How are the schools in Belize?

They have a British-based school system here in Belize so it is based on standards and forms as opposed to grades. They are quite significant here. The kids who graduate from the schools, especially the primary schools, have a very high level of aptitude and comprehension. From what I understand, the primary school system is very good.
 
In Ambergris Caye, you have the option of a public school or a private school.  Even the private schools are absolutely gorgeous. There is...

They have a British-based school system here in Belize so it is based on standards and forms as opposed to grades. They are quite significant here. The kids who graduate from the schools, especially the primary schools, have a very high level of aptitude and comprehension. From what I understand, the primary school system is very good.
 
In Ambergris Caye, you have the option of a public school or a private school.  Even the private schools are absolutely gorgeous. There is a big private school called the Island Academy. The church funds the public schools. There is an Anglican school and a Roman Catholic school, which are free for the kids. The parents do not have to pay for the books or for the food because I believe there's a program at all the schools for breakfasts and lunches. From my understanding, they are all very well run.
 
The high school is quite an issue for people because there is only one high school in Ambergris Caye. It is not particularly great. Without a rival high school, there is no team spirit. The teams do not have anyone to play and no one to compete against. That rivalry is what was so much fun in high school. That bonding experience for the teens attending whichever school does not exist in Belize. From my understanding, many parents send their kids to high school on the mainland.  In Belize City, there are several high schools from which they can choose. Often the local people send their teenagers to go live with their relatives in Belize while their teenagers attend high school there. The expats tend to bring their kids back to North America from what I have seen, or one of the parents will move back to North America with the teenager.
 
The elementary schools in Ambergris Caye here are all church-run. There is an Adventist primary school, there is a Roman Catholic school, and an Anglican school. There is no government-run school. The churches fund the primary schools that are free and the private schools are out of pocket. There is no “San Pedro Primary School” that is government run. There is nothing like that.
 
The schools here in Belize are bursting. There are something like 500 kids, but the schools are meant for only about 350 kids. So the need is there, but they don't refuse children, which something that I really like. Some Guatemalans and Hondurans live here because this is the only place somebody can get any work and the kids are accepted into schools. Even though some of them are here illegally, the children should not be punished, and the children should be educated. 

Belize has many good public as well as private and church-state partnership schools. In fact, some of the better schools are run by Catholics with the help of the government, like the high school I attended, Pallotti High School.

We have:

• Preschool- Ages 3-5
• Primary School (Infant 1- Standard 6)- Which would be equivalent to 1st grade to 8th grade.
• High School (First Form to Fourth Form)- Which would be equivalent to 9th grade to 12th...

Belize has many good public as well as private and church-state partnership schools. In fact, some of the better schools are run by Catholics with the help of the government, like the high school I attended, Pallotti High School.

We have:

• Preschool- Ages 3-5
• Primary School (Infant 1- Standard 6)- Which would be equivalent to 1st grade to 8th grade.
• High School (First Form to Fourth Form)- Which would be equivalent to 9th grade to 12th grade.
• Junior College / Sixth Form- Which would be equivalent to the first two years of university / college
• University- We have three universities in Belize: The University of Belize, Galen University and The University of the West Indies.

The school facilities themselves can be improved, since most are very basic concrete buildings with wooden desks. Our schools can definitely use more updated technology, but all of this is being worked on. The government recently gave all tertiary level students free tablets to "facilitate the learning process."

 

(An archeologist talking to students at San Pedro Roman Catholic school, Belize pictured.)

I have two step daughters attending schools in Belize. Shantel is graduating from primary school in Copper Bank this June, and Kayla is in her second year of high school in Corozal Town. 

 

I am really enthusiastic about the local school here in the village. My daughters were attending Catholic schools in Corozal Town before our relocation to Cerros Sands. A lot of the schools in Belize are government schools or...

I have two step daughters attending schools in Belize. Shantel is graduating from primary school in Copper Bank this June, and Kayla is in her second year of high school in Corozal Town. 

 

I am really enthusiastic about the local school here in the village. My daughters were attending Catholic schools in Corozal Town before our relocation to Cerros Sands. A lot of the schools in Belize are government schools or funded by churches. Because of the good instruction she is getting at the local village school, her grades have improved by probably almost 25%.

 

The other day, my daughter said to me, “Dad, guess what, I’m going to finish in the top 10 this year!” And I said, “Oh, that’s great!” And she starts laughing, so I said, “How do you know that?” Her answer was “There are only ten kids in my class!” LOL. The point being she is getting a lot more attention. 

 

All the kids wear uniforms to school. Each school has a different uniform and in high school they have the same uniform but different grades have different bow ties they wear so that teachers can look out in the playground and see that the classes are staying in their group.  All children have to go to school until they are 14 or 15 years old.  

 

Expat kids go to the same school where my step daughters go or they may home school. I do know one couple that does home school, though. I cannot tell you enough good things about the schools here in Corozal.  

 

Shantel is playing football, “soccer” in the United States. I didn’t know that she enjoyed the sport and she is doing really well. So now, its time to get her a nice pair of football shoes. They have nice uniforms, games almost every week and she is having a blast. I told her, “You can stay in the sports as long as you keep your grades up.”  

 

Kayla, my oldest daughter was in the school band last year, which means she participated in national competitions for drum and bugle corps. They play, dance and compete against other schools in the country. Last year, they finished third in the Nation and were very disappointed with their finish. They work almost too hard on this level extra-curricular stuff, that I have issues with it. They keep the kids longer than I would expect at night to get the routines down when they have studies the next day.  

 

(Pictured: girls practicing their audio skills, all with a great backdrop.)

Just as I look at the schools in Florida, there are schools in Belize that are good and there are some that are not good. They are certainly not the caliber of the schools in the US, Canada, or Europe.  However, there are some very good schools in Belize and they seem to get better each year.
 
There are both private schools and public schools in Belize. Like purchasing property, I suggest that you do your homework before you choose a school in Belize. Ask for some feedback...

Just as I look at the schools in Florida, there are schools in Belize that are good and there are some that are not good. They are certainly not the caliber of the schools in the US, Canada, or Europe.  However, there are some very good schools in Belize and they seem to get better each year.
 
There are both private schools and public schools in Belize. Like purchasing property, I suggest that you do your homework before you choose a school in Belize. Ask for some feedback from your neighbors. My developer partner has three children who go to a private school in Belize City. It is a great school. There are also some high schools and junior high schools in Placencia that are very good as well. The education systems cover the whole gamut from fair, good, up to very good.  

 

(Insignia for St. John's College High School for boys, Belize City, Belize, pictured.)