Education in Costa Rica


Education in Costa Rica is divided in 3 cycles: pre-education, primary education, and secondary school, which leads to higher education. School year starts between the second and third week of February, stops at the last week of June, it continues again between the third and fourth week of July and finishes between the last week of November and the second week of December. Preschool and basic education are free to the public. Elementary and secondary school are both divided in two cycles. Since 1869, education is free and compulsory.
Costa Rica's education system is ranked 20th in the "Global Competitiveness Report 2013–14", and is described as of "high quality". The literacy rate in Costa Rica is 94.9%. It is 2 points over the average for Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Primary education

The primary education lasts six years and is divided in three cycles. The uniform is obligatory, in order to reduce social and economic distinctions.

Secondary education

The secondary education comprises two cycles. The first cycle is dedicated to general education. The second cycle, while keeping a core curriculum, implies a specialization. Specializations can be academic or technical.
The third cycle ends with the "Bachillerato", granting access to higher Education. Nonetheless, many universities have their own entrance examination.

Universities

There are five public universities in Costa Rica:
Public universities offer degree programs according to their specialty and by law, and manage their own central and regional campus. By Costa Rican law, two different public universities may not offer the same degree program.
The public universities publish a number of journals where students and academics can publish their research, and access international research publications freely. Some of these journals are:
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There are also several private universities: