The decision to migrate and move your family away from all that is familiar can be difficult.

If you have young children, where you choose to live is greatly influenced by how you can provide them with the best opportunities in life. Building strong educational foundations for your children’s future is important and finding the right school in an unfamiliar environment is often a parent’s main concern.

For many parents choosing rural and remote parts of Costa Rica can limit choices when it comes to the educating their children. In the Dominical, Uvita area the opening of a new bilingual school has been welcomed by many residents who see it as an excellent addition to an already flourishing area of the country.

The Escuela Verde Costa Ballena opened in February 2010. With a comprehensive curriculum, the mission of the school is to prepare children to be resourceful and independent while inspiring them to give back to their multi-cultural community and the natural environment.

The schools’ facilities include a well stocked library helps educate the children to become active participants in protecting the local environment and promoting sustainable living. The south pacific area of Costa Rica has complex ecosystem and the school incorporates ecological education into its curriculum.

Although the school is new, experienced staff ensures the school has a solid foundation. The school offers pre-school classes for children from two to four years of age and primary school education for children up to 12 years of age.

Children are required to wear the Escuela Verde Costa Ballena uniform.

The Escuela Verde Costa Ballena is a bilingual school with teaching in both Spanish and English. The majority of classes are taught in Spanish though fluency is not a pre-requisite for enrollment. The school’s curriculum adheres to Costa Rican standards.

The curriculum includes Reading and Language arts which are taught separately in Spanish and English. Mathematics will be taught with real life examples to encourage children to think analytically, critically and logically.

Social studies will cover Costa Rican history and sociology as well as an appreciation for Latin American Studies. Science, health and garden will have a direct focus on the environment encouraging students to take an investigative approach when learning about their natural surroundings.

Arts and Crafts, Music, Physical Education and technology are also key elements of the school’s curriculum.

The school encourages hands on experience, respect for the environment and the empowerment of their students. Recognizing the importance of an education that is more individual and tailor made, student’s individuality is encouraged.

Parental participation is encouraged as it is as an excellent way to motivate children to be positive about their education both at school and at home.

Encouraging a community spirit in out of school activities and after school care are for all children who live in the area. Additionally student transportation is also available.

A morning snack and lunch will need to be prepared for children. The school has a no junk food policy and recognizes the importance of healthy eating. Parents are kindly asked not pack sugary sweet foods or fizzy drinks for their childrens’ snacks and, are also requested not to include any products containing nuts as other children could be allergic.

The school has a recycling policy in place and parents are advised to be conscientious about packing items which can be recycled. The school sees this as an important way to help educate children to become environmentally aware.

For more information regarding enrollment fees and guidelines please contact Naomi or Cheryl at 506 8879-8386 or 506 2743-8214 or email escuelaverdecostaballena@gmail.com

Escuela Verde is also happy to offer visits to the school for parents and children interested in enrolling.

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.