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It is wonderful to see somebody who not only has an idea but also has the drive and persistence to put that idea into practice and in so doing creates an institution that serves the entire community. Anne Aronson had such an idea about how children should be taught. Starting from scratch, often with major problems, she created The European School, located in the San José suburb of Heredia. The European School is an English-language school that strives for excellence through an emphasis on literature and the arts. The school now has its own campus and is constantly expanding to offer better facilities to its students.

Anne Aronson, Director, The European School, Heredia

Instead of using the standard textbooks, students are exposed to original literature and through discussions and essays are taught to draw their own synthesis. Geography, history, social studies, all are taught by choosing books either from a particular part of the world, from a particular point in time, or from a particular segment of society.

Art student in the European School. Everyone participates.

There is lots of emphasis on art and music with lots of room for children to explore and create as we discovered when we visited the school.

Music teacher Javier Valerio

Music teacher Javier Valerio is a saxophonist with his own professional group, Son Sax who also teaches at the University. His pupils are introduced at a very early age to the ocarina, a very simple egg-shaped wooden wind instrument that serves as a vehicle for them to learn how to read and make music.

Initiation to the Ocarina

The school has been in existence now for fourteen years and has gone from one grade to a complete kindergarten through high school. The high school students prepare for and take an international exam called the International Baccalaureate.

Main building of European School