As remote work makes relocating to Mexico an increasingly popular choice for families from Canada and the USA, a common question is about the availability and quality of bilingual schools in Puerto Vallarta. Parents are happy to discover that there are a variety of Puerto Vallarta private schools with high levels of academic and extracurricular excellence, geared to fit a range of budgets.
First, let’s look at how the school system in Mexico is structured, as it is a little different than north of the border. The school grades are separated as follows:
Kindergarten: Kinder 1, 2, and 3
Lower Primary: Grades 1, 2 and 3
Upper Primary: Grades 4, 5 and 6
Secondary: Grades 7, 8 and 9
High School: Grades 10, 11 and 12
Kinder 1 starts at age 3 but enrollment is not mandatory until Kinder 2 at age 4, as required by the Mexican Secretariat of Public Education (SEP). Tuition will increase as children progress up through the grade levels, with the lowest monthly costs in Kinder and the highest in high school. There will also be an annual enrollment fee each year and costs for materials and school uniforms. The fees vary widely, depending on the school, but most will find that even the most expensive private schools in Puerto Vallarta are much more affordable than what is offered in Canada or the USA.
All Puerto Vallarta bilingual private schools offer two types of curriculum: the SEP curriculum and an English study curriculum. Within those programs, there is a wide array of academic subjects including upper sciences, mathematics and calculus, history, computer and social studies, geography and more, and well-rounded extracurricular activities like sports, dance, music, and art.
Overall, most families moving to Puerto Vallarta are surprised by the high level of education offered by Puerto Vallarta private schools, which provide their children with the tools they need to successfully achieve their academic and career goals in Mexico or back in their home country.
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