Costa Rica International Academy – CRIA

Costa Rica International Academy (CRIA) is a private, co-educational international school located on the Gold Coast of Guanacaste, near Reserva Conchal. Established in 2000, CRIA brings over 25 years of academic excellence to Costa Rica, offering a rigorous, bilingual, U.S.-style college-preparatory education. What began as a small English-language school near Playa Flamingo has grown into one of the country’s most respected international institutions, serving more than 400 students with capacity for continued growth.

CRIA is fully accredited by both the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) in the United States and the Costa Rican Ministry of Education (MEP). This dual accreditation allows students to graduate with a U.S. high school diploma recognized by universities in Costa Rica and around the world. Students may enroll in a wide range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, with opportunities to earn the AP Diploma, and CRIA is an authorized College Board testing center for AP, PSAT, and SAT exams.

Through dual-enrollment partnerships with Arizona State University and Grand Canyon University, motivated juniors and seniors can earn transferable college credits while still in high school. Small class sizes support personalized learning, strong teacher-student relationships, and academic growth guided by an experienced, multicultural faculty.

CRIA emphasizes character, citizenship, and lifelong learning, welcoming families of all backgrounds while modeling universal values such as integrity, compassion, and respect. With modern facilities, an engaged parent community, and a strong record of university placement, CRIA prepares students to think critically, aspire confidently, and achieve globally.