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Christian White (Executive Director); Angela Jarman (Academic Director)
School Principal
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, Spanish, Mandarin
Typical class size 18
Strengths STEM, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction
Tree of Life International School (TOLIS) is a private, non-denominational institution in Santa Ana, Costa Rica, serving students aged 3 to 18. The Cambridge curriculum guides IGCSE, AS Levels, and A Levels, with Cambridge English exams in grades 5, 10 and 11 and Mandarin proficiency exams (YCT/HSK). The school runs a trilingual program—Spanish, English and Mandarin—embedded across age-appropriate classes. Learning is project-based and organized in multi-age cohorts to foster collaboration, problem solving and peer mentoring. Technology features across subjects, including programming, robotics and 3D printing, culminated in an annual Maker's Day. Leadership development is central: TOLIS is the first Franklin Covey Leadership School in Latin America, applying the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and offering an annual leadership camp. Other strengths include nutrition in meals, semi-annual project fairs, a high-school trip to China, and a diverse community representing 25+ nationalities. This combination supports curious, globally aware learners every day.
C. Margarita Este, San José, Santa Ana, 1000, Costa Rica
The Essentials
Tree of Life International School has 230 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English, Spanish, Mandarin.
Location
The school is located in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. It serves students from preschool through high school, aged 3 to 18.
Stages
Early Childhood through Senior year (Preschool to 12th grade).
Type
Private school
Country affiliation
Costa Rica
School day structure
Day structure varies by grade level: Pre-Kinder and Kinder run 7:30 am–12:00 pm; Foundations and Elementary 1 run 7:30 am–2:30 pm; Juniors 1–Seniors run 7:40 am–3:20 pm.
Fees
Application fees
- Not published publicly for the 2026/27 academic year (no separate application fee amount is listed on the school's admissions or homepage pages).
Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)
- The school does not publish termly or annual tuition amounts by year group on its public pages for the 2026/27 academic year (no per-term or per-year fee schedule is displayed for preschool, primary or secondary levels).
Billing schedule and payment terms
- No publicly available billing schedule or formal payment-terms text (for example: due dates per term, penalties for late payment, or installment plans) is published on the school's admissions or general information pages.
Boarding fees (if applicable)
- There is no listing of a boarding/internado programme or boarding fees on the school's public pages; a boarding programme is not described and therefore no boarding fees are published.
Other costs and typical additional fees
- No published amounts are given for uniforms, registration/enrolment fees, examination fees, extracurricular activity fees, school transport, meals, or learning material charges on the public site. These categories are not itemised with prices on the available admissions material.
Refund information
- Refund policy details (for withdrawn students, deposit refunds, or cancellations) are not published on the admissions or general information pages. No refundable or non-refundable fee terms are shown publicly.
Fee payment options
- The school's public pages do not list accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card, cashier's check) or the mechanics for electronic payments. No payment-channel details are published on the admissions page.
Summary of availability
- A review of the school's public admissions and homepage information for 2026/27 (and for prior academic years) shows that specific numeric fee figures, term or annual schedules, payment terms, boarding fees (if any), and refund/payment-method details are not publicly posted; the admissions page instead invites direct consultation for requirements and prices by level.
Note about published information
- Because the school does not publish a public fee schedule on its admissions or general information pages, no concrete amounts or term-by-term figures can be provided here for the 2026/27 academic year (nor for 2025/26) from the school's public pages. The school's admissions material directs families to contact admissions for prices by level.
Academics
Tree of Life International School teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
Tree of Life International School serves students aged 3 to 18 in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. The curriculum emphasizes Project-Based Learning (PBL) and uses multi-age classrooms to foster collaboration and problem-solving. The school uses a trilingual program (Spanish-English-Mandarin) with Cambridge English exams in grades 5, 10 and 11 and YCT/HSK Mandarin exams; Cambridge IGCSE preparation is available through Cambridge accreditation. Leadership development is central; the school is recognized by Franklin Covey as the first Leadership School in Latin America, implementing the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Technology is integrated across disciplines, with programming, robotics, 3D printing and an annual Maker's Day. The curriculum is organized by year group: Early Childhood (Pre-K and Kinder), Foundations, Elementary (1-3), Juniors (6-9), Seniors (10-12); school hours are Section A: 7:30–12:00, Section B: 7:30–2:30, Section C: 7:40–3:20. Nutrition is included (snacks in preschool; lunch in elementary and secondary).
Higher Education Progression
Seniors can take 6 AS courses or 3 A Level courses to prepare for university admission.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Emotional Support is provided through a dedicated Student Support Department and a 7 Habits Council. Students are empowered to see themselves as unique and significant, which is the cornerstone of their own success. They learn to identify and express their emotions and know when to take positive action. The Student Support Department and the 7 Habits Council work with teachers, students, and parents to help them discover more about themselves. The school emphasizes leadership development through the 7 Habits framework and uses multi-age classroom structures to foster social-emotional growth and peer collaboration.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school is trilingual, teaching Spanish, English and Mandarin, with immersion across the program. In grades 5, 10, and 11, students take Cambridge English exams to certify their English proficiency, and Mandarin proficiency is certified through YCT/HSK exams.
Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through Emotional Support, with students learning to identify and express their emotions and to take positive action. The Student Support Department and the 7 Habits Council work with teachers, students, and parents to foster self-awareness, resilience, and healthy social interactions.
Admissions
Admissions
Inquiries / Tours: Check the requirements for the admission process, the prices by level, or schedule a school tour here.
FAQs
What curriculum does Tree of Life International School follow?
Tree of Life International School serves students aged 3 to 18 in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. The curriculum emphasizes Project-Based Learning (PBL) and uses multi-age classrooms to foster collaboration and problem-solving.
What age range does Tree of Life International School serve?
The school serves students from age 3 to 18.
Is the school co-educational?
The school is described as co-educational.
How many students attend Tree of Life International School?
The school has approximately 230 students.
Where is Tree of Life International School located?
The school is located in Santa Ana, Costa Rica. It serves students from preschool through high school, aged 3 to 18.
When was Tree of Life International School established?
The school was established in 2008.
Who leads Tree of Life International School?
The school is led by Christian White (Executive Director); Angela Jarman (Academic Director).
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?
Since 2021, Tree of Life International School (TOLIS) has been accredited by Cambridge International Education, preparing students from primary to take the Cambridge IGCSE and developing communication in multiple languages.
How do I apply to Tree of Life International School?
Inquiries / Tours: Check the requirements for the admission process, the prices by level, or schedule a school tour here.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Art and Music are part of the preschool and early elementary curriculum. Hands-on projects encourage creativity and collaboration, with connections to the community and the natural world.
What accreditations does Tree of Life International School hold?
Cambridge International Education (since 2021); Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) International Model School for Chinese Teaching Materials (since 2023); UNESCO Associated Schools Network
