Our family will be moving to Cayman in a few months with our two school-age children, one in primary school and the other finishing up grade nine. We are American and I am wondering what are the options for getting a US education in Cayman?
Auntie’s answer: As you would expect, most schools (both government and private) in Cayman follow the British system of education from primary through secondary, but there are a number of private institutions that teach the US curriculum. One other note – non-Caymanian students cannot attend government schools, so their educational options are limited to private entities.
Below is a list of these schools, with all but the first two offering a Christian-based education. Where available, a link to each school’s website is embedded in its name; otherwise, a telephone number is included:
Cayman International School (CIS) (early childhood, then K-12); Hope Academy (for children who have specialised learning requirements; pre-K4-12); Triple C School (pre-K-12); First Baptist Christian School (pre-school, then 1-6); Grace Christian Academy (pre-K-12); Wesleyan Christian Academy (pre-K4-12); and Truth for Youth School (K-6), tel: (345) 949-2640.
CIS offers both a US diploma as well as the option of the rigorous International Baccalaureate Programme for Grades 11 and 12, which also offers a good avenue to British universities in place of A Levels. The other secondary schools offer US diplomas.
Understandably, it is difficult to make a decision on where to send your children when you are not in Cayman, but the schools here should all be accustomed to dealing with overseas admissions.
You will have no difficulty in obtaining a quality U.S. based education for your children. We have private schools here that have been established for over forty years. Obviously, discard any comments touting one school over another and use your best judgement after the necessary research. Best of luck! (A British former government school teacher of over three decades of experience.)
Cayman Academy is an excellent private school…..based on the British/Caribbean system but very competitive.
Cayman International School is your only choice and an excellent school with amazing facilities and staff. Do not waist your time at CCC or FB. XXXXX But be prepared to open your wallet! LARGE!
Mmm, maybe you should concentrate on opening your dictionary. (Unless the U.S. spelling for “waste” is different, of course!)
perhaps you should learn to recognize unwanted spellcheck changes when typing on tiny phone keyboards
If you want your children to get a decent education, I’d suggest staying where you are because they certainly won’t get one here.
Why would anyone want to choose the worst of the three options? Someone taking A levels or the Bac will graduate with about 18 months more advanced than a US high school graduate.
Because they are American, and probably have absolutely no understanding of the options once you access other systems….As well as believing erroneously that “whatever is American is best” – a simple fallacy at best. Le’s only hope they come to our little bit of Paradise with open eyes and minds.
Because they have no intention of going to the UK? Ever.