Schools in Grenada: The Complete Guide for Parents & Expats
Schools in Grenada: The Complete Guide for Parents & Expats
TL;DR: Grenada's school system has four stages: pre-primary, primary, secondary, and tertiary. Government secondaries like Boca Secondary School and Anglican High School serve most local students after the CPEA exam. Private options including Island Montessori, Alpha Junior, and Westmorland School are popular with expat families. The new school year starts every September. This guide covers every tier so you can choose with confidence.
Moving to the Spice Isle with children? Or perhaps you're a Grenadian parent doing your homework before the September term opens? Either way, finding the right school takes more than a quick search. Boca Secondary School, Anglican High School, Alpha Junior School, and Island Montessori all serve very different student populations and have their own admissions processes. No single local guide has pulled them together in one place until now.
Grenada's education landscape is more varied than most people expect. Government schools are free. Private options range from faith-based primaries to internationally accredited secondaries. And the admissions process works very differently from what families in North America or the UK may be used to.
This guide covers government secondaries across St. George's parish, top private primary schools, international school options, and the regional exam that determines where secondary-age students are placed. Whether you're relocating for work, arriving as a faculty member at St. George's University, or returning to Grenada after years abroad, you'll have the full picture by the end.
How Does Grenada's School System Work?
Grenada organises education into four stages: pre-primary (ages 3 to 5), primary (ages 6 to 11), secondary (ages 12 to 16), and tertiary. Public education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 14. The curriculum follows a British-influenced model. Secondary students sit regional Caribbean examinations to qualify for university or employment.
Pre-primary is mostly nursery and play-based learning. Most private schools and some government-affiliated centres offer this stage.
Primary school lasts six years. English is the language of instruction throughout. At the end of primary, students sit the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA), a regional standardised test developed by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). Their score helps determine secondary school placement.
Secondary school runs for five years, using a Form 1 to Form 5 structure similar to the British system. At the end of Form 5, students sit the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), which is the Spice Isle's equivalent of GCSEs. High achievers can continue into sixth form to sit Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE), the regional equivalent of A-levels.
Religion is woven into daily school life at most institutions, public and private. Morning devotions are common. Uniforms are required at all government schools. Private schools set their own uniform and conduct policies.
The school year starts every September. If you're arriving with school-age children, the weeks before September term opens are the ideal time to complete enrollment paperwork and secure a place.
Which Government Secondary Schools Serve St. George's?
St. George's parish has the highest concentration of secondary schools on the Spice Isle. Here are the government-funded options that parents and students searching for a school in the capital region should know.
Boca Secondary School is located in The Bocas area of St. George's. It's one of the parish's established government secondaries and has an active alumni community, including a diaspora association based in the United States. Local news outlet NOW Grenada regularly covers the school's sporting events, inter-school competitions, and community activities.
Happy Hill Secondary School serves students in the Happy Hill corridor and surrounding communities within St. George's.
Grenada Boys' Secondary School (GBSS) is the Spice Isle's oldest secondary institution, founded as St. George's Grammar School in February 1885. It operates from Tanteen, St. George's. Today, GBSS has approximately 840 male students supported by a principal, 50 teachers, and two counselors. Although primarily a boys' school, girls are admitted to the sixth form.
J.W. Fletcher Catholic Secondary School is also in Tanteen, adding a Catholic faith dimension to government secondary provision in the parish.
Presentation Brothers College (PBC), founded by Irish Presentation Brothers in 1947, is a prominent Roman Catholic secondary for boys located on Old Fort Road, St. George's. Students of all faiths are admitted. PBC has a long reputation for strong results in mathematics and the sciences.
Families in other parishes should note that Grenville Secondary School serves students in St. Andrew, and MacDonald College operates in St. Patrick.
Boca Secondary School: What Every Parent Should Know
Boca Secondary School is among the most searched schools in Grenada, yet almost no detailed information about it exists in a single resource online. That's the gap this guide addresses.
The school sits in The Bocas area of St. George's parish and accepts students completing their primary education under the government's placement system. Like all government secondaries, most students enter through the CPEA process. Under Grenada's Universal Secondary Education Policy, all students who sit the CPEA are guaranteed a secondary school place. In 2024, every one of the 1,705 registered CPEA students received a secondary school assignment from the Ministry of Education.
