Costa Rica has many excellent private and public school options, especially here in the Playa del Coco/Hermosa area. Costa Rica has always put education first. The entire budget that was dedicated to the military was redirected towards education after the military’s dissolution in 1949. Costa Rica is considered a country free of illiteracy by UNESCO standards.
Here in Guanacaste, we have a multitude of great schools for parents to choose from. There are a variety of teaching styles and methods to accommodate every kind of student. We have many international schools with great bilingual programs. There are also many schools that offer International Baccalaureate Accreditation which is very highly regarded all over the world. With all the choices below this makes Guanacaste, especially the Playa del Coco/Playa Hermosa area, the perfect spot to relocate to and raise your children in a peaceful beautiful environment.
Private Schools
Dolphins Academy – Dolphins Academy is a bilingual school located in the center of Playas del Coco. Dolphins Academy teaches its students using the Montessori method which is a method of education that is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. Dolphins Academy welcomes preschoolers, elementary students, and high school students.
Sea Wonders Academy – Sea Wonders Academy, located in Sardinal, was founded by a Costa Rican couple who believed in personalized bilingual education. Sea Wonders is a family-style educational community with academic programs tailored to different learning styles and needs. Sea Wonders Academy offers education from preschool through 6th grade.
Lakeside International School – Lakeside International School is located 15 minutes from Playa del Coco, on the way to the Liberia Airport. Lakeside is on a 200 acre aquaculture farm containing five different school buildings with a total of 28 classrooms. Lakeside International School offers quality programs using both English and Spanish as the primary language of instruction. Lakeside offers education from preschool through high school.
La Paz Tempisque – La Paz Tempisque is located in the town of Comunidad, only 20 minutes from Playa del Coco. La Paz offers an educational model that uses experiential and hands-on curricular and extra-curricular initiatives. La Paz Community School’s core curriculum is based on US standards and benchmarks. La Paz offers education all the way from early childhood to 12th grade. (International Baccalaureate Accreditation)
Teocali Academy – Teocali Academy is located in Liberia on a 6-hectare property. There are four independent buildings that house administration, pre-school, elementary, middle and high school. Teocali offers an English program that assures every student the ability to master the language with equal fluency as Spanish. (International Baccalaureate Accreditation)
Colegio Santa Ana – Colegio Santa Ana is an educational community located in Liberia. This school has been working since 1957 to provide an education based on values. Governed by the Ministry of Public Education, they teach levels from kindergarten to 11th grade. Santa Ana School does not offer a bilingual program, it is a Spanish speaking school only. (International Baccalaureate Accreditation)
Colegio Bilingüe Ciudad Blanca – Colegio Bilingüe Ciudad Blanca is located in Liberia. CBCB’s mission is to provide students with Christian values and academic foundations that allow them to achieve their spiritual growth and intellectual development in a high-quality curriculum at the Costa Rica and International level. CBCB offers education from preschool through high school.
Public Schools
Every child between the ages of 4 and 17 will be accepted at public preschool, public elementary, or public high school. Regardless if they are Costa Rican or not. In Costa Rica, every child has the right to receive an education without cost to ensure equal opportunities for all. These public schools are a great way to immerse your child into Costa Rica culture, make many friends, and learn Spanish.
Escuela El Coco – 2670-0491, Playa del Coco. Kindergarten – 6th Grade
Colegio Playa del Coco – Playas del Coco. High School
Escuela Playa Hermosa – 8566-1512, Playa Hermosa. Kindergarten – 6th Grade
Escuela Bernardo Gutierrez – 2697-0116, Sardinal. Kindergarten – 6th Grade
Colegio Técnico Profesional Sardinal – 2697-0197, Sardinal. Technical High School
Escuela Artola – 2697-0238, Artola. Kindergarten – 6th Grade
No matter where you end up sending your child, they will receive a fulfilling education and plenty of new experiences. Most importantly they will definitely learn Spanish! Costa Rica takes a lot of pride in their educational system and truly believes that proper education will only make the country better.
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