International Schools in Cuba

Diploma and graduate hat - Fotolia

You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Cuba 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 Cuba. Some schools will follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs while others are regulated under the French education system.

Education in Cuba

The education system in Cuba is well-established, free, and of very good quality. The system was nationalized after the 1959 revolution and operated by the government. The constitution states that educational and cultural policy is based on Marxist ideology. The government spends about 10 percent of its central budget on education. The literacy rate is over 96%, making it's system high ranking within Latin American.

School attendance is compulsory from ages 6 to 15 or 16. At the end of basic secondary education, pupils can choose between pre-university education and technical and professional education. Those who complete pre-university education are awarded the Bachillerato. Technical training leads to two levels of qualification - skilled worker and middle-level technician. Successful completion of this cycle gives access to the technological institutes. All students, regardless of age or sex, wear school uniforms with the color denoting grade level.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Cuba. Schools are geared for an international student body and may follow a curriculum model from the UK, France, or a modified Cuban program. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English, French, or Spanish. 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. NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) provides accreditation services for more than 2,000 public and private institutions.

Havana

International School of Havana (ISH)
Address: 18 st. 315 and 5th Ave.
Miramar, Havana City, Cuba 10600
Tel: 53 7 2042540
Tuition Rates: 3,780 - 11,556 USD per year

This English language school offers preschool education (age 2.5) through grade 12. It has the IB program as well as the ISH Graduation Diploma Programmes, and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (I.G.C.S.E.) for students in Grades 9 and 10. The school is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (C.I.S.) and N.E.A.S.C. (New England Association of Schools and Colleges).

French School in Havana

Ecole Française de La Havane
Ecole Primaire
Address: Calle 15 N°18004 entre 180 y 182 Siboney, La Habana, Cuba
Collège et Lycée
Address: Calle 182 N°1513 entre 17 y 15 Siboney, La Habana, Cuba
Tel: (537) 273 62 64
Tuition Rates: 1,950 - 2,550 euros per year

The French School of Havana is controlled by the Agency for the Teaching of French abroad (AEFE). It consists of an ecole primaire and a collège et lycée. It follows the official French programs with French language instruction, as well as instruction in Spanish and English.