Best International Schools in Barbados

One of the things that make Barbados such a popular destination to people from both overseas and throughout its own borders is that, it offers world-class education across an extraordinarily wide range of fields and disciplines.

In fact, one of the most important and fastest-growing areas in global education is international schools. For this reason, our list here provides you with some information about the best international schools in Barbados.

The Seaforth High School

The Seaforth High School is a private, all-girls school located in Lower Bay Street, Bridgetown. The school was established to answer the need for an island-wide girls’ high school and was officially opened on 16 February 1963 with three staff and 50 students. It has grown exponentially over the last 50 years, with over 500 students enrolled today.

The school has won several awards, including winning the Barbados Chamber of Commerce Award for Business Excellence in and being awarded the Outstanding Caribbean Examinations Council School by Caribbean Examinations Council.

CedarBridge Academy

CedarBridge Academy is a private secondary school located on Oldbury Road in St. Michael. The school opened in September 2005 with eight students and has rapidly grown to become one of the leaders in international education across the island.

The school provides an American-based curriculum that is guaranteed to enable its students to develop a deep understanding of both academic disciplines and educational values that will see them not just survive but thrive in a rapidly changing, global world.

Villa Academy

Villa Academy is an international style elementary and secondary school. Its programs and curriculum are designed to prepare each student for success in a rapidly changing, ever more interconnected world.

Here, they will be equipped with the necessary skills of creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving that form what is known as The 4 C’s of 21st-century learning. All of this is delivered by means of a unique series of dynamic and transformative educational experiences.

Raffles International School

Raffles International School is located in St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church. Raffles was founded as the first English-speaking school on the island and has been delivering excellence in education for 60 years.

More than 2,000 students are enrolled across the Pre-School, Primary School, Middle School, and High School. The school provides both British and American curriculum for students who hail from over 40 countries worldwide.

Raffles is one of the schools in Barbados to have achieved International Baccalaureate World School status. It has won several awards, including the Outstanding Caribbean Examinations Council School by Caribbean Examinations Council. It is also a Microsoft Showcase School and an Apple Distinguished School.

The Providence College

Providence College is a secondary school located on Broad Street, Bridgetown. It is an all-boys school and part of the Seventh Day Adventist Education system. The college opened its doors in October 1937, with a staff of three and 51 students. Today it delivers excellence across a range of core disciplines and offers courses at both GCSE and GCE Advanced Level.

The college has been recognized as one of the best schools on the island and has won several awards, including winning the Barbados Chamber of Commerce Award for Business Excellence and awarded the Outstanding Caribbean Examinations Council School by Caribbean Examinations Council.

St Gabriel’s School

St Gabriel’s School is a private, all-girls school that offers an accredited British curriculum and also provides the IB diploma program. The school was founded in 1940 and has grown significantly over the years to where it stands today, with over 2,300 students enrolled. It provides excellent facilities such as a 25-meter swimming pool, television studio, state-of-the-art ICT suites, and science laboratories.

The British Schools Foundation (BSF)

The British Schools Foundation (BSF) is a group of schools located across the globe. The United Kingdom Government founded the BSF in 1975 to provide educational services for children of British civil service staff abroad.

There are over 20,000 students currently enrolled in The BSF’s schools which include St. John’s School (Barbados), St. George’s International School (Tunisia), Sandford English School (Oman), and Hilterfingen (Switzerland). The BSF has been recognized as the best school by Caribbean Examinations Council in 2015.

Dottins Academy (DA)

Dottins Academy (DA) provides a world-class education for children between 2 and 18 years. It’s a co-educational, day and boarding school that has been an important part of Barbados’ educational landscape since 1965.

The academy has grown significantly over the years and is now home to 1000 students who enjoy excellent facilities, including a 25m pool, tennis courts, rugby pitches, cricket nets, and science laboratories. The academy has won several awards, including winning the Barbados Chamber of Commerce Award for Business Excellence.

The Barbados Community College

The Barbados Community College is an institute of higher education established in 1966. It delivers courses across various disciplines, including business, engineering, applied science, humanities, and tourism.

The college offers internationally accredited programmes at the undergraduate level as well as offering access to bachelor’s degrees through articulation with local universities or other institutions abroad. Students can study under the auspices of The University of the West Indies and Barbados’ public universities.

Studying in Barbados in 2022

Have you ever wanted to study aboard? Perhaps you’re looking for high-quality education on beautiful Caribbean beaches with laid-back vibes and friendly locals. Then, Barbados is the place for you! Here are six things to know before studying in Barbados in 2022.

