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Costa Rica, San Jose
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The German School San José was founded in 1912 in Costa Rica, initially offering only kindergarten and primary education. Although the school had to suspend operations twice in its early days due to the world wars, the German community in Costa Rica worked to reestablish an institution open to students of all nationalities. Since its reopening in 1956 under the name "Colegio Humboldt-Schule," the school has operated continuously. In the early 1970s, after using several rented buildings that did not meet adequate conditions, construction of the current facilities in Pavas, San José was undertaken with support from parents, the German School Association's board, the German-Costa Rican Cultural Association, and cooperation with the government of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1975, the Nueva Secundaria program was launched, expanding access to Costa Rican students; the school became a three-language center (German–Spanish–English) and Abitur was introduced in 1986 as a permanent feature.
The Humboldt-Club was created to enable the entire Humboldt family to use the school's facilities and to strengthen contact among students, alumni, families, and staff. It operates Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., offering sports and cultural activities or a place to relax. The motto is "Humboldt macht Spaß!" and the Club fosters ongoing engagement beyond regular classes.
The Humboldt School is led by the Deutsch-Costa-Rican Cultural Association, whose work aims to organize cultural activities for members, offer educational programs, promote German language learning, prepare students for Costa Rican or international universities, and strengthen relations between Germany and Costa Rica. Seven members elected by the General Assembly form the board, and representation includes both parents and other association members. Current board members are Chair Inge Puschendorf, Vice-Chair Werner Bansbach, Treasurer Peter Ossenbach, Secretary Roberto Bonilla, and board members Enzio von Saalfeld, Liesel Liebhaber, and Karin Puschendorf; the Auditor is Michiel van Rossum. The board prepares and adopts the annual budget, ensures funds for maintenance, approves the school's structure and curricula, and may recommend new branches to the General Assembly. It also approves regulations, instructions and curricula, hires or dismisses the director, teachers and staff, decides admissions for new members, sets membership dues and tuition, and can grant reductions when justified.
The Humboldt-Schule is a private, bilingual, bicultural school in Costa Rica offering Kindergarten through Abitur and the Costa Rican Bachillerato for ages 3 to 18. It operates as a three-language center - German, Spanish and English - with German as the main language in Grundschule (grades 1–6). From grade 5 English is a core subject and students can pursue Deutsche Sprachdiplom I in grades 8–9 and Diploma II in grades 10–11. The curriculum prepares students for both the Costa Rican Bachillerato and the German Abitur, and includes a Germany trip with a student exchange in grade 10. Facilities blend modern science laboratories, spaces for the arts and auditoria with green grounds and strong sports amenities - football pitch, gym and a half-Olympic pool. The Humboldt Club connects families to campus life, and the school's history includes its 1912 founding and Abitur introduction in 1986.
