Schools in and around Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta has many great private schools to choose from if you are thinking of relocating with your family. The majority are bilingual with some even being trilingual! There are some that have great sports facilities, others great extra-curricular activities and others known for the wonderful level of English taught.

Here are some of the top schools in and around Puerto Vallarta for Expats*:

The American School of Puerto Vallarta

Located in the Marina, the American School is Puerto Vallarta’s top school and the most famous for expats. The reason being it doesn’t follow the SEP Mexican curriculum but instead follows the same holidays and guidelines as the United States’ educational system. They also have a high percentage of children graduating and going to top American universities. It has top class facilities which include an Olympic size swimming pool, football pitches, tennis courts and a huge adventure playground. The teachers whether they are Spanish or English have the best teaching qualifications and are experts in their subjects. The class sizes are smaller than at other schools meaning your children get the best care possible. The school caters for children aged 2-18 years of age. This school does come at a price, however, with fees starting at 700 dollars a semester for pre-school. There is also a waiting list for entry.

Instituto De Las Americas Bilingue (IAB)

This small but growing school is located within the quiet neighbourhood of Las Gaviotas. The classrooms surround a grassed courtyard lined with palm trees. The school is very private and there are no main roads nearby, making it extremely safe. The preschool caters for ages 2-6 years and works on a Montessori programme. The children are nurtured and guided by a team of trained educators and learn both English and Spanish. The Primary level is for children from first to sixth grade and is completely bilingual. They have now opened a secondary school which is currently open to grade 9. The secondary children have also benefited from their yearly trips abroad which really helps with their English skills. This school has friendly and dedicated staff and is a cheaper option than some of the other schools.

The British American School

This is one of Vallarta’s most popular bilingual schools located in the neighbourhood of Versailles. It is a large school that is well known for its great facilities and high quality teaching, with many foreign educators. They have wonderful facilities and modern classrooms with top of the line equipment. The school is easily accessible and in a great location close to restaurants and a swimming school. The British American School Caters for all ages of children in a bilingual program from Kinder to High school, offering French as a third language.

La Casa Azul

This is a great pre-school located in Versailles. It caters for children from walking age to six. The school boasts a relaxed atmosphere with children wearing their own clothes and a no shoes policy inside. The classrooms are very small and the ethos is to work with nature and recycled material when possible. The garden is where the school shines. It is a large leafy area with a sandpit, slides and flower beds. The children are encouraged to learn about nature and where our food originates from. Each week the children are invited to pick from the garden and make healthy recipes making this school very unique. It is the perfect environment for young minds to blossom.

Kindergym/Gymboree

Kindergym is a bilingual preschool located in the Nuevo Vallarta to the north of Puerto Vallarta. It caters for children from 13 months to 6 years. It is a modern school that has top equipment and facilities. The school is small which creates a unity between the parents and children. The garden has wonderful play equipment and the classrooms are clean and modern. The children also have the added bonus of using the Gymboree facilities next door every day. The Gymboree is a soft play area that hosts classes for pre-school children every day and added music and art classes even if you are not part of the school these classes are open to the public all year round.

* Please note that this list represents the opinion of the author and does not intentionally exclude schools that may be equally worthy of a mention. If you would like to add your opinion, please leave a comment with your recommendation.