The International Baccalaureate (IB) high school diploma offered in Costa Rica by 26 private high schools is accessible to students in public schools through scholarship programs and the help of companies, universities and private schools.

The initiative is part of a social responsibility program carried out by companies such as Boston Scientific, Britt Coffee and DHL along with the Association of International Baccalaureate Schools; companies and Universities benefit from this high school program that is known for its academic excellence.

Companies offer scholarships and materials and they also provide training for the students through workshops and conferences related to the development of soft skills, financial education, and personal brand; they also select candidates for internships.

“In the internship program, we currently have 23 young people in different areas, they stay for a period of three months or more, depending on the needs of the company. The organization invests in a student that graduates with IB, offers them work experience in a company environment, and then values the possibility of hiring them”, explained Maria Teresa Casas, Development Manager of the Association of International Baccalaureate Schools to Costa Rican newspaper La Republica.

To obtain the IB, students have to complete an additional year of high school, and they are evaluated through foreign programs. The approval of the IB degree opens doors for them in different universities worldwide. In the United States, they may be able to benefit from financial assistance programs by the US government. See: https://www.governmentpro.com for further information sources.

Private Universities in Costa Rica, like Latina, ULACIT, and Lead, contribute financially to provide scholarships and also offer students the possibility to continue with their studies in their programs, providing financial aid, giving them credit for subjects they’ve already approved as part of the IB, and other benefits.