Central Valley Schools
The Central Valley of Costa Rica boasts a range of outstanding private schools, each with a unique educational approach. From the family-oriented environment of the American International School to the diverse offerings of Blue Valley School, the region provides a variety of options for academic growth. Schools like the British School and Lincoln School further contribute to this diverse landscape, ensuring that families in the Central Valley can find the perfect educational fit for their children.
The Central Valley is home to some of Costa Rica's top private schools, offering a diverse range of educational approaches. From the American International School's family-oriented environment to the academic excellence of Lincoln School, families here can choose institutions that best match their children's needs and aspirations. With options like the British School and Blue Valley School, the Central Valley truly stands as a hub of exceptional education.
American International School
Pre-K – 12
School of 214 students located in Cariari, Heredia. Classes are taught in English and the school follows the United States calendar and curriculum. English (ESL) and Spanish (SSL) as second languages are both offered for an additional monthly fee. What distinguishes AIS from other international schools is its family-oriented environment, student to teacher ratio of 12:1, and acceptance of all siblings including those with special needs. Two diplomas are offered at AIS, the National Baccalaureate (MEP) and the United States Diploma.
Contact information:
Telephone: 506-2293-2567
Fax: 506-2239-0625
Director: Charles Prince
Email: ais@aiscr.com
Pre-K – 12
School of 670 students located in Escazu. Classes are taught in English, and Spanish is offered at an additional fee with private tutors. What distinguishes Blue Valley from other international schools is that they run on both the Costa Rican and the United States calendar. This school offers the IB (International Baccalaureate) and the MEP (National Baccalaureate) but does not offer the United States Diploma.
Contact Information:
Telephone: 506-2215-2203
Director: Marie Gutiewirez
Fax: 506-2215-2205
Website: webmaster@bluevalley.ed.cr
Email: mail@bluevalley.ed.cr
Blue Valley School
Pre-K – 12
School of 900 students is located in Rhomoser and operates on the Costa Rican calendar. Classes are taught in English; however, ESL and SSL are offered only at the primary level. Eighty-five percent of the student body is native Costa Ricans while the remainder is made up of Latin Americans from other countries. What distinguish the British School are the International Primary Curriculum, the International Certificate of Education, and the (IB) International Baccalaureate.
Contact Information:
Telephone: 506-2220-0131
Director: Prevor Davis
Fax: 506-2232-7833
Website: www.bscr.ed.cr
Email:british@racsa.co.cr
British School of Costa Rica
Introducing our Central Valley Schools
Discover Central Valley's Educational Gems Across San Jose, Heredia, Escazu, Moravia, Santa Ana, Grecia, Atenas, and San Ramon
An International School at the Heart of Costa Rica
Pre-K – 12
School of 860 students located in the hills of Escazu, which operates on the United States calendar with a United States curriculum. Classes are taught in English; ESL (English as a second language) is not offered and children that do not speak fluent English are not accepted. On the other hand, this is one of the most prestigious schools in Costa Rica. CDS offers the National Baccalaureate as well as the United States Diploma. Country Day also has a school in Brasilito near Tamarindo in Guanacaste which is convenient for families living in Nosara.
Contact Information:
Telephone: 506-2289-0919
Director: Dr. Gloria Doll
Fax: 506-2228-2076
Principal: Mr. Harry Grzelewski
Email: Gloria_doll@cds.ed.cr
Country Day School
Falcon International
Pre-K – 12
International school located on the Pacific Coast outside of Jaco and just one hour from the central valley operating on the US calendar has a student count of 100 with a student ratio of 8/1. Technology and environmental awareness are integrated at all levels of the educational process. FIS is the only school in CR that applies Measurement of Academic Performance Testing. This school provides service for children with special needs. In addition to the US Diploma and the CR Diploma offered at this school, every child will be Microsoft Certified upon graduation (MOS).
