Costa Rica’s 2025 public school year ended Friday for more than 1 million students enrolled in over 5,000 public elementary and high schools, according to the Ministry of Public Education (MEP).

During the week of Dec. 8–12, most public schools held traditional end-of-year parties (known as Fiesta de la Alegría), marking the close of the academic year with student activities and parties.

Graduation ceremonies for kindergarten, school and high school students were also held that week, the ministry said.

Although schools are closed for vacation, education officials reported that about 230 public schools in socially vulnerable communities will keep their cafeterias open during the break.

The schools will provide daily lunches to approximately 160,000 students from low-income families.

The meal program is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to support students living in poverty and is aimed at improving student well-being, academic performance and school retention.

The end of the school year traditionally signals a busy travel period for Costa Rican families, many of whom visit the country’s beaches and rural areas. The break also coincides with the start of the international tourism season.

The 2026 public school year is scheduled to begin Monday, Feb. 23. Teachers and school administrative staff will report two weeks earlier, on Monday, Feb. 9, to participate in training and prepare to implement academic guidelines for the year.

While public schools follow Costa Rica’s national academic calendar, some private schools operate on a U.S.-based schedule. Those institutions began classes in September 2025 and will conclude the school year in June 2026.

MEP is the government agency responsible for overseeing Costa Rica’s public education system. It implements policies, programs and initiatives to ensure access to free, basic public education nationwide.

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