Costa Rica International Academy

Located in Brasilito, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, CRIA sits on the Gold Coast near Reserva Conchal. The campus is 500 meters south of Reserva Conchal in Brasilito. It is accessible from nearby beach towns such as Flamingo, Conchal, and Tamarindo. The purpose-built campus spans 32 acres with 41 air-conditioned classrooms and extensive facilities to support a K–12 program.

Early Years; Primary; Secondary (High School).

Private day school; bilingual (English and Spanish); US-accredited and Costa Rica MEP-accredited.

Learning Support (LSP) and English Language Learner (ELL) programs are offered. Approximately 15% of students in Grades KG–8 receive ELL and/or LSP support; push-in and pull-out services; specialized math support in middle school; integrated into mainstream classrooms with individualized teacher support.

US accreditation (MSA) and Costa Rica MEP accreditation; dual accreditation.

Secular; no religious instruction.

CRIA operates bus service for the 2025-2026 school year with two routes: Ventanas and Playas del Coco. The service is prepaid per semester and follows a fixed schedule and assigned routes; students must ride their assigned bus; private contractors may operate some routes; rules emphasize punctuality, assigned seats, and conduct on the bus.

CRIA is a private college-preparatory PreK–12 school serving the international community in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Students pursue a U.S.-based curriculum. The school is fully accredited KG–12 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education (MEP). CRIA emphasizes numeracy and literacy improvement, offers an Advanced Placement (AP) program, and provides dual-enrollment university partnerships.

CRIA offers AP courses in addition to regular courses. On average, CRIA students take 3–4 AP courses during high school. AP exam results: 2023: 67 AP exams with 91% scoring 3–5; 2024: 147 exams with 82.3% scoring 3–5; 2025: 116 AP exams with 90% scoring 3–5.

Graduates pursue higher education at universities in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Costa Rica. The 2025–2026 profile lists a College Counselor and a long list of destinations, including American University (DC), Duke University, University of Michigan, UC Berkeley, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of Washington, and many others; about 80% of graduates attend college.

CRIA prioritizes social and emotional learning through a School Counseling Program that strengthens minds and supports hearts. It provides individual and small‑group sessions for emotional regulation and self‑management, and offers lessons on how emotions influence learning and relationships. The program includes conflict‑resolution and anti‑bullying strategies, and collaborates with parents to support behavioral or social‑emotional needs, with outside counseling referrals when appropriate. The program maintains confidentiality in compliance with MEP and PANI regulations.

CRIA provides Learning Support (LS) in collaboration with English Language Learners (ELL). Approximately 15% of students in Grades KG–8 receive ELL and/or LSP support. Services include push‑in and pull‑out instruction to strengthen English proficiency and core academic skills, with integration into mainstream classrooms and individualized teacher support. The Learning Support policy describes a two‑tier system (Monitor; Learning Support Level‑1 non‑significant adaptations) and Level‑2 significant adaptations is not offered; the CRIA Learning Support Plan (LSP) serves as the equivalent of an IEP, with a Child Support Team reviewing requests and external assessments sometimes required.

CRIA offers English Language Learner (ELL) support as part of its Learning Support program. About 15% of KG–8 students receive ELL and/or LSP support; services include push‑in and pull‑out instruction to strengthen English proficiency and core academic skills; students are integrated into mainstream classrooms with individualized teacher support; the school operates a bilingual community.

CRIA promotes mental wellbeing as part of its Health & Wellness program. It emphasizes balanced nutrition, physical activity, and positive mental health education, teaching that health underpins resilience, confidence, and lifelong success.

CRIA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. All staff and volunteers working directly with students must present a police clearance document. The Family Handbook includes a Child Protection Policy and Harassment & Bullying policies with procedures to report concerns and to intervene, and CRIA follows MEP protocols for bullying and safeguarding, including safety and emergency procedures and official communications protocols.

1. CRIA accepts applications from students of all nationalities who would benefit from the program and whose parents share the school's philosophy and objectives. Admission is granted when it has been determined that the school has the appropriate program and resources to meet the learner's needs. Applications for both immediate and future entry are considered at any time throughout the year. If a waiting list for any grade is necessary, qualified applicants will be admitted according to established policies on priority.

2. High School students (grades 9–12) can enroll for a minimum of one semester, while students in Toddler–Grade 8 may enroll for a minimum of one quarter. Applications are accepted year-round, with rolling admissions for Toddler–Grade 8 and waitlists may be used for any grade. Enrollment priority on the waitlist is based on criteria including: child of full-time teaching faculty member; sibling of a currently enrolled student; previously enrolled student, in good standing; full-year enrollment; and order of receipt of a completed application.

3. As a US-accredited college-preparatory school, the primary language of instruction is English for students in Grades 3 and up (dual language Toddler–Grade 2). Basic beginner English Language Learners shall not exceed 25% of any grade level from Grade 3–8. In Grades 9–12, students must be proficient in English to succeed in mainstream classroom subjects. A proficiency English test may be used to determine ELL support eligibility for students needing it.

4. By enrolling, families agree to abide by the policies and procedures explained in the Family Handbook. A seat is not guaranteed until the application is approved by a Division Principal AND the Tuition Fee Deposit and New Student Fee are both paid in full. The school does not discriminate based on religion, ethnicity, race, color, nationality, sex, disability, marriage status, gender, or sexual orientation.

5. Applicants should apply as early as possible; August enrollment requires submission by March 1, and January enrollment requires submission by October 1. Rolling admissions exist for Toddler–Grade 8; High School admissions occur at the beginning of fall or spring semesters. A placement review by the Child Study Team, inclusive of school counselors, division principals, and Learning Support and ELL teachers, is required for students who declare a need for ELL or Learning Support services. The process includes documentation submission, placement decisions by the division principal, and start-date notification. Enrollment is contractual for one year and is not guaranteed in subsequent years.

CRIA may maintain a waitlist for all grade levels when classes are full. Enrollment priorities determine waitlist order: 1) child of a full-time teaching faculty member; 2) sibling of a currently enrolled student; 3) previously enrolled student in good standing; 4) students enrolling for a full year; 5) in the order of receipt of a completed application. Qualified applicants are admitted to available seats according to these priority policies.