Camino Claro is in the early stages of operating as a private non-profit community education center in Costa Rica. The center started to form in 2006 when several families in the Pavones community came together in need of a supplemental English education for their bilingual children. The number of parents home schooling their children as an addition to the local public school grew. Consequently, small groups of students were organized and a home school teacher was found. The dream which has become Escuela Camino Claro began in the living room of a motivated parent using a stack of second-hand school books, photocopied workbooks, and a small group of bright college graduates who were eager to make a difference in the community. It was not long before many local Costa Rican families, and foreigners alike, realized what a great opportunity this was and were eager to involve their children in the program. It quickly became evident that Pavones would provide an excellent setting for cultural exchange by integrating a wide spectrum of cultures, nationalities, and ages through bilingual education and private instruction.

Many things have changed since this project began. Enrollment numbers and outside interest has since outgrown the living room in which the dream took root. We are now located in our own building in the center of Pavones and have expanded the classes we offer. Apart from home school classes for English-speaking students (grades 1-6), we offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for children and adults in various levels.

In January 2008 Escuela Camino Claro became a DBA of Eugene, Oregon’s non-profit organization Humans for Humanity, which acquired its 501(c)3 and tax-deductible status in 2006.

Home school grades 1-6 primarily utilize the English reading, writing, and comprehension components of the Calvert Home School and Oak Meadow programs, along with other materials from the same publishers. English classes with local Costa Rican children and adults use a variety of ESL textbooks and workbooks. Though all of the students currently attend Escuela Las Gemelas (the local primary school), Escuela Camino Claro focuses on providing extracurricular English education by utilizing the these curriculums to supplement the Spanish education they receive from the local school. All materials are included in the price of the class. ECC is working towards readily available internet to expand our programs.

The 2008 official school year begins in February and continues until November.