Choosing a school before choosing your Costa Rican home

Begin with your child’s next transition

Decide what you want the school to support: a long-term Costa Rican education, a temporary stay, a return to a U.S. district or university entry elsewhere. Ask about language of instruction, recognized qualifications, grade placement and how transcripts transfer.

Request a conversation about the child’s specific needs rather than assuming that an English-language or international label guarantees a fit. Ask how language support, learning accommodations and counseling actually work.

Compare calendars and availability

Confirm the current school calendar, entry dates, application deadlines and availability in the relevant grade. Do not assume every school follows a U.S. August-to-June year. Ask which records and assessments are needed and whether an offer is conditional.

For each school, request a full fee schedule and a written explanation of refund and withdrawal terms. A deposit deadline can arrive before your immigration or housing arrangements are final.

Price the complete school year

Include tuition, application and enrollment charges, books, technology, uniforms, meals, transport and activities. Ask which charges recur and which are paid only once. Confirm the currency and payment schedule.

Country Day School, for example, publishes a 2025–2026 tuition and fee schedule. It is an example of the detail to request, not a current quote for 2026–2027 or a recommendation that the school fits your child.

Test the family’s ordinary day

• Run the school commute during the actual drop-off period.
• Ask how school transport works from the proposed neighborhood.
• Check after-school supervision and activity pickup times.
• Understand communication with parents and emergency contacts.
• Give your child a chance to meet the school before the move.

Keep housing flexible until you know the route and school place are workable. A beautiful rental can become a difficult choice if it adds hours to every school day.