Raising kids in Costa Rica.

[thejokergotham]

Hi all,

My wife and I are planning to move to CR in the next 2-3 years to start our family. I’d like to ask some advice from the group: first, what are everyone’s thoughts on raising young children in CR? What towns/cities outside of San Jose would be best for a young family in terms of education and health care?

Thanks!

[xspire1]

Hi Joker:

I would be very careful with your selection of a school in Costa Rica. We moved to Costa Rica for one year with our 15 year old son (Grade 10) and enrolled him in the Country Day School in Guanacaste. The school was not even close to the equivalent of schools in Canada in terms of academics. He had a great experience living in a different country and expanding his Spanish language skills, but in terms of academics the school was less than adequate. As a result we are back in Canada again so he can complete his high school and University education.

Good luck!

Gerry

[jtd2]

Hi thejokergotham,

Please check this link regarding any private schools in Costa Rica.

https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/1072.cfm

I hope this help.

[Jerry]

I can highly recommend the Turrialba area. C.A.T.I.E (an agriculture/botanical studies place, world renown) has a bi-lingual school there that is excellent, and runs about $70 per month for enrollment. Turrialba, also, is out of the mainstream tourist areas, so it is both safer and cheaper to reside here… yet it is within easy bus distance of San Jose should need of city become necessary.

[Andrew]

I am frankly a bit surprised because the feedback I have received from parents about Country Day School is that A: It’s not cheap but B: They get a very good education.

As far as academics are concerned, the British School here in San Jose supposedly ranks amongst the best in the country.

As jtd2 mentioned, You will find the website links to lots of ‘international’ type schools at [ https://www.welovecostarica.com/members/1072.cfm ]

There is nowhere better for health care, medical and surgical professionals and well equipped hospitals than the Central Valley – Nowhere even come close.

And we all KNOW that children have emergencies right?

Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.com

[thejokergotham]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I have looked at the links provided through this website and they were very helpful. It seems like there are plenty of good options for private schools.

Thanks again!

[ibarnon]

I think the post said Country Day School in GUANACASTE, not the CDS in Escazu. What you have to realize is, the school can only be as good as the student population and how involved are the parents with the kids education. The best schools are truly around San Jose and Heredia. I have my kids going to a school in Santa Ana called Saint Jude.

One thing you have to realize too is that school costs around $320 – over $500 per month. Plus there’s a yearly matricula of about $500. Extra costs are bus ($35/month), lunch (another $30) and after school activities (swimming/ballet/soccer/clubs) which is typically $20-$30/month. Anyway, it does add up, but still cheaper than US or Canada for private school.

Good luck, there’s lots of resources that you can check to find a good school for your kid/s.

[leilani]

Hi,
I too am cosidering to move to Costa Rica. And I am very concerned about the education there as well. I am a single mom of two young boys who are 7 and 5 years of age. My friend is moving there next Wednesday and I have been considering ever since. He has told me that cost of living is cheaper,(i live in southern california)and thats what grabs my attention. But my main concern is my children’s education, should I put them in school or home school them. I’m actually half samoan and portuguese and my kids are both but part hispanic as well. We don’t speak neither onf of those languages which frustrates me because I wished my parents took the time and taught me those languages. Now my kids father feel that our kids don’t need to learn spanish. Of course that upset’s as well. My kids deserve to be taught their culture and at least learn their own language. I have done research to find classes for them but it’s very expensive.

But the idea of actaully living the culture life and being around spanish speaking people in my mind is better because they get to experience it. I love the language and would love to learn and live it as well.

Anyways I thought that maybe we can contact one another and to share thought and ideas,give advice. I do plan on going to Costa Rica in March for two weeks to check things out and get a feel of things.

Ok well I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks again

[union]

If it was me I would put them in school AND home school them regardless of where in the world they live. School is an important place to learn interpersonal skills and the culture of the country they will grow up in, as well as make friends, and with the parents is where you really learn while doing the home work. I would also teach them all the things I consider important in life that they don’t teach in school, such as finance, cooking, fixing things, building things, how to think, how to learn, where to find information, how to manage relationships, etc.

[Author]

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