Frequently Asked Questions

Our Preschool building is located in Bahía right next to the Asada building, and this includes our Daycare, Pre-K, and Kindergarten classrooms. Our main campus is located in Uvita as a part of the synthetic soccer field sports complex. This is where grades 1-12 meet for classes. Our main campus is 50 meters west of BCR (Banco de Costa Rica).

You can check the exact spot at our location page.

Our school year begins on January 31, 2022 – visit our calendar for all important dates.

We accept students beginning in Daycare – Grade 12.

For students in grades 1 – 12 ~
There is a fee per month, per student, plus your child’s cost for text books (the cost of PACEs and MEP approved text books).  The cost of our text books differ from one grade to the next. For an estimate of costs per grade, contact the UCA Office.  

For our Daycare, Pre-K and Kinder Program ~

There is a fee per month, per student, plus your child’s curriculum costs (the cost of the PACEs and MEP approved text books). For an estimate of costs, contact the UCA Office. 

UCA school hours for students in Kindergarten – 12th Grade: 8:00am – 2:30pm. 
Daycare and Pre-K students: 8:00am – 11:30am, Monday thru Friday each week (Daycare and Pre-K students can also choose to stay for the entire school day).

At our main campus, we offer staggered pick up times to cut down on traffic in front of the school.

Students in Grades 1-5 are picked up in front the UCA school office at 2:15pm.

Students in grades 6-12 can be picked up at 2:30pm.

No need to get out of your car! We have teachers on duty outside that will help get your child into the car.

At UCA, there is no “school supply” list because all of your child’s supplies are included in their monthly fee – this means no running to the store at the last minute for pencils, papers, or notebooks!

Classroom Discipline Strategies & Rewards

There are lots of different ways to bring fair discipline and consequences for wrong behavior into the classroom. At UCA, we know kids need to feel rewarded when they do something right, and not just “disciplined” when they do something wrong.

Our teachers and office staff work really hard to handle minor incidents within our school walls, and only contact parents when a situation has gone “beyond the norm” or when they’re not seeing any improvement based on what they’ve already done.

Our teachers represent years of combined experience in matters like these, and they know what works and what doesn’t. They often collaborate together on the best way to handle a wrong behavior before things get out of control.

Many of our teachers like to use Class Dojo to bring discipline into the classroom, because it’s so motivating and interactive for kids! If you’re not familiar, it’s well-liked because it gives students a voice among their classmates, creates a positive culture in the classroom (kids can earn points for behaviors, like being kind), and parents have the chance to be involved too, if they want to be. They can login to see what’s going on at school!

Along similar lines, some teachers give small rewards as a part of their school day…when students are doing what’s right, or working hard, they offer things like fun pencils and/or small erasers when they see good behavior.

For wrong behavior, some teachers choose to take five (5) minutes from a morning break or lunch time…this is time when the student can’t run and play, even though that’s what the others are doing. They don’t enjoy taking away that privilege, but it usually works pretty well…because that play time is so important to them.

To know exactly what your child’s teacher chooses for discipline, because practices do vary based on the ages of students, please feel welcome to send him/her a message directly.

Our school year is divided into three (3) trimesters. In general, we are in school for 9-10 weeks, and then have 2-3 weeks off for a short break – please visit the calendar page for a detailed list of dates.

Spanish classes are OFFERED DAILY and are part of our core curriculum!  All UCA students are required to participate in Spanish courses, and we offer various core Spanish classes: Social Studies and Spanish Grammar (all Art Classes and Physical Education classes are also taught in Spanish).  Please click here for more details on each of our Spanish courses.

Yes, at UCA, we offer the following Related Arts courses:
Technology Class
Speech
Physical Education
Art and Art Appreciation
Typing

Spanish classes are considered to be part of our core curriculum, and therefore are not listed as a Related Art.

Related Arts courses are offered on a rotating schedule that changes based on teaching professionals available in our local area.

Yes, we will work with families who cannot be at UCA everyday, as long as their work is completed, and their test scores are appropriate.

Please click here to visit our Statement of Faith page.

There is a local bus that makes trips from Uvita to Dominical daily, to and from UCA. This bus route can also accommodate students who live in the Cortes/Coronado area.  Please email brigit.bogard@gmail.com if you have questions, or need more information.

The way we teach at UCA actually works very well for children who deal with ADD and ADHD.  It’s been reported that these challenges diminish for some students because of the way they learn here.  This is true especially because of the one-on-one help students receive from their teachers.  Also, teachers in each classroom work diligently to be sure these students are accommodated as best as possible by offering extra breaks, special rewards, special free time, etc. when personal learning goals are met.

Costa Rican students attending UCA, as well as foreign students, are welcome to obtain their title for completing high school through the program called “Aula Abierta.” This is a special program created by the Ministry of Public Education to ensure that all kinds of students, including those attending private schools in Costa Rica, can receive the MEP diploma they desire. For more information, see Consuelo in the UCA Office.

Our Core Curriculum includes Spanish Studies (MEP approved text books), Mathematics, English, Etymology/Spelling, Literature/Creative Writing, Science, and Social Studies.  Related Arts courses are taken in addition to the above mentioned subjects.  High School students complete the same core classes mentioned above, but their course load will vary due to needed electives for graduation. 

No, your student will not need his own computer.  UCA has its own computers for students.

The right amount of work to be completed will be assigned to the student before he/she leaves, after review by the lead teacher.  Students who travel frequently will have to be extra diligent to complete work according to schedule, and with excellence.  Please note that traveling students still need supervision, or a teacher, to assist them when completing academic work outside of class.  OUR CURRICULUM IS NOT “SELF-TAUGHT.” No matter where work is being completed, students will have questions and will need academic guidance. 

Blue “Congratulations Slips” are sent home with students every Friday sharing scores from tests taken during that academic week.  Also, official Report Cards are sent home at the end of each trimester for parents to review.  Parents can also make an appointment for a Parent/Teacher Conference at any given time, as the need arises.   

UCA does offer HOT LUNCHES!  These can be purchased every day for 2,000 – 2,500 colones from our very own lunch lady, Doña Emilia.  SPECIAL ON MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS! Every Monday, El Hornito (selling pizzas/empanadas) delivers hot lunches to school; every Thursday, House of Ginger delivers hot lunches to UCA.

UCA has different paths to graduation and each one of those paths has a different cost associated with it.  In order to select the program that best fits your family, it is recommended that you schedule a tour of the school or a Zoom call with the admissions office.