Education and Schools in Puerto Rico

Public schools in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico grants the right to an education to every citizen on the island. To this end, public schools in Puerto Rico provide free and secular education at the compulsory elementary and secondary levels. 

Despite the system being based on the American model, the teaching language in public schools is Spanish. This may be a deterrent for expats with children who are not familiar with the language. English is taught as a second language and is compulsory at all levels. Also, parents should be aware that the quality of public schools varies considerably. Schools in rural areas tend to be extremely under-resourced. 

Private schools in Puerto Rico

Private schools in Puerto Rico are operated by non-governmental institutions. Most Puerto Rican private schools are Catholic.

Expats should be aware that it is illegal for a school to deny admittance based on faith, and therefore being of the denomination is not a requirement for attending a private school in Puerto Rico. Students of different denominations are allowed to refrain from taking part in any religious-based activities at school. 

The language of instruction in Puerto Rican private schools can vary. Some teach bilingually, while others teach in English or Spanish only.

International schools in Puerto Rico

Though there are no foreign-curriculum schools in Puerto Rico, there are a few schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB). Many expat families opt for the IB as it's globally respected and taught all over the world, allowing for easier transfer between schools. These schools are typically expensive, however, so expats should ensure their budget has room for fees and other expenses.

Special-needs education in Puerto Rico

Public schooling in Puerto Rico is underfunded in general, and this is even more apparent in the very limited special-needs provisions offered by the government. That said, there are several special-education schools across Puerto Rico.

Be that as it may, with most education systems worldwide striving towards the integration of special-needs children into mainstream schools, the separate-schooling approach is somewhat outdated and is often thought to hold such students back rather than encourage participation in general society.

Parents of children with special educational needs should rather seek support in mainstream private schools, which are more likely to have appropriate resources and policies.

Tutors in Puerto Rico

Whether a family wishes to hire a tutor to help a child with a particularly challenging subject, prepare them for big exams or assist them with picking up a new language, there are plenty of options to suit parents' needs. Online and in-person services are available, and expats often find tutors to be a great help in easing their children into a new school system. There are a number of reputable online portals and tutoring companies offering their services, or expats can ask around locally for a recommendation.