Texas Tech University

 TTU K-12 Signs Partnership in Costa Rica

 By Leslie Cranford, Section Manager

A tall building stands at the corner of an intersection with black and red windows and a flat roof.

The TTU-CR University Plaza in San José.

A tall building stands at the corner of an intersection with black and red windows and a flat roof.

The TTU-CR University Plaza in San José.

Nestled in between the coastlines of the Caribbean and Pacific is Costa Rica, the Central American country known for beaches, volcanoes and jungles, but not necessarily for its educational options.

However, since May 2018, Texas Tech University has housed a campus in the capital city of San José. With that in place, TTU K-12 recently signed a partnership there as well.

The TTU-CR University Plaza facility is in the Escazú suburb of west San José and integrated into the Ave. Escazú community. University Plaza is a complex of three integrated locations to include classrooms, laboratories, library/media center, administrative offices and student services.

Two men hold a red and black Texas Tech University flag and stand on opposite ends of the flag on a balcony overlooking scenic Costa Rica

J.J. Bernal of EPL, and Jared Lay celebrate the TTU K‑12 partnership.

Two men hold a red and black Texas Tech University flag and stand on opposite ends of the flag on a balcony overlooking scenic Costa Rica

J.J. Bernal of EPL, and Jared Lay celebrate the TTU K‑12 partnership.

Jared Lay, director of recruiting for eLearning & Academic Partnerships, says Texas Tech's presence definitely helped TTU K-12 get this accomplished.

"The educational company we're partnering with, EPL, has one of the floors in the building where TTU-CR is located. They do a lot of various things regarding academics – tutoring and other support. So, for us and for them, it was a great fit because it is all on the same campus."

A small room is filled with a long brown table with gift bags on top along with cups, a laptop, and two beverages with chairs pushed in behind the table and a view of local greenery through the window.

One of the many classroom spaces available to TTU‑CR students.

A small room is filled with a long brown table with gift bags on top along with cups, a laptop, and two beverages with chairs pushed in behind the table and a view of local greenery through the window.

One of the many classroom spaces available to TTU‑CR students.

Lay says the students will graduate from Texas Tech University High School with one diploma, just like any other public or private high school.

"They will be able to attend college in the states, in Costa Rica, or anywhere in the world, because our diploma presents that possibility," Lay said. "That's why it's a big interest for this group. And it's rolling enrollment for whenever a student is ready to start, not semester- or schoolyear-based. There are a few students already started, and we expect that to grow  quickly."

Lay says the students will use a combination of working at home and coming to the building to complete their high school studies.

"EPL will take care of these students and really keep them on track," Lay said. If a student is falling behind, they can offer extra tutoring and other things to help these kids succeed.

"Now we have a university and a high school presence in San José, which serve a lot of kids," he continued. "So many students can come in and be taking our high school or our university courses. It helps fill the need for students who might want to pursue something different or don't want the traditional brick-and-mortar schooling. Our program also makes them familiar with Texas Tech University, and it's not as scary to look at attending college in the United States or coming to Texas Tech."

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