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Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
La Paz Community School is a PreK–12, non-profit, dual-immersion school in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, operating on two campuses: Cabo Velas and Tempisque, plus an Events and Sports Center on the Cabo Velas campus. The school teaches in English and Spanish and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for 11th and 12th grades, with a bilingual PreK–12 education that immerses students in two languages and two cultures. Its experiential learning approach brings hands-on, real-world connections to every subject, from science labs and gardens to anchor projects such as managing a chicken coop, greenhouses, and composting. Facilities include air-conditioned classrooms, libraries, science labs, art and music spaces, a stage, and a semi-Olympic pool and arena for sports and performances. The Extracurricular Program spans sports, arts, recreation and culture, and anchor projects feed opportunities for leadership, service, and community impact across grades. Our teachers collaborate with families to support each student's growth everyday.
400 mts este del proyecto, Mar Vista, Provincia de Guanacaste, Brasilito, 50308, Costa Rica
Gallery
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Vibes and Culture
The school has not added this information
The Essentials
La Paz Community School - Cabo Velas has 370 pupils, instruction in English, Spanish.
Location
La Paz Community School has two campuses in Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Cabo Velas Campus in Brasilito and Tempisque Campus in Palmira, Carrillo. The Cabo Velas Campus is 400 meters east of the entrance to the Mar Vista Project, Brasilito, Cabo Velas, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste 50308. The Tempisque Campus is 300 meters northwest from the Do IT Center Lagar entrance to Papagayo, Comunidad, Palmira, Carrillo, Guanacaste 50502.
- Payment plan options: Yearly (one full payment at the start of the school year), Trimester (three equal installments), or Monthly (12 equal monthly installments). - Trimester due dates by campus: - Cabo Velas: June 30; October 31; February 28. - Tempisque: July 31; November 30; March 31. - Monthly schedules by campus: - Cabo Velas: Monthly payments from June 30 to May 31. - Tempisque: Monthly payments from July 31 to June 30. - Late payment policy: A late fee of 2% per month applies if payments are not received within five business days of the due date. The school follows an escalating reminder and fee process for overdue accounts and reserves the right to suspend educational services for unpaid balances.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable; La Paz Community School operates as a day school with on‑campus programs and no residential/boarding option listed.
Other costs and typical additional fees
- Items explicitly not included in tuition: laptop computers and graphing calculators. Families are responsible for those purchases where required. - Field trips: Field trip transportation is included in tuition except for international excursions; additional trip costs such as entry fees, lodging, food, and other expenses are not included and may be charged per trip. Students may be required to pay separately for certain excursions. - Lunch program: The school operates a hot‑lunch program (La Cocina de La Paz). Families receive a monthly menu and pay for lunches they choose to purchase; bringing lunch from home is an alternative. - Uniforms: School‑issued uniform pieces are required for daily wear; all uniform pieces must be school‑issued and families will be charged for replacement uniforms if the school provides one. PE/Movement uniform is required for older grades. - Miscellaneous charges: Fees may apply for certain field trips, extracurricular activities, lost or damaged items, and other optional services.
Refunds and deposits
- Enrollment payments and key fee payments are non‑refundable: payments of enrollment, non‑resident, new student, and annual/trimester/monthly fees are non‑refundable. The school may retain deposits and fees as specified in the enrollment agreement and handbook. The school may require outstanding balances to be paid even if a student departs.
Fee payment options and banking information
- Accepted payment methods: wire / bank transfer, check deposit, and credit/debit card. The school does not accept cash or in‑office check payments. Electronic invoices and reminders are issued in advance of due dates. - Bank accounts used for transfers include accounts held in Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, and Banco BAC San José under the account name Asociación Escuela Comunal La Paz (bank account details and SWIFT/IBAN information are provided for bank transfers).
Discounts, financial aid and scholarships (fees‑related)
- Early‑bird discount on the enrollment fee: a discount is applied to the enrollment fee for payments made by early deadlines (early enrollment dates differ by campus). A family‑discount policy applies for larger families (for example, a multi‑child discount structure is specified). The school offers financial aid (up to 50% of tuition) and a scholarship program for greater assistance; enrollment and new student fees must be paid in full even when financial aid is granted.
