School System In Anguilla?

by Debbie
(UK)

I wondered if you could answer a couple of questions for me:

1. Are there many positions for boat captains/skippers (qualified) on the island? We own a shipping company in the UK, but are keen to relocate. My husband is a qualified ships captain but also yachtsman. (UK)

2. We have 5 young children. What is the school system like?

Many thanks
Debbie

Dad's Reply: Debbie, everyone is a boat captain in Anguilla! ;-) It sounds like your husband would fit right into Anguilla. I've never seen positions open for "industrial-level" boat captains, though. Researching through the shipping industry is likely to be higher yield.

As always, and I give this advice often regardless of the type of job being sought, coming down here and meeting folks is the best way to go. Drop down to the pier at Sandy Ground and figure out who you need to meet. Worst case, you have a nice vacation. Best case, you make a contact who can help you out and keep an eye open after you leave.

The public school system is British education, but has just enough room for its own children. You'll probably be looking at private schools like Omolulu or Christian Central in Anguilla. Our daughter, Yuki, did her Grade 12 in St. Martin, at Caribbean International Academy (Canadian system). There is an American school there, too, called Learning Unlimited. Both are very good. Find the above on the Web for current fees and other info.

Aftercare Facilities For
Children In Anguilla

by Stacy
(United States)

i am planning to relocate to Anguilla with my 8 year old. What can you say about the availability of aftercare facilities for him and the projected cost of this?

Dad's Reply Stacy, I'll assume you have all your ducks in a row and are moving down here. If not, this is a "detail" and, as discussed elsewhere in this section, there are bigger issues to settle first.

Regarding after-school care, my wife volunteers at an after-school program where she tutors children 5 and up in math and english. It's free. I don't know if every school in every part of Anguilla has a program like this.

However, this is a resourceful country where you can get a few moms together and make your own program. Ask, of course, whoever you'll be working with. (I assume you'll be working with someone, hence the need for after-school care.) Ask the school, too.

Your best bet is to come down and find out more from these and other resources. Sorry I can't be more specific. If anyone reading this has any other information, please jump in! :-)

Anguilla Schools

by Rob
(Vincy)

I'm thinking of moving to Anguilla from St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Do you have any advice on which private elementary schools are available on Anguilla (Is it just the one - The Omoulolu Institute??)

Can you enroll senior students in St Maarten private schools and get them there daily by the ferry or do they have to board?

Mom's Reply: You have two choices regarding private schools:

1) Omoululu, as you've noted, in Anguilla

2) Private school in Sint Maarten. My younger sister did this, taking the "school boat" every day for her final year of high school. There are two schools...

i) Caribbean International Academy -- Canadian curriculum

ii) Learning Unlimited -- U.S. curriculum.

Which one to choose? Come and interview all 3. It's the only way YOU can be sure which is right for your needs.

Hope this helps,
Mom

Home Schooling and Schooling for Secondary Age Children In Anguilla

by Linda Bruce
(Edinburgh)

Hi,

I love your site - it is very informative. Many thanks for all the effort you have put into it.

I have read absolutely everything on it but though people have posted questions about home-education, I can't find any answers on this subject.

We are investigating a move to Anguilla. I have found out from the Govt 2011 education bill that home-education is legal though I need to confirm this is for residents as well as belongers.

What I wonder is how would our home-educated kids make friends? Our youngest would be at the private primary school for a couple of years. After that, is the island free of secondary age kids during the week because they are all being schooled either in St Martin or abroad?

I guess there are clubs as well as the Sailing club where they might meet other kids - are there? If so, what are they?

We home educate our eldest and of course in our Scottish city there is a wide home-ed community. Do you know if there are other home-edders on the island?

Any advice would be most appreciated. Many thanks in advance.

Linda

Reply by Dad

I don't know much about home education in Anguilla, I'm afraid. I'm posting this in the hope that others will, Linda.

There are public secondary schools in Anguilla. So you'll find lots of children after school hours. They seem to gather in a mall in The Valley. That's just a personal observation.

Basically, I imagine you'd find them pretty much where we used to get together after school. Some spots you'll like and some you won't. ;-)

More importantly, it may be hard to "break into" a group when you are not part of it during school hours. So clubs like the Tennis Academy, Sailing School, Basketball, etc, are likely the way to go.

Hopefully, others who read this can add to my answer.