St. Mary's School

What St. Mary's School does

Saint Mary School is a private, Catholic-oriented K-12 bilingual educational institution located in Guachipelín de Escazú, San José, Costa Rica. Founded in 1979 by the Aubert Pacheco family with preschool roots dating to 1976 (originally "La Casita del Turrón"), the school received approval from the Costa Rican Superior Council of Education in 1980, expanded to high school in 1997, and graduated its first class in 2002. The school operates a single campus serving Nursery through Grade 11 across three academic tiers — Preschool (Learning Centers methodology), Elementary (The Literary Tree Literary Curriculum), and High School (National Baccalaureate plus optional International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, accredited since 2015) — complemented by a Catholic religion program, a School Support Department (psychology, psychopedagogy, special education), paid after-school care, and a paid extracurricular catalog spanning sports, arts, robotics, and math olympiad preparation.

The business model is a direct-to-family subscription model: monthly tuition billed over 11 months (February-December) ranging from ₡227,000 (Nursery) to ₡558,000 (High School), plus enrollment fees (₡150,000-371,000) and materials/digital license fees (₡24,000-35,000). Ancillary revenue is generated through optional IB fees ($170-$187/month over 22 months), tiered sibling discounts (25-75% for 3rd-5th child), a 7% annual prepayment discount, after-school care, and extracurricular club fees. Go-to-market is admissions-led via website, WhatsApp, email, and phone, supplemented by community-led word-of-mouth referrals, social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), and visibility generated through the 'Unidos por la Paz' peace initiative that connects approximately 70 partner schools and multiple professional institutions.

Technology usage is limited to mainstream instructional tools — interactive whiteboards, computer labs, and iPads in preschool — with proprietary pedagogy (Learning Centers, Literary Curriculum) functioning as the primary differentiator rather than technology platforms. The school is family-owned with no disclosed parent company, no external funding, and no public revenue disclosure.

Name

St. Mary's School

Legal name

Saint Mary School

Website

https://saintmary.ed.cr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Saint Mary School is a private, family-owned Catholic K-12 bilingual school in Guachipelín de Escazú, Costa Rica, offering 100% Spanish-English education from Nursery through Grade 11, including an IB Diploma Program, paid after-school and extracurricular services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Before/After Care Programs (Early Years) (EDACAHAE)

Keywords

• Bilingual education programs
• Private Catholic school
• International Baccalaureate program
• Preschool education programs
• Elementary school education

Headquarters

HQ city

Guachipelín de Escazú

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrollment Fees: Annual enrollment fee (for new and returning students) to reserve the following year's space, plus monthly tuition paid over 11 months (February-December). Discounts apply for annual payment (7%) and sibling enrollment (25-75% for 3rd-5th child).
2. International Baccalaureate Program Fees: Optional IB program with additional monthly fee ($170 USD per month in English page, $187 in Spanish page) paid over 22 months, separate from regular high school tuition.
3. After School Service: Extended childcare service for preschool and elementary students with various schedule options (12:00-3:00pm, 12:00-5:30pm, 3:00-5:30pm). Available on regular or occasional basis at additional cost.
4. Club Activities: Optional extracurricular clubs (drama, gymnastics, karate, band, choir, volleyball, soccer, athletics, robotics, math olympiad preparation, cooking, guitar, piano) at extra cost. Sports teams and strong areas are free.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Saint Mary School is a private bilingual (English-Spanish) Catholic K-12 school in San José, Costa Rica, providing preschool, elementary, and high school education grounded in Catholic values. Its core offerings include academic programs at each level, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program, the School Support Department for student welfare, the After School Program, and a range of extracurricular clubs and activities.

