If you’re considering moving to Nosara with kids, then you’re probably also digging deep into your options for private schools in Nosara, Costa Rica: What academic programs are on offer? What kind of extracurricular options can you expect? Will these schools prepare your children for life after school – and potentially for university back “home”?
There’s always a lot to consider when moving with children, and schooling will always be near the top of the list for many families. Luckily, you’ll find that the private schools in Nosara, Costa Rica offer great educational diversity – everything from homeschooling and alternative education to more formal programs and even the prestigious International Baccalaureate (I.B.) degree.
Tip: Looking at other areas of Costa Rica’s North Pacific? Check our out posts on private schools in Tamarindo and private schools in Playas del Coco.
As you dive into your research, here are some key considerations to bear in mind:
- Location: All of our listed Nosara, Costa Rica schools are conveniently located to Nosara downtown (we’ve listed each specific location, for reference). However, it’s worth considering proximity to home, as this will affect your children’s and your own daily commute; some, but not all schools offer bus transportation.
- Grades/Levels: Only two schools on our offer education up to high school level, and both include grade 12. (Costa Rican high school typically concludes after 11th grade.)
- School Year: This choice has the potential to significantly impact your lifestyle. Most private schools adhere to either the Costa Rican calendar (February-December) or the U.S. calendar (September-June), although a few alternative options in Nosara offer flexible calendars. Choose the schedule that aligns best with your preferences and plans.
- Accreditation: Whether you anticipate returning “home” before your children graduate or foresee them attending college abroad, international accreditation streamlines the process. Similarly, if your children intend to pursue higher education abroad, a U.S. or other internationally recognized degree facilitates admission. However, if you plan to settle in for the long haul, consider a school accredited locally by the Ministry of Education (MEP) to prepare your children for Costa Rican higher education.
- International Baccalaureate (IB): The International Baccalaureate (IB) program offers a prestigious, globally recognized diploma that enhances university prospects worldwide.
- Tuition: Private education entails a financial investment. Fortunately, some international schools in Costa Rica offer reasonable tuition fees, although only a couple on our list share their tuition costs publicly.
And with that in mind, here is our list of current private schools in Nosara, Costa Rica, in alphabetical order:
Casa de las Estrellas
Location: Playa Garza
Grades/Levels: Preschool to 6th
School Year: September-July (U.S. Calendar)
International Baccalaureate (IB): No
Tuition: Contact
“Receive the children in reverence, educate them with love, let them go forth in freedom.” ~ Rudolf Steiner
Casa de las Estrellas follows a Waldorf-inspired educational approach, with mixed-age classrooms that foster a familial atmosphere, an environment designed to stimulate the imagination, and a strong emphasis on connection with the natural world and creative play.
Demonstrating that Nosara, Costa Rica schools are often about more than schooling, Casa de las Estrellas focuses on whole-person education, encompassing practical activities such as cooking, sewing, knitting, gardening, woodworking, and other hands-on play and crafts, inviting students to become authors of their own creations. As students age into later grades, traditional subjects like Spanish, Math, and History join the arts, agriculture, and fundamental skills for social interaction, expression, growth, and reasoning.
Significant portions of student learning occur outdoors, creating an intimate connection with nature. Observing wildlife, experiencing seasonal changes, and understanding tidal patterns form integral parts of our curriculum. The school emphasizes the rhythm of seasons, the celestial movements, and ancestral wisdom through annual celebrations and storytelling.
Del Mar Academy
Location: Playa Pelada
Grades/Levels: Preschool to 12th
School Year: September-July (U.S. Calendar)
Accreditation: Costa Rica (MEP) + IB World School
International Baccalaureate (IB): Yes
Tuition: $12,000-$16,500/year plus fees
On of the top private schools in Nosara, Costa Rica, if not the entire North Pacific coast, Del Mar Academy is a nonsectarian, independent, co-educational day school that embraces a culturally and economically diverse student body, welcoming children from 18 months through 12th grade.
Del Mar Academy runs the full educational gamut – from the Montessori philosophy in the younger years to the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in the two final years of high school, with an academic bridge in the middle years to connect these two philosophically compatible programs and ground learning in a constructivist approach to teaching and learning. Throughout, the curriculum is guided by a cohesive student-centered, Constructivist approach, featuring an innovative bilingual program in English and Spanish.
What’s more, the school’s robust environmental education program capitalizes on the abundant natural resources both on campus and in the surrounding areas. It all comes down to Del Mar’s comprehensive and integrated approach to building a comprehensive educational and life foundation for students, preparing them not only for successive grades but also for higher education and life beyond academia.
Elimar High School
Location: Nosara
Grades/Levels: Preschool to 6th
School Year: February-November (Costa Rican)
Accreditation: MEP
International Baccalaureate (IB): No
Tuition: Contact
Rooted in the Montessori methodology, Elimar High School currently serves students aged preschool to primary school (no high school, despite its name) and focuses on a balanced bilingual education of about 50% English and 50% Spanish.
