Living the GOOD LIFE for the REST OF YOUR LIFE!
EDUCATING YOUR CHILD
IN MEXICO
TRAVEL TO MEXICO WITH CHILDREN:
The expat lifestyle does not mean that families can't participate. Many have chosen to relocate with small children and find that a bilingual education and lifestyle benefits the child.
If you do decide to relocate to Mexico with your child, you have several options when it comes to education.
Mexico does not offer non-Spanish language education to the people living in their country. If you wish to have a child attend public school in Mexico, they must learn how to speak Spanish.
There are several schools of thought regarding educating an expat child in Mexico. Many believe that the assimilation to be experienced by a child being in a local school is more beneficial than putting your child into a "native" language school. The best determinant is visiting the local schools and discovering if the curriculum is up to your expectations.
There are numerous private schools within Mexico. Before you decide on where you will live, check them out. World-class bi-lingual private schools are throughout the country, and cater to the expats who have chosen the country as the place they will raise their children.
Montessori schools are also located throughout Mexico.
Another educational option is to home school your children. Many who have relocated to Mexico do exactly that and the excellent results are worth noting. There are organizations of home-schoolers and you will certainly find one to meet your needs while living in Mexico.
The Mexican school year runs from September to June, with breaks in April and in the summer.
Higher education in Mexico is attractive to
many students from the U.S. and other countries, especially medical school. Guadalajara is an attractive center for medical students from around the world and the community benefits.
The cost of obtaining a degree in Mexico is considerably less than in the U.S., with tuition for non-Mexicans running approximately that of a community college. Many colleges in Mexico offer international programs, including tuition, room and board, travel and books. It's worth looking into if your child is approaching college age.
If you have lived in Mexico for a long period of time, and have obtained dual citizenship, then you will not pay for a college education for your child. All children in Mexico receive a free college education if they are citizens of the country. That in itself is reason enough to consider Mexico as A Change of Lifestyle destination!