Last updated: 14th November 2012 The
Cayman Islands have excellent schools, from preschools through to
university level. There are approximately 4,890 students in the public
school system (2,509 in primary schools and 2,381 in secondary schools)
and 2,756 students in private schools (1,655 in primary schools and
1,101 in secondary schools). In Cayman, it is compulsory that all
children from the age of four years and nine months to age 17 attend
school. It is the Cayman Islands' Government’s stance that expatriates
employed in the private sector who qualify to have their dependants
on-Island with them (i.e. earn over CI$3,500 per month and have more
than one dependant on their permit) should educate their children in
private schools. If the Government employs the expatriate and the
employee does not want to send their children to a private school, then
the expat’s children can attend government schools, but only if space is
available.
If you are an
expat on a work permit, the law requires that schools see a copy of your
immigration paperwork verifying that your child is a dependant on your
work permit. The Immigration Department will request that you bring in a
copy of your acceptance from a private school before your work permit
is stamped. You may find it difficult to find a place for your child, so
contact several different schools at the earliest possible moment. If
you want your child to attend private school, you need to take a copy of
your child’s birth certificate to the school, fill out an application
form and pay an application fee (between CI$50 and CI$300 depending on
the school). If your child is older, the school may have other
requirements, such as a student reference and entrance/placement testing
before acceptance is confirmed. Once the acceptance is confirmed, you
usually have to pay the first month’s school fees as a deposit to hold
the place. There is no charge for Caymanians or permanent residents to
register their child at a government school.
For
preschool, your child can usually start at age two. For primary school,
starting age depends on whether you will be sending your child through
the British school system (Cayman Prep and High School, St. Ignatius and
government schools) or the American school system (Cayman International
School, First Baptist School, Grace Christian Academy and Triple C). In
the British system, your child can enter kindergarten if they are four
by September, while in the American system, your child must be five by
September. Students over age 17 can attend the International College of
the Cayman Islands and the University College of the Cayman Islands. All
new students entering either government or private schools for the
first time must have a health screening before the new school year
begins in September. Take your child and their immunisation record to
either the Public Health Department, which offers free screenings, or to
a private doctor, either of which will issue a health screening
certificate which must then be taken to the school your child is
entering. Without this documentation, the school cannot enrol your
child.
The health screening
your child will receive is a complete exam that includes hearing and
sight tests; weight, height and nutritional assessment; blood typing;
mental and speech development examination and a family medical history.
If any required immunisations have not been done, they will be
administered at this time. For more detailed information about the tests
performed, call the John Gray Medical Centre on (345) 925 5401.
Once
your child has been accepted, you will have to organise school
uniforms. Most of the schools sell their own or will let you know where
to buy them. School fees quoted in this chapter are for the 2012/13
calendar year and are subject to change.
