed payment methods accepted (bank transfer, card, online payment, instalment options) families use the school's billing system and admissions / accounts contact channels to complete payments and to review plan options.

Key notes for parents (concise)
- The amounts above are the published enrolment/tuition figures shown for the 2025–26 academic year.
- Additional mandatory and optional charges (uniforms, transport, dining, extracurriculars, after‑school care and family admission bond) apply on top of tuition; these are billed separately.

Curriculum

Comprehensive academic programme through the Cambridge Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma; Preschool uses the International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC); Primary and Secondary follow Cambridge pathways, culminating in the IB Diploma Programme for ages 16–18; English and Spanish are used as languages of instruction, with French taught from Preschool through Secondary; graduates earn a bilingual IB diploma.

Exam Results

MAP (NWEA) scores exceed global benchmarks, and 98% of graduates are admitted to universities in Costa Rica, the US, and Europe.

Higher Education Progression

Future Pathways provides personalised guidance for university and career planning, helping students move toward higher education or careers.

Gifted and Talented

CASE V supports high-performance athletes and LEAP supports gifted learners, within a framework of small classes.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

A nurturing learning environment with balanced, joyful classrooms that cultivate empathy, collaboration, and resilience, while growing students' confidence to lead with kindness.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Develop multilingual skills in English and Spanish, study French from Preschool to Secondary, and graduate from the IB Diploma Programme with a bilingual diploma and global opportunities.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported by a nurturing environment that emphasises empathy, collaboration, resilience, and confidence to lead with kindness.

Safeguarding

Learn in a secure, caring environment upheld by international safeguarding standards with trained staff, clear procedures, and open communication, so students feel safe, supported, and focused.

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Tree of Life International School

Instructs in English, Spanish, Mandarin

Ages 3 - 18 years

Pupils 230

Type Co-educational

Tree of Life International School (TOLIS) is a private, non-denominational institution in Santa Ana, Costa Rica, serving students aged 3 to 18. The Cambridge curriculum guides IGCSE, AS Levels, and A Levels, with Cambridge English exams in grades 5, 10 and 11 and Mandarin proficiency exams (YCT/HSK). The school runs a trilingual program—Spanish, English and Mandarin—embedded across age-appropriate classes. Learning is project-based and organized in multi-age cohorts to foster collaboration, problem solving and peer mentoring. Technology features across subjects, including programming, robotics and 3D printing, culminated in an annual Maker's Day. Leadership development is central: TOLIS is the first Franklin Covey Leadership School in Latin America, applying the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and offering an annual leadership camp. Other strengths include nutrition in meals, semi-annual project fairs, a high-school trip to China, and a diverse community representing 25+ nationalities. This combination supports curious, globally aware learners every day.

Location

The school is located in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. It serves students from preschool through high school, aged 3 to 18.

Stages

Early Childhood through Senior year (Preschool to 12th grade).

Type

Private school

Country affiliation

Costa Rica

School day structure

Day structure varies by grade level: Pre-Kinder and Kinder run 7:30 am–12:00 pm; Foundations and Elementary 1 run 7:30 am–2:30 pm; Juniors 1–Seniors run 7:40 am–3:20 pm.

Application fees

- Not published publicly for the 2026/27 academic year (no separate application fee amount is listed on the school's admissions or homepage pages).

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)

- The school does not publish termly or annual tuition amounts by year group on its public pages for the 2026/27 academic year (no per-term or per-year fee schedule is displayed for preschool, primary or secondary levels).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- No publicly available billing schedule or formal payment-terms text (for example: due dates per term, penalties for late payment, or installment plans) is published on the school's admissions or general information pages.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- There is no listing of a boarding/internado programme or boarding fees on the school's public pages; a boarding programme is not described and therefore no boarding fees are published.

Other costs and typical additional fees

- No published amounts are given for uniforms, registration/enrolment fees, examination fees, extracurricular activity fees, school transport, meals, or learning material charges on the public site. These categories are not itemised with prices on the available admissions material.

Refund information

- Refund policy details (for withdrawn students, deposit refunds, or cancellations) are not published on the admissions or general information pages. No refundable or non-refundable fee terms are shown publicly.

Fee payment options

- The school's public pages do not list accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card, cashier's check) or the mechanics for electronic payments. No payment-channel details are published on the admissions page.

Summary of availability

- A review of the school's public admissions and homepage information for 2026/27 (and for prior academic years) shows that specific numeric fee figures, term or annual schedules, payment terms, boarding fees (if any), and refund/payment-method details are not publicly posted; the admissions page instead invites direct consultation for requirements and prices by level.

Note about published information

- Because the school does not publish a public fee schedule on its admissions or general information pages, no concrete amounts or term-by-term figures can be provided here for the 2026/27 academic year (nor for 2025/26) from the school's public pages. The school's admissions material directs families to contact admissions for prices by level.

Curriculum

Tree of Life International School serves students aged 3 to 18 in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. The curriculum emphasizes Project-Based Learning (PBL) and uses multi-age classrooms to foster collaboration and problem-solving. The school uses a trilingual program (Spanish-English-Mandarin) with Cambridge English exams in grades 5, 10 and 11 and YCT/HSK Mandarin exams; Cambridge IGCSE preparation is available through Cambridge accreditation. Leadership development is central; the school is recognized by Franklin Covey as the first Leadership School in Latin America, implementing the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Technology is integrated across disciplines, with programming, robotics, 3D printing and an annual Maker's Day. The curriculum is organized by year group: Early Childhood (Pre-K and Kinder), Foundations, Elementary (1-3), Juniors (6-9), Seniors (10-12); school hours are Section A: 7:30–12:00, Section B: 7:30–2:30, Section C: 7:40–3:20. Nutrition is included (snacks in preschool; lunch in elementary and secondary).

Higher Education Progression

Seniors can take 6 AS courses or 3 A Level courses to prepare for university admission.

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Emotional Support is provided through a dedicated Student Support Department and a 7 Habits Council. Students are empowered to see themselves as unique and significant, which is the cornerstone of their own success. They learn to identify and express their emotions and know when to take positive action. The Student Support Department and the 7 Habits Council work with teachers, students, and parents to help them discover more about themselves. The school emphasizes leadership development through the 7 Habits framework and uses multi-age classroom structures to foster social-emotional growth and peer collaboration.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

The school is trilingual, teaching Spanish, English and Mandarin, with immersion across the program. In grades 5, 10, and 11, students take Cambridge English exams to certify their English proficiency, and Mandarin proficiency is certified through YCT/HSK exams.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported through Emotional Support, with students learning to identify and express their emotions and to take positive action. The Student Support Department and the 7 Habits Council work with teachers, students, and parents to foster self-awareness, resilience, and healthy social interactions.

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Compare British Curriculum International Schools in Costa rica

Location

Stages

Type

School day structure

Bus service

Boarding Arrangements

Uniform Requirement

House System

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Student Teacher Ratio

Exam Results

Higher Education Progression

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Mental Wellbeing

Admissions

Location

Stages

Type

Additional learning support

Country affiliation

Religious affiliation

Bus service

Uniform Requirement

Food Options

House System

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Exam Results

Higher Education Progression

Gifted and Talented

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Safeguarding

Admissions

Location

Stages

Type

Country affiliation

School day structure

Governance and Ownership

Curriculum

Higher Education Progression

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Mental Wellbeing

Admissions

Filters

Currency

Annual fees

Children's Ages

Curriculum offered

Brand

Preschool

Primary

Secondary

Pre-University

National Curriculums

Other Approaches

Language of instruction