Middle School in Costa Rica | Country Day School, Costa Rica

MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM AT CDS, COSTA RICA

In a friendly, family-orientated, and supportive community, Middle School students at Country Day School (CDS), Costa Rica, feel inspired to be their best. Our curriculum is designed to the highest standards and organized through rigorous assessments and rubrics. It also features an excellent choice of electives – complemented by exciting opportunities beyond the classroom – which allow our learners to explore their interests.

ABOUT OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

At our private Middle School in Costa Rica, we set high expectations for our students. Our teachers will support and challenge your child at the right level, ensuring they master the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to progress through each grade level.

We believe that learning happens best when students enjoy and are immersed in what they’re doing, and not when they are solely working towards an external reward. Our Middle School curriculum, therefore, is expertly structured to create experiences and activities that allow each student to master their subjects in a way that works for them.

STANDARDS, ASSESSMENTS, AND RUBRICS

Students at CDS Middle School in San Jose, Costa Rica, are assessed through a standards-based approach, in line with the US Common Core State Standards. Our teachers constantly monitor learners, ‘taking the temperature’ of how they're getting on so that they can provide clear, action-oriented feedback.

To the greatest extent possible, all our students should master the curriculum by the end of each school year. We use rubrics to map out each learner’s journey and we support those who need extra help. Our reporting system tracks progress through Middle School.

LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

At our private Middle School in Costa Rica, we offer an array of opportunities for our students to develop their skills beyond the classroom.

OUTSTANDING EXPERIENCES AT CDS

Clubs and sports

We encourage our young people to get involved in extra-curricular clubs, which include the National Junior Honor Society, Writing Club, and Art and Tech Club. Our Middle School athletics program features swimming, volleyball, and soccer.

The Global Games

Our Middle School students compete in the Global Games, an Olympics-themed event hosted in Orlando, Florida. The Games, held in December each year, brings together Nord Anglia Education schools from across the Americas to compete in various sports.

Trips and adventures

Costa Rica, with its unique biodiversity and topography, offers rich opportunities for off-campus trips that extend learning beyond the classroom. Our trips capitalize on Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainability, while emphasizing personal growth and leadership. Past activities have included camping in Punta Uva and turtle-hatching in Tortuga.

primary

Middle School

A TYPICAL DAY AT CDS

Our students' days are challenging and stimulating, as they grow in confidence and independence, and sharpen their talents in readiness for High School.

READY TO SHINE

Middle school is a time of greater independence as we switch between classes and shine in our talents! We begin with high energy at 8:00 am sharp, participating in high-quality lessons and activities across different subjects that align to the US’ Common Core State Standards.

STARTING THE DAY

ACTING IT OUT!

In our performing arts course, we explore acting techniques that help us understand the characters of the play we’ve been reading. We’re proud to follow a special curriculum developed in collaboration with the world-renowned Juilliard School in New York City, helping us learn from the best.

CONNECTING WITH CHARACTERS

LUNCHTIME MEETINGS

In middle school, we pursue our interests and collaborate with peers who share them. During lunchtime catch-ups, our 19 different clubs meet to discuss their activities. They explore civic leadership, environmental advocacy, student culture, and technology integration, among other things.

COLLABORATING WITH PEERS

EXPLORE YOUR INTERESTS

Through elective classes, we can explore different topics and subjects that we want to expand upon or deepen. We can explore STEAM subjects, Architectural Design, Music Productions, and Personal Finance, for example!

ENRICHING OUR LEARNING

STEAM POWERED!

Through science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), we’re challenged to solve complex problems and think beyond what we know. Through challenges designed by MIT, the world-renowned university, we unlock important problems posed by MIT professors.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

GLOBAL GAMES

At the Global Games, we perform at our best in sports against other Nord Anglia international schools in the Americas, hosted in Florida. Over 1,800 international peers compete in a variety of games — and we recently hosted the Junior Global Games for 6th graders at CDS.

PERFORMING AT OUR BEST

INSPIRING YOUR CHILD

Our talented Middle School teachers are experts in personalized learning, creating activities, lessons, and experiences that meet individual needs and interests. By building a strong relationship with your child, our educators will ensure they’re happy, engaged, and motivated to achieve their very best.

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