About Admissions

Welcome to Lincoln School in San José, Costa Rica. We appreciate your interest in our school. Lincoln School has a proud tradition of 64 years of educational excellence, offering the best in Costa Rican, US and international education programs for students from Pre-Kinder through grade twelve.

At Lincoln School, we invest in the development of our children today to provide them with the foundation for a bright future tomorrow.

We know that there is no greater investment in our children than a quality education. Our vision and mission are to provide the best educational opportunities in an ever-changing, challenging and multi-cultural world.

Please feel free to contact our Admissions Coordinator, Karla Lizano, should you have any questions or require any information by telephone (506) 2247-6647 or e-mail admissions@lincoln.ed.cr .

Application Schedule

To prepare students for success in a bilingual and multicultural world, Lincoln School has adopted an international school calendar to meet the needs of local and international families.

A policy of open and ongoing enrollment allows students to enter Lincoln School at any time during the year. We also offer a "bridge plan" to students with an Academic and Conduct Grade Average of A, 93% or above. Students who do not meet this condition and coming from institutions with calendar different than the International Calendar, will have to undergo an additional transitional semester.

Classes run from August to late June. Each school year features a six week vacation initiating in December and a seven week vacation starting in late June.

A visit

The best way for you to get to know the school is to come and visit us. Tours are conducted by admission staff and are available by appointment Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. and Thursday at 2:00 p.m.

Admission Statistics

Lincoln School’s current enrollment is 1275 students from pre kinder to grade 12. Student population is 79.7% Costa Rican, followed by USA, Canadian, Central and South American, European and Asian citizens.

Class sizes range from 20 students per class in Pre-school, 22 students in Elementary and 23 students in Middle and High School. Every year, Lincoln School enrolls approximately 150 new students.

TUITION FEES 2010-2011 click here


Application due dates

Associates and alumni enrollment for August starts the first Monday of November and ends the last day of school. General public enrollment for August begins the second Monday in January.

Application process

To determine an applicant's readiness to meet Lincoln School standards and curriculum demands, the student's academic record, language abilities, social and emotional characteristics, recommendations from previous teachers, and parental commitment to the child's educational development, are considered. Candidates are tested for English proficiency, reading comprehension, writing and mathematics. Pre-school candidates are evaluated to verify their stage of development and educational readiness for the educational program.

Lincoln School Application Forms
• Pre-enrollment Forms (click here)

Procedures

Lincoln School Admission Procedures

  1. Along with the Pre-Enrollment Form, the Interview Form, and the Request for New Associates form, please provide the following information/documents:
    1. One copy of the child’s birth certificate or one copy of the passport
    2. One passport size photograph
    3. Up-to-date record of vaccinations
    4. Official transcripts from the previous school that include the academic records of the three (3) previous school years (minimum grade average per subject of 80%, B, 2.0 GPA or higher). If the transcript is being provided by a Costa Rican School, it must have the signature of the corresponding Educational District Representative from the Ministry of Public Education (MEP). Transcripts from foreign schools must comply with all the official requirements customary in the country of origin.
    5. Letter of recommendation from the previous school stating satisfactory behavior in school during the past three (3) school years (minimum conduct grade of 80%, B, 2.0 GPA or higher)
    6. In the case of students who previously attended a private school, a letter from the Finance Department of the school specifying that payments were made on time.
    7. Two letters of recommendation from Lincoln School associates recommending the family to the Board of Directors. (Foreign student families may present two letters: A personal letter requesting admission to the Association of Parents and stating their personal situation in Costa Rica and their interest to become Lincoln School Associates and a letter of recommendation from their employer, lawyer, or respective embassy in lieu of the two associate letters.)
    8. Accreditation of foreign studies before the Ministry of Education of Costa Rica (This requirement will be due within a period of two months starting on the date of enrollment.)
  2. Once all the documents have been completed and all pre-requisites met, the student will be scheduled for a Placement Exam (Students applying to secondary levels will be asked to pay ¢4,000). While the child is testing, a Counselor will interview the parents.
  3. Once preliminary admission is granted by the respective Elementary or Secondary Principals, the remaining enrollment forms must be completed:
    1. Official Admission Form
    2. Contract
    3. Medical Form
    4. Bus Registration Form
    5. “Emergencias Medicas” Form
    6. Lincoln School’s policy on drugs and alcohol
    7. Form for student’s departure from school
  4. Once the Board has approved the admission, the parents will be contacted to make the necessary payments.

Age Requirements

Lincoln Elementary School

Children applying to the Elementary Program should be

• First grade 6.4 to 7.3 years old by August 1st.

• Second grade 7.4 to 8.3 years old by August 1st.

• Third grade 8.4 to 9.3 years old by August 1st.

• Fourth grade 9.4 to 10.3 years old by August 1st.

• Fifth grade 10.4 to 11.3 years old by August 1st.

In the case of the applicant being younger than the lower age limit for any of the grades, the specific case will be assessed by the admission department jointly with the Elementary Guidance Counselors.