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

Education in El Salvador

El Salvador provides basic education to all students of the country with a national curriculum decided by the Ministry of Education of El Salvador. Vast improvements are being made to the system, but quality is still uneven. Access and standards of education can be poor in rural areas.

Kinder, short for kindergarten, is optional. Children enroll in primary school at age 7. What follows is nine years of schooling - divided into 3 cycles of 3 years each, of which the third is a transition to middle education.

• 1st Cycle: from 1st to 3rd grades
• 2nd Cycle: from 4th to 6th grades
• 3rd Cycle: from 7th to 9th grades)

Students can continue to two years (or an optional three years technical program) of Middle Education or two years of general bachelor's degree (High school Degree). University is a minimum of five years.

International Schools

International schools can be the perfect solution for an expat student (multinational corporation executives, children of diplomats, NGO staff) in El Salvador. There may be some local population, but the schools are usually geared for an international student body. Schools may 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, French, Spanish, German, or Japanese. 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

• 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.
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS-CASI) is a regional accreditation agency for US based schools.
• The Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) is a U.S.-based voluntary organization of more than 340 independent elementary and secondary schools.
• Association of American Schools in Central America (AASCA) s an association of private schools that offer a US type education in Central America.
• National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) represents over 1100 independent schools and associations in the United States and abroad.

La Libertad

Colegio La Floresta
Address: Km 13 1/2
Carretera al Puerto de La Libertad
Tel: (503) 2534-8800
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Girls-only Catholic school founded in 1978. Students from 1st to 12th grade receive Spanish language instruction. Seniors taking the Salvadoran PAES to graduate and optionally the International Baccalaureate.

Colegio Maya
Address: Vía Del Corso, Tuscania, Km. 16 CA-4, Zaragoza
Tel: (503) 2316 7800
Email: info@colegiomaya.edu.sv
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Colegio Maya is a bilingual school (English-Spanish) that is driven by the determination to provide an optimal environment to maximize learning. It is main focus is to provide students with personalized attention, academic excellence  and international awareness within a secure and caring environment. They are accredited by the Council of International Schools (C.I.S.) and are members of the College Board, Association of American Schools of Central America (A.A.S.C.A.), NHS and N.A.S.S.P.

German School in La Libertad

Deutsche Schüle San Salvador
Address: Calle del Mediterráneo, Jardines de Guadalulpe
Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad, El Salvador
Tel: (503) 2243 4898, 2243 8120, 2243 8121
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Tri-lingual (German/Spanish/English), bi-cultural German-Salvadoran school. Teaches from Kindergarten to 12th Grade. Students take both Salvadoran PAES and German high school tests to graduate. It also offers the International Baccalaureate.

San Salvador

International School of San Salvador
Address: Calle La Reforma 169, Colonia San Benito
San Salvador, El Salvador
Tel: (503)-2224-1330
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Instruction is primarily in English, with English as a Second Language and Spanish as a Second Language programs available. The school is accredited by the Salvadoran Ministry of Education and AdvancED (SACS) of the United States of America. Members of AASCA (Association of American Schools in Central America)

American School of San Salvador
Address: Calle y Colonia La Mascota Final Calle 3
San Salvador, El Salvador
Tel: 2528-8300
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A bi-lingual American-Salvadoran school that teaches students from Kindergarten to 12th Grade. The academic programs are based primarily on a U.S. curriculum. Escuela Americana has an extensive AP (Advanced Placement) Program in the Upper School, offering more than 16 subjects. Students take both Salvadoran PAES and the United States SAT test. All graduates earn the U.S. High School diploma and 95% earn the Salvadoran diploma as well. Escuela Americana is accredited by SACS, SAIS, NAIS and meets accreditation requirements of the Salvadoran Ministry of Education.

Panamerican School of San Salvador
Address: Calle El Carmen #1348, Colonia Escalon
San Salvador, El Salvador
Tel: (503) 2209-6000
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A bilingual (English/Spanish) American-Salvadoran school. Accredited by SACS-CASI, NAIS, and the curriculum is approved by the Salvadorian Ministry of Education.

Santa Ana

Escuela Interamericana
Address: Monsignor Clemente Barrera Rivas Street between Independence Avenue and South end 10a. South Av.
Santa Ana, El Salvador
Tel: 2445-6400
E-mail: admisiones@interschool.edu.sv
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Bilingual (Spanish/English) school founded in 1981. Teaches from Kindergarten to 12th Grade. Students take the Salvadoran PAES to graduate.

San Miguel

Colegio Academia Europea
Address: Calle Hermanos Maristas No. 508
San Miguel, El Salvador
Tel: 2660-7555, 2660-7800
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

Bilingual (Spanish/English) school that caters to students from kindergarten to 12th Grade. Students take the Salvadoran PAES.

Santa Tecla

Academia Británica Cuscatleca (ABC)
Address: Calle Panamerica
Santa Tecla, El Salvador
Tel: (503) 2241-4413
Tuition Rates: $4,868 - 5,950 per year

A selective, mixed bi-lingual and bi-cultural school. This school is pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade and consists of two sections, a primary school and a secondary school. The student body is mainly Salvadorian with an increasing number of international students attending the school. The language of instruction throughout the school is predominantly English with Spanish being used for a small number of classes. The school is accredited by the CoIS and it offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

French School in Santa Tecla

Lycee Français de San Salvador
Address: km 10 1/2 Road to Santa Tecla
Santa Tecla, La Libertad, El Salvador
Tel: 2228-0615, 2228-3911
Tuition Rates: Inquire at school

A tri-lingual (French/Spanish/English), bi-cultural French-Salvadoran school. Teaches from Maternelle to Terminale. Students take both Salvadoran PAES and French Bac to graduate from high school.