"Colegio Santa María de Guadalupe is a private international school located in Costa Rica, offering a bilingual educational experience grounded in the rigorous framework of the International Baccalaureate."
As one of the country's newer academic institutions, having opened its doors in 2024, the school brings a fresh and deliberate approach to international education, combining English and Spanish as co-languages of instruction to prepare students for an increasingly interconnected world. The school's curriculum centers on the IB Diploma Programme, the internationally recognized qualification designed for students in their final years of secondary education. The DP is widely respected by universities across the globe for its emphasis on critical thinking, independent research, and intellectual breadth, requiring students to engage with subjects across multiple disciplines alongside the program's signature components: the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Activity, Service. For families relocating to Costa Rica — whether from within Latin America or from further abroad — the IB Diploma offers an important continuity of academic credential that travels across borders. Bilingual instruction in both English and Spanish is a defining feature of the school's identity. Costa Rica's own linguistic and cultural landscape makes Spanish fluency essential, while English proficiency opens doors to higher education and professional opportunities worldwide. By weaving both languages into daily academic life, Colegio Santa María de Guadalupe positions its students to be genuinely comfortable operating across cultures — a practical and meaningful advantage for the internationally mobile families the school serves. As a school founded in 2024, Colegio Santa María de Guadalupe is at an early and formative stage of its institutional life. For some families, this represents an appealing opportunity to be part of a school community that is actively taking shape, where relationships between families, students, and educators can be particularly close-knit and where there is real scope for the community to grow together. The school's youth also signals intentionality — its founders have had the benefit of building programs and culture from the ground up, drawing on contemporary approaches to international education rather than being bound by older institutional habits. The school is based in Guadalupe, a district within the greater San José metropolitan area, placing it in the heart of Costa Rica's most populated and connected region. Families living in or relocating to the capital area will find the school accessible within the broader urban fabric, while still benefiting from Costa Rica's remarkable natural environment and the quality of life the country is known for among the international community. For expat families and relocating professionals evaluating educational options in Costa Rica, Colegio Santa María de Guadalupe offers a compelling combination: the globally portable IB Diploma Programme, genuine bilingual instruction, and the energy of a school that is purposefully building its community and culture. Families interested in learning more can reach the school directly by phone at +506 2244 0739 or through its website at www. samagu. ed. cr.