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Barbados School System Overview
Barbados follows a British-influenced three-term school structure with compulsory education from ages 5 to 16. Public schools are free for nationals, while expat families typically use the private school system.
- School year: three terms — Term 1 (September–December), Term 2 (January–April), Term 3 (April–July)
- Public system: free for Barbadian citizens and permanent residents; consistently rated among the best in the Caribbean
- Private schools: open to expat children; fees vary widely from $5,000–$22,000+ USD per year
- Curricula available: Barbadian national curriculum, International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International
- Language of instruction: English — no language barrier for Anglophone children
- 99% literacy rate reflects the country's strong historical commitment to education — dating to free public schooling from 1850s