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Hello All-
I’m moving myself and my twin 5 years olds to CR (Puerto Viejo) in Jan 2016. I was wondering about private education vs. public education. Do any of you have any advice on education for small children in Costa Rica? when I was there last I visited a few local schools but I’m not sure if they are the right fit for children just learning the English language. Your thoughts/advice?
FYI, you may want to read the information [url=http://costarica.angloinfo.com/information/family/schooling-education/the-school-system/]posted here[/url] on the age requirements for enrolling in Gr. 1
Public schools may not permit ‘tourists’ to enroll in the school system, nor will their education be accredited for use in their home country should you decide to return.
There was an article last year, where the Minister of Education, said it was [i]’now accepted here, that it actually takes two years of public schooling to complete the requirements for 1st grade’. [/i]
The schools hours tend to be half days, and often send the students home if the teacher calls in sick or doesn’t turn up, with no advance notice. No substitute teachers.
[url=http://insidecostarica.com/2014/06/19/57-public-schools-risk-shutdown-ministry-health/]Rural schools[/url] are more likely to be in the need of repair
School officials [i]may[/i] allow them to attend, once you present their ‘[i]combrobante’ [/i]meaning that Immigration has accepted their [url=http://www.costaricalaw.com/Immigration-and-Residency/residency-general-information-and-summary.html]application for residency.[/url] You must also provide proof of inoculations.
Private school offer better education although they are not cheap.
davskiss
If you can afford it definitely take them to private. Most middle and upper class people here know the truth about public schools here which are mediocre at best
sad to say
If you cannot afford private then home school them.. with a supporting sport to help with discipline
It may have changed – and I certainly hope it has – but I don’t believe that home-schooling is legal in Costa Rica…
Scott
Home schooling is still not ‘acceptable’ or at least ‘encouraged’ but it seems that if the child is a Costa Rican citizen or a Permanent resident, PANI is more than likely, to get involved, as those of us are aware, that this is the case.
Some parents who choose to use the public school system, also use home-schooling too keep it ‘legal’ and the child’s education is then accredited, if and when, they return to complete the education.[quote=”davidd”]davskiss
If you can afford it definitely take them to private. Most middle and upper class people here know the truth about public schools here which are mediocre at best
sad to say
If you cannot afford private then home school them.. with a supporting sport to help with discipline
[/quote]
Thanks so much for the advice.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]FYI, you may want to read the information [url=http://costarica.angloinfo.com/information/family/schooling-education/the-school-system/]posted here[/url] on the age requirements for enrolling in Gr. 1
Public schools may not permit ‘tourists’ to enroll in the school system, nor will their education be accredited for use in their home country should you decide to return.
There was an article last year, where the Minister of Education, said it was [i]’now accepted here, that it actually takes two years of public schooling to complete the requirements for 1st grade’. [/i]
The schools hours tend to be half days, and often send the students home if the teacher calls in sick or doesn’t turn up, with no advance notice. No substitute teachers.
[url=http://insidecostarica.com/2014/06/19/57-public-schools-risk-shutdown-ministry-health/]Rural schools[/url] are more likely to be in the need of repair
School officials [i]may[/i] allow them to attend, once you present their ‘[i]combrobante’ [/i]meaning that Immigration has accepted their [url=http://www.costaricalaw.com/Immigration-and-Residency/residency-general-information-and-summary.html]application for residency.[/url] You must also provide proof of inoculations.
Private school offer better education although they are not cheap.
[/quote]
Thanks so much for this valuable information. I’m thinking private school with a little private tutoring at home.
[quote=”Scott”]It may have changed – and I certainly hope it has – but I don’t believe that home-schooling is legal in Costa Rica…
Scott
[/quote]
Hey Scott-
Here in the US we can home school kids from 5-18; the only requirement is a WiFi connection for virtual learning environment, the ability to order books and take regularly scheduled tests. So, I guess its home schooling and virtual learning. I’m just kicking tires to see what may work best for my little ones.
[quote=”davskiss”]Hello All-
I’m moving myself and my twin 5 years olds to CR (Puerto Viejo) in Jan 2016. I was wondering about private education vs. public education. Do any of you have any advice on education for small children in Costa Rica? when I was there last I visited a few local schools but I’m not sure if they are the right fit for children just learning the English language. Your thoughts/advice?[/quote]
I forgot to mention that I currently live in the US, and myself nor my children are CR citizens.
I don’t mean to appear rude, but have met too many people who have moved here with wrong, preconceived information of the low cost of living here.[i] If your intent is to apply for residency[/i] which is required to [url=http://www.costaricalaw.com/Immigration-and-Residency/residency-general-information-and-summary.html]live here legally[/url], realize that as someone under 55 your mandatory healthcare premiums will be $450+ a month, plus private school fees, rent and general cost of living expenses [u]without[/u] being legally permitted to work for another 5 years or so, can you afford to live here?
Many of us who have lived here for years are struggling with the constantly [url=http://www.qcostarica.com/the-impossible-costa-rica/]rising costs.[/url]If you will be maintaining a connection with the states such as owning a house there and still being considered a resident of that state, you may be able to use Virtual School Online. Most states/counties have a connection with/option of Virtual School Online. We are residents of Florida and my elementary aged granddaughter came to Costa Rica with us for 2 different years. I was her learning coach and her schooling was totally online. Of course, you would need to choose a place in Costa Rica with a good internet connection. We live out in the mountains and our internet connection started out good when 3G was first introduced but then it has deteriorated every year. Luckily she is not still with us because our internet is too poor now to support a day of schooling.
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