Querétaro offers many educational options for your family, including public, private and international schools. Homeschooling is also allowed in Mexico.
The public school system in Mexico is overseen by the Secretariat of Public Instruction (Secretaría de Educación Pública). Attendance is mandatory for all students ages 6 to15. Basic education includes pre-primary school for children 3 to 5, elementary school for children 6 to12 and secondary school for those 13 to 15.
At the age of 16, students are given the option to continue schooling at the high school level, though continuing beyond secondary school is not legally required. There are two possible degree options. The first is a qualified technician degree, or profesional técnico, which is chosen by less than 10 percent of all students. The other is a high school diploma, or bachillerato, a much more popular option.
The school year in Mexico starts in mid-August and ends in the first days of July and, by law, must cover 200 days.
Many expats choose to enroll their children in one of several international schools, the most popular being the John F. Kennedy American School of Queretaro. International schooling is provided from preschool through high school and classes are taught in English and Spanish.
American college entrance examinations (SAT, ACT and AP) and/or British GSCE A-level examinations are available through most international schools. Many international schools also offer either the globally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) Program or the Cambridge IGCSE. Certification from these schools is accepted worldwide for university entrance.
Homeschooling is another option for expats in Querétaro. There are no laws prohibiting homeschooling in the country if you choose to do this. You can find out details at the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).
