Berkeley 101
In June 2013, Peter Swing and Yorlenny Aguilar opened Berkeley Academy's doors to 27 students in Santa Ana, Costa Rica.
Our Story
Who are the founders of Berkeley Academy?
Peter J. Swing and Yorlenny Aguilar met in 1999, while Peter served in the U.S. Marine Corps Security Guard Detachment at the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica. Yorlenny, a native-born Costa Rican from Guadalupe, provided administrative support to embassy officials at the time. They married in 2001, after Peter returned from the Middle East.
Peter and Yorlenny moved to California to pursue their educational and professional careers. Yorlenny earned her degree in administration at San Diego City College; Peter earned his degree in History and Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, mentored by historian Ronald Takaki. Peter later earned a postgraduate degree (Ed.M.) at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, studying under Dr. Fernando Reimers.
In June 2013, Peter and Yorlenny embarked on a new educational project in Costa Rica — a school dedicated to giving students the opportunity to study at the world's most prestigious universities, built on the belief that an international, multicultural education leads to a more just and equitable world.
Where Our Name and Colors Come From
The name “Berkeley” derives from Mr. Swing and Mrs. Aguilar's experience at UC Berkeley. Our school colors — crimson, black, and white — are a tribute to their experience at Harvard University.
Honor · Prestige · Excellence
Our core values, present in every classroom, club, and college conversation.
The PRIDE Framework
Provide. Raise. Ignite. Develop. Equip. Our mission, spelled out in five commitments.
School Virtues
Honesty, courage, temperance, integrity, service, benevolence, order, and justice.
The Harvard Yard Wall
For Berkeley Academy's 10th anniversary in 2023, the school built a wall on campus that imitates the Johnson Gate at Harvard Yard — a daily reminder of the founders' roots and the sacrifices made to build Berkeley Academy over its first decade.
A Growing Legacy
Berkeley Academy opened in August 2013 with 27 students. Today, the school serves 350 students from the U.S., Costa Rica, and dozens of countries around the world — with graduates receiving more than $11.45 million in university scholarships since 2015, and offers of admission to over 200 universities worldwide.
Accreditation
The first College Board Institutional Member in Costa Rica, certified by the Ministry of Public Education.
University Acceptances
See the full list of universities that have welcomed Berkeley Academy graduates since 2015.
Leadership
Meet the people who guide Berkeley Academy's mission every day.
