QUESTION- What if my child doesn't have a Passport?

ANSWER- No problem, just send your child to CSA in South Carolina and Dundee Ranch will pay for the PASSPORT applications and fees and will also ESCORT your child to Dundee Ranch Academy in Costa Rica once he/she has his/her Passport. We anticipate that the time required will be 5-7 days. You will still be required to provide the airfare into Atlanta and then onto Costa Rica later. You should coordinate travel information with Denise at CSA at 864-992-7774 or carolinaspr@wctel.net. We have found that it may be most efficient to purchase your round trip airfare from the ORIGINATING city to San Jose, Costa Rica with a stop over in Atlanta. The stop over should be at least 7 days, so we can get the Passport. This way, you won't have to purchase TWO separate tickets (One to Atlanta and the other to Costa Rica).

QUESTION-Will my child be safe while in Dundee Ranch Academy?

ANSWER-YES, The following are FIVE of the ways that Dundee Ranch Academy is fiscalized and held to a quality of control.

1. They are visited EVERYDAY by the Local Police Department of Orotina.
2. Students are interviewed periodically by the United States Embassy to make sure that they are safe and healthy.
3. There is a Child Protective Service in Costa Rica called PANI that checks on the students as well.
4. The WWASP organization also periodically sends a representative to do inspections and assure the quality of the program that is being offered.
5. The Grievance Committee is an internal control on staff and students. Those students that feel they have been treated unfairly can file a Grievance and it will be reviewed by the Committee (the Director chairs this Committee) on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00 am. This is taken very seriously.

QUESTION-What if my kid gets sick?

ANSWER-Dundee Ranch Academy actually has TWO full-time Registered Nurses on campus at all times. They are constantly checking up on the students and making sure that everyone is healthy. Their visits are free of charge to parents. They administer medicines, give shots, stitches, and schedule appointments for students to meet with the doctors or hospital if necessary. Their office is located in the Medical infirmary and can be reached at Ext. 21.

QUESTION-Are there professionals on Staff at DRA?

ANSWER-YES, we have a General Doctor and Dentist/Orthodontist that are on staff and therefore save parents transportation fees as well.

1. The General Doctor, Dr. Edgar Leguizamon, visits the facility EVERY TUESDAY and THURSDAY. He is also available in case of emergencies.
2. Dr. Maria Rivera is an experienced Dentist and Orthodontist that comes to the facility EVERY WEDNESDAY. We have purchased the chair, X-Ray machine, compressors, etc., so she is able to perform nearly all procedures on campus. She also can continue the care of braces.

QUESTION-Do Staff members receive regular training?

ANSWER-It is a requirement for ALL staff to attend the daily training meetings. Plus, they are also tested daily as to the rules and regulations of the company. Staff is also provided with seminar training every 8 weeks, so that they understand what the parents and students are going through. Staff is provided with Training Manuals and Employee Manuals to help clarify the Academy's expectation of them. They are trained to be Friendly but Firm, and Respectful with the students.

QUESTION-What is the Academic system like?

ANSWER-Dundee Ranch Academy is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools. This means that the credits your child earns at DRA will be transferable to other high schools in the United States. The Academic system is a self paced program that allows student to progress at his/her own pace. On an average, students complete 2 years of schooling for every 1 year they are at DRA. It is the school's goal that the students graduate from both the program and high school. Students are required to achieve either As or Bs as passing grades, so you can anticipate that your son or daughter will become an honor student while in our program.

QUESTION-Does DRA offer additional help to students who struggle academically?

ANSWER-YES, while DRA does not have a trained Special Education teacher on staff, there is additional help available. Students who are ahead of their peers or who have already graduated are given the opportunity to help tutor their peers. This has proven to be very effective for the slower learners or those with Dyslexia at no additional cost to parents.

QUESTION-What are the facilities like?

ANSWER-Dundee Ranch was a modern adventure hotel when we purchased the 35 acre beauty. The schoolhouse is located on an island in the middle of a large pond. There are many types of wildlife observed on the premises; Macaws, Parrots, Sloths, Iguanas and Monkeys. As part of our campus we also have a swimming pool, basketball court, and a soccer field.

QUESTION-Are the students required physical education?

ANSWER-Students are required to participate in ONE HOUR of physical education where they either run, swim, play basketball or soccer, performs aerobics or play simple games.

QUESTION-Are there NA classes offered?

ANSWER-YES, besides the program structure and seminars that are provided by all WWASP schools that address self-limiting beliefs and behaviors, Dundee Ranch Academy also hosts NA classes each Monday and Thursday for interested students. Attendance at these classes is optional, which seems to help with the sincerity and seriousness of those attending. Parents located in the states have helped provide the necessary information and packets.

QUESTION-Will my child be able to see certain sites in Costa Rica?

ANSWER-YES, your child will be exposed to and immersed in the wonderful culture of Costa Rica! Off campus activities are reserved for Upper-Level students (Level 4-6), who are allowed to leave campus for activities. The following are activities that are currently being offered at DRA:

1. Snorkeling
2. Sport fishing
3. Running on the beach
4. S'mores and bonfires on the beach
5. Movies in San Jose
6. Karaoke
7. Dancing
8. Service projects
9. Turtle museums
10. Volcano visits
11. Local cultural activities

QUESTION-Are the students taught Spanish?

ANSWER-YES, each student is required to attend ONE HOUR of Spanish class per day; however, the true learning comes by practicing with our Staff members. We have noticed that the students have experienced significant growth and learning with Spanish. Most students are able to converse after 4 months.

QUESTION-How politically stable is Costa Rica?

ANSWER-It is said that Costa Rica is the most stable of all Central American countries. In fact, it is so safe in Costa Rica that the Government doesn't have a military. They spend their military budget monies on education. This, among other reasons, explains why the literacy rate in Costa Rica is 97%. They hold free elections and there is not internal strife.