International Schooling Options

July 21, 2009

"I do not agree with a statement in today's issue, Kathleen," wrote friend David Stubbs, our Costa Rica Correspondent, overnight. "I do not disagree with much that you write (and, yes, I do read most of every issue!).

"You remarked yesterday that a parent retiring overseas with children has three options for their education--a local school, a bilingual international school, or an American or British school, where, you said, the children will 'be largely insulated from the local culture and community.'

"This is very much school dependent. I agree that many of the American schools in Costa Rica tend to be centered on teaching the U.S. curriculum, with limited Spanish. They are populated with either American kids or children from Costa Rican families who want their kids to be raised in an American style. The British school here in Costa Rica, however, while it does teach the core British curriculum, conducts 30% of lessons in Spanish, and the language of the school is fundamentally Spanish. This is the language used for assembly, on the playground, etc. Roughly 85% of the children are from Costa Rican families who, I am fairly sure, do not want their kids to become Little Brits."

Continue Reading:

• Starting A Business In Panama
• International Schooling Options
• Retirement Living In Morelia, Mexico