UWC Costa Rica: International Boarding High School Skip to content Your Educational Adventure in Costa Rica Begins Here Earn your International Baccalaureate Diploma while exploring and learning from nature Explore UWC Costa Rica Start Your Application This is your moment. Apply now! Start your study abroad experience in Costa Rica, immersing yourself in the country’s natural and cultural wonders and securing your professional journey long after UWC. Applications for the 2026-2028 academic years are open! Learn More & Start Your Journey A two-year boarding high school offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Costa Rica. Every year, over 100 students from around the world join UWC Costa Rica to pursue a curriculum based on experiential learning. Students learn by doing, exploring, and interacting with nature and local communities, while also learning from other students in a diverse, international environment. UWC Costa Rica is one of 18 UWC high schools worldwide, with a special focus on sustainability. Being in Costa Rica allows students to travel the country, discover its natural and cultural wonders, and apply them to the rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. Joining a global movement gives you access to a network of partners, eligibility for scholarships worldwide, and a community of over 80,000 alums committed to learning and making a positive impact. Joining UWC Costa Rica is an opportunity of a lifetime . Answer your calling, learn more, and start your application! What Makes Us Unique Academics & Life at UWC Apply Now 200+ active students every academic year 70+ nationalities represented on campus 80% of students receive a financial assistance to attend UWC Costa Rica 1,500+ alums have graduated since 2008 Recognition of Service to Youth in Conflict Areas 2015 Second of Two Ashoka Changemakers Schools. First in the UWC Movement. 2015 Awarded Among the 10 Best International Schools in Latin America. 2015 Best International School 2015 Lately at UWC Costa Rica Follow us on social media to stay up to date! Honoring Leadership in Service of Mission: Susan Mullins Receives CASE Seymour Preston Award UWC Costa Rica is proud to announce that Susan Mullins, Board Chair, has been honored with the Seymour Preston Award by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), making her the first volunteer to receive this award from an institution outside the United States. Why a “Great Place to Work” Makes UWC Costa Rica the Best Place to Study Abroad Choosing the right IB high school is about more than just academics; it’s about the community that supports your growth. At UWC Costa Rica, we are proud to announce that we have been re-certified as a Great Place to Work, remaining the only educational institution in Central America & The Caribbean to hold this prestigious title since 2024. Voices of UWC Costa Rica: Launch of the 2024-2025 Impact Report We are thrilled to launch our Impact Report 2024-2025, a vibrant testament to the powerful energy and shared commitment of our community. This past year was defined by Diversity, Empathy, and Impact, showcasing the stories of growth, responsibility, and leadership that are fueling our global movement for peace and sustainability. Dive into these pages to explore how we are learning from nature and from each other for a lifetime. Celebrating UWC Day: A Celebration of Diversity, Dialogue & Global Learning At UWC Costa Rica, our UWC Day this year was truly inspiring. Through student initiative, cultural exchange, and shared reflection, we reaffirmed what it means to live in a truly international school community—one that values multiple identities, diverse perspectives, and various paths to global citizenship. Developing an award-winning annual report UWC Costa Rica proudly announces that its 2023–2024 Impact Report has been awarded Silver in the Circle of Excellence Awards by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), in the category Publications: Fundraising Annual Reports and Fund Reports. UWC Costa Rica’s Class of 2025 Graduation On May 22, 2025, UWC Costa Rica proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025—a generation of bold dreamers, passionate changemakers, and now, lifelong members of the global UWC alum network. An Afternoon with Hernán Jiménez Last Sunday, May 11, we had the honor of hosting an exclusive pre-release screening of Hernán Jiménez’s latest film at the UWC Costa Rica Campus. Bald for a Cause 2025 UWC Costa Rica, our students are known for their commitment to positive change, and this week, they proved it once again. The annual "Bald for a Cause" event brought together around 60 students and staff members who bravely shaved their heads and donated their hair to support individuals battling cancer. Firsties Camp: Building Community, Leadership, and a Shared Future Last week, UWC Costa Rica’s First Year students embarked on an unforgettable journey at Firsties Camp, a special experience designed to build community, foster leadership, and cultivate the values that define our College. Alum Events: Strengthening Connections Across the Globe UWC Costa Rica is excited to share the success of three recent alum events held across different locations, reinforcing the strong bonds within our global community. Launching the UWC Costa Rica Alum Hub UWC Costa Rica is thrilled to announce the launch of the UWC Costa Rica Alum Hub , a dedicated space designed to keep alums from our College and the UWC Movement connected, engaged, and informed. Embracing Service and Sustainability: Community Action Weekends The monthly Community Action Weekends stand out as powerful opportunities for students to make a meaningful impact while learning about the challenges and strengths of the communities around them. TEDxUWCCR Youth: Amplifying the Voices of the Unheard After nearly a decade, TEDx has made a remarkable comeback at UWC Costa Rica! UWC Costa Rica Partners with Green Schools National Network Impact Report Showcase | Our partnership with GSNN is a significant step towards realizing our vision of a more sustainable and integrated educational experience. Celebrating UWC Costa Rica’s Certifications and Partnerships