Compare German Curriculum International Schools in Costa rica

The Humboldt Schule is located in Pavas, San José, Costa Rica, adjacent to the Nuestra Señora de Loreto Church. The campus sits in the Pavas neighborhood with access via local roads to central San José. Transport is coordinated through external providers; families contact the transport companies directly to arrange bus service. Standort: Contiguo a la Iglesia Nuestra Señora de Loreto, Pavas, San José, Costa Rica.

Kindergarten; Primary School; Secondary School/National Diploma; Abitur/German School Leaving Diploma; International Certificates; Study Counseling; School Calendar; Alliances/Exchange Trips.

Private, bilingual, bicultural school offering kindergarten through Abitur (German diploma) and the Costa Rican Bachillerato.

Germany and Costa Rica

The school does not operate its own transport service; it provides contact details for external transport providers and coordinates with them to arrange student transport. Fees are paid directly to the transport company.

Uniform is mandatory for students through the 10th grade. The standard uniform includes a white polo with the Humboldt crest, black cotton pants, a black belt, black shoes and socks, and an official school hoodie (or plain black hoodie). Physical education uses a white sports shirt and black sports pants; 11th graders design their own uniform with administration, while 12th graders are not required to wear a uniform; Kindergarten students use the PE uniform only for PE.

The school operates a canteen for students and staff, located beside the pool, with seating, microwaves for heating meals, and recycling-based waste bins, supported by cleaning staff. The menu is planned by a nutritionist and changes monthly, offering a variety of fruits, natural juices, dairy products, and more, including a 'dish of the day' that is affordable for all. Food and items are available to visitors, teachers, administration staff, and students; hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 to 15:00.

The Humboldt School is operated by the German-Costa Rican Cultural Institution (ICGC), an association. The Board of Directors consists of seven members elected by the General Assembly, representing parents and others involved in the institution. Current officers include President Inge Puschendorf, Vice President Werner Bansbach, Treasurer Peter Ossenbach, Secretary Roberto Bonilla, and Members Enzio von Saalfeld, Liesel Liebhaber, Karin Puschendorf, and Auditor Michiel van Rossum.

The Humboldt-Schule is a three-language educational center (German - Spanish - English) offering kindergarten through secondary education. Kindergarten emphasizes German language immersion and a multicultural, multilingual environment. In Grundschule (grades 1–6), German is the predominant language of instruction; from grade 5 there are four language groups (one native-German group and three 'German as a foreign language' groups); English is introduced as a subject in grade 5; at the end of grade 6 all students take the Primaria-Abschluss. In Sekundarstufe the curriculum is designed to prepare for both the Costa Rican Bachillerato and the German Abitur; in grades 7–8 mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry and ethics are taught in German; from grade 9 the tracks split into H (Abitur) and B (Bachillerato) with English remaining a core subject from grade 5. English remains an important subject and students may pursue English language certifications such as TOEFL at the end of 11th grade, FCE; the Deutsche Sprachdiplom I is offered in 8th/9th grade and Diploma II in 10th/11th grade. A Germany trip with a student exchange is offered in grade 10, as part of the curriculum.

The school awards the German Abitur (Deutsches Internationales Abitur) and the Costa Rican Bachillerato; The Abitur is the Allgemeine Hochschulreife and enables admission to universities, including German universities; The Abitur is administered under KMK standards and is recognized by universities worldwide; The Costa Rican Bachillerato provides local university access; Language‑related certifications (TOEFL, FCE, German Sprachdiplom I/II) support higher education opportunities.

PASO (Programa para Alumnos Sobresalientes con Oportunidades) enables exceptionally able Costa Rican students to enter at grade 5 from 4th grade after an entrance test; It includes a free German course in the afternoons for selected students, and the '5D' group remains together through grade 8 before full integration in grade 9; Scholarships may be awarded based on socio-economic assessments and additional funds for uniforms, meals or transport.

The school has school psychologists who support teachers, parents, and students; preventive work is conducted. As a cross-cultural school where Spanish and German cultures meet, psychologists help with challenges arising from the coexistence of the two cultures. From kindergarten through secondary school, students receive psychological support. The psychologists analyze language development, behavior in class, and each student's learning and concentration. Students and parents receive relevant information and recommendations, and communication between teachers and parents is strengthened.

From kindergarten through secondary school, students receive psychological support. The psychologists analyze language development issues, classroom behavior, and each student's learning and concentration. Students and parents receive information and recommendations. The services support students with special education needs.

The school provides mental wellbeing support through psychology services. School psychologists assist teachers, parents, and students; preventive work is conducted. During the school year, psychologists visit each class at least once and enrich sessions with talks and activities; topics are suggested by teachers or offered by the psychology department. Parental support is available, and ongoing parent education is provided through conferences and events. The cross-cultural setting (Spanish and German) is addressed in the support offered.

1. Three enrollment paths exist: entry into the preschool, admission to the PASO program (side-entry), or regular entry at any primary or secondary level. The first two options are open to families regardless of language background; regular entry is restricted to students whose German is the mother tongue. All admitted students must meet registration requirements. 2. Preschool entry: For preschool entry, consult the Kindergarten page and use the online form there. The entire process and submission of documents are carried out through the online portal, no later than April of the year before the relevant school year. In May, the management and board review applications and approve them according to available places, and inform applicants in writing whether admission is granted. Admitted students must provide immunization certificates appropriate to their age and undergo eye and ear examinations, and pay the registration fee and the admission bonus. 3. PASO program: The PASO program comprises students who attend Humboldt School in Grade 5 and come from public or private schools. These students take part in a German lesson called “Cursillo” after school in Grade 4; at the end of the course, the 30 students with the best results are admitted and form “Group R.” For more information about the New Secondary School and its admission process, see the linked page. 4. Regular admission to primary or secondary: To enter primary or secondary, fill out the “Entrance application” form correctly. The form is available on the Kindergarten page or at the Student Secretariat. Attach the following documents: 1. Original birth certificate or a photocopy of the passport for foreign students; 2) Transcript for the last completed year (original and photocopy); 3) Transcript for the current year (original and photocopy); 4) If coming from a private school, provide proof that there are no outstanding amounts (original only); 5) Copy of the employer regulations or income certificate. 5. Do parents need to sign an education contract? After admission, parents must pay the enrollment fee and the admission fee. This information is found in Tarife y pagos. Then parents must sign an education contract for each child; the document is submitted to the Student Secretariat. The contract must be signed by both the father and the mother and include their identification numbers; the contract must be renewed each year. Before the end of the school year, the administration sends the new contract for your children; you may cancel the enrollment fee for the next school year and send back the signed contract with proof of payment. 6. How is the school uniform? The official uniform for grades 1–10 includes a white polo shirt with the school logo, black trousers (cotton; denim allowed), a black belt, black shoes, black socks, and a black official sweatshirt without design. The sports uniform consists of an official T-shirt (white with design) and shorts (black with design), both cotton. Preschool and Abitur students may wear appropriate clothing; 11th-grade students decide the color of their official shirt each year. Official uniforms are only available in the school shop. 7. What are the opening hours? The school hours during the term are 7:30 to 15:30 and during holidays 8:00 to 15:00. (506) 2232 1455.