Founded in 1960 in San José, Instituto Dr. Jaim Weizman is Costa Rica's only Jewish school and plays a central role in Jewish education within the community. The school became an ORT affiliate in 2022, aligning its mission with the global ORT values of academic excellence, innovation, and Jewish identity. 

The school’s mission is to prepare global citizens rooted in Jewish values—well-rounded, confident individuals capable of shaping the future. At the heart of the school’s philosophy is a commitment to educational innovation and community leadership whilst providing a continuous, nurturing, and rigorous academic environment. With a strong emphasis on student and teacher development, Weizman continues to prioritize excellence and the thoughtful integration of cutting-edge teaching tools. The school’s holistic approach ensures that academic quality, Jewish identity, and student wellbeing remain central pillars of the learning experience.

The school offers a blended academic program combining the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework with the Costa Rican national curriculum (MEP). Weizman's college counseling and wellness department guides students toward prestigious university admissions in the United States, Europe, and Israel.

A central innovation at Weizman is the school’s Maker Space, where Design and Technology instruction fosters student creativity, hands-on problem-solving, and innovation. The curriculum is supported by dynamic arts and sports programming, including a dedicated art homeroom, music classes, and seasonal extracurriculars such as interscholastic soccer, music clubs, volleyball, and art clubs.

Weizman students benefit from an active and varied extracurricular program. The school supports seasonal enrichment activities in the arts, sports, and music, alongside formal academic programming. Popular clubs include: chess club, art workshop, school band, ukelele club, piano club and Club Rikudim.

Leadership and diplomacy are nurtured through the school’s dual Model UN programs: Olameinu (international) and LejaimNU (internal intercollegiate). The school fosters a spirit of active engagement and civic awareness through participation in environmental projects, peer learning, and service-based activities. Tikkun Olam is treated not as a single initiative but as a core value that shapes student attitudes and school culture.

Educationally, the school takes a student-centered approach grounded in differentiation and responsive teaching. Multi-age grouping is used in Middle Years special subjects, promoting peer learning and deeper understanding. Innovation is further reflected in the school’s Maker Space and its strong Design, Technology, and Innovation track.

The school excels in Jewish identity and education. Its Jewish department delivers a robust curriculum where holiday observances, Zionist events, and ethical learning are interwoven throughout the academic year and across disciplines. These strengths, along with strong student support structures, make Weizman a valuable resource for the ORT network in the areas of identity, culture, and holistic Jewish education.

At the same time, the school seeks collaboration in three key areas: attracting qualified educators for Jewish Studies, enhancing technology and innovation infrastructure, and improving enrollment and outreach strategies.

The school’s “STEAM Week” initiative marks a new chapter in Weizman’s commitment to integrated STEM education. Middle schoolers benefit from a Design, Technology, and Innovation course taught in the school’s dedicated Maker Space, which emphasizes real-world problem-solving and project-based learning.

Entrepreneurship is also a core component, and Weizman students have successfully participated in Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) competitions, gaining exposure to business, innovation, and collaboration skills early in their education.

Mental health and wellbeing are supported through a dedicated Wellbeing Department that prioritizes each student’s social and emotional development. The school recognizes that academic success is inseparable from emotional resilience and actively nurtures students in both areas.

Jewish education is a defining feature of life at Instituto Dr. Jaim Weizman. From preschool onward, all students receive classes in Hebrew, Parasha, Tfila, and Jewish traditions. As students advance, their education expands to include Tanaj, Hebrew history, Zionism, and Hasbará. Jewish content makes up approximately 10% of instruction for early years, 25% in middle school, and 15% in high school.

A synagogue is located on campus, and daily prayer is incorporated into the school schedule. While there are no formal Jewish education programs for parents, families are invited to participate in major holidays and events. Ongoing Jewish education for faculty and staff is also a priority.

Students participate in multiple international Jewish education programs, including climate exchange trips, leadership programs in Israel, Make-A-Thon Barcelona, Rikudim, Olameinu, LejaimNU, Shorashim, and Jidon Tanaj.

Weizman has recently begun participating in the World ORT Global Citizenship program. The faculty joined the Youth Global Citizenship Seminar in 2024, and students will begin taking part in 2025. The school also integrates social and environmental education into its IB Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) projects and partners with organizations like KKL for ecological initiatives.

Through these efforts, the school is developing students who are aware of and actively engaged in the challenges and responsibilities of global citizenship.