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Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
Founded in 1989 by Miss Anne Aronson, The European School in San José, Costa Rica, serves preschool through high school across 14 levels and about 540 students. It is an IB World School offering the Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12 and is accredited by Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Education and the International Baccalaureate Organization. The curriculum uses integrated teaching that unites literature, history, geography and art under central themes, with typical class sizes around 20. The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., with Wednesdays as half days, and a calendar featuring short vacations every nine to ten weeks. Facilities emphasize the arts and languages, with violin instruction leading to a string orchestra in primary. Meals are provided daily, including a balanced lunch with vegetables, many organic, served family‑style. The campus prioritizes sustainable practices and aims to develop mature, globally engaged graduates who contribute as responsible citizens.
San Pablo del cementerio 125 oeste 100 norte Heredia, San Pablo, 40901, Costa Rica
The Essentials
The European School - San Jose has 540 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.
Location
Located in Heredia, San Pablo, Costa Rica. The European School serves students and teachers from over forty countries. A Waze link is available to find the campus. The bus service is a private service supervised by The European School, and parents must arrange payment with the transportation coordinator.
Stages
14 levels: Preschool; Elementary (Grades 1-3 and 4-6); High School (Grades 7-10); IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11-12).
Type
IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.
Pupil Nationality Mix
Students and teachers from over forty countries are represented.
Country affiliation
Costa Rica
School day structure
The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Wednesdays are half days.
Bus service
The bus service is a private service supervised by The European School; parents must arrange payment with the transportation coordinator.
Fees
Annual tuition at The European School - San Jose ranges from CRC 8,990 to CRC 15,360 for 2026/27.
Registration / Application fees
- 2026/27: Registration fee USD 710.00 per year, per child, payable in May. Non‑refundable. - 2025/26 (for reference): Registration fee USD 680.00 per year, per child, payable in May. Non‑refundable.
Tuition fees by year group (2026/27 academic year)
- Pre‑School: USD 9,800.00 per year (USD 2,450.00 per quarter). - Primary: USD 13,650.00 per year (USD 3,410.00 per quarter). - Secondary: USD 15,600.00 per year (USD 3,900.00 per quarter). - IB (11th and 12th grade): USD 16,750.00 per year (USD 4,180.00 per quarter). For IB students, an individual laptop is required and there is an additional CAS fee of USD 1,470.00 payable before October 1.
Tuition fees by year group (2025/26 academic year)
- Pre‑School: USD 8,990.00 per year (USD 2,250.00 per quarter). - Primary: USD 12,530.00 per year (USD 3,130.00 per quarter). - Secondary: USD 14,320.00 per year (USD 3,580.00 per quarter). - IB (11th and 12th grade): USD 15,360.00 per year (USD 3,840.00 per quarter). For IB students, an individual laptop is required and there is an additional CAS fee of USD 1,340.00 payable before October 1.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition is billed and payable by quarter. Payment schedule: August, November, February and May. All tuition payments must be made by the 15th of each indicated month.
Boarding / Residential provision and related fees
- The school operates with day services (transportation and on‑site meals are provided). No boarding or residential program fees are listed; bus transportation and daily lunch/snack services are available instead. - Bus service is offered across the Central Plateau and is managed as a separate service with its own billing options (monthly, five‑month or annual payment plans, with stated discounts for multi‑period payments). The bus service contract requires payment according to the selected plan and notes that service suspension does not automatically result in a refund or payment reduction. Specific bus fees are billed separately.
Other costs and typical additional fees
- IB programme: laptop requirement for each IB student and the CAS fee (USD 1,470.00 for 2026/27; USD 1,340.00 for 2025/26) due before October 1. - After‑school clubs: selected clubs are charged separately in Costa Rican colones. Example club fees (samples from published club schedule): Art ¢67,000; Yoga ¢55,000; Crafts & Jewelry ¢60,000; Ballet ¢55,000; Crochet ¢65,000; Soccer ¢55,000; many other clubs range approximately ¢45,000–¢67,000 depending on activity and grade. These club fees commonly include lunch or snack and materials as indicated per activity. - Transportation billing options: monthly, five‑month (with a discount), or annual (with a larger discount) payment options are available for the bus service. - No additional charges are applied for textbooks, class materials, snack, lunch (in primary and high school), international examination fees, local class trips, and most outdoor educational trips.
