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Costa Rica, San Jose
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Marian Baker School offers three diplomas: the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), the Cognia American High School Diploma, and the Costa Rican National Diploma. The IB DP is a two-year program organized around six subject groups (Language and Literature; Language Acquisition; Individuals and Societies; Sciences; Mathematics; and the Arts) with a core that includes Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS). The Diploma Programme emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, communication and reflection, and students may earn up to 45 points with a minimum of 24 to graduate. In 11th grade, students enroll in the IB Diploma Programme, and the school provides English Language Learner (ELL) and Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) support to access the curriculum. The school is fully accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Public Education (MEP) and Cognia and is authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization.
Special classes include Art, Music, Physical Education, Drama, French, Band, and Computers and Technology. Marian Baker School fosters creative expression through art, music and theatre. Band is offered as part of the curriculum. The programmatic emphasis on the arts aligns with the IB framework in supporting creative exploration across grades.
English is the language of instruction, and students achieve a high degree of literacy in both English and Spanish. French is taught as a third language from K4 to 2nd grade, with continued exposure in later grades. Spanish is taught from First Grade, and Costa Rican Social Studies begins in Fifth Grade. The library supports language learning with resources in English and Spanish, plus French materials, aided by a bilingual staff member.
Elementary students may join the club program offered by Clubes Creativos, with clubs run on a semester basis and an additional fee. Secondary students have the Secondary Student Council (StuCo) for leadership and student governance. Seniors participate in special fundraising activities throughout the year, with funds approved by administration and managed in the school account.
Junior National Honor Society (NJHS) and National Honor Society (NHS) memberships are awarded to students based on scholarship, service, leadership and character, with explicit eligibility criteria for each chapter. Members must meet GPA/eligibility requirements and adhere to conduct standards as part of the selection process. These societies emphasize service and community involvement as core components of membership.
Leadership opportunities are available through the Secondary Student Council (StuCo). The IB Diploma Programme core also fosters leadership and project work through CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service), which requires ongoing student projects in arts, sports, service and community engagement.
Life skills and health topics are addressed through guidance periods and counseling, focusing on study skills, time management, conflict resolution and healthy habits. Physical Education is provided from early childhood through high school, with uniforms and gym facilities used for PE and after-school activities. Marian Baker School is nut-free, offers nutritionally balanced menus, and promotes wellness; half-day Wednesdays occur on the first Wednesday of each month at 12:15 pm.
Marian Baker School (MBS) is a private international school in Costa Rican Central Valley serving students aged 2 to 18. The campus overlooks San José and offers English-dominant instruction with Spanish taught across all grades and French introduced early. The school provides the IB Diploma Programme alongside the Cognia High School Diploma and the Costa Rican high school diploma, enabling graduates to pursue colleges worldwide, including the United States and Costa Rica. In addition to the bespoke curriculum and American-style options, MBS emphasizes bilingual literacy and prepares students for diverse paths. Facilities include a gym, a library, a cafeteria, and modern classrooms for middle and high school, with dedicated spaces and campus spaces for efficient movement. Extracurriculars feature Model United Nations, National Honor Society, Student Government, and AASCA sports; arts electives include drama, band, and cinematography. The school is nut-free and promotes wellness through nutrition and physical education for all.