In addition to core subjects – English, Spanish, math, social studies/history, and science – Elimar High School emphasizes complementary areas that allow students to enjoy learning and develop as creative, critical, and participative individuals. Their goal is to prepare students for their eventual entrance into the workforce, with knowledge of new technologies, while respecting values and promoting their integral, ethical, and aesthetic development in harmony with Costa Rica’s local culture.
The school works to adapt to the evolving educational landscape and places a strong emphasis on teamwork among administrative staff, teachers, students, parents, guardians, and the community at large. The goal is a comprehensive education that improves students’ quality of life and helps them become respectful citizens in harmony with their natural and socio-cultural environment.
HomeSchoolBeach Nosara (HSBN)
Location: Playa Guiones
Grades/Levels: Ages 8 to 13
School Year: Flexible
International Baccalaureate (IB): No
Tuition: Contact
A flexible and immersive program ideal for everyone from short-term visitors to permanent homeschoolers, HSBN offers a unique educational journey that caters to families with children aged 8 to 13 – whether you’re in Nosara here for a month, semester, year, or forever.
Students are immersed into a half-day, bilingual curriculum that blends experiential learning with an eco-friendly approach designed to encourage a child’s natural curiosity and interests. To foster this, HSBN offers hands-on activities, teacher-led projects, and enriching field trips, paired with small group collaboration and independent exploration.
The goal here is for children to develop their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills across various subjects, including Sciences, Math, English, Spanish, Social Science, and Business, while simultaneously inspiring love for oneself, others, and nature. The HSBN program strongly prioritizes a child’s holistic development – not just learning, but the confidence, skills, and knowledge to thrive as lifelong learners and leaders.
Nosara Middle School
Location: Playa Pelada
Grades/Levels: Grades 7-9
School Year: September-June (U.S. Calendar)
Accreditation: Oak Meadow (optional)
International Baccalaureate (IB): No
Tuition: Contact
Nosara Middle School was founded to create a space for preteens to experience a high-quality, project-based, U.S.-accredited education in small groups.
The school is designed to create a secure ambiance for students to flourish, in an environment where group learning serves as the cornerstone of their educational adventure. Their program uses the Oak Meadow curriculum and accreditation while focusing on a Spanish-language education, entrepreneurship, and values rooted in self-care, personal accountability, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness.
In addition to community projects, the school builds interest with extracurriculars and regular field trips, most of which focus on the beauty of their home’s surroundings – from milking cows at a local farm to paddleboarding while birdwatching. They also welcome guest speakers, including a marine biologist, a linguist, and an MBA.
Playhouse Nosara
Location: Nosara
Grades/Levels: 1st to 9th
School Year: Flexible
Accreditation: Oak Meadow (optional)
International Baccalaureate (IB): No
Tuition: Contact
A Waldorf-inspired, homeschool alternative, Miss Carrie’s Playhouse strives to cultivate a joyful, secure, engaging, and supportive atmosphere where students can flourish academically, creatively, spiritually, and emotionally.
While schools in Nosara, Costa Rica often present alternative educational options, The Playhouse aspires to be a second home, surrounded by a beautiful environment conducive to learning. Recognizing the significance of the formative and middle-school years, the school is committed to providing steadfast support and guidance throughout your child’s unique journey, while infusing theater, art, and music throughout, with students even creating movies as part of their assignments. Their goal is to craft a truly enchanting life and learning experience for all students.
Almost all learning is outdoors, in a spacious wooden rancho complete with its own stage. For middle schoolers, the Playhouse Nosara now offers the Oak Meadow curriculum – a Waldorf-inspired, 36-week program known for its richness and depth. Parents will have the option to enroll their child for accreditation (at an additional cost) or choose the non-accredited track.
Thrive School
Location: San Juanillo
Grades/Levels: Preschool to 12th
School Year: October-August (modified U.S.)
Accreditation: Oak Meadow
International Baccalaureate (IB): No
Tuition: Contact
A popular balance between homeschooling and private schools in Nosara, Costa Rica, Thrive School is a forward-thinking educational institution designed to provide children with the opportunity to explore their true selves, passions, and aspirations. The school’s mission is to guide students toward discovering the answers already within themselves, empowering them to live in harmony with their deepest desires and passions.
They employ a flexible learning approach that is driven by the child’s interests, complemented by the renowned Oak Meadow curriculum, ensuring that students acquire the necessary qualifications for any future endeavors. By integrating elements from the Oak Meadow curriculum and drawing inspiration from Montessori and Waldorf Steiner philosophies, Thrive School provides a comprehensive framework for students to thrive.
Thrive School blends digital and physical resources, allowing for flexibility and convenience, particularly for families on the move. While our educational approach emphasizes experiential learning, they recognize the importance of incorporating screen time to foster engagement with the wider world outside of Costa Rica.
Questions about Schools in Nosara, Costa Rica?
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