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Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Preschool, Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction
SEK Los Valles International School in Costa Rica serves students aged 2 to 18. The school offers all three International Baccalaureate programmes—PYP, MYP and DP—alongside a bespoke curriculum. Preschool follows the PYP with inquiry-based learning and English as the everyday language. Primary Education uses the PYP framework with integrated English and French and arts subjects, supported by the iPad project, robotics, and a MAC lab to develop digital literacy. Secondary Education follows the MYP with science, art and languages, and the upper grades offer the Diploma Programme (and the Unified Baccalaureate). The IB experience fosters inquiry, critical thinking, autonomy and an international mindset. Facilities include English from age 3, French as a third language, augmented/virtual reality elements, an iMac lab, and a 360º virtual tour. A Real Madrid Foundation partnership expands the sports program, including swimming. SEK Los Valles joined SEK in 2005 and remains part of a long international network.
Gral. Eloy Alfaro y De los Rosales S8-48 y, 170904 Quito, Ecuador
The Essentials
SEK Los Valles International School has instruction in English, Spanish.
Location
San Juan de Cumbayá, Quito, Ecuador
Stages
Preschool (two levels: ages 2 to 4 for initial awareness and age 5 for consolidation, with English as the everyday language), Primary Education (IB Primary Years Programme, English and French), Secondary Education (IB Middle Years Programme; upper grades offer IB Diploma and Unified Baccalaureate). The school offers International Baccalaureate programs at all stages.
Type
International School
Additional learning support
Psychopedagogical and guidance services to support student learning
Country affiliation
Costa Rica (SEK International Institution, S.A. is of Costa Rican nationality)
Religious affiliation
Secular
Bus service
Door-to-door school transportation serving the Quito metropolitan area, including Cumbayá Valley, Tumbaco, Puembo, Pifo, Tababela, and Chillos Valley; ERAZGOM S.A. is the transport provider
Fees
Application fees - No public, fixed application or registration fee amount is published for SEK Los Valles. The school's admissions materials state the standard admissions process (tour, tests, interview and documentation) but do not list a numeric application fee to be paid at application.
Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year) - The school does not publish a public fee schedule with numeric tuition amounts by year group or per term for the 2026/27 academic year (and no numeric fees for 2025/26 were found in the school's public admissions or information documents). Tuition and other honorarios are set annually by the school's governing body and communicated to families according to the school's regulations; numeric amounts are not presented in publicly available documents.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition and other school honorarios are charged for the academic year and are considered earned (devengados) in periods defined by the school (monthly or bimonthly). Payments are required in advance for the billed period. The school reserves the right to set and, when justified, modify fees during the school year. Families must pay the registration/matrícula and period fees within the deadlines the school specifies; failure to pay on time may affect renewal of the contract for the following course.
Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. The school operates as a day school (no boarding facilities).
Other costs and optional services - Dining (comedor / half-board): The contract normally includes a half‑board service (media pensión) as part of the educational contract except when other arrangements are expressly contracted; the school operates an on-site dining service and publishes menus for families, but no public prices for the dining service are listed. Additional diet-specific menus are handled by the medical department when required. - Transport: School transport is offered as an optional paid service (locomotion is provided only if expressly contracted). Specific route fees or per-student transport charges are not published publicly. - Uniform: A required official uniform and specific uniform rules are detailed (types for sports, daily wear and special items are specified), but public pricing for uniform pieces is not published. Families are informed that only official uniform items are permitted. - Extracurricular activities, special programs and international exchange activities exist and may carry additional fees; no consolidated public price list for these activities was found.
Refunds and cancellations - No public, itemized refund policy with specific refund amounts or precise refund timeframes for tuition, registration or other fees was found in the school's publicly available rulebooks and manuals. The school's regulations indicate that the contract covers one academic year and set rules for enrollment, payment and renewal; specific refund terms (amounts, prorating, deadlines or non-refundable fees) were not published in the searched documents.
Fee payment options - Public documents reviewed do not list specific accepted payment methods (example: bank transfer, credit card, or cash) or bank account details. The school's administrative office and admissions contacts are the channels families use for payment arrangements; the school's administration and cashier hours are published in the information manual.