Contact Information:
Telephone: 506-2637-7400
Director: Dr. Edwin Arrieta
Email: admin@falconicr.com
CIEO: Martha I Felhofer
Website: www.falconicr.com
International Christian School
Pre-K – 12
Located in San Miguel, Santo Domingo de Heredia. This school operates on the United States calendar year and curriculum. With 488 students, ICS is a multi-national school teaching in English. What distinguishes this school from others is that it promotes the active lordship of Jesus Christ in all respects of life with Bible classes being a part of the curriculum. ICS has both ESL and SSL programs, and offers both the National Baccalaureate and the United States Diploma.
Contact Information:
Telephone: 506-2241-1445
Director/Owner: William Tabor
Email: aulavirtual@icsostarica.org
Principals: Mike & David Tabor
European School
Pre-K – 12
School of 490 students in San Pablo de Heredia follows its own calendar from late July to June, breaking every nine to ten weeks for short vacations. Classes are taught in English only and children that do not speak English are not accepted. Both the IB (International Baccalaureate) and the National Baccalaureate are offered at the European School.
Contact Information:
Telephone: 506-2261-0717
Director: Anne Aiomson
Fax: 506-2263-5793
Website: www.europeanschool.com
Email: info@europeanschool.com
Lincoln School
Pre-K – 12
Largest private school in Costa Rica with 1100 children enrolled, located in the mountains of Moravia outside of San Jose. Classes are taught in English following the United States curriculum and calendar. ESL & SSL are offered in addition to the regular schedule. What distinguishes Lincoln from other schools is that it offers all three diplomas, the International Baccalaureate, National Baccalaureate, and the United States Diploma.
Contact Information:
Telephone: 506-2247-6600
Director: Jack Bimrose
Fax: 506-247-6700
Principal: Charles Prince
Email: director@lincoln.ed.cr
Marian Baker
Pre-K – 12
School of 211 students located in San Ramon de Trios, between San Jose and Cartago. This school offers a United States and Costa Rica based curriculum following the United States calendar. Classes are taught in English; however, ESL and SSL are taught for those that are not at the same level as the other children. The school is smaller in size offering more personalized attention for each student. Marian Baker offers both the National Baccalaureate and the United States Diploma.
Contact Information:
Telephone: 506-2273-0024
Director: Linda Niehaus
Fax: 506-2273-4609
Principal: Judy Crook
Pan American School
Pre-K – 11
School of 600 students located in San Antonio de Belen, and operates on a Costa Rica calendar with a Costa Rica Curriculum. Classes are taught in English and in Spanish. This is the only school on the list that doesn't go to the 12th grade. Classes go to the 11th grade finishing with National Baccalaureate. This school is very popular in the Central Valley because of the excellent education that is offered.
Contact Information:
Telephone: 506-2293-7393
Director-Alegria Lores
Fax: 506-2293-7392
Website: www.panam.ed.cr
Email: info@panam.ed.cr
Complete List of Private Schools in the Central Valley
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American International School of Costa Rica which works on the US calendar year. Located in Cariari, San José, Costa Rica.
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Anglo American School. Bilingual = English & French.
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British School. Bilingual = English & Spanish.
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Blue Valley School. Bilingual = English & Spanish.
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Country Day School. Escazu, Costa Rica.
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Colegio Calasanz in San Pedro de Montes de Oca for 47 years.
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Colegio Saint Benedict. Curridabat location.
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European School. Heredia, Costa Rica.
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Franz Liszt Schule & Kiwi Learning Centre Preschool in Santa Ana. Spanish, German & English.
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Golden Valley School. Trilingual = Spanish, English & German. San Francisco de San Isidro de Heredia.
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Humboldt College. Trilingual = Spanish, German & English.
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International Christian School. Bilingual = English & Spanish. San Miguel de Heredia and Liberia locations.
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Iribo School. Bilingual = English & Spanish. For girls only.
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Kamuk School. Bilingual = English & French. Boys and girls. Tibas location.
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La Palabra de Vida. Bilingual = English & Spanish Christian School.
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La Salle. Bilingual = English & Spanish for young women only.
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Lighthouse International School. An interdenominational Christian school in Guachipelin de Escazu.
