Private School Options in Nosara
Students at Del Mar Academy in Nosara
Moving to Nosara with a family that includes young children has its unique set of challenges - the most important one being education. Where do you send the kids to school?
As parents of school-aged children, the team at Mango Realty understands that ensuring your children have access to high-quality, comprehensive, and fun education is a key part of living a happy life here in Nosara. With this in mind, we have provided the following overview of private school options in Nosara.
The information provided is only an outline of what these private schools in Nosara have to offer. Please refer to the school or program websites or contact the school directly for more details. You can also visit our blog post on options for public schools in Nosara.
As you explore private school options in Nosara, here are a few key points to consider:
Accreditation: If your child may pursue higher education abroad, look for international accreditation or schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) program—both can help support smooth transitions to higher education outside of Costa Rica. If your plans are more local, schools accredited by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Education (MEP) will align with the national university system.
School Calendar: Most schools follow either the Costa Rican calendar (February–December) or the U.S. calendar (September–June). A few offer flexible schedules. Choose what best fits your family’s rhythm.
Grades Offered: Most of the private schools in Nosara cater to the lower grades, often ending at grade 6. Currently only two private schools in the area support students through grade 12. (Note: Costa Rican high school typically ends after grade 11.)
Tuition and Fees: Tuition varies widely, so factor this into your budget. We recommend contacting schools directly for up-to-date tuition information. Some offer financial aid or scholarships, depending on availability and need.
Language of Instruction: While many schools are bilingual, the balance of Spanish and English languages varies widely. Consider your child’s current language skills and your family’s goals.
Location and Transportation: The locations of private schools in and around Nosara range from Playa Garza to the Ostional area. Check how close the school is to your home and whether transportation is offered or needed.
Curriculum Style: From Montessori to traditional American or international programs, each school’s approach differs. Think about what fits your child’s learning style and personality best.
Del Mar Academy
Location: L Section, Playa Pelada
Grades: Preschool to 12th grade
Accreditation: MEP and IB Diploma Programme, pursuing MYP (Middle Years Programme for IB World Schools)
Curriculum: Bilingual (English and Spanish), Montessori philosophy in early years and IB diploma program for upper grades
School Calendar: September-June
Website: https://delmaracademy.com/
Del Mar Academy is a nonsectarian, co-educational day school with a diverse student body that includes pupils from around the world. Educational programs for the youngest students are based on Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy and methods. For older students in grades 11 and 12, Del Mar offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Middle schoolers will receive an educational program designed as a bridge between the two, based on constructivist principles of teaching and learning.
PHILOSOPHY
Del Mar delivers a high standard of bilingual education focused on the environment, the community, global consciousness, and belief in each student’s ability to make positive real-world changes. By tailoring a program uniquely suited to youngsters being raised in rapidly shifting times, Del Mar aims to produce confident, conscious, proactive citizens with the ingredients required to face and embrace emerging challenges.
The curriculum includes life skills, languages, math, drama, art, humanities, music, physical education, science, agroecology, environmental science and earth science, and field trips. If students continue to grades 11 and 12, the curriculum will be in accordance with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.
Casa De Las Estrellas
Location: Playa Garza
Grades: Preschool to 6th grade
Accreditation: MEP
Curriculum: Waldorf-inspired, emphasizing creativity, curiosity, and a deep connection to nature
School Calendar: September-June
Website: https://www.casadelasestrellas.org/
Casa de las Estrellas is a Waldorf-inspired, nonprofit school that takes in students from preschool to grade six. It provides a developmentally appropriate, vocational curriculum that fuses art and academia, and encourages a balance of cognitive development, emotional intelligence, and physical activity. Children learn a variety of topics through movement, academic knowledge, and a close relationship with nature geared towards stimulating their curiosity and imagination.
PHILOSOPHY
Casa de las Estrellas places a heavy emphasis on art, the natural world, and encourages a young child’s natural inclination towards creativity, imagination and connection with nature. In their own words, they aim to encourage and enable children to absorb information in a connected and nurturing way, fostering in them an ongoing love of learning, and in turn, making them confident adults and leaders.
Subjects include drawing, writing, crafts, plastic arts, music, movement, and biodynamic agriculture. As students progress, there is a greater emphasis on core academic subjects, such as mathematics, languages and more.
