Lifestyle & relocation

School search in Paraguay: a school place for your children

Finding the right school and securing the place: we clarify your criteria with you, contact the schools and see the enrollment through, from international programs to bilingual private schools.

Price: from $229
For whom: Families with school-age children

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For families, the school question often decides when to move. Paraguay's school year follows the Southern Hemisphere and starts in February, popular schools keep waiting lists, and every school runs its own admissions with documents, assessments and interviews. Start looking only after you land and you risk a waiting list, or a child joining mid-year with the syllabus half covered.

We handle the search and the enrollment. First we pin down what matters to you: language of instruction, the qualification your child should leave with, budget and where you plan to live. Then we match that against the schools that fit, ask about open places and waiting lists, and accompany the admissions process through to enrollment.

The options in Asunción range from international schools with American-style curricula or programs such as the IB or Cambridge, through schools with a German or other national heritage that teach in two languages, to local bilingual private schools leading to the Paraguayan bachillerato. Our schools guide describes the types of school and what they cost.

What's included

Needs assessment: language of instruction, target qualification (an American-style diploma, IB, Cambridge or the Paraguayan bachillerato), budget and neighborhood
A shortlist of suitable schools: international, heritage-language or local bilingual private schools
Inquiries about open places and waiting lists for the right grade
A checklist of enrollment documents: what needs an apostille and what gets translated in Paraguay
Enrollment at the chosen school and coordination of the admissions appointments

Process

1First conversation: the children's ages and languages, whether a later move onward or back home is likely, budget and planned place of residence
2Shortlist and inquiries to the schools about places and waiting lists
3Documents: birth certificate and recent school reports, apostilled where they were issued (or legalized by a consulate where the issuing country has not joined the Apostille Convention), sworn translations in Paraguay, vaccination records
4The school's admissions process: a visit and, depending on school and grade, a language assessment and an interview
5Enrollment and first day, ideally at the start of the school year in February

The school year runs from February to November, with the long holidays in December and January. If you have one particular school in mind, contact it a year or more before the move, because places at the popular schools are limited. Joining mid-year is possible at many schools but depends on open places.

Who is this for?

For families moving to Paraguay with school-age children who do not want to leave the school place to chance, especially where a later move abroad or back home is possible and a qualification recognized outside Paraguay matters.

Pricing

School search$229

Tuition, the one-off enrollment fee (matrícula), uniforms and books are paid directly to the school and are not included. School fees vary widely; our schools guide gives typical ranges.

Important note: Only the school decides on admission, by its own criteria and capacity, so we cannot guarantee a place. Fees and admission requirements change, and whether a foreign or Paraguayan qualification is recognized in another country is decided case by case by that country. We are not an education or legal adviser; we coordinate the search and the enrollment.

FAQ

When should families start the school search in Paraguay?

As early as you can; with a particular school in mind, a year or more ahead is sensible, since popular schools keep waiting lists. Begin on the documents about three months before the planned enrollment date, so the birth certificate and school reports can be apostilled at home and translated in Paraguay in time.

Can you guarantee a place at an international school in Asunción?

No, admission is the school's decision. Places at the popular schools are limited, and many run language assessments, particularly for older children. That is why we keep a second school in view from the start.

Which documents do Paraguayan schools ask for at enrollment?

Practically every school wants the child's birth certificate and the latest school reports, each apostilled (or legalized by a consulate) and with a sworn translation, plus vaccination records, passport photos, the parents' ID and the child's cédula or proof that the application is under way. The translations are done in Paraguay by a sworn public translator (traductor público).

Can a child join a Paraguayan school in the middle of the school year?

At most schools, yes, often with a trial period, provided a place is open. Joining is easiest at the start of the school year in February or before the winter break in July.

International school, heritage-language school or local bilingual school: which suits our family in Paraguay?

Mainly your long-term plans. If a move onward or back home is likely, a qualification recognized where you might go next is the safer choice, which points to an American-style, IB or Cambridge program, or a heritage school teaching in your own language. If you plan to stay and want Spanish immersion, a good bilingual private school fits. Children without Spanish usually settle more easily where part of the day is taught in a language they already speak.