The British School of Costa Rica
International School in San José
Quick answer
The British School of Costa Rica San José serves 910 students from 25 nationalities aged 3 to 18. The school combines British curriculum with the IB Diploma at sixth form, accredited by IBO, NEASC and CIE. Long-established choice for Costa Rican and expat families seeking British/IB-track education in Central America, with strong UK boarding-school feeder pathways and global-university progression. Suits diplomatic, NGO and remote-work expat families on San José assignments seeking British-heritage education.
Key facts
- Curriculum: IB, British leaving qualifications include IGCSE and IB Diploma.
- Avg class size: 18 San José international school · 910 students total.
- 25 nationalities top: The majority (85%) of the students are Costa Rican..
- Ages: Ages 3 to 18 school day starts at 8:00.
- Accreditations: IBO, NEASC, CIE verified.
910
25 (The majority (85%) of the students are Costa Rican.)
18 avg
Rolling
IBO, NEASC, CIE
IGCSE and IB Diploma
About The British School of Costa Rica
The British School of Costa Rica is dedicated to serving the Costa Rican Community and the International Community resident in Costa Rica by offering an excellent, English/Spanish bilingual education.
Learning & language support (SEN / EAL)
This school states some support, but key details aren't published — confirm the gaps below before applying.
Why this matters
Special-needs provision at international schools varies widely and is rarely guaranteed by the school itself — and local legal duties differ by country. Confirm what this school provides, in writing, before you commit.
- In-house specialist staff listed
- EAL/ESL support listed
Not published
- —Educational-psychologist availability not stated
Questions to ask the school
- Is an educational psychologist on staff or available by referral?
- Can you support a child with my child's specific need (e.g. dyslexia, ADHD, autism), and have you done so this year? Ask for concrete examples.
- Is there an additional fee for learning support or EAL — and how much per year?
- Is learning support guaranteed for the full enrolment, or can it be withdrawn later?
IB, British
IGCSE and IB Diploma
IB Diploma, IGCSE
French
unknown
A “Student Development Services" Department exists to help students overcome learning problems particularly in Primary School, but the school does not offer a complete remedial programme for students with serious learning difficulties.
English as a Second Language Spanish as a Second Language
8:00 – Early Years & Primary 1: 14:00 (12.00 Wednesdays) Primary 2 to 5: 14:00 Senior: 15:00
Yes
Imported from a directory listing and not independently verified — confirm fees and details with the school.
Is The British School of Costa Rica right for your family?
A School Fit Brief scores this school against your children's ages, learning needs, and budget — with hidden fee analysis, admissions timing, and a ranked shortlist of alternatives in San José.
Get School Fit Brief — $49One-time purchase · PDF + workspace · Source-backed analysis
At a Glance
School Profile
Class Size
Student Diversity
Moderately diverse
Common: The majority (85%) of the students are Costa Rican.
Decide on this school — and four others
The $49 School Fit Brief covers The British School of Costa Rica and 4 other top schools in San José — tuition + true cost, curriculum fit, admission timeline, and red flags. Builds your shortlist in 8 minutes vs the $1,500–3,500 (and 2–4 weeks) an education consultant charges for the same answer.
Nearby Schools (within 5km)
Disclaimer: School profiles are source-backed decision aids, not endorsements or official rankings. Tuition figures are approximate and may not include registration fees, uniforms, transport, or exam costs. Always verify directly with the school before applying. WhereNext is not affiliated with any school listed. This is not admissions consulting, legal advice, or official school placement guidance.