Costa Rica

More than 60 years ago, the Instituto Dr. Jaim Weizman was established in Costa Rica’s capital, San José. The school joined the ORT network in 2022 as an affiliate school.

At Instituto Dr. Jaim Weizman, we have a clear mission: to provide academic excellence within a framework of Jewish values, aiming to prepare well-equipped citizens of the world, grounded in their Judaism and as well-rounded human beings.

Currently, there are 230 students across all age groups. Students can begin their education in preschool at one-year-old and continue until high school, graduating at 17 or 18 years old—the typical age for completing school education in Costa Rica.

The Instituto plays a key role in the Jewish community as the only Jewish school in the country. At Weizman, the pursuit of excellence is always a priority, which is why significant effort is dedicated to researching and acquiring the best tools to educate both teachers and students.

Students benefit from small class sizes, ranging from 10 to 25 children per class. Members of the Orthodox Jewish community are eligible to attend the school, and around 70 percent of Jewish children living in the capital attend Weizman School. Approximately 2,000 families belong to the Orthodox Jewish community of San José.

The Instituto Dr. Jaim Weizman has an excellent reputation for its strong academic performance and for preparing students for their future. The school offers the International Baccalaureate, which is highly regarded for developing critical thinking skills and internationally recognized competencies.

As part of its affiliation with World ORT, the school’s teachers and students participate in international programs and knowledge-sharing exchanges with ORT and its other affiliates.