Summary of findings (what is available to parents) - The school's admissions pages, the student information manual and the internal regulations explain the admissions process, the contractual nature of enrollment, required services (media pensión included by default), optional transport service, uniform rules and the billing cadence (monthly or bimonthly, paid in advance). They do not publish numeric tuition amounts, application or registration fee amounts, uniform prices, dining prices, or a detailed public refund schedule for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years. For the matters stated above (billing cadence; inclusion of half‑board in the contract; day‑school status; existence of transport, dining and uniform obligations) the relevant school regulations and manuals were consulted.
Academics
SEK Los Valles International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.
Curriculum
SEK Los Valles offers all three IB programs: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP). Preschool uses the PYP with inquiry-based learning and English as the everyday language. Primary Education uses the PYP, integrating English, French, and artistic subjects, with technology and innovation through the iPad project, robotics, and the MAC lab. Secondary Education follows the MYP with science, art, sports (including swimming), and language arts; in the upper grades, the Diploma Programme is offered. The IB programs foster inquiry, critical thinking, autonomy, and an international mindset.
Higher Education Progression
Access to the world's best universities through IB programs PEP, PAI and Diploma.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Emotional education is provided at all levels. The school has a Psychopedagogical and Guidance Office that organizes, directs, and stimulates student guidance as part of the educational program, advising families as needed. This office operates with a preventive philosophy and works in constant collaboration with parents to anticipate and address student needs.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Native Spanish; English taught at C1 level; French taught at B2 level. Cambridge and DELF certifications are offered.
Mental Wellbeing
A Medical Department is available throughout the school day to provide primary care and first aid. The Psychopedagogical and Guidance Office supports student wellbeing through preventive guidance as part of the educational program.
Admissions
Admissions
The school offers a clear and simple admissions process. The admissions team guides applicants through every step to make registration quick and easy. Guided tours are available to learn about the facilities and how SEK Los Valles operates. There are limited places, and securing a place for the next course is encouraged. Grades offered include Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Baccalaureate, and International Baccalaureate. Applicants indicate how they learned about SEK, with options such as Search Engines, Website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Acquaintances at school, or Other.
Scholarships
SEK Los Valles awards full or partial scholarships for each academic year to students who meet the requirements and follow the established procedure, representing 5% of the total value of tuition and fees. Scholarship types include special scholarships for students (merits in sports, outstanding performance); scholarships for children of staff; scholarships guaranteeing schooling; third-sibling scholarships; and scholarships for children of Heroes of Cenepa. A scholarships committee (chaired by the Vice President of the SEK Institution) studies the documentation and forwards a resolution to the Director General, who awards the scholarship; the administration and rectorate monitor beneficiaries and report at the end of each academic year. Scholarships are awarded for one academic year and renewal follows the same process. They are personal and non-transferable and do not exempt the student or family from complying with school regulations; misbehavior or other issues can lead to cancellation. The scholarship may be canceled for non-payment of remaining amounts or delinquency beyond ten calendar days.
FAQs
What curriculum does SEK Los Valles International School follow?
SEK Los Valles offers all three IB programs: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP). Preschool uses the PYP with inquiry-based learning and English as the everyday language.
What age range does SEK Los Valles International School serve?
The school serves students from age 2 to 18.
Does the school offer boarding?
Yes, SEK Los Valles International School offers boarding. It is described as co-educational, co-educational (boarding).
Where is SEK Los Valles International School located?
San Juan de Cumbayá, Quito, Ecuador
When was SEK Los Valles International School established?
The school was established in 2005.
Who leads SEK Los Valles International School?
The school is led by Manuel Carrasco Romero.
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?
English and French are the languages taught. Preschool uses English as the everyday language. Primary Education integrates English and French into the curriculum.
How do I apply to SEK Los Valles International School?
The school offers a clear and simple admissions process. The admissions team guides applicants through every step to make registration quick and easy. Guided tours are available to learn about the facilities and how SEK Los Valles operates.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Dance School (Salsa and Bachata) and Ballet are offered for different ages. The School Band teaches wind, percussion, and strings and performs at school events. Arts and Culture Center and Debate foster motivation, creativity, and values.
Is there a school bus service?
Door-to-door school transportation serving the Quito metropolitan area, including Cumbayá Valley, Tumbaco, Puembo, Pifo, Tababela, and Chillos Valley; ERAZGOM S.A.
