Country Day School Costa Rica

The school is a diverse, inclusive community that champions empathy, aspiration, and the values of a global perspective. It aims to inspire a passion for learning and provide students with the skills, values, and courage to become responsible leaders. The educational approach encourages students to take appropriate risks, identify their strengths, and take responsibility for their own learning.

The school follows a US-based curriculum, including the US Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, and the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) program, which offers over 25 courses. The academic structure is divided into Early Childhood (Pre-Kinder to Preparatory), Elementary (grades 1–5), Middle School (grades 6–8), and High School (grades 9–12). Specialized offerings include the AP Capstone Diploma, STEAM challenges developed with MIT, and performing arts curricula in collaboration with The Juilliard School.

Graduates consistently achieve high academic results, with 98% admitted to top global universities. Students frequently score above 1450 on the SAT and above 110 on the TOEFL, while 91% of students pass their Advanced Placement (AP) exams with a score of 3 or higher. The school provides a dual-diploma pathway, granting students both a US high school diploma and a Costa Rican Bachillerato.

The school emphasizes a supportive environment where teachers build relationships of trust and care to address individual student needs and wellness. Students have access to academic resources and counselors, and the school maintains a low student-teacher ratio to ensure personalized attention.

Admission is competitive, with applications accepted throughout the year based on availability. The process includes an online application, submission of required documents (such as transcripts and standardized test results), and a family interview with a student assessment. To guarantee a place for the start of the academic year, applications should be submitted by June 1st for the fall semester or November 30th for the winter semester.

The school follows an international calendar, with the academic year running from mid-August to mid-June. Classes are held Monday through Friday, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The school observes various holidays, including an Easter break and Labor Day.

Located on a five-hectare, LEED-certified campus in San Rafael de Alajuela, the school features environmentally friendly buildings powered by a large solar panel system. Facilities include 81 classrooms, seven science labs, robotics and maker spaces, a theater and fine arts center, a library, and athletic facilities including a swimming pool. The campus is designed with open-air hallways, shaded walkways, and integrated green spaces to support student well-being and collaboration.

The school offers a wide range of after-school activities, including sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, track, and tennis, which compete in AASCA tournaments. Other popular offerings include jazz, mini-vets, cooking, robotics, and parkour. Additionally, students participate in 19 different clubs covering interests like civic leadership, environmental advocacy, and technology.