Refund information (applicable items)
- The annual registration fee is explicitly non‑refundable. - For bus service, the transport agreement states that suspension of the transport service will not automatically imply a refund or reduction of payment for the service.
Fee payment options and bank details
- Payments by bank transfer are accepted. Local bank account details are provided for BAC San José and Banco Nacional (account numbers and IBANs are published for payments in Costa Rica). International transfer details include the beneficiary name (Colegio Europeo), an IBAN account number and a SWIFT code for international payments. Sample published details: Beneficiary Name: Colegio Europeo; IBAN (example): CR92010200009027714273; Bank Name: BANCO BAC SAN JOSE; SWIFT: BSNJCRSJ. Local account numbers for BAC San José and Banco Nacional are also published for domestic transfers. - After‑school club fees are listed in Costa Rican colones and are billed separately according to the club schedule. Bus payments may be arranged monthly, five‑month or annually per the transport form.
Academics
The European School - San Jose teaches IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
Integrated teaching unifies and interrelates academic work through central themes. The European School serves Preschool through High School, distributed across 14 levels with an ideal class size of 20. The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. (Wednesdays are half days). It is accredited by Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Education and by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO). The IB Diploma Programme is offered for Grades 11-12.
Student Teacher Ratio
About 20 students per class.
Higher Education Progression
IB Diploma graduates are accepted at hundreds of universities worldwide, often with preferential admission and advanced standing.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Preschool emphasizes a calming atmosphere where emotional sensitivity, responsibility, respect, and aesthetics are developed through play, art and music.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school fosters expression in at least two languages.
Mental Wellbeing
Emotional sensitivity and social development are fostered in the Preschool, supporting emotional wellbeing.
Admissions
Admissions
The school has an online application form. Fees for 2025-2026 include a non-refundable Registration Fee of $680 per year per child paid in May; Yearly payments: Pre-School $8,990 ($2,250 per quarter); Primary $12,530 ($3,130 per quarter); Secondary $14,320 ($3,580 per quarter); IB (11th and 12th grade) $15,360 ($3,840 per quarter); an additional CAS fee of $1,340 is due before October 1. Fees for 2026-2027 are: Registration $710; Pre-School $9,800 ($2,450 per quarter); Primary $13,650 ($3,410 per quarter); Secondary $15,600 ($3,900 per quarter); IB $16,750 ($4,180 per quarter); CAS fee $1,470 due before October 1. No additional fees are required for textbooks, class materials, snacks, lunch (in primary and high school), international examination fees, local class trips, or most outdoor educational trips. Tuition is paid by QUARTER, during August, November, February and May respectively; all payments must be made by the 15th of each indicated month. Location: San José, Costa Rica.
FAQs
What curriculum does The European School - San Jose follow?
Integrated teaching unifies and interrelates academic work through central themes. The European School serves Preschool through High School, distributed across 14 levels with an ideal class size of 20. The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
What age range does The European School - San Jose serve?
The school serves students from age 3 to 18.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual fees range from RMB 9,800 to RMB 16,750. Contact the school for the full fee schedule and any additional charges.
Is the school co-educational?
The school is described as co-educational.
How many students attend The European School - San Jose?
The school has approximately 540 students.
Where is The European School - San Jose located?
Located in Heredia, San Pablo, Costa Rica. The European School serves students and teachers from over forty countries. A Waze link is available to find the campus.
When was The European School - San Jose established?
The school was established in 1989.
Who leads The European School - San Jose?
The school is led by Anne Aronson.
Does the school provide SEN support?
No SEN provision information is publicly available. Parents with children who need additional learning support should enquire directly with the school.
What languages are used for instruction?
The school supports expression in at least two languages.
How do I apply to The European School - San Jose?
The school has an online application form.
What extracurricular activities are available?
The European School places a high value on the fine arts, encouraging students to express their artistic talents through art and music.
What accreditations does The European School - San Jose hold?
Costa Rica's Ministry of Public Education accreditation.
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) accreditation.
Is there a school bus service?
The bus service is a private service supervised by The European School; parents must arrange payment with the transportation coordinator.
