Admissions FAQs

When was Country Day School founded? 

Country Day School was founded in 1963 serving and educating the international and Costa Rican community for 55 years. It has grown from a very small school with 18 students, in a house located in the East of San Jose, to a new purpose-built campus west of San Jose, in San Rafael de Alajuela, serving 750 students. 

Our school is comprised of four divisions—Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School, High School—with separate flexible learning spaces for each. Our campus has beautiful grounds and environmentally-friendly buildings, with one of the largest solar panel systems at any school, helping us attain LEED certification. 

Dates and Deadlines

We accept applications throughout the year depending on space availability in the School. However, to guarantee a place for your child at the start of a new school year the following application deadlines apply:

• 2019-2020 Winter Semester Application Deadline: Dec 6th 2019
• 2020-2021 Fall Semester Application deadline: June 12th 2020

How long will I have to wait before I know if my child has been offered a place at Country Day School?

After completing the admissions process, we will communicate with you about a week after the family interview and student assessment. 

There is a $50  application Fee (non-refundable) when you send your application

Timings

What is the school's calendar?

Country Day School follows an international school calendar, with the academic year starting mid-August and ending in mid-June.

What are your school's hours?

Mondays through Fridays classes begin at 8:00 am. and end at 3:00 pm. On Wednesdays, our school has an early dismissal at 2:00 pm. 

At Country Day School we offer an amazing after school program for EC and ES students which runs from Mondays through Thursdays from 3:15 pm. through 4:30 pm., and an Athletics program which runs from 3:00 pm. through 4:30 pm. from Mondays through Fridays.

School Services

Does the school offer transportation services?

Country Day School offers bus transportation to students in buses equipped with seatbelts and a bus monitor. Students enjoy door-to-door service to and from school, in most cases.  We also offer transportation for our after-school activities program at 4:40 pm.

Do you offer a lunch program?

At CDS we have a full-service cafeteria that offers a comprehensive nutrition program to all of our students. It includes snacks, hot lunches, a salad bar, fresh fruit, and fruit juices, aimed at developing healthy habits that will last a lifetime! 

Students can bring lunch from home or can buy the meals offered in the cafeteria.

Learning at CDS

Is Country Day School accredited? 

Country Day School is accredited by the Middle School Association of Schools and Colleges and authorized by the Ministerio de Educación de Costa Rica (MEP).   

What are your class sizes?

Our class sizes are:

• Early Childhood: Between 16 and 18 students per class with a teacher and a teacher's assistant.
• 1st Grade - 5th Grade:  Between 16 and 20 students per class 
• 6th Grade -12th Grade: Between 18 and 22 students per class