Product overview

Saint Mary School is a private, Catholic-oriented educational institution offering a comprehensive K-12 bilingual education program. The school operates a three-tier academic structure comprising Preschool (Nursery to Preparatory), Elementary School (grades 1-6), and High School (grades 7-11). Academic programs are complemented by Catholic Religion instruction, a School Support Department (psychology, psychopedagogy, special education), After School care, and diverse extracurricular activities including sports, arts, and robotics. The school implements specialized methodologies such as Learning Centers in preschool and The Literary Tree Literary Curriculum in elementary school, and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program as an optional accreditation. The institution also runs the 'United for Peace' social initiative promoting peace education across partner schools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preschool Program Bilingual (English-Spanish) preschool education for young children, incorporating the use of iPads and introducing foundational learning through the Learning Centers Methodology and Literary Curriculum. Targeted at families seeking early bilingual Catholic education.
• Elementary School Program Bilingual Catholic elementary education delivered through the Learning Centers Methodology and Literary Curriculum, with classroom technology such as interactive whiteboards and computer labs. Targeted at school-age children enrolled at the institution.
• High School Program Secondary education culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, preparing students for university admission both locally and internationally. Targeted at adolescents enrolled at the school.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma Program IB-accredited diploma pathway offered to high school students, providing internationally recognized university-preparatory qualification. Targeted at students preparing for higher education abroad or in Costa Rica.
• Catholic Religion Program Values-based Catholic religious education integrated into the academic curriculum at all levels. Targeted at families seeking faith-based schooling.
• School Support Department In-school student support services including psychology, speech therapy, and learning support to address diverse student needs. Targeted at enrolled students and their families.
• After School Program Extended-day program providing supervised care and enrichment activities beyond regular school hours. Targeted at families of enrolled students needing after-school coverage.
• Extracurricular Activities and Clubs Range of clubs and extracurricular activities available to enrolled students to complement their academic education. Targeted at enrolled students.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90+ literary texts and 75+ significant authors experienced by students in elementary program
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ACEP (Asociación de Centros Educativos Privados)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaint Mary School is a member of ACEP and participates in the 'Unidos por la Paz' peace education initiative. ACEP represents private educational centers in Costa Rica and has recognized Saint Mary's peace education program achievements.
• Universidad para la PazminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisit from 9 graduate students from England, Vietnam, Japan, Colombia, Ethiopia, and USA studying the Master's in Education for Peace. Students visited to learn about Saint Mary's peace education methodology.
• UCIMEDminorOthersPrivate university that has joined the 'Unidos por la Paz' peace education initiative.
• Colegio de Abogados y Abogadas de Costa RicaminorOthersThe Costa Rican Bar Association has joined the 'Unidos por la Paz' peace education initiative.
• The Literary TreecoreTechnology or IntegrationLiterary curriculum provider used for elementary English language teaching. The curriculum places children's literature at its core, with students exploring over 90 literary texts and 75+ significant authors.
• Partner Schools in 'Unidos por la Paz' InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproximately 70 private schools and colleges, 5 associations, 6 comprehensive support centers, and 4-5 sports teams have joined the peace education initiative. Includes schools like West College, International Christian School (ICS), Saint Michael School, Humboldt Schule, Saint Gregory School, and KAMUK SCHOOL.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Humboldt Schule: Humboldt Schule is a German-Costa Rican bilingual private school and a named partner of Saint Mary's 'Unidos por la Paz' initiative. Comparable as a high-quality bilingual private school in the same metropolitan Escazú/San José corridor.
• Lincoln School: Lincoln School is a long-established bilingual private K-12 school in San José, Costa Rica offering IB programs. Directly comparable to Saint Mary in target market (expat and affluent Costa Rican families), bilingual delivery model, and IB accreditation.
• Country Day School Costa Rica: Country Day School is a private bilingual school serving elementary and secondary students in Costa Rica with an international curriculum focus. Comparable to Saint Mary in the bilingual K-12 private school segment of the Costa Rican market.
• International Christian School (ICS): ICS is a private Christian bilingual school in Costa Rica, identified as a partner in Saint Mary's 'Unidos por la Paz' initiative. Directly comparable as a faith-based bilingual private school targeting similar family segments.
• West College: West College is a private school in Costa Rica participating in Saint Mary's 'Unidos por la Paz' initiative. Comparable bilingual/values-based private K-12 positioning within the same Costa Rican competitive set.
• Pan American School: Pan American School is a private bilingual K-12 institution in San José, Costa Rica with a strong international curriculum. Comparable to Saint Mary as a premium private bilingual school serving both expat and local families in the Greater San José area.
• Saint Michael School: Saint Michael School is a Costa Rican Catholic-oriented private school identified as a partner in Saint Mary's 'Unidos por la Paz' network. Directly comparable on faith-based positioning and bilingual private K-12 delivery.
• Costa Rica International School (CRIS): CRIS is an international private school in Costa Rica offering English-language instruction and international curricula. Comparable to Saint Mary's bilingual K-12 offering and expatriate-family target market.
• KAMUK School: KAMUK School is a private school in Costa Rica listed as a participant in Saint Mary's 'Unidos por la Paz' initiative. Comparable private K-12 education provider operating in the same domestic Costa Rican market.
• Saint Gregory School: Saint Gregory School is a Costa Rican private school mentioned as a partner in the 'Unidos por la Paz' network. Comparable as a faith-adjacent private K-12 institution serving similar family segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGge1ZwH0qJeY2EGuO4CmJw
• Facebookfacebook.com/saintmary.ed.cr
• Instagraminstagram.com/saintmary_school
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/st.-mary's-school

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St. Mary's School