La Paz Community School - Cabo Velas

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.

PreK–12: Bajura (Preschool), Miravalles (Kinder–2nd), Arenal (3rd–5th), Tenorio (6th–8th), Chirripó (9th–12th); International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme offered.

PreK–12, dual-immersion, non-profit school with two campuses (Cabo Velas and Tempisque).

796 students from 26 countries

Costa Rica

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.

The school has a Behavior and Education Support Team (BEST) that provides socio-emotional and academic support with specialists in Special Education, School Counseling, and Educational Psychology. Counseling offers individualized and group support focused on prevention and personal development, using the Positive Behavioral Support Model to tailor behavioral plans. Neurodiversity is addressed, and Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy are available to support diverse learning needs. Mindfulness is practiced regularly in Community Meetings and integrated into lessons to develop attention, emotional management, and empathy, with BEST reinforcing these skills. The Peace Practices guide daily acts of compassion and balance, and Career and College Counseling supports students in exploring interests and planning for higher education.

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. Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy are offered to support daily functioning and communication. Individualized Support Plans are developed for each student, with differentiated instruction and classroom interventions. The program uses a Positive Behavioral Support Model and restorative justice to guide behavior and learning.

The school teaches in English and Spanish through a Dual Language Immersion program. The Dual Language Immersion goes beyond mastering two languages to an immersion into two cultures, fostering global citizenship. Students enhance language skills through interdisciplinary planning and theme-based content, bridging learning between English and Spanish and exploring similarities and differences. The core curriculum is based on International Baccalaureate and U.S. and Costa Rican standards. La Paz operates on two campuses in Guanacaste, offering bilingual education across both sites.

Mindfulness is taught and practiced regularly, helping students stay present and develop self-awareness, attention, sensory awareness, and emotional management. Mindfulness activities include breathing exercises, mindful listening, body scans, journaling, nature observation, and mindful reading, integrated into Community Meetings and lessons. The BEST program reinforces these skills by supporting emotional regulation and reflection on learning challenges. Counseling and socio-emotional supports, including positive disciplinary approaches and restorative practices, further support student wellbeing. Peace Practices promote compassionate, balanced behavior and respectful communication within the school community.

Safeguarding is addressed through a formal Student Family Handbook with defined behavior expectations, safety procedures, and incident response. The school utilizes the BEST team to support student safety and wellbeing, using a Positive Behavioral Support Model and restorative justice for conflict resolution. Visitors sign in at the main office and receive a Visitor Pass, with access restricted if safety concerns arise. The handbook covers accident response, insurance requirements, and field trip protocols, and outlines procedures for communicating concerns to families and for due process in serious cases. Restorative justice is the principal approach to addressing conflicts, supported by clear behavioral boundaries for students and adults.

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).

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.