Curriculum

Through curriculum that promotes academic instruction in English and Spanish, students will receive a bilingual and bi-literate education. The core curriculum is based on both North American and Costa Rican standards and goals.

The following pertains to the primary school classes:

Reading and Language Arts (Taught separately in Spanish and English)

In order to ensure a biliterate and bilingual education, Reading and Language Arts will be taught separately in Spanish and in English each day. Language arts will be developed, nurtured and integrated into other areas of the curriculum, such as science or cooking (reading and following directions or recipes), art (adding dictation or writing on paintings and other art projects), and by developing listening skills in all areas of the curriculum.

Mathematics (Taught separately in Spanish and English)

Mathematics will be taught in a hands-on approach, using manipulatives and real-world examples to teach math skills. Emphasis will be placed on analytical problem solving, logic, and critical thinking. Working with numbers and math concepts will be integrated in and overlap with all other areas of the curriculum. Basic computational skills will be included in the mathematics curriculum.

Social Studies (in Spanish)

Social studies will focus on Costa Rican history and social studies. As children move through the grades, there will be more emphasis on Latin American and World history and affairs. Appreciation of and participation in the various aspects of our multicultural society will be included. Ways in which the community serves us as well as how we can serve our community will be a part of the curriculum.

Science, Health and Garden (in Spanish)

The science and health program will utilize a hands-on, discovery and investigative approach in the classroom and exploration of our natural surroundings. The school is located in one of the world’s most biologically diverse areas, with easy access to both marine and forest ecosystems, as well as access to a variety of man-made systems, such as farming and aquaculture. We plan to use these ecosystems as our own scientific laboratory.

We will develop a garden where the children will learn to cultivate fruits and vegetables that can then be incorporated into their class activities and their snack. In this manner, they will learn about the cycle of life, how plants grow, nutrition and the importance of good stewardship of the land and sea.  

Arts & Crafts (in Spanish)

Art will be available in activities throughout the day by providing the children an opportunity for self-expression using a variety of media with which to work, including paint, chalk, clay, collages (which could incorporate gluing, stapling, cutting, pasting), drawing, play dough, woodworking, and others. Art will be integrated into the other subjects, for example, into the language arts program by adding stories or poems to art projects. Process, rather than product, will be the preferred focus.

Music (incorporated into both)

We believe music is an important component of their education. Music will be taught several times throughout each week as a core part of the curriculum.

Physical Education (in Spanish)

The children participate in physical education through the inclusion of balance, coordination, cooperation, gross motor skills, team games, body movement and dance in the regular school day. We are also hoping to offer physical education classes, such as dance or karate, as part of the after school clubs.

Technology (incorporated into both)

Technology will be incorporated into different aspects of the curriculum including language arts, math, and social studies. By allowing children to explore the different uses and areas of the computer we will be helping to prepare them for the twenty-first century.

Homework

Each time teachers give a homework assignment, they are requesting an investment of time and energy from three groups of people: students, themselves and parents. The goal of homework at our school is to extend classroom learning. Parents must be involved in homework, without doing the homework for their children. Parents should view homework as an opportunity to strengthen and grow their relationship with their child. Homework is a successful experience when advance planning for homework is executed in the home. Teachers are more than willing to talk to parents about homework and how to make it a positive experience.

Homework creates a strong home and school connection. Supporting homework is an important way to be a part of the school community. Homework encourages responsibility and creates more opportunities for learning enjoyment. It reinforces academic skills and gives students an opportunity to apply concepts learned in class. In the upper grades homework can be an opportunity to learn time management and organizational skills.

Languages

Preschool and kindergarten classes will be in Spanish, with a class of English each day. Primary school courses will follow the Costa Rican curriculum guidelines and be taught in Spanish. Additional reading and writing, as well as half of the mathematics course, will be taught in English. Each course will be taught by native speakers.

We will have many children who do not yet have all the necessary skills in one of the languages. This will be particularly true our first year. Children will naturally be stronger in their native language. But they will also quickly pick up the other language. We will have extra staff to help children where necessary in the classes.

Tutoring Options

We have staff available after school hours (at an additional cost) for those parents who want additional tutoring. And as our evaluation system places less emphasis on testing scores, there will be greater emphasis on learning, rather than testing. Parents need to work with the school to ensure that their child is receiving the necessary support to gain bilingual fluency. However, ultimately it is the responsibility of the parents to figure out how they are going to provide the additional support for their child.