Liceo de Poás

"Liceo de Poás is a public secondary school located in San Pedro, Costa Rica, offering students an academically rigorous pathway through the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme."

As a publicly funded institution, the school represents an important example of Costa Rica's commitment to making internationally recognized education accessible to students beyond the private school sector. The school was established in 2013 and has since developed a program centered on the IB Diploma Programme, which serves students in the upper years of secondary education. The DP is a globally respected two-year curriculum designed for students roughly between the ages of 16 and 19, leading to qualifications recognized by universities around the world. For families who prioritize internationally transferable credentials — whether they are Costa Rican families with global ambitions for their children or relocating professionals seeking continuity in their child's academic journey — the presence of an IB Diploma Programme at a public institution is a meaningful and relatively rare offering. Instruction takes place within the Costa Rican public school context, and families should anticipate that Spanish is the primary language of the school community, reflecting the national setting. Prospective expat families would be well served to inquire directly with the school about language support resources and the degree to which English or other languages feature in day-to-day instruction and IB coursework. San Pedro is a well-established urban neighborhood with strong ties to academia, situated in the greater San José metropolitan area and home to the University of Costa Rica. This setting gives Liceo de Poás a location within a community that values education and offers students access to the cultural and civic resources of a major Central American capital. What distinguishes Liceo de Poás most notably is its status as a public IB school — a combination that remains uncommon in the region and speaks to a mission of educational equity and high standards. Families evaluating schools in the San José area who are seeking IB credentials without the tuition costs typically associated with private international schools may find Liceo de Poás a particularly compelling option worth exploring. As with any school evaluation, prospective families are encouraged to visit the campus, speak with current families and staff, and review the school's most current program offerings through its official website at liceodepoas. com.