Boca Secondary has a proud community identity. Its alumni are active both locally and internationally. The school has received infrastructure assessments from Grenada's Ministry of Infrastructure Development, and it participates in the island-wide Star Malt Secondary Schools Football Tournament and other inter-school competitions.
If you're a returning Grenadian parent or a family new to the Spice Isle looking for a government secondary in the St. George's corridor, a direct visit and inquiry is the best first step.
Contact: (473) 440-2608, The Bocas, St. George's
Anglican High School: Grenada's Oldest Girls' Secondary
Anglican High School, known simply as AHS, was founded in 1916 and is one of the most respected institutions for girls on the Spice Isle. It offers a structured, values-driven secondary education with a long track record of island scholarship winners and sporting champions.
Founded by Archdeacon Walton as the Church of England High School, AHS opened its doors in September 1916 with just 19 students and three staff members. The school officially moved to its current Tanteen site and adopted the name Anglican High School in 1946. According to the AHS Past Pupils Association, it is one of 18 secondary schools in Grenada.
Hurricane Ivan devastated the building in September 2004. The school rebuilt with government funding and World Bank support, completing the first phase of reconstruction by 2009. Today, AHS has a fully stocked library, an upgraded food and nutrition laboratory, and multiple modern classroom blocks.
AHS has won the Girls' Division Championship at Grenada's Inter-Collegiate Games 18 times. The Girl Guides Association of Grenada was actually founded at this school in 1925. For girls of secondary school age, AHS sits alongside St. Joseph's Convent as one of the Spice Isle's two most widely recommended government options.
SGU's own resources for arriving families specifically list Anglican High School as a top choice for girls accompanying relocating households. If you have a daughter making the move to Grenada, this school deserves a call and an in-person visit.
Contact: (473) 435-3592, Tanteen, St. George's
Top Private Primary Schools in Grenada
Grenada's best private primaries offer smaller class sizes, more flexible curricula, and international-friendly environments. For expat families, SGU faculty households, and parents who want an alternative to the government system, Alpha Junior School and Island Montessori are the two most widely recommended starting points.
Alpha Junior School
Alpha Junior School is a Roman Catholic private primary in Mt. Parnassus, St. George's. Students of all faiths are welcome. The school enrolls children from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6.
The campus features 10 small classrooms, a tuckshop, a computer room, and generous outdoor play and recreational space. That intimate setup is exactly what many parents look for when their child is learning in a new country or adapting to a different curriculum. If your child is joining mid-year from an overseas school system, Alpha Junior's compact size makes the transition less overwhelming.
Contact: (473) 440-1236 | Mt. Parnassus, St. George's
Island Montessori School
Island Montessori is the only Montessori school on the Spice Isle. Located in Mont Tout, St. George's, this not-for-profit private school opened in September 2007. It takes students from age 1 through to 16, so families don't need to switch institutions as children move from primary into secondary years.
At the secondary level, the school follows the Cambridge International curriculum, a globally recognised framework that prepares students for university entry worldwide. That's a major advantage for expat families who may eventually return home. The Montessori approach emphasises learning at each student's own pace. There are no set morning devotions, which appeals to families from secular or multi-faith backgrounds.
Contact: (473) 439-1234 | Mont Tout, St. George's
Westmorland School
Westmorland School, in Marrast Hill, is a private, non-denominational, co-educational school. It runs from Pre-Kindergarten through to Form 5. SGU's own family guidance has long listed Westmorland as the most commonly chosen private school for relocating families. The school is dedicated to developing students academically, socially, and emotionally, and runs an active sports programme.
Need extra academic support alongside school? Straight As Private Tutoring on Lucas Street in St. George's offers focused one-on-one sessions covering CPEA, CSEC, and CAPE preparation for primary and secondary students across Grenada.
International & Private Secondary Options for Expats
Families relocating to Grenada for SGU, diplomatic postings, NGO roles, or remote work have several strong private secondary options.
Beacon School in St. George's offers both primary and secondary education and has historically welcomed expat students. Its curriculum aligns with Grenada's Ministry of Education requirements.
Meridian School of Grenada, based in the Belmont area near Grand Anse, provides a primary-to-secondary programme grounded in Christian Science educational principles. Contact: (473) 444-3310. Tuition rates are available on inquiry.
