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Education is life, not preparation
We reject the idea that childhood is a rehearsal. Students live fully in the present — managing real projects, solving real problems, making real contributions.
Playa Negra, Costa Rica
Rooted in Nature. Rigorous in Learning. Real in Every Way.
A bilingual, project-based school where children grow food, build real projects, and become the humans our world needs.
Holistic Education · Equal Access · Environmental Regeneration & Community Impact
“We weren’t just looking for a school — we were looking for a community that shared our values. At SOL, our kids are learning things that actually matter, surrounded by people who care as much as we do.”
— SOL Academy Parent
Our story
The world is our classroom
SOL Academy was born in Playa Negra, Costa Rica, from a simple conviction: education should be a meaningful experience in the present — not just preparation for a distant future.
Starting with a handful of families and a commitment to regenerative principles, what began as an experiment in project-based learning has grown into a thriving school community. In our first year we expanded into a second building, launched a community center and library, built conservation partnerships, and watched students create real businesses, lead beach cleanups, and care for a growing school farm.
Today, SOL serves students from preschool through middle school across age groups named after Costa Rican wild cats. Our campus is a working farm. Our curriculum is bilingual and IB-aligned. And our community stretches far beyond the school walls.
SOL Academy is a project of Regenerative Communities Foundation.
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Learning happens through doing
Students don’t just read about photosynthesis — they grow food. They don’t just study economics — they run businesses.
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The whole child matters
We nurture mind, heart, body, and spirit — emotional intelligence, physical wellness, creative expression, and inner wisdom.
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We learn with, not from, the land
Through farm work, garden care, and conservation projects, students develop a living relationship with the natural world rooted in reciprocity.
Our program
Find your child's place at SOL
Bilingual, IB-aligned, and project-based. From preschool through middle school, every subject connects to something that matters.
Explore the pedagogyTigrillos
Preschool · Ages 3–5
Ocelotes
Elementary · Grades 2–3
Panteras
Grades 4–5
Pumas
Middle school · Grades 6–8
Go deeper
The school, up close
How we learn
Gold Standard PBL, Reggio Emilia, and a bilingual path from early childhood to IB.
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Community Fridays
The world is the classroom: biologists, farms, ocean, and real crafts.
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Catbucha & the Cat Café
Student-made kombucha that funds the campus cat rescue.
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Our team
The people who hold every project, circle, and Friday.
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Walking our talk
Our impact, by the numbers
143
kg of trash collected in a single beach cleanup
150+
species researched for the Tree of Life mural
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Sunday Fundays — free and open to all families
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Working-farm campus in Los Pargos, Playa Negra
Frequently asked questions
Is SOL accredited?
SOL Academy’s curriculum is IB-aligned and bilingual. For specific accreditation details, please contact us at hola@sol-schooloflife.com.
Is the program in Spanish or English?
SOL is a fully bilingual school. Instruction happens in both English and Spanish throughout the day. Students develop fluency through immersion — not just language classes.
What does a typical school day look like?
The day begins at 8:00 AM with a morning ritual — yoga, song, a sharing circle, and setting intentions. Academic blocks run through the morning, followed by project work and farm time. After a farm-to-table lunch, afternoons are dedicated to art, music, and language deepening. The day ends at 3:00 PM with a reflection circle.
The campus looks like a farm. Is it safe?
The campus is a working farm — and that’s intentional. Children care for animals, work in gardens, and explore with appropriate supervision. Safety is built into every activity through clear protocols, trained staff, and a culture of responsibility.
Ready to learn more?
Whether you’re ready to apply or just beginning to explore, we’d love to meet your family.