A truly great education gives students the opportunity to broaden their horizons beyond the academic curriculum. At AIS we offer a wide range of after school activities and sports, in addition to educational field trips, camps, and opportunities to volunteer in the community.
AIS operates on the U.S. calendar, starting the year in August and ending in June. There is a month-long break between semesters in December and January.
School hours are from 8:00am to 3:00pm.
After school activities are from 3:10pm to 4:10pm.
A hot breakfast and lunch are offered every day in our cafeteria by EM Delicias. Drinks and snacks are also available for sale.
For your convenience a bank transfer can be made to each child’s account or students can pay in cash. Microwaves are available to students who bring their own food.
If needed, bus service is available through Ms. Shiley Miranda for an additional fee. Routes and cost information are available by contacting them directly.
Their office can be reached at: shirleyvanessa@hotmail.com / jose-picado@hotmail.com. Phone numbers: 8813-6693 / 2442-6808 / 8831-0525
The AIS dress code requires all students to wear a uniform. The uniform consists of Polo shirt with AIS logo and khaki or navy-blue pants / shorts / skirt.
The physical education uniform is an athletic shirt, also with the AIS logo, and shorts or leggings. All shirts are sold at cost in the main office.
The AIS sports program includes high school basketball and volleyball teams. We compete in AASCA international tournaments at the Pacific level. AIS also supports individual athletes who need accommodation in their school day and assignments due to training schedules and travel. Soccer teams for all ages are formed through the Ronaldo Fonseca Soccer Academy which operates in partnership with AIS.
AIS offers a variety of after-school programs. These extra-curricular activities range from physical sports and hobbies to additional educational opportunities. Some students enjoy the same activities for many years and others choose new ones each semester. Options include:
Field trips are crucial elements of the learning process in elementary. In these natural outdoor classrooms, students of all ages engage in experiential learning. Each grade has at least two field trips a year with varying locations and activities. There are many local attractions to choose from, from museums to manufacturing facilities. Some locations we have visited are:
Overnight camps are a feature of AIS starting in third grade. Grades 3, 4, and 5 attend an overnight camp each year at locations selected from around Costa Rica. This camp is intended to expand students’ knowledge of the amazing attractions our country has to offer. Sixth graders have their own camp which focuses on teambuilding. Middle school and high school also each have their own camps. These camps focus on:
The National Honor Society (NHS) highlights a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These four pillars have been associated with membership in the organization since its inception in 1921.
Our NHS chapter is formed by a group of students with high standards of achievement, not only in the area of academics or community service but in character and leadership, in the way in which they present themselves to the world, and the way in which we intend the world to see them.
At AIS, the NHS supports the work of various institutions in our community, including Hogar Montiel, Fundación Cuidados Paliativos de Belen, and the Fundación Hogar para Ancianos Alfredo and Delia Gonzales.
The college counseling program at AIS is designed to support students as they make the transition from high school to higher education. Our mission is to provide students and parents with the information they need to set realistic goals in both career and university choices. AIS students have been admitted to outstanding colleges and universities around the world.
The college counselor supports our students through the college admission process; we want our students to be informed and enjoy this exciting time of self-discovery and exploration. This is why we offer our College Preparation class starting in 10th grade. During this class our students register for the admission tests required by different universities around the globe, participate in workshops and visits from university representatives, attend college fairs, and keep informed of the new trends in college admissions worldwide.
Our college counselor works individually with each student helping them narrow their college options both in Costa Rica as well as abroad, completing university applications, finding scholarships, building a resume, and ensuring that our students find universities that are a good fit for them.
AIS is a proud member of the International Association of College Admission Counseling (IACAC). We are committed to maintaining high standards of integrity and ethical practice among students, their families, faculty, and universities.