What are the best international schools in Lima?

Franklin Roosevelt School (American curriculum, La Molina) and Markham College (British curriculum, Monterrico) are widely considered the top two. Newton College (IB, La Molina) and Villa María International (IB, Miraflores) are also excellent. Fees range from $8,000–20,000/year. Enroll 3–6 months in advance as spaces fill quickly.

Can my child attend a Peruvian public school as an expat?

Yes. Peruvian public schools are open to children of legal residents regardless of nationality. They are free and provide excellent Spanish immersion. Quality varies significantly by district — schools in Miraflores, San Borja, and La Molina are generally better resourced. This works best for younger children who adapt to a new language most rapidly.

How good are Peruvian universities for international students?

PUCP is Peru's top university and ranks among the top 20 in Latin America (QS). Universidad del Pacífico has an excellent business school. Most instruction is in Spanish, but some graduate programs offer English options. Tuition runs $3,000–9,000/year — a fraction of comparable US or UK institutions.

Where can I learn Spanish in Peru?

Options abound: (1) PUCP Centro de Idiomas for university-structured courses ($200–400/level), (2) Máximo Nivel or El Sol Spanish School in Miraflores for group classes ($120–200/mo), (3) Italki.com for online Peruvian tutors ($8–20/hr), (4) Cusco Spanish School for cultural immersion. Peruvian Spanish is widely considered one of the clearest for learners.

Is homeschooling legal in Peru?

Yes, homeschooling is legal in Peru. There is no mandatory registration for homeschooled children, though some families register to maintain options for later school or university enrollment. Many nomad families use online curricula (Connections Academy, Khan Academy) alongside local tutors for socialization and subject support.

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🇵🇪 Peru

Education

Peru has a solid selection of international schools in Lima, respected universities, and abundant affordable Spanish language programs — making it workable for expat families and individuals looking to learn or study..

$8,000–20,000/yr

International School Fees

IB, US, British curricula in Lima

PUCP (Lima)

Top University

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

$100–200/mo

Spanish Intensive Classes

Group; private from $10–20/hr

Free

Public School

Spanish-medium; quality varies by district

$1,000–8,000/yr

University Tuition

Public and private universities

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🍽️Lima 🏔️Cusco

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Overview

Key Takeaways

Franklin Roosevelt School (La Molina, Lima): American curriculum, PK-12, founded 1946, US accredited — Lima's top American school; $12,000–20,000/yr
PUCP (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú): Peru's top-ranked university, strong in engineering, law, social sciences, and arts; $3,000–8,000/yr
PUCP Centro de Idiomas: university-run Spanish courses for foreigners, structured and rigorous; ~$200–400 per level (6–8 weeks)
Public schools (colegios públicos): free, Spanish-medium — quality varies significantly by district; Miraflores and San Borja have better-resourced schools
CELTA/TEFL certification: available at ICPNA (Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano) and British Council Lima — internationally recognized; ~$1,500–2,000

International Schools in Peru

Lima has a strong selection of international schools offering IB, American, and British curricula, serving the diplomatic and expat community. Options in Cusco and Arequipa are limited.

Franklin Roosevelt School (La Molina, Lima): American curriculum, PK-12, founded 1946, US accredited — Lima's top American school; $12,000–20,000/yr
Markham College (Monterrico, Lima): British curriculum, founded 1946, strong IB programme — Peru's most prestigious British school; $10,000–18,000/yr
Newton College (La Molina, Lima): IB World School, bilingual English-Spanish, strong academics; $9,000–16,000/yr
Colegio Peruano Británico (Surco, Lima): British-Peruvian bilingual school, good balance of local integration and English instruction; $7,000–12,000/yr
Villa María International School (Miraflores, Lima): Catholic IB school, strong community, central location; $8,000–14,000/yr
Cusco and Arequipa: limited international school options — most expat families in these cities use private bilingual schools or homeschool
Enroll 3–6 months in advance — spaces at top Lima international schools fill quickly, especially for primary grades

Peruvian Universities

Peru has a growing university system with several well-regarded institutions. Lima dominates the higher education landscape, with most English-taught options at the graduate level.

PUCP (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú): Peru's top-ranked university, strong in engineering, law, social sciences, and arts; $3,000–8,000/yr
Universidad de Lima: strong business and engineering programs, modern campus, well-connected alumni; $3,000–7,000/yr
Universidad del Pacífico: Peru's top business school, strong MBA program, highly regarded in finance and economics; $4,000–9,000/yr
UNMSM (Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos): Peru's oldest university (founded 1551), top public institution; minimal tuition
UPC (Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas): modern private university, innovative programs, international partnerships; $3,000–7,000/yr
Most undergraduate instruction is in Spanish — check specific programs for English-taught options at graduate level
Fulbright Peru: active program for US graduate students and scholars — fulbright.pe

Spanish Language Schools

Peru is an excellent place to learn Spanish — the Lima accent is clear and well-paced, and options range from university programs to private tutors at very affordable rates.

PUCP Centro de Idiomas: university-run Spanish courses for foreigners, structured and rigorous; ~$200–400 per level (6–8 weeks)
Máximo Nivel (Lima and Cusco): popular language school with group and private classes, cultural immersion programs; from $150/mo intensive
El Sol Spanish School (Lima): small-group classes in Miraflores, popular with expats and digital nomads; from $120/mo
Cusco Spanish School: combines language learning with Inca cultural immersion; from $100/mo; popular with long-term travelers
Italki.com: certified Peruvian Spanish tutors online for $8–20/hr — excellent for preparation before arrival
In-person private tutors: $10–20/hr for 1-on-1 sessions; find via expat Facebook groups or language school referrals
Intensive immersion: 4 hours/day for 4 weeks reaches conversational level — highly effective due to Peru's clear, standard Spanish

Educating Children in Peru

Families have options from free public school immersion to full international school programs. The right choice depends on age, language level, and duration of stay.

Public schools (colegios públicos): free, Spanish-medium — quality varies significantly by district; Miraflores and San Borja have better-resourced schools
Private bilingual schools: $2,000–6,000/yr, Spanish-English curriculum — good for medium-term stays; many options in Miraflores, Surco, La Molina
Full international schools ($8,000–20,000/yr): best for short-stay families or those needing curriculum continuity (IB, US, UK systems)
Younger children (under 8) adapt fastest to Spanish immersion — many expats report fluency within 6–12 months in local schools
Peruvian school year: March–December — offset from Northern Hemisphere; some international schools follow January–December calendars
Homeschooling: legal in Peru; popular among nomad families — Khan Academy, Connections Academy, and local tutors
Tutoring: widely available and affordable at $8–20/hr for academic subjects in Spanish or English

Professional Development & Certifications

Peru offers affordable professional development for expats looking to upskill, learn Spanish formally, or pursue regional certifications.

CELTA/TEFL certification: available at ICPNA (Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano) and British Council Lima — internationally recognized; ~$1,500–2,000
MBA programs: Universidad del Pacífico, PUCP, and Universidad de Lima offer well-regarded MBAs at $8,000–20,000 — much cheaper than US/UK
PUCP CENTRUM: Peru's top business school, AMBA-accredited MBA, international exchange programs; $15,000–25,000
Online learning: Platzi (Latin American tech learning platform) and Crehana (Lima-based creative skills platform) offer courses from $200/yr
SENATI (vocational training): Peru's national technical training institution — offers certifications in trades and technology
Professional validation (convalidación): foreign degrees validated through SUNEDU — required for licensed professional employment in Peru
Language certifications: DELE (Spanish for foreigners) exams administered in Lima — internationally recognized proficiency credentials

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