Bermuda Schools and Education System
Bermuda had a history of local applicants not meeting academic standards despite it being one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. To this effect, they began addressing this declining standards in education in the late 1990s by bringing about stronger secondary graduation requirements, smaller primary class size, more teacher training and upgraded technology integration into classrooms.
The entire curriculum also has undergone a major overhaul, with more focus now on the child's development of social skills while learning and playing. Middle and senior secondary schools also now include enrichments such as visual and performing arts and business/technology instruction.
There are a number of education schools in Bermuda. Some of them are public schools run by the government and some are privately operated.
Bermuda Public Schools have three tier systems. Primary school, middle school and high school (or the secondary school).
While
Bermuda Private Schools may not explicitly have such three tier names, all schools essentially follow the same structure to complete the required course curriculum. There are also many private and public pre-schools in Bermuda.
There are no local boarding schools in Bermuda. A typical school-year for all Bermudian students last ten months, with the academic year beginning in September. All public and private schools have uniforms for the students.
The average class size is 24 students, but the pupil-teacher ratio is around 13:1. While public school students take the Bermuda Secondary School Certificate exam (BSSC), private school students take the British General Certificate in Secondary Education exam (GCSE). Those who earn the GCSE become eligible to enter grade 11 or 12 at an American school or to matriculate for an associate degree at Bermuda College.
A Bermudian child is required to attend school up to the 16th birthday. Therefore, one is required to typically go through primary, middle and at least 2 years of high school programs.
Today almost all schools in Bermuda are co-educational, except for Bermuda High School for Girls which is a single-sex school. Also the middle school program of the Bermuda Institute conducts single sex classes. Other than these, all are co-educational schools in Bermuda.
Coming to the education standards or quality difference between the public and private schools in Bermuda, I have talked to many Bermudians and expat families. In general, the standards of the private schools are known to be better than the ones run by the government.
Surveys done by Bermuda's Department of Statistics shows that there is a clear trend of increasing student admissions in the private schools although the fees in private schools are far higher. Also the public schools are somewhat limited to the children of Bermudians. If you are an expatriate working and
living in Bermuda with your family, then you should first try the private schools for your children.
Listed below are all the well known schools and other academic institutions in Bermuda.
Private Schools in Bermuda
This is an all girls school (from age 5 to 17) located in Pembroke Parish close to Hamilton City. BHS follows the UK education model and also offers IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma program.
This is a co-education school run under the guidance of North American division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It follows the north American education system of Kindergarten then going up to Grade 12.
The school runs on the principles of Catholic education which forms the base of the school’s philosophy. It follows the North American schooling system. Classes range from Kindergarten up to Grade 12.
This is one of the top academic institutions in Bermuda. This co-educational school is located in Hamilton. Visit the above link for full details and contacts.
It was initially founded as a Montessori school for ages 3-12 years in 1991. IB Middle Years Program was setup in 2001. There are over 450 students and 50 faculty.
This is a well known co-educational private school located at Warwick parish in Bermuda and having over 750 students.
This is a school for children with learning disabilities . Students starting from an age of 7 can learn as per their ability and meet the academic goals. Teacher to student ratio is 1:5.
This is a private nursery and preschool that offers the Montessori method of learning for children between the age of 18 months and 4 years.
Government Schools in Bermuda
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Harrington Sound Primary School
4 Harrington Sound Road, Smith’s
Heron Bay Primary School
184 Middle Road, Southampton
Phone: 441/238-0556
Port Royal Primary School
6 Church Road, Southampton
Somerset Primary School
2 Gilbert Lane, Sandys
Phone: 441/234-1440, (441) 478-3310
St. George’s Preparatory School
26 Church Folly Lane, St. George’s
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Clearwater Middle School
2, St. David’s Road, St. George’s
Dellwood Middle School
1 North Street, Pembroke Parish
Phone: 441/295-7404 Fax: 441/292-9327
Sandys Secondary Middle School
42 Scott’s Hill Road, Sandy's Parish
Phone: 441/234-1346 Fax: 441/234-3331
Spice Valley Middle School
60 Middle Road, Warwick
Phone: 441/238-1770 Fax: 441/238-3076
Whitney Institute Middle School
59 Middle Road, Smith’s Parish
Phone: 441/292-1021 Fax: 441/292-9348
SENIOR SCHOOLS
The Berkeley Institute, Bermuda
26 Berkeley Road, Pembroke Parish
P.O. Box HM 2704, Hamilton HM HX
Cedar Bridge Academy, Bermuda
1 CedarBridge Lane, Devonshire
Phone: 441/296-5665 Fax: 441/296-5555
Post Secondary Education in Bermuda
This institute offers the only post secondary education in Bermuda. It offers Associate Degrees, Certificate and Diploma programs in various subjects.
Fee structure is two-pronged. One is for the Bermudian students while the other for international students. Students who are not Bermudian and have been on the island for a period less than 5 years, will have to pay the international fees.
This is a continuing education arm of the Bermuda college that provides career and professional education to Bermuda's workforce so that they can further improve on their job skills.
Teaching and Education Standards in Bermuda
So, by now you know a lot about the schools in Bermuda. But how about the education quality? How qualified are the teachers in Bermuda? Check out
Bermuda Teaching know about it.
Related Articles
