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Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Spanish, English
Typical class size 16
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, STEM
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction
American International School of Costa Rica (AIS) is a private, co-educational, non-profit day school serving ages 3 through 18 in Heredia, near San José. The school follows an American curriculum with Advanced Placement courses and offers both U.S. and Costa Rican high school diplomas, enabling students to pursue college paths in the United States or locally. Beginning in high school, students prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT, with some taking honors and AP courses. AIS emphasizes critical thinking, writing, creativity, physical activity, leadership, and global mindedness across its programs. Complementary offerings include Music, Art, Drama, MakerSpace, Life Skills, Phys-Ed, Science Lab, and Model UN, plus Learning Support, SSL, and ESL. Facilities emphasize technology integration and hands-on learning, with a small campus that includes a MakerSpace, Science Lab, and a soccer field. The school has a longstanding, international community, supported by college counseling and a non-profit, service-minded culture for global opportunities.
Bosque de Doña Rosa, Heredia, Heredia Province, Heredia, Cariari, 40703, Costa Rica
The Essentials
American International School of Costa Rica has 198 pupils, typical class sizes of 16, instruction in English.
Location
Ciudad Cariari, La Asunción de Belén, Heredia, Costa Rica.
Stages
Pre-school to 12th grade, organized as Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and High School.
Type
Private, co-educational, non-profit day school.
Pupil Nationality Mix
Approximately 80% Central and South American; 13% United States; 7% other nationalities.
Additional learning support
Special education services and English language support (ESL) for non-native English and Spanish speakers.
Country affiliation
United States (U.S.-style education and U.S. high school diploma).
School day structure
Calendar follows the U.S. academic year (August–December and mid-January–June); two semesters; school day 8:00am–3:00pm; after-school activities 3:10pm–4:10pm.
Bus service
Bus service is available for an additional fee; routes and costs provided by the transportation provider (contact AIS for details).
Fees
Overview for the 2026/27 (or 2025/26) academic year
There is no publicly posted, itemized 2026/27 (or 2025/26) fee schedule available in the school's public admissions materials. The school publishes an admissions form and general admissions information but does not publish a complete tuition-and-fees table for the requested academic year.
Application / enrollment fees - No specific, current application or non‑refundable enrollment fee amount is posted in the school's public admissions materials for 2026/27 or 2025/26. - Third‑party school directories list historical or estimated one‑time enrollment/registration fees for AIS in past reports; those figures are unofficial estimates and not an official current schedule.
Tuition fees by school level (per term / per year group) - The school does not publish an itemised tuition table by grade or term for 2026/27 (or 2025/26) in its publicly available admissions materials. Parents should treat the following figures as third‑party estimates (not official school‑published rates): - Yearly tuition ranges reported by independent directories for recent years: approximately USD 4,080 to USD 8,420 per year (range reported across directories). - Example reported approximations from independent school guides: preschool/PK/K full‑day approximately USD 6,630 per year; grades 1–12 approximately USD 10,520 per year (these are directory figures and not an official school schedule). - There is no officially published breakdown per term (e.g., per trimester or per semester) available in the school's public materials for 2026/27 or 2025/26.
Billing schedule and payment terms - The school's publicly available admissions documents do not provide a detailed billing calendar, payment deadlines, or standard payment‑term options (annual, semester, monthly) for 2026/27 or 2025/26. Families should expect billing structures common to international day schools (annual, semester or monthly plans), but no official schedule or terms are posted in the public admissions documents.
Boarding / residential fees - AIS operates as a day school; there is no public indication that full or weekly boarding is offered or billed. No boarding fees are published because boarding is not applicable.
Other costs and recurring fees - After‑school activities, certain camps, and some extracurricular programs carry additional fees; these activities are identified as having supplemental charges in student‑life materials. Exact per‑activity charges are not listed in the public materials. - Common additional potential costs (not publicly priced by the school) include: uniforms, school trips or overnight camps (elementary grades often have an annual overnight camp), specialised course fees (where applicable), textbooks or consumable materials, and transport/bus service where families choose it. The school's admissions and student‑life information mention such services and activities but do not publish a consolidated fee list.
Refund information - There is no publicly posted, itemised refund or cancellation policy in the school's publicly available admissions documents for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years. Refund terms (for deposits, tuition prepayments, or voluntary withdrawals) are not listed in the admissions form or public pages.
Fee payment options - The school's public admissions materials do not list a standard set of accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, local bank account, online payment portal) for general tuition payments. For certain school events and programs (for example, Model United Nations event registrations), the school provides bank transfer details and an accounting contact, which demonstrates that bank transfer is used for some school‑related payments. This indicates the school accepts bank transfers for at least some payments, but a complete list of accepted methods for tuition is not posted publicly.
What is not available in the school's public materials - There is no published, official line‑item tuition schedule by grade or term for the 2026/27 academic year (and no explicit 2025/26 schedule publicly posted). There are no posted official amounts for application fees, registration fees, term/semester breakdowns, billing dates, or refund policy language in the school's public admissions documents. Where directories and guides list numerical ranges or sample annual fees, those figures are independent estimates and not the school's official published schedule.
If you require exact, current numbers (application fee, per‑grade tuition per term and per year, bus fees, uniform costs, refund policy and full list of accepted payment methods) for the 2026/27 academic year, those figures were not available in the school's public admissions materials at the time this information was collected. The school's admissions form, contact information and event payment pages are the only public financial references located in the school's published materials.