Elimar
Location: 300 meters east of the Ebais in Nosara
Grades: Preschool to 6th grade
Accreditation: MEP
Curriculum: Bilingual (50% English, 50% Spanish), with a focus on integrating new technologies and respecting cultural values
School Calendar: February-November
Website: http://elimarhighschoolnosara.com/
Elimar High School Nosara opened its doors to students from all walks of life in 2017. As well as being a multilingual, fully government-accredited school, Elimar has a diverse range of educational, vocational, and sporting facilities including two preschool classrooms, six primary classrooms, a library, an auditorium and computer room, a swimming pool, a 5-a-side soccer field with natural grass, a dining room, large green areas, space for planting vegetables and fruits, a playground, multipurpose room and more.
PHILOSOPHY
Elimar is a Montessori school. They see youngsters as naturally curious and eager to learn if offered a conducive, exciting environment. Instead of forcing students to learn through traditional instructional techniques, Elimar seeks to recognize a child’s natural interests and encourage them via hands-on learning. It encourages structured independence and the development of real-world skills, and aims to produce creative, tech-savvy, critical thinkers who respect others and the natural world.
The curriculum includes social studies, languages, math, science, agriculture, art, plastic arts, physical education, computers, religious studies, and music.
Nosara Playhouse (Ms Carrie’s)
Location: Nosara town
Grades: 1st to 12th grade
Accreditation: Through the National Association for the Legal Support of Alternative Schools (NALSAS)
Curriculum: Blends core academics with theater-based learning; students explore math, science, language arts, and social studies through creativity, performance, and movement
School Calendar: September-June
Website: https://www.nosaraplayhouse.com/
The fact that their website highlights not only children but all the adorable animals onsite tells you a little bit about the whimsical nature of the Playhouse. Miss Carrie’s school is about arts, theater, and above all, play and adventure, which is precisely what the school founder believed all forms of education should entail. While Nosara Playhouse still places significant emphasis on academic learning, the curriculum is intertwined with vocational activities such as beach days, waterfall trips, dog shows, the occasional fiesta, and drama.
PHILOSOPHY
Nosara Playhouse describes itself as “a magical place where theater, arts and recreation are woven throughout the academia to create an imaginative space for all types of learners.” By providing an environment where they feel welcome, heard, respected and trusted, Nosara Playhouse aims to empower children to grow up confident, happy, successful, and passionate about learning.
The curriculum includes creative writing, language, reading, math, business, science, zoology, anthropology, botany, social studies, history, spelling tests, art, cooking, yoga, and of course – drama. A large proportion of the syllabus is acted out. For instance, children act out characters from history, or different states of matter in science classes.
Dandelion Wild Schooling
Location: Ostional crossroad
Grades: Preschool through age 9
Accreditation: None
Curriculum: Blend of alternative pedagogical approaches, drawing inspiration from Waldorf, Forest, Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Sunbury, and Summerhill philosophies
School Calendar: Year round and customizable schedule
Website: https://www.dandelionwildschooling.org/
The Waldorf-based Dandelion Wild Schooling offers bilingual educational programs led by trained and experienced teachers who understand how to cultivate a child’s sense of wonder and awaken their spontaneous interest and enthusiasm in learning.
PHILOSOPHY
Dandelion’s focus is on nature. Their curriculum focuses heavily on the planet and its changing needs, and diversity. Essentially, Dandelion aims to foster a deep bond with rnature in their students.Their guides and mentors create a safe environment where children are free to be themselves, while also providing the tools necessary for developing imagination and creativity.
Additional Educational Options in Nosara
Beyond traditional private schools, Nosara also offers:
Language immersion programs: Intensive Spanish or English courses for children and adults.
Extracurricular programs: Surfing, yoga, arts, soccer/futbol, tennis, basketball, and music classes to complement academics.
Homeschooling communities: Some families opt to homeschool, supported by local groups and online curricula.
Choosing the right school in Nosara depends on your family’s unique needs, your child’s personality, and your educational values. The good news is that Nosara offers a variety of private education options—from early childhood programs rooted in nature to bilingual international schools preparing students for global opportunities.
If you’re considering a move or already living here, take time to visit schools, talk with administrators, and involve your child in the process. Finding a school where your child feels supported, challenged, and happy is key to a successful and enriching experience in this beautiful part of Costa Rica.
