International Schools in British Virgin Islands

Diploma and graduate hat - Fotolia

This list contains the most popular international and bilingual schools in British Virgin Islands:  nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools, International Baccalaureate, and other diploma in British Virgin Islands with fee information. Some schools may follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs.

The idyllic British Virgin Islands consist of the main islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jost Van Dyke, along with over fifty other smaller islands and cays. The capital, Road Town, is situated on the largest island on of Tortola. This is also the site of most international schools, as well as several government schools. The islands gained separate colony status in 1960 and became autonomous in 1967, but the education system is still based on the British system. The twin pillars of the economy are tourism and financial services, with many children of the industry attending the international schools. The literacy rate is a relatively high at 98 percent. Under the Education Ordinance, education in the British Virgin Islands is compulsory for children from the age of 5 til 17.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in British Virgin Islands. There may be some local population, but the schools are geared for an international student body. Schools usually follow a curriculum model of the UK, but may also be based on the French or American systems. 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.

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. Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) is a premier accrediting association. National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) represents over 1100 independent schools and associations in the United States and abroad. The Caribbean Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) is the accrediting body for the area.

Road Town

Cedar International School
Address: P.O. Box 3109
Road Town, Tortola British Virgin Islands, VG1110
Tel: 1 (284) 494-5262
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Cedar International School is an international private school. Classes are available for students from pre-kindergarten (age 4) through grade 12 (age 18). Cedar International School is accredited by the CoIS and is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. It is authorized to teach the full IB continuum—the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme.

St. Thomas

VI Montessori School & International Academy
Address: 6936 Vessup Lane
St. Thomas, USVI 00802
Tel: (340)775-6360
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

This school was established in 1964 and offers classes from age two through 12th grade. The Montessori program includes Primary through Upper Elementary (ages 3 through 12) and is accredited by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Grades 7 through 12 make up the International Academy. The school has the International Baccalaureate Program as an IB World School.

Antilles School
Address: 7280 Frenchman's Bay #16-1
St. Thomas, VI 00802
Tel: (340) 776-1600
Tuition Rates: US $9,200 - 17,230

Antilles School is a world class, college preparatory, coeducational school for the children of St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island. Antilles is a comprehensive school for children from toddlers (age 2) through grade 12. The Virgin Islands Department of Education provides ferry passes for St. John students traveling to St. Thomas for school. There is a St. John parent association that organizes safari taxis to transport the students from Red Hook to Antilles in the morning and from Antilles to Red Hook in the afternoon.