One can easily see how Pillars of Hope of Costa Rica offers an ideal opportunity to study the environment and animal behavior of several species. Costa Rica is in fact second to none in its eco-tourism opportunities. Students are also offered occasional tours off campus to explore the forests of nearby
areas, ideal for hiking and adventure.

Because of the emphasis on student choice, Pillars of Hope maintains high standards of behavior among its student body. Alcohol, tobacco, and non-prescription drugs are not allowed among faculty, staff or
students on or off campus while working at or attending this Academy. Students are expected to uphold these standards. Violators are asked to seek other avenues for study elsewhere. These norms include modesty in dress and

appearance. Young men are taught to shave regularly and are not allowed to wear jewelry. Young men and women dress in modest uniforms and are groomed appropriately according to standards established by our student body leadership. In addition, high moral standards are adhered to as well. Although classrooms and many activities are coeducational, pairing off in isolation is not allowed. To help in the development of social skills, chaperoned dating in a group setting is allowed. Students usually remain in their family groups and are chaperoned at all times by faculty or staff. Every effort is made to make the facility a fun environment within the well-established limits of behavior that will help all students to accomplish their POPS to attend the IHL of their choice.

On and off campus activities provide a proper balance of recreation, exercise, learning and social opportunities. Initially, most activities are on campus. On campus activities include weekly dances, with Latin Dance Instruction, Karaoke concerts, a small 5 hole golf course,

swimming, soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, a Recreation Center offering professional quality table tennis equipment, weight lifting, stationary bicycles, step machines, a 100 yard outdoor walk/jog track, a weight and exercise room, multi-purpose room,
a movie room. A brick-laid multipurpose court for basketball, volleyball, tennis or the local favorite pastime �papi futbol� is available in the student quad area in front of the

cafeteria and administration building. In addition, the sports program includes a multi purpose playing field for soccer, flag football, softball, and outdoor lawn volleyball.

Many teens enjoy the privilege of participating in off campus activities. The off campus activities include local service activities with the Orotina community and surrounding areas, sight-seeing, water sports, canopy tours, beach outings, and cultural events, etc. see links for canopy tours for white water rafting. For one of our favorite adventure and sightseeing hotels.
The school's setting near the Pacific coast of Costa Rica is well suited for such activities. The school is only minutes away from several world-class resort areas such as the Marriott Los Sue�os and villa caletas resorts only 20 miles

away. This makes for ideal getaway opportunities for parents and their children as they visit and spend quality time with each other in peaceful environments second to none in world travel.

The school's setting near the Pacific coast of Costa Rica is well suited for such activities. The school is only minutes away from several world-class resort areas such as the Marriott Los Sue�os and villa caletas resorts only 20 miles away. This makes for ideal getaway opportunities for parents and their children as they visit and spend quality time with each other in peaceful environments second to none in world travel.

	An equestrian program is also offered for interested students. Housed in these Stables is a top quality purebred line of Andalusian horses. Interested students may qualify to assist our staff in the
	daily care of this noble line whose pedigrees trace back to the Golden Age of Spain (Babieca, the magnificent mount of Spain's national hero, El Cid, during the re-conquest of Spain founding stallion

of this breed). The two white stallions and two expectant mares come from champion bloodlines and provide interested students an opportunity to participate in the process of breeding and caring for champion purebreds. Andalusians are highly sought after for Haute Ecole airs, or the intricate movements needed in championship horse competitions. For more information on Haute Ecole airs, see the following link translation;

Haute Ecole airs Advanced Advanced students may apply for entry level of this specialized training. Studying the history and process of horse care management is just one more elective opportunity for the Pillars of Hope student.
Among activities offered to our students, is participation in our optional monthly cruise program for qualifying students. Day trips in our 50 foot 2001 Cruiser, Inc. yacht to nearby Tortuga Island are among several memorable opportunities for students to become acquainted with the abundant Marine life off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

A daily structured milieu includes five hours per day in school with quiet time for study and opportunities for small group study as needed, 1 � hours of daily physical education opportunities, arts and crafts, participation in our optional equestrian program, free time for golf, tennis, swimming, or other sports as scheduled. Or for the students who prefer quiet time, reading rooms are available in the Recreation Center for further study or leisure reading, as they may desire.
With the many activities offered at Pillars of Hope of Costa Rica, one can easily understand why so many come to call it home and know it as a premier opportunity for youth to grow and have fun that is supervised with full-time chaperones at all times.

For the College Prep student at Pillars of Hope, communication is unlimited within reason and facility guidelines to enable equal access to all students. A phone is located in each dorm. The phone number is given only to authorize guardians who may then choose to share the number with others as they choose. Because of the limited number of phones, calls may be limited to 30 minutes per week to allow for all students to receive them. Length of time on the phone may be adjusted depending on enrollment at any given time. Scheduled calls are welcomed and will help to guarantee that students are available to speak with their friends and/or family as the occasion allows. Phone logs are kept to assure that this privilege is not abused. Conference calls from parents to their child and his or her counselor must be made by appointment through e-mail one week in advance where possible to avoid conflicts of schedule.

Students are encouraged to write to their families at least once per week. College prep students will be allowed access to e-mail in school.

Parents are invited to participate in quarterly Parent Child Teacher (PCT) Conferences. This time serves as a wonderful opportunity for parents to spend some quality time with their child who would love to show them some of the sites and beauty offered by what many have called one of the most beautiful countries in the world and certainly one of the most environmentally conscious nations.