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Secondary Program – Costa Rica Middle School and High School

 

🎓 Secondary Years at CRIA: Preparing Global Scholars and Future Leaders College-Ready. Globally Minded. | Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The Secondary Program at Costa Rica International Academy (CRIA) serves students in Grades 6–12 with a rigorous, standards-based curriculum that culminates in Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-enrollment university opportunities.

Whether students continue their studies abroad or within Costa Rica, CRIA’s program ensures smooth transitions to schools and universities in the U.S., Latin America, Canada, Europe, and worldwide.

Our curriculum draws from internationally recognized frameworks:

  • Virginia State Standards of Learning (VSoL) – English, Math, and Social Studies
  • Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) – Science
  • Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP) – Spanish language and culture


This academic foundation equips students with critical thinking, communication, and cross-cultural skills to thrive in today’s interconnected world.

🕗 A Day in the Life of a CRIA Secondary Student

Students enjoy a structured and engaging schedule of seven 45-minute periods each day, with two breaks — a mid-morning recess and a midday lunch period.

The school day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., followed by a vibrant schedule of after-school sports, clubs, and leadership activities.

The entire campus features high-speed Wi-Fi supporting CRIA’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program, ensuring seamless digital learning across subjects. Our science labs for biology, chemistry, and physics are fully equipped to promote experimentation, inquiry, and discovery.

💡 Positive Impact of the Smartphone-Free Policy

In 2023, CRIA implemented a smartphone-free policy for our Secondary School, allowing phones on campus only when explicitly approved by a teacher for academic purposes. This change has had a refreshing and measurable impact on student life. By reducing digital distractions, students have naturally re-engaged in face-to-face conversations, outdoor play, and collaborative learning, helping to restore authentic social connections across grade levels.

Teachers and parents alike have observed that students are more attentive, empathetic, compassionate, and socially confident, showing growth in both emotional well-being and interpersonal skills. The policy has helped cultivate a school culture where students are more present, connected, and engaged—both in class and in the wider school community.

🧭 Academic Pathways: Middle School to College Prep

Middle School (Grades 6–8): Students build a strong academic foundation in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies, with enrichment in specialist courses each day.

Spanish instruction integrated daily. Courses emphasize curiosity, study skills, and personal responsibility — preparing students for the rigor of high school.

High School (Grades 9–12): Students transition into a college-preparatory curriculum, choosing from a growing selection of Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-enrollment university courses.
Typical AP offerings include:

  • English Language & Composition
  • Calculus AB
  • Comparative Government & Politics
  • Psychology
  • Biology
  • Computer Science
  • Spanish Language & Culture
  • Macroeconomics
  • Pre-Calculus
  • Statistics

CRIA’s Grade 6&11 programs also prepare students for Costa Rica’s FARO and MEP exams, ensuring they meet both U.S. high school and national education standards.

Online electives are available for qualified students grades 11-12. Dual enrollment online options with Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University are available to qualified students to earn university credits while still in HS at CRIA.

🌍 Bilingual Learning and Spanish Excellence

Students in CRIA’s Secondary Program study 2–3 classes daily in Spanish, with four proficiency levels ranging from beginner to native speaker.

This robust bilingual model allows students to achieve genuine fluency, cultural literacy, and academic confidence in both English and Spanish — a key advantage for success at international universities.

🔬 Beyond the Classroom: Enrichment, Service, and Leadership

Education at CRIA extends beyond academics. Students participate in co-curricular field trips across Costa Rica — exploring national parks, marine ecosystems, and cultural landmarks to bring learning to life.

Other enriching opportunities include:

  • Community Service (Grades 9–12, graduation requirement)
  • Student Government & Leadership Council
  • National Honor Society (U.S. Chapter)
  • Model United Nations (MUN)
  • SCUBA & Marine Ecology Club
  • Yearbook & Drama Productions
  • Environmental and Social Impact Projects
  • Quiz Bowl
  • NASA APP Challenge
  • Grade 11 College Fair and Rafting Excursion

 

Through these programs, students develop empathy, resilience, and leadership — embodying CRIA’s ethos: “Think. Aspire. Achieve.”

🧮 Grading Scale

Grade

Range

Description

A

100–90

Excellent

B

89–80

Good

C

79–70

Satisfactory

D

69–60

Needs Improvement

F

Below 60

Not Meeting Expectations

🎓 High School Graduation Requirements (Minimum 24 Credits)

Course

Grades Taken

U.S. High School Credits

English

9–12

4

Spanish

9–12

3

Social Studies

9–12

3

Mathematics

9–12

3

Science

9–12

3

Electives

9–12

6

Visual Arts

9–10

1

Physical Education

9–10

1

Total Academic Credits

  

24

 

💬 Why Families Choose CRIA Secondary

  • American-accredited curriculum with Advanced Placement courses
  • Bilingual English–Spanish instruction and MEP alignment
  • Small class sizes and personalized academic guidance
  • University and career readiness focus
  • Safe, Wi-Fi-enabled campus in scenic Brasilito, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
  • Vibrant extracurricular life: athletics, arts, STEM, and service learning


Students graduate from CRIA as globally minded learners — ready to succeed at top universities around the world.