1)    What is the cost of living?

The cost of living in Barbados will be relatively low compared to other countries. For example, the average price for a movie ticket will be around USD 8, while coffee or tea will be around USD 6.

If you wanted to, say, rent an apartment for a month, it’ll cost about USD 600. Your tuition fees will range from $8,500 – USD 16,000, depending on the course you’re taking and how many courses you are enrolling in per semester/year.

2)    What kind of university is the best?

When you study abroad in Barbados, you’ll have a lot of options and where to go. There are more than three universities in the country, each offering different prestige, and different courses. The University of West Indies has campuses worldwide and has received many awards for its quality education offered.

Cave Hill School of Business and Education has a small student body but provides high-quality education in business and law. Finally, the University of Professional Training offers courses in hospitality primarily.

3)    What kind of country is Barbados?

Barbados is a small island nation in the Caribbean. It’s known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, and popular tourist destination. The island was first colonized by the British and has since had a large influence on its culture and language.

Many locals will also speak English with an accent similar to the British. Haitian Creole is another common dialect on the island, but it’s not as widely used as English and is more common among the working class.

4)    Is travel easy from Barbados?

Traveling to other countries from Barbados can be very easy and cheap. Many airlines fly to different cities, like London, New York, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, and Toronto. Most flights last about 2 hours and cost about $800 – USD 2,000.

Once you’ve landed in one of these cities, it’ll be easy to travel to the United States or Canada (depending on which airport you land in).

5)    What are the must-see attractions?

Barbados is known for its beautiful beaches and laid-back vibes, but if you want to learn more about the island, you’ll have a lot of options. The Caribbean Civil Rights Centre is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the region, as well as see some art exhibitions.

There’s also Oistins Fish Fry on Friday nights, where many locals will go out and eat some local grilled fish and meet with friends. It’ll be a great place to meet the locals, eat some good food and have a drink.

6)    Is it a good place to live?

Of course, yes! Barbados is a great place to live. The cost of living is low, the people are friendly and welcoming, the beaches are beautiful, and there are a lot of tourist attractions. It can get pretty hot in Barbados during certain times of the year, but that’s what ice cream and popsicles are for.

Conclusion

So 2022 is here, and it might seem like a long wait for some people. But if you want to know what studying in Barbados will be like in 2022, you don’t have to wait; we’ve got the inside scoop on everything that’s going to happen. All you need is to follow this platform for more relevant updates.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Barbados is one of the few Caribbean countries with a high literacy rate. This does not mean that there are no opportunities for improvement as Barbados continues to face several challenges with regard to its education system, such as overcrowding and underfunding.

However, their educational system has been continuously improving, especially at the primary school level, where more public schools are being built. Parents are also becoming more aware of the importance of education, which is reflected by an increase in the number of children enrolled in primary school.

The government has plans to expand even more on this growth, with its new ‘Education Sector Strategic Plan,’ which covers the years 2015-2025. Their aim at this stage is to have Barbadians that are more qualified, resulting in an improved overall standard of living. They hope to achieve this by increasing the number of students who advance past the primary school with good grades.

This plan was created because there were noticeable deficiencies regarding their former plans’ goal achievement. It is hoped that this new plan will address some of these shortfalls and improve the education system by focusing on five key areas: access, quality, equity, management, and outcomes.

Today, we will walk you through the best private and international schools available in this country. Not only is that, but you’ll understand the reasons to study in Barbados as an expat. We will cover some of the benefits, cons, and many other things, to mention a few. Read further to get the full details!

Benefits of Studying in Barbados

As the festive season rapidly comes to an end, many students are thinking about where they should study. There might be a lot of choices around you. However, there is one destination that stands out among all others.

If you’re looking for a warm climate with beautiful views and friendly people, then Barbados should definitely be at the top of your list. Here are some of the most compelling reasons why Barbados is a great place to study abroad.

Experience a Variety of Teaching Methods

There are many types of courses available in Barbados, and because the culture embraces learning, there is a diverse range of teachers from all over the world with many different styles to teach you. You will have more opportunity to experience studying under these varying circumstances as at home, you might only have access to one teaching method.

Gain Independence from Home

You might have been living under the watchful eye of your parents for a long time, and going away may be a new experience for you as well as an exciting one. You will learn how to cook, clean, and keep yourself safe on the island so that when you return home, you are fully prepared to be out on your own. You will have the chance to explore the world around you and relax through this newfound independence.

