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 challenge if your children are not familiar with the language. English is taught as a second language and is compulsory at all levels. You should be aware that the quality of public schools varies considerably, with schools in rural areas suffering from a lack of funding.

Private schools in Puerto Rico

Private schools in Puerto Rico are operated by non-governmental institutions. Most Puerto Rican private schools are Catholic. Students of any religion may attend these schools, and those of different faiths may refrain from taking part in any religion-based activities at school.

The language of instruction in Puerto Rican private schools varies. 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). Choosing an IB school can facilitate a smoother transfer between schools after leaving the island. Fees for these schools are typically steep – careful budgeting is essential to balance expenses.

Special-needs education in Puerto Rico

Public schooling in Puerto Rico is underfunded in general. 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.

If your children have special educational needs, it’s best to seek support from a mainstream private school, as these are more likely to have appropriate resources and policies.

Tutors in Puerto Rico

Whether you hire a tutor to help your children with a particularly challenging subject, prepare them for big exams or assist them with picking up the local language, there are plenty of options to suit your 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. Alternatively, you can ask around locally for a recommendation.