You will find below a list of the most popular international and bilingual schools for expats in Jamaica with fee information. The list includes nursery schools, primary and secondary (high) schools for you to find the right school to prepare for the International Baccalaureate and other accreditation in Jamaica. Some schools may follow the American or British curriculums with English speaking programs.

Education in Jamaica

Education in Jamaica is modeled on the British system. Private pre-school is available, with primary education for the ages of 5-11 years. Following this, the Lower School or Forms 1-3 caters to children from 10-13 or 14, and Upper School or Forms 4 & 5 with students are informally classified as Arts, Sciences, Industrial Arts and Business students. Sixth form is an optional, two year, advanced post secondary program. At the end of this course, students participate in the CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams). Entry into Sixth Form is extremely competitive.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in Jamaica. There may be some local population, but the schools are usually geared for an international student body. Schools follow a curriculum model from the US, UK, or France. Primary instruction may be any language (and multiple languages are usually taught), but it is usually in English or French. Schools provide similar standards of schooling around the globe, providing for an easy transition between schools whether they are in France or Vietnam. Schools also 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 & Membership

• Council of International Schools (CoIS) 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.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-CASI) is a regional accreditation agency for US based schools.

International Schools in Kingston

The Hillel Academy
Address: 51 Upper Mark Way
Kingston 8, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 925 1980
Tuition Rates: $149,000 - 280,000 per year

Accredited by the SACS/AdvancED in the United States, the school was founded in 1969 by the Jewish community of Jamaica as a non-denominational, independent, co-educational, multi-cultural school. It is comprised of a Preparatory School (age 3 -11), a High School (age 11-16) and a Sixth Form (age 16-18). The school features the IB Program.

American International School of Kingston (AISK)
Address: 2 College Green Avenue
Kingston 6, Jamaica
Tel: 225-22 - 40 - 13 - 44
Tuition Rates: $7,500 - 15,677 per year

A private, coeducational day school, which offers an educational program from preschool through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The school year comprises 2 semesters extending from late August to mid-January and from early mid-January to early June. The curriculum is that of a U.S. college-preparatory globally-focused school with instruction is in English. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is offered in grades eleven and twelve. There is a French language section of the school that follows French curriculum.

International Schools in Mandeville

Belair School
Address: 43 DeCateret Road
Mandeville Manchester, Jamaica
Tel: 876-962-2168
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

English language international school from pre-kindergarten to High School. Curriculum is based on the British system, with elements of an international education. From Grade 7 - 9, the curriculum is based on the R.O.S.E. programme (Reform of Secondary School Education). Students are prepared for C.S.E.C. and C.A.P.E. and the U.S. based S.A.T. examinations.