You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Belize with fee information. It includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools and you will find the right school to prepare for International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in Belize. Some schools may follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs.

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Belize. There may be some local population, but the schools are geared for an international student body. Schools usually follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, France, Canada or Australia/New Zealand. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. Many schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools often provide internationally accepted accreditation such as the international baccalaureate.

Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school. Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Tuition tends to be expensive based on local standards, but offers high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurricular. Boarding facilities are available at some schools, but most only provide day classes.

The Belizean school system is a loose aggregate of education subsystems. Generally based on British curriculum, it is broken into three levels: Primary education (8 years), 6 standards, 4 forms of secondary education. Education in Belize is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 14 years for primary education. Primary education is free, but related expenses, such as uniforms, books and annual school fees are a financial strain on poor families. The growth of international schools is in response to a number of expatriate families moving to the country.

Accreditation

The CoIS (Council of International Schools) is a non-profit association of international schools and post-secondary institutions which provides educational accreditation, teacher and leadership recruitment services, links to higher education, governance assistance and help with founding new schools. Quality Schools International (QSI) is a group of non-profit international schools offering education in the English language.

Belize City

Belize High School (BHS)
Address: P.O. Box 714
Belize City, Belize
Tel: (501) 223-1177
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

BHS is a private, non-profit institution, with a college preparatory oriented and technology focused curriculum.

Caye Caulker Ocean Academy
Address: Avenida Mangle
Caye Caulker, Belize
Tel: 501 2 260 321
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Caye Caulker High School is a private school that teaches from a Christian and biblical perspective. Clases are offered from grades 9-12.

Belmopan

QSI International School of Belize
Address: Mile 49.5, Western Highway
Camalote Village, Cayo District, Belize
E-mail: belize@qsi.org
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

QSI International School of Belize is a non-profit institution that operates classes for children 5-13 years of age. The curriculum includes English, Mathematics, Cultural Studies, Science, Art, Music, and Physical Education. Instruction is in English and individual and group instruction is available for students who need additional help with English. The school seeks to provide students with an appreciation for the rich culture and history of Belize.

San Pedro Town

San Pedro High School
Address: Sea Gull Street
San Pedro Town, A.C., Belize
Tel: (501) 226-2045
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

San Pedro High School is a private/government aided secondary school on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. It is the only high school on this island and it offers quality education to the natives (the San Pedranos) and to students from all over the country whose parents come to live in San Pedro mostly to work on tourism or construction. San Pedro High has been training young people to join the work force mostly in the business sector. Students who wish to specialize, move on to tertiary level of education in a program known in Belize as sixth form (junior college).