Background / Physical Environment

Background Information

Del Mar Academy was founded in September 2007 and lies nestled among five acres of lush tropical landscape.   In all programs, our students have interactions with not only core subject areas but also creative arts, multicultural experiences, field-based learning expeditions, and acquisition of both the English and Spanish languages.  We are committed to the education of the whole person:  a schooling of the body, heart, mind and spirit.  We believe in joyful learning. 

Del Mar Academy currently consists of a Toddler, Primary (or Casa), Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary Program, with plans to grow a Middle and High School program in the near future.  Each classroom is staffed by highly qualified teachers and educational assistants, with a low student-teacher ratio to maximize individual attention and educational excellence.

In the Montessori-based early childhood classes, all the materials, equipment and furniture are child-size to allow for maximum exploration and use of the senses.  The Montessori early childhood curriculum is designed to meet the changing and evolving needs of each child as a unique individual, to value “multiple intelligences”  and “emotional intelligence,” and to instill a lifelong love of learning.

Our upper and lower elementary pedagogy is also influenced by the holistic arts-based philosophy of the Waldorf curriculum, the project-based “learning by doing” of various progressive schools, and the thematic student-centered approach of The Coalition of Essential Schools.  This joyful learning-how-to-learn approach then provides a solid foundation for a rigorous academic secondary education informed by the internationally recognized International Baccalaureate Programs.

The Academy – Physical Environment

The Academy is located in a tranquil, country setting in the ‘L Section’ of Nosara. Currently, the Academy’s seven acres consist of:

A ‘casa schoolhouse’ (for ages toddler to six years)
A separate building that has six classrooms including a library and computer room.
Open air “rancho style” cafeteria.
Athletic field.
Multipurpose sport court.
Playground.
Administration office.
On-site home for our full-time care taker and family.
Petting zoo with several types of birds, goats and sheep.

In the future the school will house twenty classrooms, including:

A central pod which will have four specialty classrooms and a library.
A separate building for the middle and high school students.
Swimming pool.

The school is incorporating environmentally-friendly elements throughout the property, such as organic agriculture, recycling programs and compost garden, among others.