Country Day School

CDS Costa Rica follows US educational frameworks, including the AP Program for high school. Students post strong results, with TOEFL scores above 110 out of 120, SAT scores above 1450 out of 1600, and AP averages above 3 out of 5. A remarkable 91% of CDS students score at least 3 on AP exams, higher than the global average. The school is dually accredited and graduates receive a dual US high school diploma and a Costa Rican degree, with 98% of CDS students admitted to top global colleges.

The school collaborates with Juilliard, UNICEF, and MIT to provide learning experiences beyond traditional classrooms. These partnerships connect students with world‑class experts and offer exposure to arts and STEAM through Juilliard and MIT. High school students participate in MIT challenges, including the Roller Coaster Challenge, where they present their findings.

The Spanish Language Program boosts linguistic proficiency with Spanish for Native Speakers and Spanish as a Second Language. Spanish for Native Speakers follows the Costa Rican Ministry of Education curriculum, with literacy, grammar, writing, and spelling developed from first through later grades. SSL is divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. A placement exam determines the appropriate level before joining.

CDS Costa Rica hosts annual events including Family Day, the Fun Run, Music Under the Stars, Halloween, Thanksgiving Lunch, and UN Day. The school is part of the Nord Anglia family, with a diverse community of over 45 nationalities that fosters belonging and friendships. Students can connect with peers worldwide on Global Campus and participate in Nord Anglia activities such as Global Games in Florida and trips to Tanzania and Switzerland.

CDS has LEED-certified facilities and sustainability runs through the community. Through UNICEF collaboration, students analyze the United Nations SDGs and apply them in local outreach opportunities as well as international Nord Anglia opportunities. Zero Waste threads through student initiatives, including beach and river cleanups, recycling projects, and support for Habitat for Humanity and Sister Schools. The Centre for Regenerative Design and Collaboration (CRDC)also collaborates on projects using non-recyclable plastics to create new materials.

CDS defines its approach through six educational pillars that guide students to become leaders. The Nord Anglia University provides ongoing professional development for teachers to maintain high teaching standards. Collaborations with MIT and other partners offer design-thinking and leadership-building challenges in STEAM. Global Campus connects CDS students with peers worldwide to collaborate on challenges and learn from each other.

CDS prioritizes happiness and wellbeing; 96% of CDS parents say their child is happy at CDS and 99% report a great relationship with their teachers. The school provides an open, bright environment surrounded by nature and a LEED-certified campus that supports sustainable learning. Teaching with technology follows a ‘learn first, tech second' approach, encouraging students to use digital tools to enhance research, communication, and creativity.