Compare International Schools in Guanacaste, Costa rica

Two campuses in Costa Rica: Tamarindo (152, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo 50309) and Jacó (Calle Ancha, Plaza Boulevard Local

33, Garabito, Jacó 61101). Tamarindo is the flagship campus on the Gold Coast in Guanacaste; Jacó is in the Central Pacific region.

International bilingual day school

Students from 35 countries; 27 languages spoken.

Student Support Services provides social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, ADHD support, academic modifications, reading support, and ESL; approximately 20% of students require specialized support; the team includes a neuropsychologist, a psychiatrist, a school psychologist, an ESL and reading coordinator, and a social-emotional coordinator.

Franchise-based governance and ownership. Journey School of Costa Rica operates as a franchise program with multiple campuses (Tamarindo and Jacó). The franchise program provides accreditation support and leadership guidance through the process, including pre-approved architectural plans and ongoing mentorship. Accreditations across the network include IB, MEP, DGE, MSA, and Cognia.

Dual-language, PreK–12 curriculum. Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Reggio Emilia-inspired practices form the core, with the '100 Languages of Children' guiding expression through multiple modalities. Social-Emotional Learning is integrated through Conscious Discipline and restorative justice to support well-being and community. The Tamarindo campus is accredited by International Baccalaureate (IB), the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), Dirección de Educación Privada, and the Middle States Association (MSA); other campuses are pursuing similar accreditations.

253 students and 30 teachers/advisors at the Tamarindo campus; student-teacher ratio approximately 8.4:1.

Alumni have attended Berklee School of Music, Cornell University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas at Austin, University of Washington, Pepperdine University, University of Illinois Chicago, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. Edward's University, University of Minnesota, University of North Carolina, McGill University, McMaster University, University of Prince Edward Island, University of Toronto, University of Vancouver, Catholic University of Milan, University of Amsterdam, King's College, and Edinburgh School of Art.

The school integrates social-emotional learning (SEL) into every aspect of the curriculum to prioritize emotional well-being and resilience. The Conscious Discipline trauma-informed framework is used to integrate SEL, discipline, and self-regulation, and Restorative Justice supports conflict resolution and empathetic communication.

Approximately 20% of students require more specialized support, and follow individualized plans with accommodations and modifications. The Student Support Services team provides expertise in social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, ADHD, academic modifications, reading support, and ESL. The team includes a neuropsychologist, a psychiatrist, a school psychologist, an ESL and reading coordinator, and a social-emotional coordinator.

ESL services are provided through Student Support Services, with an ESL and reading coordinator on staff.

Mental well-being is supported through the integration of SEL into the curriculum and the Conscious Discipline framework for self-regulation; a dedicated social-emotional coordinator supports students alongside other mental-health professionals on the Student Support Services team.

Annual Scholarship Application Review Process: Scholarships are reviewed once a year and weighed by needs, and dependent upon availability. To assist eligibility, the scholarship information form asks for: 1) Requested Scholarship Amount; 2) Expected Earned Income; 3) Property & Assets; 4) Business Interests. The Apply link leads to a Google form. Journey School of Costa Rica Tamarindo is accredited by the International Baccalaureate (IBO Code: 062813), the Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP), Dirección de Educación Privada, and the Middle States Association (MSA).