Pan-American School: Details and Information

Pan-American School

CitySan Jose

Curriculums, American, and Costa Rican

Languages of instructionEnglish and Spanish

Age RangeAges 2 to 18

Yearly fees: Not public

Website:

Visit website

Enquiry:

Contact the school

Social Media:

Welcome message from Pan-American School

Alan Wrafter
General Director

Pan-American School is the first IB Continuum School offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Costa Rica.

Our inclusive, non-selective educational programme provides a balanced, bilingual English-Spanish education, aimed at developing well-rounded, responsible global citizens.

Our broad and rigorous curriculum focuses on skill development, an extensive social and emotional support system, diverse arts, design, and physical education programs, and a unique focus on service and global sustainability.

I invite you to come and visit our beautiful campus, to come and learn more about what makes Pan-American School unique.

Quick summary of key school information

Language of instruction		English and Spanish
Native English and Spanish teachers
Extra languages (other than English and Spanish)
Class sizes	Average	18 students / class
Class sizes	Maximum	24 students / class
Extracurricular activities
School bus

See all the details about this school

The school's life in pictures

Learn more

All the details about this school in their own words

We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 42 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.

Nationalities

Number of students	547
Number of nationalities represented in the school	43
Most common nationality	Costa Rican
Ratio of local students to international students	28%

Languages

Native English and Spanish speaking teachers	We have native speakers and also non- native speakers
Language support for students not fluent in English and Spanish	Yes we have different options: Tutoring, Counselling and Learning Support (Pull out)
Additional language classes offered by the school	English and Spanish

Classroom

Max. number of students per class	24
Average number of students per class	18
Does the school employ teaching assistants?	Yes
Use of technology in the classroom	Virtual classrooms, 3D gadgets for certain classes like Sports Science, Smart Blackboards, EBSCO for research, younger children use apps for reading-writing, we have developed our own app for students and parents with multiple functions, etc.
Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures)	Yes, the school had a virtual classroom platform ready before the COVID-19 quarantines.
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion?	Non-religious education
How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion?	We respect all religions and beliefs, we promote values.

Academics

External examinations or assessments available	International Baccalaureate U.S. High School Diploma Bachillerato en Educación Media Diploma from the Costa Rican Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP)
Results in these examinations	Excellent results. In 2021 our IB Diploma Program's highest score was 44/45 points.
Do teachers assign homework to their students?	Yes
Approximate hours of homework given	The students have weekly homework with different deadlines, the objective is to teach the students to manage their time.
Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation	100%

Student support

Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs	Yes.
Learning support offered	Co-Curricular Programs, Counseling and Psychological Services, Services for Students with Learning Differences, Language Acquisition Program, College and Career Counseling, Tutoring and Special Needs Services, Shadows teachers.
The school supports gifted, able and talented students	In Primary we have the following enrichment opportunities: Acceleration--advanced grade placement (usually in Math or English). Enrichment--weekly meetings with learning support to engage in additional advanced projects. RAZ-Kids and Newsela--advanced reading opportunities. Co-curricular--a variety of academic and non-academic learning opportunities (dance, sports, art, hobbies, academic clubs, robotics, etc.) In Middle School we have: Enrichment: Student-led projects according to their area of interest and ability. Acceleration: Advance grade placement subject or grade level (very special cases). High School we have the following options: Acceleration in individual courses such as Math and English for grades 9 and 10 Enrichment via online programs for areas such as Math, science, Psychology, History for grades 9 and 10 Higher Level courses in the Diploma program both school-taught and online via Pamoja Also in the diploma program, students might choose to take additional science or math classes to enrich their academic profile. There are other possibilities which depend on the student’s background and interests that we can customize based on their academic profile.
Student access to education psychologist	Yes, we have psychologists and pedagogues.

Admissions

Entry evaluation for students	Yes
Brief description of entry evaluation required	For PreKinder, Kinder and Preparatory: Development assessment is required. First Grade until the Eleventh Grade: Admissions evaluations in English, Math, and Spanish are required for admission. Math is evaluated in English.
Waiting list	No
Deadline for registration (new academic year)	We enroll students all year-round.
Students can join after academic year begins	Yes

School day

School start time	7:15 a.m.
School finish time	ECE: 1:30 p.m. Primary: 2:20p.m. Secondary: 2:25p.m.
Supervised care before/after school	Yes
School bus service available	Yes
School provided lunches	Yes, we have a cafeteria, the students can buy lunch there. Currently, students and parents can order in advance through their app.
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc)	Yes
Uniform required	Yes

Extracurricular activities

Extracurricular activities or clubs offered	We have several co-curricular activities from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30p.m.
Sports activities included	Yoga, Pilates, Zumba, Table tennis (Ping Pong), Cross country, Cross training (Crossfit), Cardio tennis, Functional training, Spinning, Volleyball, Basketball, Frisbee, Soccer.
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students	Yes, we have different teams. We participate in international competitions like AASCA Basketball Tournament, AASCA Soccer Tournament, AASCA Volleyball Tournament, AASCA Cross Country & Track and Field, we also participate in national tournaments.