Notes on payment enforcement
- The school employs a sequence of invoice reminders prior to due dates and applies late fees and collection procedures for overdue accounts. Continued non‑payment may result in an obligatory meeting and possible termination of enrollment if agreed payment plans are not met. Outstanding debt remains the responsibility of the family even after departure.
Academics
La Paz Community School - Cabo Velas teaches IB (DP) for students aged 1 to 18.
Curriculum
Bilingual preK-12 education in Guanacaste. Dual Language Immersion goes beyond mastering two languages - it's an immersion into two cultures. Experiential Learning uses hands-on activities to bring lessons to life. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is offered. Two Guanacaste campuses provide accessible, bilingual, experiential learning.
Wellbeing
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Parent Experience
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Facilities
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Extra-Curricular Activities
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Languages
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Reputation
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Admissions
Admissions
Two campuses: Cabo Velas and Tempisque. Requirements to apply include visiting the school, filling out the application form, immunization record, current passport or birth certificate, parent's ID, an essay or drawing, grades from the current year and previous year, teacher recommendation form, a No debt certificate if the student comes from a Costa Rican private school, and documentation confirming the status of the residency application. A tour can be scheduled via the Schedule a Tour link. The school offers two financial assistance programs to ensure education is accessible to all families: Financial Aid, which covers up to 50% of tuition (Enrollment and new student fees must be paid in full), and the Scholarship Program, for families who require more than 50% tuition assistance (Application period January to March; Start of classes in September).
Scholarships
The La Paz Scholarship Program has provided scholarships to more than 100 students, including 34 graduates, from diverse communities in Guanacaste. This donor-funded program supports scholarship families with reduced fees and specialized resources. Scholarships cover 51% to 95% of school fees based on financial need, with each family contributing according to their financial capacity. Holistic support includes educational materials (computers, calculators, school supplies, and reduced or free lunches and uniforms), transportation, on-site scholarship coordinators, parent and family workshops, specialized services, and extracurricular programs. The majority of scholarship students are welcomed to the La Paz community in lower primary years. The selection process is rigorous and includes interviews and home visits, considering factors such as the family's economic need, family support/involvement, and future family goals. Scholarships are renewed annually based on academic achievement, attendance, behavior, financial need, and fulfillment of cooperative hours.
School Events
The school has not added events
FAQs
What curriculum does La Paz Community School follow?
Bilingual preK-12 education in Guanacaste. Dual Language Immersion goes beyond mastering two languages - it's an immersion into two cultures. Experiential Learning uses hands-on activities to bring lessons to life.
What age range does La Paz Community School serve?
The school serves students from age 1 to 18.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual fees range from RMB 510 to RMB 12,171. Contact the school for the full fee schedule and any additional charges.
Is the school co-educational?
The school is described as co-educational, day.
How many students attend La Paz Community School?
The school has approximately 370 students.
Where is La Paz Community School located?
La Paz Community School has two campuses in Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Cabo Velas Campus in Brasilito and Tempisque Campus in Palmira, Carrillo.
When was La Paz Community School established?
The school was established in 2007.
Who leads La Paz Community School?
The school is led by Abel McClennen.
Does the school provide learning support for students with special educational needs?
BEST provides socio-emotional and academic support with specialists in Special Education, School Counseling, and Educational Psychology. Neurodiversity is addressed with targeted strategies for ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning differences.
What languages are used for instruction?
All La Paz students take Language and Literature in both Spanish and English. Group 1 includes English A: Language and Literature and Spanish A: Language and Literature. Group 2 offers English B and Spanish B as language acquisition courses.
How do I apply to La Paz Community School?
Two campuses: Cabo Velas and Tempisque.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Arts are embedded as a core course from preschool to 12th grade.
What accreditations does La Paz Community School hold?
MEP (Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica), International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), Association of Private Education Centers in Costa Rica (ACEP), National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
