Introduction

Bermuda’s 18 public primary schools, five public middle schools and two public senior schools cater to just under 6,000 students. The nine private schools have approximately 3,700 pupils.

School is compulsory for all persons from the age of five years and ends when they reach their sixteenth birthday. The public education system provides free preschool for young persons four years of age.

The public education system is split into three levels – a primary level consisting of six years, a middle level consisting of three years and a senior level consisting of four years. Primary School and Middle School admission is generally based on the location of the family residence. The senior schools have general admission. Consult the relevant sections of this article for more detailed information on Preschool, Primary School, Middle School and Senior School education.

Preparing the island’s young people to make the best use of their talents, skills and abilities is one of the chief objectives of the public system of education in Bermuda. This objective is embedded within the Education Ministry’s stated mission “to be the first choice in education by providing rigorous and stimulating learning experiences in safe, responsive environments from which our students emerge confident and prepared to contribute locally and globally.”

There are two major initiatives in the public school system at present involving literacy and technology. The goal of the technology initiative is to ensure that all students and staff have ready access to information technology. The literacy initiative is designed to refocus instructional practices to ensure that all students attain a high level of literacy as they progress throughout the education system.

Throughout the public school system students are challenged through a wide range of programmes that enhance and facilitate the development of critical skills and learning experiences. Public Education is structured to address the needs of its high achievers by stimulating their giftedness through flexible and student-centered approaches. Through a constant process of evaluation and a commitment to diversity, all students are able to find a path that suits their needs.

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Introduction

Preschools

Primary Schools

Middle Schools

Senior Schools

Preschools

There are ten free public preschools in Bermuda for children of 4 years of age. Children must attend their local neighborhood preschool. Class size is maintained at ten students per teacher. The ten government preschools are listed below:

Devonshire Preschool

Lyceum Preschool

Lagoon Park Preschool

Prospect Preschool

Southampton

St. George's

St. David's

St. John's

St. Paul's

Warwick

Primary Schools

The Primary School stage of education lasts for six years. Children are enrolled at age 5 (when their fifth birthday falls between January 1 and December 31). Children may only be admitted to schools in the same zone in which they are resident. The educational zones are as follows:

Eastern Zone

East End Primary

St. George's Preparatory

St. David's Primary

Francis Patton Primary

Harrington Sound Primary

Elliott Primary

Central Zone

Prospect Primary

Victor Scott Primary

Northlands Primary

West Pembroke Primary

Western Zone

Gilbert Institute       

Paget Primary

Purvis Primary

Heron Bay Primary

Port Royal Primary 

Dalton E. Tucker Primary

West End Primary

Somerset Primary

Middle Schools

Pupils attend Middle School for three years, between the ages of 11 and 14. Middle schools do not usually admit students who have not matriculated from one of their associated ‘feeder’ schools. The feed groups are shown below:

Clearwater: East End Primary, St. George's Preparatory, Francis Patton Primary, St. David's Primary,

Whitney Institute: Harrington Sound Primary, Elliott Primary, Prospect Primary

Dellwood: Northlands Primary, West Pembroke Primary, Victor Scott Primary

Sandys Secondary: Dalton E. Tucker Primary, West End Primary, Somerset Primary, Port Royal Primary

T. N. Tatem: Gilbert Institute Primary, Purvis Primary, Paget Primary, Heron Bay Primary

Senior Schools

There are two public senior schools: Berkeley Institute and Cedarbridge Academy. During their four-year senior education students study towards the BSC (Bermuda School Certificate), which is awarded after 104 credits have been successfully achieved. In addition, both Berkeley and Cedarbridge Academy students have the option of sitting GCSEs and are encouraged to sit the SATs if they are planning on attending college or university in the United States.

Berkeley Institute

Cedarbridge Academy