ADMISSIONS AT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL COSTA RICA

CDS_Costa Rica_2019_428CDS_Costa Rica_2019_428
WELCOME TO OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY 
Joining CDS means being included in our supportive learning community that wants to see your child thrive. 

WELCOMING YOU

You want the best for your child — and so do we! We welcome everyone into our warm environment, and teachers and staff show in every gesture that they care deeply about your child’s well-being and happiness.

At CDS, we’re thrilled that 99% of our parents strongly agree that their children have a good relationship with their teachers. This leads to excellent engagement in and beyond the classroom on top of outstanding academic results.

Admissions | Country Day School, Costa Rica - 02 - Secondary Introduction

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

From Pre-Kinder to 12th grade, we provide truly transformational learning experiences that boost your child’s creativity and resilience. While admission to Country Day School is competitive, we encourage all applicants who are ready to innovate in our learning environment.

From our home in San José, our standards are comparable to selective US independent or college preparatory schools and prepare your child for admission to the best colleges or universities in the world. We choose students who show their curiosity and motivation to learn and will contribute to the strength and diversity of our community.

Learn more about our application requirements, documents, admission and placement tests, and interview.

FIND OUT MORE
CDS_Costa Rica_Dec_2022_admissions

WE’RE HERE TO HELP

We’re thrilled your family is interested in joining us at CDS, and we look forward to working with you throughout the admission process.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Don’t forget:
  • Your online application form and application fee
  • All required recommendation forms
  • Report cards or transcripts
  • Standardized test results
  • Other documents based on your child’s grade 
Apply Now
CDS_Costa Rica_Nov 2022_EC_Teacher_2

Tuition fees

Our tuition fees have been calculated to reflect the excellent value of our premium education.

Our outstanding learning experiences, virtual and in-person learning opportunities to travel the globe, and personalized approach to education give your child the ideal environment to unlock their fullest potential.
FIND OUT MORE
CDS_Costa Rica_Dec_2022_MS lunch

OUR STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

For your child to join us, we have a few thoughtful steps on what to do next.
Inquire
Inquire through our online form, send us an email, or give us a call.
Inquire Now
Admissions | Country Day School, Costa Rica - Visual Time Line-dot arch Admissions | Country Day School, Costa Rica - Visual Time Line-dot arch
Step 1
CDS_Costa Rica_Dec_2022_Facilities_1
Visit Our Campus
You’re welcome to visit our beautiful campus in person or online through a virtual discovery meeting. You’ll imagine your child learning in all spaces of our warm campus, and we’ll introduce you to our outstanding teachers and students.
Step 2
Apply
Submit your online application form and supporting documents.
Apply now
Step 3
Admissions | Country Day School, Costa Rica - Key Term Dates-dot circle

KEY ADMISSIONS DATES: 2022–23 SCHOOL YEAR  

We accept applications throughout the year depending on availability in our school. However, to guarantee a place for your child at the start of a new school year, please note the application deadlines.

Students can ideally join our school community at the beginning of the school year in August or at the second semester in January.
2023–24 Fall Semester Application Deadline  
Thursday, Jun 01 2023
2023–24 Winter Semester Application Deadline 
Friday, Dec 01 2023
Image_CDS_CostaRica_2021_0014
icon quote
We look forward to welcoming your family into the CDS community, where our teachers take time to discover your child’s passions and build upon their strengths to ensure their success as a global citizen.
Cassandra Rodríguez-Lamas
Director of Admissions, Marketing, and Communications

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • 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 of 18 students in a house located in the east of San José, to a new purpose-built campus west of San José, in San Rafael de Alajuela, now serving about 750 students. 

    Our school is comprised of four divisions — Early Childhood, Elementary School, Middle School, and 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 of any school, which has helped us attain LEED certification.

  • When are the admissions dates and deadlines?

    We accept applications throughout the year depending on space and 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:

    • 2023–24 Fall Semester Application Deadline: June 1, 2023

    • 2023–24 Winter Semester Application Deadline: December 1, 2023

  • 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 non-refundable application fee when you send your application.

  • What is the school's calendar? 
    Country Day School follows an international school calendar. The academic year starts in mid-August and ends in mid-June.
  • What are your school's hours? 

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

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

  • 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. We also offer transportation for our after-school activities program from 4:40 pm.
  • Do you offer a lunch program? 

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

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

  • Is Country Day School accredited? 
    Yes, 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–12th Grade: Between 18 and 22students per class.

More faqs

WANT TO LEARN MORE? 

Join us for a campus tour or virtual meeting to take the first step in your child’s exciting academic experience. We look forward to meeting you to discuss what makes Country Day School special, what we can offer your family, and how our admission process works.

Inquire Now
Admissions | Country Day School, Costa Rica - 10 - Promo With Collage