Our students follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), which is made up of three core components and six subject groups. We are a bilingual college and the IBDP is offered in Spanish and English.

Average class size: 13

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Core components

• Theory of Knowledge: Students reflect on the nature of knowledge and on how we claim what we know.

• The Extended Essay: An independent, self-directed piece of research finishing with a 4,000-word paper.

• Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): Students take part in a range of experiences and at least one project.

Subjects

• Studies in language and literature: English Literature, English Language and Literature, Spanish Language and Literature, School Supported Self-Taught Literature
• Language acquisition: English B, French B, Spanish B, French AB Initio, Spanish AB Initio

• Individuals and societies: Economics, Geography, History in English, History in Spanish, Social & Cultural Anthropology in English, Global Politics in English, Psychology in English, Environmental Systems & Societies in English and Spanish

• Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Systems & Societies

• Mathematics: Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches in English, Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation in English and Spanish 

• The arts: Visual Arts in English, Theatre in English
  

Co-curricular

All students at UWC complete a co-curricular programme called Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) – an integral part of the IB qualification. Students get the opportunity to choose a physical, a creative and a social service activity.

Physical activities

Creative activities

Social service

UWC Costa Rica’s new campus is located in the mountains of San Isidro de Heredia, on a unique piece of land next to the Braulio Carrillo National Park. The 48 hectares of nature will allow students and guests to immerse themselves in new learning environments, wind down on the trails across campus, learn about the different flora and fauna ecosystems shared with the national park and breathe the fresh air of the mountains. Our current campus at the heart of Santa Ana allows students to directly engage with the Costa Rican community while still surrounded by nature.

Residential accommodation:

Each residence house in Santa Ana has between 24 and 28 students. We have between two and four students per room who are supported by two student resident assistants (who have constant training and adult support) and one adult resident coordinator who lives adjacent to each building.

Students can stay on campus or stay with host families during the mid-term breaks. During summer, students must return to their families.

Medical Provisions

• Two full-time nurses
• Paramedics weekday nights and weekends
• One part-time doctor with office hours.
• 24/7 on-call emergency services
• Modern, private hospitals are 15 minutes from school, where we have private health insurance.
• Students are also covered by the government medical system.

Academic and emotional well-being

The school supports students’ academic and emotional well-being through:

• Relevant topics reviewed through group activities and talks

• Wellness counsellors are available on campus to offer one-on-one support 

• Mentors support students with specific academic needs. 

• Eight residence coordinators work weekdays and residential staff are available during the weekends 

• Medical support 24/7
• Two night-shift staff members
• Access to external providers such as psychotherapists and psychiatrists for specific cases
• Wellness ambassadors (a group of students who join the wellness team) to co-create activities and workshops promoting healthy lifestyles