Meet People from Different Cultures

Studying in Barbados gives you the chance to meet people from all over the world and make friends with them, which is great for development as well as opening up your mind. You can learn about their home countries, customs, culture, and why they chose Barbados to be their new home. You can also learn the language if you choose to study one of the languages spoken in Barbados.

Enjoy Sunny Weather All Year Round

The Caribbean is well known for its hot, tropical weather, so it will be much more enjoyable than studying in cold or unpredictable climates because you will feel comfortable and relaxed throughout your course. There are many outdoor activities to participate in, such as surfing, kayaking, and sailing, which you can try throughout your stay with Barbados’ year-round great weather.

Life Experiences Are Priceless

Studying abroad is not only about gaining knowledge but also experiencing new cultures with exciting travel opportunities around the world. You will create memories that don’t cost any money but are priceless and can be kept to look back on with fondness.

Embrace the Caribbean Lifestyle

When you study in Barbados, even if it’s just for a few weeks, you will be able to embrace all that the country has to offer and might even learn how to cook some of their traditional dishes. There are many different places for you to explore, with white sandy beaches perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving, as well as warm, clear waters perfect for these activities.

You can learn about the history of Barbados by visiting some of the old plantations, which are now museums where you can learn about plantation life, see how sugar cane was processed to make sugar and rum, and also hear stories passed down from generation to generation about former slaves who worked on the plantations.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about the country’s history and even hear personal accounts from people there.

Participate In Fun Activities

Barbados is known for its entertainment and nightlife, and there are many clubs, bars, and restaurants where you can hang out with friends and meet new people while enjoying the music, culture, and food of Barbados. There are also great opportunities to hire a car or go on a tour and explore more of the island and even some neighboring islands such as St Lucia, which is only a short boat ride away.

Best Private Schools in Barbados

Many people choose to send their children to private schools. There are several reasons for this which include smaller class sizes, greater parental involvement, and better education results overall. For those that want the best possible education for their child, then these private schools in Barbados should be at the top of your list.

1.    The Lodge School

The Lodge School is a co-educational independent school located in the parish of St. Peter. It offers education from Kindergarten to Sixth Form and has roughly 200 students enrolled at any one time. As far as facilities go, there is a library with extensive resources and a computer lab.

Also, there are science labs for biology and chemistry, a music studio, a drama stage, and an auditorium. The school also has a large playing field for sports use.

2.    Bridgetown Grammar School

Bridgetown Grammar School offers education to children from preschool through to secondary level. The school is located in the parish of St. Philip and boasts small class sizes, which allow the teachers to focus on the individual needs of each child.

The academic curriculum is designed around international standards, offering traditional knowledge and modern ideals. Students are also encouraged to develop their physical well-being, with many after-school activities to take part in.

3.    Holy Trinity School

Holy Trinity School is located in the parish of St. Lucy, in a rural area west of Bridgetown. It is a small school with over 100 students enrolled at any one time and offers education from nursery to secondary level.

In terms of surroundings, its location might not be as picturesque as others on this list, but the facilities make up for it. The school has an extensive collection of books, a state-of-the-art information technology lab, and science laboratories. The school also offers its facilities to interest outside parties for functions.

4.    Grenada Boys’ Secondary School

Grenada Boys’ Secondary School is located in the parish of St. Andrew’s, not far from Bridgetown. The school offers education from Kindergarten to Sixth Form and has roughly 250 students.

Athletics are a very important part of the curriculum, with students encouraged to participate in cricket, soccer, netball, table tennis, and swimming. For students that excel in certain areas, they are also given opportunities to participate in special clinics and training.

5.    St. Michael School for Girls

Located in the parish of St. Michael, this school is co-educational from Kindergarten to Sixth Form, offering education only up to secondary level. The school has around 100 students enrolled at any one time and boasts a teaching staff that is highly qualified academically with many years of experience in the classroom.

Moreover, It has a wide range of facilities, including a science lab, music room, and drama studio. The school also offers students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities such as cricket, soccer, swimming, netball, and rugby.

6.    Queen’s College

This school offers a huge range of subjects and extra-curricular activities. There is a high level of pastoral care for every student, which includes the provision of a dedicated teacher who advises on any issues related to their studies or home life. The cafeteria food at this private school in Barbados is rated highly, and Queen’s is well known for its academic reputation.

7.    Harrison College

Harrison is a leading private school in Barbados, with an emphasis on education as part of a holistic experience. Students follow an all-rounded lifestyle that develops them into becoming confident adults ready for further study or work opportunities. The school has successfully produced top-performing students with a strong record in the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations.