ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

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From Early Childhood to High School, Country Day School offers an outstanding US-accredited, private school education within our international community. As part of the Nord Anglia family, we’re recognized as a leader in Costa Rica for academic excellence, diversity, and inclusion on our beautiful sustainable campus.

WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

Country Day School is a diverse and inclusive community with a global perspective. We welcome all to immerse themselves in our local heritage in Costa Rica, while we also broaden our international awareness, so your child becomes inspired to change the world for the better.

Tailor-made, world-class experiences are at the heart of everything we do. Following our one-of-a-kind curriculum that includes Advanced Placement (AP) courses, participating in experiences beyond the classroom, and solving real-world problems around us, we help your child find their passions and thrive in their goals.

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HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Founded in 1963, Country Day School is a US-accredited college preparatory, private school serving an international community in Costa Rica. We inspire our students’ passion for learning and provide them with the skills, values, and courage to become responsible leaders across their communities and the world.

We first began as a school of only 18 students in a house in the east of San José and have since developed into a purpose-built campus west of San José, in San Rafael de Alajuela, now teaching 750 students.

In 2018, CDS joined the Nord Anglia Education family of premium international schools across the world, and we’ve strengthened our academic curriculum with world-class collaborations, focused on learning beyond the classroom. These experiences give our students the ideal preparation to apply their skills and knowledge to make a difference.

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OUR LOCAL PRESENCE  

Within our community, we want every individual to belong and feel valued, and we champion the values of empathy, inclusivity, and aspiration through the highest quality learning experiences.

To live these values within our locale in San José, the CDS Educational Development Association (EDA) funds scholarships for local students from 9th grade onward. The EDA also encourages community service and supports professional development for local public-school teachers. As part of our social impact, we welcome talented individuals into our family through these opportunities.
LEARN ABOUT OUR SOCIAL PURPOSE
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MEET OUR COMMUNITY

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Rubi Davidson
9th grade student
“CDS is a community where I feel at liberty to express myself fully and share my thoughts. At school, I’m partaking in a just environment that prioritizes our well-being and learning.”
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Lina Restrepo
Parent
“The best experience we’ve had as ex-pats is having chosen CDS as our children’s school. The international community is warm, open minded, and happy. We made friends who are our family now. My daughter, now a CDS alum, wants to travel and explore the world. However, her dream is to one day return to Costa Rica and enroll her own children at CDS.”
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Carlos Bonilla
8th grade student
“I’ve been at CDS since 3rd grade. I remember my first day very clearly: I was nervous and very shy, but I quickly met many new friends and staff members, and they made me feel like I belonged since day one. Ever since, I’ve felt that CDS is my second home, and I hope to always be a part of it.”
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Alexandra Arango
Parent
“CDS has been my children’s happy place since day one for the past 9 years. They’ve had a wide spectrum of opportunities that have given them a global vision, respect for cultural diversity, and excellent leadership skills. For us, as a family, it’s been the best support for our values and principles. We highly recommend CDS!”
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Sebastian Boesch
12th grade student
“CDS has taught me that excellence is best achieved through collaboration. Collaboration is something that’s abundant at CDS, where people of all ages are helping each other in multiple ways more than academics — something I’ve held close to my heart.”

FIND US IN San José

Admission hours
06:48 AM
Monday–Friday: 7.30am–4.30pm
Current weather
Private School in Costa Rica | Country Day School, Costa Rica - Local Area Map-weather icon 21.7 °C
Partly sunny
OUR ADDRESS
San Rafael de Alajuela,                      Hacienda Espinal,                                        Km 17.5 of the Route 27 (San José – Caldera),                                                  Costa Rica

DISCOVER WHAT MAKES LEARNING AT CDS UNIQUE 

At CDS, your child will enjoy every experience they need to grow and succeed. Visit our vibrant campus, meet our talented teachers, and see our learning spaces firsthand.

Inquire now
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