General Education in Costa Rica
Like many others countries, Costa Rica provides free general education to it’s citizens. However, the structure and content of the educational system are unique.
Table 1 shows the different levels, duration, and curriculum of the typical educational structure in Costa Rica.
Levels | Preschool | Cycle 1: Elementary Education | Cycle 2: Elementary Education | Cycle 3: General Education Completed | Advanced Level |
Duration | 1 Year | 3 Years | 3 Years | 3 Years | 2-3 Years |
Curriculum | Mathematics, language (Spanish and English), science, social studies, religion and physical education | Health, fine arts, media, sciences and letters, business, industry, and agriculture |
The basic educational system consists of a preschool level of at least one year; a general basic education level of nine years. These nine years are divided into three cycles of three years duration each–the first two cycles represent elementary education. The third cycle completes a student’s general education. Basics such as mathematics, language (Spanish and English), science, social studies, religion and physical education are covered in elementary school. Students are required to pass tests to move to the next level.
Following the ninth year of school, students move to a more advanced level of two or three years duration, offering options such as health, fine arts, media, sciences and letters, business, industry, and agriculture; Finishing at 11th grade. High School students must pass the Bachillerato Tests to receive a high school diploma and to gain admission to universities.
There are private schools in Costa Rica. Students attending the private schools have much the same curriculum as public school students but also have the chance to take SAT exams and can also receive the IB diploma through special studies in their Junior and Senior years.(source)