Facilities

Facilities at the school	Health Services, Library and Research Center, Science Laboratories, Audio Recording Studio, Sports Facilities, Maker and Design Space.
Sports facilities at the school	Soccer fields, multipurpose gymnasium (basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer), spinning bikes, running machines, table tennis, weight and functional training.

About the school

Qualities and characteristics best defining the school

* Fully bilingual (English-Spanish)
* First IB Continuum School in Costa Rica.
* Multicultural and international (42 nationalities represented).
* Mid-sized community, family environment.
* Careful attention to each child and their specific needs.
* Beautiful, modern, and safe campus, with lots of gardens and recreational spaces.
*Big gymnasium, multipurpose courts, excellent natural soccer field.
* Students have an opportunity to earn 3 diplomas: IB, US High School, and Costa Rican Baccalaureate.
* Strong ESL and SSL language support programs; strong special needs program.

Teaching approach of the school

Pan-American School has a balanced approached to teaching and learning. Educators embrace the IB philosophy of inquiry-based, student-centered learning while fostering specific skills in self-management, communication, social and emotional development, research, critical thinking, and innovation. Service to our local and global community is an integral part of our curriculum and instruction.

Learn more

Why choose PAS?

Early Childhood and Primary Years | Ages 2-11

Our Early Childhood program begins at age 18 months with PlayKids and culminates with Preparatory for students 5-6 years old.

Our Primary Years Programme begins with PlayKids and continues through the 5th grade.

Classes are taught transdisciplinary, integrating subjects through concepts and central ideas rather than content. Students develop skills in visual arts, technology integration, music, design, mathematics, Spanish and english language, social and emotional learning, and physical health and well-being.

Our PYP program ensures that learning is engaging, relevant, challenging, and significant. This is accomplished using a transdisciplinary approach between, across, and beyond subjects. The curriculum is organized into six transdisciplinary themes established by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

Middle Years and Diploma Programme | Ages 11-18

The Middle School includes grades 6 through 10. Classes are taught through conceptual understanding, skill development, and interdisciplinary connections across subjects. Courses include Language and Literature in both English and Spanish, Language acquisition in both English and Spanish, Design, Music, Visual Arts, Physical and Health Education, Individuals and Societies, Integrated Sciences, and Integrated Mathematics.

After completing the Middle Years Programme (MYP) students enter Grade 11, where they can pursue any combination of three possible graduation tracks: the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP); the U.S. High School Diploma (HS); and the Bachillerato en Educación Media Diploma from the Costa Rican Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP).

Our Campus

PAS is located in San Antonio de Belén, Heredia, Costa Rica, and consists of over 35,000 m2 with 5 classroom buildings designed for learning in harmony with nature. Surrounding population centers include Santa Ana, Escazú, Belén, Ciudad Colón, Heredia, and Alajuela. It is on route 147 and close to main national roads (Rtes. 1 and 27), housing areas, shopping centers, and the airport.

Our campus provides ample areas for study and play, and is framed by a variety of trees and flowering shrubs. In addition to academic facilities such as 3 science laboratories, a Learning Hub and Research Center, a MakerSpace, a recording studio, and specialized music and art classrooms, we have playgrounds, several sports fields for soccer, basketball, volleyball, an athletic track, and two multi-purpose gymnasiums: one with 600m2 and the other with 1,250m2.

Sports & Fitness

Participation in sports and fitness is a pillar of Pan-American School’s program and we offer all students from ECE to Grade 12 the option to participate in a range of sports and fitness activities in the morning or afternoon.

Our sports program includes participation in national and international tournaments in soccer, basketball, volleyball, and cross-country. This includes local and international events, organized through our membership in the Association of American Schools of Central America (AASCA) and the Asociación de Centros Educativos Privadas (ACEP). Competitive sports teams in Secondary School practice early in the morning, before the beginning of the school day.

Learn more

Get in contact with the Admissions team

Sabrina Meléndez

Admissions Advisor

Contact the school

+506 2298-5700

Thank you for considering Pan American School as a possible school for your child.

Whether you live in Costa Rica or will be relocating here from another country, we recognize the importance of having clear, timely information to help you make the best - and most important decision - regarding your child’s education.

From your first contact with this school, our Admissions team is on hand to answer all your questions and guide you through the enrollment and transition process at PAS.

Please feel free to talk to us at any time. We’re looking forward to answering all of your questions and welcoming your family to our school.

Contact Admissions

Do you know Pan-American School?

How would you rate it?

Send an enquiry directly to Pan-American School

Your name

Your e-mail

Your phone number

In what city and country are your children currently attending school?

Please provide the name and date of birth of every children about which you are enquiring:

1st Child

Name:

Date of birth:

2nd Child

Name:

Date of birth:

Add another child

This school is available for ages 2 to 18. It seems that your enquire may be related to students outside of this age range.

Are you sure that you want to send an enquire to Pan-American School, which is available only for ages 2 to 18?

Your message or question for Pan-American School

I have read and agree with the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy.

Pan-American School
IB, American, and Costa Rican curriculums

Bilingual

Ages 2 to 18