Costa Verde International School’s Annual Fundraiser in Sayulita

Costa Verde International School in Sayulita holds a fundraiser once a year with the sole mission being to raise funds for scholarships for about half of the local Sayulita children who attend the school, in order to help assist them in their educational pursuits. The annual fundraiser is in its thirteenth year, and each year gets better, more fun, and is a night to remember that becomes the talk of the town! This year’s theme is “Studio 54”- so get out your disco boots and check out this article to read more about the school’s scholarship program, the importance of the fundraiser, and how you can get your tickets to ensure you don’t miss any of the action!

Can you give some general information about Costa Verde International school for those who don’t know?

In 2008 a group of parents banded together to create Costa Verde International School in Sayulita. Their children were just old enough to move beyond the preschool they had attended and there were few viable options in Sayulita. The local public school was plagued with issues of overcrowding, lack of second language support, absence of learning materials, limited hours, and underpaid and under-trained teachers. Other options were available in Bucerias (30 minutes away) and Puerto Vallarta (45 minutes away), but the parents all believed the 30-45 minute drive through the winding hills of the jungle every day was potentially dangerous, and certainly more time than they wanted their children in the car each day. It simply didn’t feel right!

Given the philanthropic nature of the founders, they did not want an elitist private school. The corporation that was created to start the school was done as an“associadad civil”, or “sociedad civil, which is similar to a non-profit corporation in other countries. They did this in order to ensure that all profits the school produced would be put directly back into education. They wanted the school to give back to the community by establishing an extremely high rate of scholarships for locals, and by spreading a vision of ecology to its students and families. Future plans were created to include a Community Center and a Sustainable Resource Center. These plans are still part of the vision of the school!

Currently, around 170 students in total attend CVIS, from Kindergarten through the 9th grade. We have an approximate 40% to 60% split between foreigners and local children who attend the school. Of that split, we have approximately 50% or half of the 60% of local children on scholarships. 

When and where is the fundraiser this year, and what is the theme? 

The fundraiser is at Don Pedro’s Brisa del Mar Palapa, on Tuesday, February 18th, at 6:00 p.m. This year’s theme is Studio 54! Think 1970’s GLAMOUR! Outfits could be inspired by disco dancing, bright and colorful clothes, tie-dye, sequins, and tons of fun!

This fundraiser will be a blast! There will be a live band, food provided by Don Pedro’s, Plush Catering, Organic Select, and Wakika, special performers, a photo booth, an art auction, and lots of other great surprises!

When did this fundraiser first begin and what do all of the proceeds for the fundraiser go towards?

This fundraiser is put on by the Fundraising Committee at CVIS, and all proceeds from the event go to the CVIS scholarship program for our Sayulita children in order to attend the school. The amount of money raised directly determines how many scholarships the school can offer for the next year. This is the 13th year of the fundraiser. All the children at CVIS rely on this fundraiser, either to attend school, or to enhance their educational experience though classroom diversity.

How much are the tickets and where can they be purchased?

One Regular Ticket is $1,200 pesos/$60 USD. With this, you receive entrance to the event, a welcome drink, a full dinner, live entertainment, subasta, dancing, (as per usual), but you will not be guaranteed seating at a table. There will be lounge and bar seating for people to rotate throughout the evening. These are the perfect tickets for the Sayulita movers and shakers that like to mix and mingle.

For $18,000 pesos/$1,000 USD, you can purchase a ticket for regular tables. With this you get a table for 10 people, reserved under your name, and you have the seats for the entire night. You also receive the other benefits, such as welcome drinks, dinner, live entertainment, subasta, and dancing. 

Finally, for $27,000 pesos/$1,500 USD you can purchase tickets for a special VIP table (there are only three!)  With this option you receive a few bottles of your favorite alcohol/spirit, drink service, auction concierge, an appetizer platter, first priority for dinner service, etc. These tables are front and center, and ready for all the action of the live auction and entertainment!

In short, IF YOU WANT A GUARANTEED SEAT- get nine of your friends together and buy a table. They are first come, first serve! We WILL sell out of these, as we do every year, and rather quickly, so make sure to reserve one today! Remember that this event is open to the entire community of Sayulita and to anyone with a ticket.

Tickets are on sale online now. You can also purchase tickets directly at CVIS in the front office, as well as at the Friday Mercado del Pueblo (Friday Farmer’s Market). 

For more information, or with any questions, please contact Colegio Costa Verde International School.

*Written by: Aanya Sheikh-Taheri