Country Day School Admission Policies

1. Country Day School provides a structured and challenging education in grades PK-12 that focuses on student excellence and achievement.  The purposes and standards of the school are comparable to selective U.S. independent and college preparatory schools. Admission to Country Day School is competitive and selective.

2. The school selects students on the basis of achievements and their potential to contribute positively to the strength and diversity of the student body.

3. A student admitted to the early childhood program, elementary and/or middle school must demonstrate proficiency in the English language or the potential for becoming proficient.  A non-English speaking student admitted to CDS will be admitted conditionally and will participate in the ELD (English Language Development) program.  A student in the ELD program should not remain in the program for more than two years, after which time the student should be able to perform under the regular curriculum.

To be considered for admission, all applicants are requested to comply with a five-part application process:
• completion and submission of an application form.
• parent and student interview (may be waived in the case of international applications)
•  completion and submission of all requested evaluation and recommendation forms as well as transcripts from previous schools covering at least two years
•  submission of results of standardized or special testing.
•  completion of the CDS educational placement test.

The school also requests submission of the following:
•  copy of passport and/or birth certificate,
•  vaccination record (required by Costa Rican Law)
•  payment of a placement test fee (for Middle School and High School applicants).

5. For students arriving from outside Costa Rica, it is required by Costa Rican law that grades from the previous two years and from grade 7 for high school be recognized by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education. Transcripts from other countries must be authenticated by the Costa Rican Consul nearest to the applicant's school, processed by the Ministry of Foreign Relations in Costa Rica, and then presented to the Ministry of Education. Further information on this process will be provided upon acceptance to Country Day School.

6. Country Day School is committed to diversity. It is a non-sectarian institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its admission, educational, and employment policies.

High School and Middle School Admissions Checklist

Elementary and Early Childhood School Admissions Checklist