Saint Mary School

"Saint Mary School is a private international school located in San José, Costa Rica, offering families a rigorous, globally recognized academic experience in the heart of Central America."

The school is built around the philosophy that students deserve an education that prepares them not only for university admission but for thoughtful, engaged participation in an interconnected world — a vision well aligned with the International Baccalaureate framework that sits at the core of its academic program. Founded in 2014, Saint Mary School is a relatively young institution, bringing a contemporary approach to international education in San José. Its establishment reflects the growing demand among Costa Rica's expatriate and internationally minded local families for high-quality, internationally accredited schooling that travels well — meaning that academic credentials earned here are recognized and respected by universities and institutions around the globe. The school's curriculum is anchored in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, the IB's flagship offering for students in the final years of secondary school. The IB Diploma Programme is widely regarded as one of the most demanding and well-respected pre-university qualifications in the world, emphasizing critical thinking, independent research, and breadth of study across subject areas. Students pursuing the full diploma engage with subjects across six discipline groups alongside the programme's distinctive core components — Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity, Service — all of which encourage students to think across boundaries and develop a genuine sense of intellectual and personal responsibility. San José, as Costa Rica's capital and largest city, places Saint Mary School in a dynamic urban environment with access to the cultural, professional, and social resources that come with a major metropolitan setting. For relocating families — whether arriving from North America, Europe, or elsewhere — San José offers a well-established expatriate community, relatively straightforward access to international travel, and a country broadly known for its political stability, biodiversity, and quality of life. Families considering the school are encouraged to explore the campus and connect directly with the school community to get a fuller sense of daily life and facilities. What distinguishes Saint Mary School is its combination of an internationally portable credential and a Costa Rican setting that offers something genuinely different from the larger, longer-established international school hubs. For expat families on assignment in Costa Rica, or for local families seeking an academically ambitious pathway to international universities, the school presents a focused and purposeful option. Its relatively recent founding means it has been built with modern educational thinking in mind, and families who value smaller, more intimate school communities may find that appealing as well. Prospective families are encouraged to visit the school's website at www. saintmary. ed. cr or contact the admissions team directly by phone to arrange a visit, ask questions about current enrollment, and learn more about how Saint Mary School might be the right fit for their children.