Academics
American International School of Costa Rica teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
AIS offers both U.S. and Costa Rican high school diplomas for students in elementary through high school. The high school program includes Advanced Placement (AP) courses and MATEM (Matemática para la Enseñanza Media) classes for Costa Rican universities. Beginning in high school, students prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, and AP exams, with some students taking honors courses to deepen preparation. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, writing, creativity, physical activity, leadership, and global mindedness. Complementary programs include Music, Art, Drama, MakerSpace, Life Skills, Physical Education, Science Lab, and Model UN, along with Honors Classes and Advanced Placement; the school uses Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments and provides Learning Support (LSP), SSL, and ESL support.
Higher Education Progression
The college counseling program supports students as they transition from high school to higher education. The college counselor works individually with each student to narrow college options in Costa Rica and abroad, assists with university applications, finding scholarships, and building a resume. A College Preparation class begins in 10th grade to prepare for admissions tests and procedures, and AIS students have been admitted to outstanding colleges and universities worldwide. AIS is a member of the International Association of College Admission Counseling (IACAC).
Gifted and Talented
Honors Classes and Advanced Placement are available for advanced students.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
AIS emphasizes social, emotional, and intellectual development in its mission. The National Honor Society highlights scholarship, service, leadership, and character. A wide range of after-school activities, field trips, camps, and volunteering opportunities expands learning beyond the classroom. The college counseling program supports students as they transition to higher education. Learning Support Program provides tools and resources for fast integration into mainstream classes for students with special learning needs and non-native English speakers.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
AIS provides a Learning Support Program for students with special learning needs and non-native English speakers. The Learning Support Program is listed among the school's Support Programs (LSP, SSL, ESL). Applicants with a learning disability that requires non-significant accommodations must submit an official cognitive report from a professional. The school's small-school environment supports individualized attention to meet each student's needs.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
AIS offers ESL (English as a Second Language) as part of its Support Programs. Learning Support Program provides tools for non-native English speakers to integrate into mainstream classes. The school has more native English-speaking teachers than any other U.S. diploma school, supporting English language instruction. Life Skills and other complementary programs also support communication and language development.
Mental Wellbeing
AIS addresses students' social, emotional, and intellectual needs through its mission. The school emphasizes character building, respect, and leadership as part of wellbeing. The school provides a safe learning environment as a core value.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Admission Form: Download and complete the AIS Admission Form. The form begins the application process. After completing, submit it as part of the application package. Admissions are open year round. 2. Documents: Submit the required documents for admission. All documents must be in English or Spanish. A full set includes: completed AIS Admission Form; complete school transcripts covering at least two years; a cognitive report if needed for a learning disability; available standardized test scores; a photocopy of the applicant's passport or ID; two passport photos; a photocopy of the parent(s) ID; a letter of recommendation in a sealed school envelope; birth certificate; letter of financial solvency from current or previous school; vaccination record; audiometry and eye screening for preschool to first grade. 3. Exam & Interview: Students will be scheduled to take entrance exams and participate in an interview. The interview can be conducted virtually. The exams and interview determine admission eligibility. An appointment for the exams and interview will be arranged after the required documents are received. 4. Decision: The admission decision is communicated to the parents within 15 working days or less after the interview. The communication indicates whether admission has been granted. The notification is sent to the parents as part of the admissions process. This marks the completion of the formal admission decision.
FAQs
What curriculum does American International School of Costa Rica follow?
AIS offers both U.S. and Costa Rican high school diplomas for students in elementary through high school.
What age range does American International School of Costa Rica serve?
The school serves students from age 3 to 18.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual fees range from RMB 6,630 to RMB 10,520. Contact the school for the full fee schedule and any additional charges.
Is the school co-educational?
The school is described as co-educational.
How many students attend American International School of Costa Rica?
The school has approximately 198 students.
Where is American International School of Costa Rica located?
Ciudad Cariari, La Asunción de Belén, Heredia, Costa Rica.
When was American International School of Costa Rica established?
The school was established in 1970.
Who leads American International School of Costa Rica?
The school is led by Kattya Alvarado.
Does the school provide learning support for students with special educational needs?
AIS provides a Learning Support Program for students with special learning needs and non-native English speakers. The Learning Support Program is listed among the school's Support Programs (LSP, SSL, ESL).
What languages are used for instruction?
The school teaches in English. It offers both U.S. and Costa Rican high school diplomas. Language support for non-native English speakers includes the Learning Support Program (LSP), SSL, and ESL.
How do I apply to American International School of Costa Rica?
1) Admission Form: Download and complete the AIS Admission Form. The form begins the application process. After completing, submit it as part of the application package. Admissions are open year round.
What extracurricular activities are available?
The school offers after-school arts and creative programs including Acting club, Choir, Guitar, Percussion Ensemble, Art, and Needle Felting. These activities provide opportunities for performance, music-making, visual arts, and hands-on crafts.
What accreditations does American International School of Costa Rica hold?
Ministerio de Educación Pública (Costa Rica), AdvancedED Cognia accreditation, Advanced Placement Program, UNESCO Associated Schools (Escuelas Amigas UNESCO), Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA)
Is there a school bus service?
Bus service is available for an additional fee; routes and costs provided by the transportation provider (contact AIS for details).
