Why join for free?
Already have an account? Log In
Costa Rica, Guanacaste
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
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.
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.
