Escuela Camino Claro 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 seeking education for their children in 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 ECC began in the living room of a motivated parent using a stack of second-hand school books, photocopied workbooks, and two 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 community education center. Many things have changed since ECC 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 programs we offer. In 2010 the founders of ECC, Haley Whitley and Raphel Weber, decided to move back to the United States and pass the management of ECC onto a local resident. Under the high-energy and creative spirit of Lisa Thrash, ECC continues to provide an excellent setting for cultural exchange by integrating a wide spectrum of cultures, nationalities, and ages.

KVRM Radio Interview

Click play below to listen to a radio interview with Haley and Raphel as they explain the many great services ECC offers their community. This interview was done in January of 2009 and Haley and Raphel reflect a bit on the growth of the school and all they learned in their first successful year.