Schools are open in Costa Rica   from Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Most schools begin on February and end beginning of December. This school year is divided into three trimesters with three vacation breaks during Easter, July and from December to January.

Children from 5 to 12 years old attend to 6 years of primary school (escuela). High School (colegio) goes from 13 to 17 years and it lasts 5 years.

There are some technical and professional high schools (Colegio Técnico o Colegio Professional) in which youngsters study an extra year and get a diploma in a technical profession as secretary, computer, account and some others.

School subjects are Spanish, Sciences, History, Math and English. All are mandatory for all students, including exchange students.

Students who finish high School can continue their studies at university and receive a diploma that give them access to the working world, besides the opportunity to continue their studies at the University.

Class attendance is mandatory and if a student misses one or more days of school they must have a note from their parents. Similarly, students are not allowed to arrive late or leave school early, without written permission from their parents.

Costa Rican students have a lot of homework to do at home and you have to wear uniform!