By Lynn Farris
Costa Rican people love children and they are welcomed almost anywhere in the country. Actually having children often is a great way to meet people and make friends as attending birthday parties and other children's activities often brings parents together. Your children's response to living abroad will often mimic your own. If you see this as a great adventure and an opportunity to learn new things, most likely so will your child. The health care in Costa Rica is good. The water is safe to drink throughout the country. The major concern that most parents have is what to do about their child's education.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderate
Things You'll Need:
- Map
Internet access
School catalogs or brochures
Website addresses of potential schools
Phone numbers of potential schools
List of Spanish classes locally
- Map
- Internet access
- School catalogs or brochures
- Website addresses of potential schools
- Phone numbers of potential schools
- List of Spanish classes locally
Step 1
Determine if you are or will become a legal foreign resident. If so, your child is entitled to attend a public school. Instruction in the public school will be in Spanish. If your child doesn't know Spanish, this will be difficult. Elementary school children who know only English put in a public school often learn the language rapidly and do well. With older children, another option may be required.
Step 2
Determine where to live. If you are coming for work, this decision may be already made for you. By far you will have the largest variety of educational choices available in the Central Valley.
Step 3
Consider your options. If you have chosen to live in the Central Valley and you are a legal foreign resident, you may choose between public, private and parochial schools for your child. Costa Rica has some excellent private schools that offer classes in English or in English and Spanish. Country Day School, a prestigious non-sectarian school has a branch outside the Central Valley in Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste. It also has a boarding school.
Step 4
Consider online or homeschooling options, particularly if you live outside the Central Valley. K12 has options that offer free public online schools, which are available in many states--check the website provided in the reference section to determine if your home state is one of the ones participating. It also offers an International Program with a charge. All of their programs are accredited and there is teacher support.
Step 5
Visit and apply to desired schools. Some of the private schools are competitive and may have a waiting list. Talk with the directors realistically about your child's chances of being accepted. If necessary, apply to multiple schools.
About the Author:
Lynn Farris has been conducting management studies, writing technical articles and contributing to local newspapers since 1984. Having traveled throughout the world, Farris now lives in Costa Rica, teaches English and writes a column for the "National Examiner" on Costa Rica. Farris holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in speech communications and psychology from Case Western Reserve University.
