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2 of my kids were educated on the island and then went to Europe for schooling. They excelled and their Belizean education was definitely on par with the base education received in the UK. What schools in Belize lack is the ability to offer as many choices in courses. For example, in the UK kids can take carpentry, metal works, sewing, cooking, many music options and multiple language choices. Also there are many different sporting options and facilities available to them. In addition there are great after school programs including the arts, drama, scouts and guides, etc. etc.

It did take my daughter about 6 months to catch up in French in the 3rd year of highschool - after all she had never taken French in her life.

A Roman Catholic school should put an emphasis on its religious beliefs. The Anglican school has its focus and so does the Adventist school. Religion is a huge part of most people's lives and I feel they should be allowed to express their beliefs and preach their religion in school. There are choices of schools so that folks don't have to attend a school that has religious teachings that go against their own beliefs.

I have known many kids that grew up on the island that have gone on to get tremendous grades and educations and degrees from the Americas and Europe.

Like it or not a lot of the responsibility of education also falls squarely on the shoulders of the parents/guardians. Home work is as important as class work. Families that put education high on their score board of necessary achievements tend to see positive school grades from the children.

Wow the stats on most of the links are a little outdated. When I get back to the island I will see if I can get more accurate figures.

Most certainly if you take a ride around all of the suburbs of San Pedro town you will be able to count a few hundred kids that should be in school that are not attending....

I have one child in high school and its my own experience.

Take the actual San Pedro High Math Book for the first form,
any clever standard 5 student can solve all the exercises.

The 4 fist form high school classes are mixed with students have passes the PSE and students the failed the PSE.

The should be 4 classes
1 class for slow learners
2 classes for average learners
1 class for gifted students.

Today, the slow leaner have trouble to follow and the gifted students get bored. If a faster or brighter student is finish with his work, hi has to sit on his desk and wait till the LAST Student is finished. Its not allowed to do homework or anything else, just have to sit maybe for a half our and maybe you loose the interest for the school because its boring.

The standard in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and Switzerland is far higher, as the standard in Belize.

The whole standard six is only repetition for the PSE.
In the European country's, the study is more linear and the repetition is only a minor part. In Belize you wasting a hell of time with repetition.

I am surprised that you didn't choose the home schooling option.

Perhaps you might consider sending your child to high school in the city. Saint Johns follows the type of system you refer to with classes defined by ability. Also you can consider having your child take another subject that is studied on his own. My eldest did that so she ended up with an extra CXC at the end of high school.

The Belizean school system is mainly moulded from the British system.

The system isn't ideal, but it is what we have to work with.

There is a PTA at the high school that would most likely enjoy receiving your constructive criticism.

3 of my kids were educated on the island and then went to Europe for schooling. Inrek is 16 has just finished GCSE 1 A*, 2 A, 3 B and 3 C, not bad for 4 years in Belizean Schools and I am not talking about The Island Academy.

Angela (14) has been the top of her year in high school for the last 2 years. There are over 200 in her year, Philip is 10 and we have had only one problem with him, he wants to come back to San Pedro.

I run a High School and cayemans comments are not the case at our school, either.Some of the kids can for sure do higher level work and some can't, just like in Europe and the States.
I agree with Amanda, your kids should seek an education elsewhere.