Grace Lutheran School is a private primary in St. George's that has attracted SGU families and offers a nurturing environment for younger children arriving from abroad.
For families specifically joining the SGU community, the SGU Student Family Network (established 1994) maintains peer-sourced guidance on schools. Families who've been through the process share practical tips on waiting lists, uniform suppliers, and which schools suit different learning styles. Scheduling a school tour before your SGU start date is strongly recommended since most popular private schools do operate waiting lists.
A note on fees: private school tuition in Grenada varies significantly by school. General estimates place the range between roughly USD 1,000 and USD 5,000 per year. Always contact schools directly for current rates. Apply early, ideally a full term before you need a place, to avoid the waiting list problem.
You can browse education and professional service listings in St. George's on GrenadaSearch to find tutors, after-school support, and childcare providers near your neighbourhood.
What Is the CPEA and How Does Secondary Placement Work?
The Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) is the standardised exam that determines which government secondary school a student attends after primary school. Introduced by the Caribbean Examinations Council in 2012, it replaced the older Common Entrance Exam. Students sit it at around age 11, at the end of Grade 6. It covers Mathematics, Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies.
Under Grenada's Universal Secondary Education Policy, every student who sits the CPEA receives a secondary school place. In 2024, all 1,705 registered students were assigned to a school, according to the Ministry of Education's published CPEA results summary. This policy ensures no child is left without a secondary school place, regardless of exam score.
The CPEA has two components. The internal assessment runs throughout Grades 5 and 6 at the student's own school, accounting for 40 percent of the total score. The external assessment is a two-day written exam held in May each year, accounting for the remaining 60 percent. In 2024, the external CPEA was conducted at 59 centres across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique, with 382 students sitting it online through e-testing at designated centres.
For students applying to private secondary schools, the CPEA score is considered but isn't the only factor. Private schools typically use their own entrance tests and interviews. Students scoring in the top percentiles have a stronger chance of securing a preferred private school place, but private schools make their own final decisions.
If your child is arriving from outside Grenada, most schools will administer an internal placement test rather than relying solely on overseas transcripts or foreign exam results.
Conclusion
Grenada's school system is well-structured, genuinely accessible for local families, and more expat-friendly than many people expect before arriving on the Spice Isle. Government secondaries like Boca Secondary School and Anglican High School have deep community roots and strong academic traditions. Private schools from Alpha Junior to Island Montessori and Westmorland deliver international-quality alternatives with smaller class sizes.
Three things to remember: apply early (waiting lists are real), visit schools in person before committing, and contact the Ministry of Education directly for questions about placement, documentation, or mid-year enrollment.
Browse all professional and educational services in St. George's through the GrenadaSearch directory to find tutors, after-school programmes, childcare, and education support businesses near you.
Is your school, tutoring service, or education business not yet listed on GrenadaSearch? Add your listing for free and connect with thousands of families researching Grenada's education options every month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age do children start school in Grenada? Children typically begin pre-primary education at age 3. Compulsory education starts at age 6 and runs through to age 14. Primary school covers ages 6 to 11, and secondary school takes students from around age 12 through to 16. Students who continue to sixth form can study until 18 or beyond.
Is education free in Grenada? Yes, government primary and secondary education in Grenada is free. Private schools charge tuition fees that vary by institution. Estimates typically range from USD 1,000 to USD 5,000 per year for private schools, though you should contact each school directly for current rates. Some schools also charge registration and uniform fees separately.
Where is Boca Secondary School located? Boca Secondary School is located in The Bocas area of St. George's parish, Grenada. It's a government secondary serving students from the St. George's corridor who complete primary education and receive placement through the CPEA process. The school's contact number is (473) 440-2608.
What schools do SGU families typically choose in Grenada? According to SGU's official guidance for accompanying families, Westmorland School, Beacon School, and Island Montessori are the most commonly chosen private options. For government secondary schools, boys often attend Presentation Brothers College or GBSS, while girls typically attend St. Joseph's Convent or Anglican High School. Most popular private schools operate a waiting list, so early contact is essential.
What is the difference between CPEA and CSEC in Grenada? The CPEA (Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment) is taken at the end of primary school at around age 11. It determines which government secondary school a student attends. The CSEC (Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate) is taken at the end of secondary school in Form 5, typically at age 16. Both are administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and are recognised regionally and internationally for further education and employment.