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Lincoln School. English. San José, Costa Rica.
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Marian Baker School. Bilingual – Spanish & English. San José, Costa Rica.
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MonteAlto School. Heredia, Costa Rica. Bilingual = English & Spanish.
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MonteBello – Taller Pedagogico. Heredia. Bilingual = English & Spanish.
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Monterrey College. San Pedro. Bilingual = English & Spanish.
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Mountview School in Guachipelin, Escazu. Bilingual Pre-School, Elementary and High-School.
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New Hope bilingual school in San Juan de Santa Bárbara de Heredia.
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Pan American School San Antonio de Belen, San Jose. Costa Rica.
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Prodigy Kids Academy is located in Trejos Montealegre, Escazu. Their mission is to become the “school of choice” for discerning parents by providing a social, physical and natural Montessori environment that encourages children to reach their full potential.
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Saint Claire School. Trilingual = English, Spanish and French. Curridabat location.
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Saint Francis College. Bilingual = Spanish & English. Moravia, San Jose. Costa Rica.
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Saint Gregory. Tres Rios, Costa Rica. Trilingual = English, Spanish & French.
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Saint Joseph School. Moravia. Bilingual = Spanish & English.
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Saint Jude School. Santa Ana, Costa Rica.
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Saint Margaret School. Bilingual = English & Spanish. San Antonio de Belen location.
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Saint Mary School. Guachipelin, Escazu. Costa Rica. Bilingual = English & Spanish
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Saint Paul College. Bilingual = English & Spanish. San Antonio de Belen, San Jose. Costa Rica.
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San Diego High School. Located in Alajuela.
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San Lorenzo. Trilingual = Spanish, English & French. San Pedro, San Jose. Costa Rica.
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Santa Monica School. Trilingual = Spanish, English & French. Guadalupe location.
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SEAS International School (Services enriching academic success) is located in Escazu. An International Elementary Program with customized academics for grades K-8.
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SEK Costa Rica. Curridabat, San Jose. Costa Rica. Bilingual = English & Spanish.
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Sistema Educativo Whitman. Curridabat. Bilingual = English & Spanish.
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Yorkin School. Bilingual = English & Spanish. For young men only.
San Ramón
St. Johns Christian School
Private 100% bilingual educational center, with a North American English teaching method and a high-quality program in Spanish, becoming a high-performance educational institution for the student population of the Western area.
Liceo Experimental Bilingue de San Ramón
The San Ramón Bilingual Experimental High School, is a public bilingual secondary school, located on Calle Varela in the district of San Isidro in the canton of San Ramón, province of Alajuela; and belongs to the school circuit 01 of the Regional Directorate of Western Education.
At present, a student population of around 520 students is served, distributed in 4 seventh-year sections, 4 eighth-year sections, four ninth-year sections, four tenth-year sections and four eleventh-year sections.
The Lyceum was born as an educational institution in 2006, and since its inception it has had to face a large number of problems and needs, which have been solved and currently the physical plant that the Lyceum occupies corresponds to 5 pavilions with 20 classrooms. , 1 computer lab and 1 language lab, as well as soda and dining room.
Colegio Patriarca
Objectives Strengthen in the Educational Community the experience of ethical, moral, Christian-Catholic and academic values in the different educational activities of the Institution.
Promote the participation, teaching and practice of the Gospel in students, teachers, technical-teachers, administrators and parents of the School, communicating, reflecting and putting into practice the Word of God.
Contribute to the implementation and follow-up of an integral development of the student in the spiritual, academic, artistic, cultural, sports fields.
Make the educational management of the Colegio Católico Patriarca San José in the pedagogical-curricular-technical and administrative aspects efficient and effective, in the function of a quality educational service and academic excellence.
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Atenas
Education Excellence in Atenas, Grecia and San Ramón
Discover exceptional educational opportunities in Atenas, where Green Valley Athens School and Colegio San Rafael shape proactive learners through a comprehensive bilingual approach. In Grecia, the ABC Educational Center offers a decade of quality education, while the Maria Inmaculada School intertwines Catholic values with academic growth.
