San Jose, Costa Rica: Lincoln School: 2023-2024 Fact Sheet

Lincoln School was founded in 1945. The school is registered as a private, nonprofit organization, both in Costa Rica and in the United States. The school year comprises two semesters from August through December and from January through June.

Organization: The school is governed internally by the 11-member board of directors, all of whom are parents of currently enrolled students and are elected by the school association, comprising all parents. On approval of the board, the U.S. Embassy also appoints a representative to the board.

Curriculum: Lincoln School offers three diploma options: U.S. High School Diploma, accredited by Cognia/AdvancED; the International Baccalaureate (IB), accredited by IBO; and the Costa Rica National Diploma, accredited by the Costa Rican Ministry of Education. All instruction is in English, except for Spanish-based electives. Maximum class size is 22 students in elementary school and 23 students in middle and high school. Typically, 100% of Lincoln graduates continue higher education studies in colleges or universities. Approximately 40% attend U.S. colleges and universities, including Ivy League schools; 5% attend universities in other countries; and the other 55% attend Costa Rican universities.

Technology: Every student from grades PS-12 is given his or her own iPad for their research and academic work, which allows them to have access to information, increase collaboration, and develop their IT expertise and skills. The iPad also enables parents to have transparent access to their child’s school progress, posted in real time. Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard, projector, Apple TV and access point. The school has three mobile labs with 20 computers each and three physical technology labs with 24 computers each. The school is in the process of transforming the labs into “Innovation Centers” with state-of-the-art technology including 3D printers and flexible seating spaces to encourage collaboration and project-based learning.

Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year, Lincoln School has 270 total staff including 119 teachers, 28 of whom are U.S. citizens, 87 host-country nationals, and 4 third-country nationals.

Enrollment: At the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, enrollment was 1,430. Of the total, 60 were U.S. citizens, 1,312 were host-country nationals, and 58 were third-country nationals. Lincoln School has a well-developed support system in place for international students and their families.

Facilities: The 17-acre school networked campus, comprises an organic harvesting garden, spacious green areas, an elementary and secondary gym, a covered multipurpose recreational facility, and elementary and secondary library, and infirmary, a cafeteria, two playgrounds, and an outdoor track and field ground. Other facilities include an Arts Center building with six music sound-proof classrooms, five art classrooms including one with a ceramic kiln, and a theater with capacity for 298 people, professional projection and sound system, and a 320 square meter stage. Preschool, elementary and upper schools are in separate buildings, with a total of 84 classrooms, three computer labs, and five science laboratories. Lincoln, in collaboration with international experts, has built the Lincoln Innovation Center (LINC), one of the most advanced innovation and makerspace centers in Central America. It features state-of-the-art facilities that will facilitate teaching, experimentation, collaboration, prototype development, communication, and the evolution of entrepreneurial ideas into projects capable of providing solutions to global challenges. Through this methodology, Lincoln School promotes entrepreneurship education in its students and aims to collaborate with and develop programs for students from AASCA schools and public schools. The goal is to nurture entrepreneurial thinking and strengthen innovation capabilities to make a positive impact on local and global communities.

Finances: As a non profit entity, surpluses are reinvested for educational purposes and for upgrading campus facilities. In this 2023-2024 school year, 98% of the school´s income emanates from tuition. Annual tuition rates are as follows: K: $8,954; grades 1-5: $10,754; grades 6-8: 12,566; grades 9-12: $14,869. There is a one-time association fee of $2,000 per student and an annual registration fee of $50 per student. Extracurricular activities, iPads, and textbooks are included in tuition. (Fees payable in U.S. dollars or Costa Rican colones. All fees quoted in U.S. dollars.)

Special Needs: Review the Special Needs Profile for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.

This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2023 and are provided by the school.