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Costa Rica, Guanacaste
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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.
Costa Rica International Academy (CRIA) is a private day school in Guanacaste serving the international community from PreK through 12. The school teaches a U.S.-based curriculum with AP courses and dual-enrollment university partnerships. It is fully accredited KG–12 by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education. The 32-acre campus features 41 classrooms, science labs, a STEM Lab, two fine arts suites, a performing arts stage, a multipurpose court, soccer and beach volleyball facilities, a swimming pool, a cafeteria, and a library. The program is bilingual in English and Spanish and integrates Spanish language and culture across the curriculum; AP Spanish Language & Composition is offered. Extracurriculars include National Honor Society, Model UN, leadership councils, and service learning, with a Community Service requirement for grades 9–12, plus dual-enrollment with Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University.
