United World College Costa Rica/Colegio del Mundo Unido CR

"United World College Costa Rica, also known as Colegio del Mundo Unido Costa Rica (UWCCR), is an internationally recognized school situated in Santa Ana, a suburb of San José, Costa Rica."

As the eleventh college in the global United World College movement, UWCCR carries a bold and distinctive mission: to make education a force that unites people, nations, and cultures for a more peaceful and sustainable future. This mission is not merely aspirational — it shapes every dimension of life at the school, from the classroom to the residential community. The school's roots predate its current identity. Formerly known as Colegio Internacional SOS Hermann Gmeiner, named in honor of the founder of SOS Children's Villages, the campus reopened as a United World College in August 2006. Two years later, in 2008, it graduated its first cohort of students admitted under the UWC model — a milestone that marked UWCCR's full emergence as a member of one of the world's most respected international education networks. Academically, UWCCR offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the globally recognized two-year pre-university curriculum taken by students typically aged 16 to 19. The IB Diploma is known for its academic rigor, its emphasis on critical thinking, and its internationally portable qualifications, making it an excellent fit for the globally mobile families and students that UWCCR serves. Graduates are well positioned for university admission around the world. One of UWCCR's most distinctive features is its bilingual character. It holds the distinction of being the first United World College in the world to offer instruction in both English and Spanish, reflecting its deep roots in Latin America and its commitment to linguistic and cultural inclusion. For families relocating to Costa Rica — whether from English-speaking countries or the broader Spanish-speaking world — this bilingual environment offers a genuinely rare educational experience, one that prepares students for life in an interconnected, multilingual world. The student community at UWCCR is strikingly international. The school hosts more than 200 students representing over 70 countries, creating a campus culture of extraordinary diversity. Students are selected on the basis of merit through a rigorous admissions process conducted by national UWC committees around the world. Critically, the UWC movement's extensive scholarship program means that students are accepted regardless of their social or economic background — a commitment to equity that sets UWC colleges apart from many international schools. For parents, this means their children will study and live alongside peers from an exceptionally wide range of cultures, perspectives, and life experiences. The campus is located in Santa Ana, a pleasant and accessible suburb on the western edge of the San José metropolitan area, offering a relatively temperate climate and proximity to the amenities of Costa Rica's capital. For expatriate and relocating families considering a school that goes beyond academic credentials to offer genuine global citizenship, UWCCR represents a compelling and purpose-driven choice.