in 2023-2024 Impact Report Showcase | At UWC Costa Rica, we strive to cultivate in young people the passion and ability to serve humanity and our planet by learning from nature and each other for a lifetime. This commitment was celebrated in 2023-2024 as we achieved numerous milestones that reinforce our mission, values, and principles. UWC Costa Rica earns Bandera Azul Ecológica Impact Report Showcase | We are thrilled to announce that UWC Costa Rica has been awarded the prestigious Bandera Azul Ecológica in the Climate Change category! UWC Costa Rica Students Embrace Experiential Learning In the spirit of our mission to cultivate in young people the passion and ability to serve humanity and our planet, UWC Costa Rica students have engaged in various experiential learning outings, embodying our commitment to learning from nature and from each other for a lifetime. A Glimpse at our New Campus We are excited to share a preview on how our new campus in San Isidro de Heredia is going to look like! UWC Costa Rica Launches AlumNights Series UWC Costa Rica is thrilled to announce the successful launch of our AlumNights series, with the first event taking place on Monday, September 23, featuring Sonia Wargacka MUWCI '14. A Learning Adventure Beyond the Classroom Last week, UWC Costa Rica embarked on its inaugural Experiential Day, a dynamic initiative designed to bring learning to life beyond the traditional classroom setting. Connection and Creativity for a Lifetime Last week, UWC Costa Rica hosted the vibrant Community Day Camp, an event led by the Residential Life Program designed to foster a strong sense of belonging and connection among our students and staff. Green Schools National Network Workshop at UWC Costa Rica Last week, we kicked off the school year for staff with a special visit from the Green Schools National Network (GSNN) due to our Strategic Plan, Strategic Line 1: “Cultivating a holistic, experiential, and sustainability-based educational model." Agents of Change at CTP San Isidro On Saturday, August 24th, students from the Technical Professional College (CTP) of San Isidro de Heredia participated in an intensive Changemakers workshop led by students from UWC Costa Rica. UWC Costa Rica is a Great Place to Work Impact Report Showcase | It fills us with pride and joy to announce that UWC Costa Rica has obtained the prestigious Great Place to Work certification. UWC In the Media: June, 2024 Take a look at all the showcases of UWC Costa Rica on local and international media. Bald for a Cause 2024 More than 50 students shaved heads and donated hair for cancer patient wigs. This empathy-driven event fosters community support and personal growth, reinforcing understanding of cancer struggles. Recap of “We Are United” Launch Impact Report Showcase | The launch of "We Are United" celebrated community, commitment, and a shared vision for a sustainable future. Community Action Week Recap In a vibrant display of unity and commitment to sustainable development, our students, teachers, and part of the staff developed our Community Action Week, spanning the seven provinces of Costa Rica. UWC Costa Rica Delegates at the UWC International Congress 2024 Impact Report Showcase | From February 29 to March 2, 2024, UWC Costa Rica delegates joined hundreds of UWC community members and leaders worldwide in Phuket, Thailand, for the UWC International Congress 2024. UWC Nominated for Second Nobel Peace Prize Impact Report Showcase | Once again, United World Colleges (UWC), internationally recognized for its commitment to education as a catalyst for peace and sustainability, has been nominated for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. First Years Camp: Fostering Community and Global Connections This is a summary of what was experienced during the first-year camp, a space where students could strengthen their bonds, break stereotypes and expand their social circles. The Davis UWC Scholars Program Visit to UWC Costa Rica Impact Report Showcase | Last week, UWC Costa Rica had the distinct honor of welcoming Shelby Davis and Gale Davis, long-time supporters of all UWC International colleges. Navigating Digital Sustainability: Small Steps, Big Impact UWC Costa Rica actively promotes "Digital Sustainability" – a concept focusing on reducing our digital carbon footprint. The journey involves a collective effort from the community to reshape consumption and communication behaviors. A New Mission for UWC Costa Rica Impact Report Showcase | We want to share the launch of the new UWC Costa Rica mission statement, principles, and values. We want to share with you the news of the launch of our new UWC Costa Rica mission: Passing of Per Grieg Sr. With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of UWC Costa Rica’s long-time, special benefactor, Per Grieg Sr. UWC Costa Rica Alums at COP 28 Impact Report Showcase | At COP28, the global stage for climate action, UWC Costa Rica alums continue to lead as voices for change, representing the spirit of our principles and values and a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and a healthier planet. UWC Costa Rica hosts IB’s Festival de la Esperanza Impact Report Showcase | UWC Costa Rica made history by hosting the first-ever Festival de la Esperanza (Festival of Hope) entirely in Spanish—a vibrant, multi-location event organized in partnership with the International Baccalaureate (IB). Launching our 2022-2023 Impact Report Grieg Foundation: Transforming Lives Through Education Impact Report Showcase | Since 2019, the Grieg Foundation has been one of our most impactful donors, providing full scholarships to nine deserving students each year. Celebrating Independence Day in San Isidro Impact Report Feature | This year, for the first time, UWC Costa Rica had the honor of joining the Costa Rican Independence Day Parade in San Isidro de Heredia, the future location of our new campus. This is your moment. Apply now! Start your study abroad experience in Costa Rica, immersing yourself in the country’s natural and cultural wonders and securing your professional journey long after UWC. Applications for the 2026-2028 academic years are open! Learn More & Start Your Journey