Transition to San Ramon, where St. Johns Christian School's bilingual approach meets high-quality North American methods. Meanwhile, Liceo Experimental Bilingue de San Ramon, a public secondary institution, addresses varied student needs. Amid these diverse offerings, Colegio Patriarca in San Ramon stands strong, fostering ethical, moral, and academic values in a nurturing environment.
Green Valley Athens School
Green Valley Athens School is a private educational institution that since 1997 offers Athenian families and surrounding communities, a comprehensive bilingual educational service of the highest level that allows them to train their students to face the challenges of the future and perform actively as proactive and happy human beings within the Society.
The GVAS Student Community is made up of children and young people from one year of age to Eleventh Year.
The Institution has an academic-humanistic approach, is bilingual and promotes a comprehensive education based on excellence, values and development of soft skills and competencies for life.
The entry of your children into an educational system, requires a careful selection so if you are looking for an Educational Center with extensive experience, which guarantees a quality academic training, based on the promotion of educational values and identity, with a suitable infrastructure, highly qualified personnel, immersion in educational innovation, as well as 100% bilingual classes and a healthy and safe environment; GVAS is your Institution.
San Rafael Bilingual School
Colegio San Rafael Atenas, was founded in 1999, with the aim of offering the Athenian people and surroundings a quality education, as well as providing a comprehensive education to our students, both academically and personally.
Our educational offer is based on attending groups of a maximum of 20 students, facilitating a more individualized education.
We offer English by areas (Reading, Integrated English and Composition), in tenth and eleventh years Literature is added.
In addition, they work with the DynEd Platform, which serves as reinforcement in the English language and for international certification.
Of the 19 eleventh grade graduations we have had, our institution has managed to obtain 100% promotion 16 times.
The school is located 1 km from the center of Athens, the facilities are surrounded by nature, and the students work in a pleasant environment.
Colina Azul School
Since we opened our doors in 1994, Atenas Preschool y Escuela Colina Azul has been committed to educating the “whole child.” In the minds and hearts of our teachers and administrators, our students are viewed as Costa Rica’s most valuable natural resource. Our school has all the benefits of a small school, where each child is known. We seek to nourish academic excellence, individual and social responsibility, civic awareness and leadership skills. Atenas Preschool y Escuela Colina Azul focuses on developing environmental awareness so our students have an understanding of and a connection to the world around us. It is our commitment to each student to teach them respect for all living things which in turn promotes peaceful responsibility and resolution for his/her own action.
We are dedicated to giving each child an education that is individualized and academically comprehensive. We strive to inspire our students to become lifelong learners able to thrive, contribute, and excel in a demanding secondary school environment and in today’s global society. This is accomplished through an integrated age-appropriate curriculum that promotes social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth.
Students learn and grow together as they explore a challenging curriculum taught by exceptional teachers in an environment that encourages collaboration and creative thinking. We enhance their academic experience with participation in the arts to learn more about themselves and others in the process. Atenas Preschool y Escuela Colina Azul students emerge prepared intellectually and socially to lead lives marked by honesty, kindness, responsibility and respectfulness.
Atenas
ABC Educational Center
It is a private, fully bilingual institution offering educational programs from kindergarten through high school. The school has been offering quality education to Grecia for over a decade and has become an important part of this small and family-like community. Their objective is to contribute to the integral development of each student, through academic, cultural and social experiences. They offer a wide variety of activities, in which students and their families can participate and learn.
Maria Inmaculada School
The Maria Inmaculada de Grecia School is run by the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate. It has the levels of Kindergarten, High School, I, II, III cycles of Basic General Education and Diversified Education. This Institution is governed by the Political Constitution of the Republic of Costa Rica, the Fundamental Law of Education, the provisions of the Ministry of Education, the principles of the Catholic Church, the Franciscan Philosophy, the Pedagogy of Mother Charity, founder of the Religious Congregation and the Institutional Educational Project.