What Are the Best Schools in St. Maarten/St. Martin?

The entire island of Saint Martin is known for upholding a high educational standard. Education is a prominent feature of the culture of Saint Martin, this is reflected by the high literacy rate of the inhabitants on the island. About 99% of the people in St. Maarten that are aged 15 years and above can read and write with a full understanding. Education is highly valued in Saint Martin and is available to all on the island.

Many schools are available in St. Maarten for children and adults. Some of the schools available for children are public primary schools, public high schools, and a school that provides special education for students with disabilities. There are also several religiously affiliated schools on the island that promote the teachings of their respected religion along with the curriculum such as Catholic schools, Seventh Day Adventist schools, Methodist schools, and Protestant schools. There are private primary schools in Saint Martin which on average cost around $1,000 (€881) per month for each student. There are also vocational schools and universities located on the island that are available for adults. Tuition for the universities amounts to around $22,000 (€19,387) per student each semester.

The friendly and hospitable spirit of St. Maarten is reflected among the helpful and dedicated staff of many of the schools on the island. The devotion, love, and care of the teachers and faculty towards the success and education of each student is felt and seen. This is indeed what makes the following schools the best schools on the island of St. Maarten. The best schools in St. Maarten are listed below.

1. St. Maarten Academy
2. Asha Stevens Elementary School
3. Caribbean International Academy (C.I.A)
4. Sister Regina Primary School
5. Sister Magda Primary School
6. Sister Borgia Primary School
7. St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School
8. American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
9. Learning Unlimited Preparatory School
10. University of Saint Martin
11. Helmich Snijders Elementary School
12. Methodist Agogic Centre (M.A.C)
13. Prins Willem-Alexander School
14. Robert Weinum High School
15. Higher Institute of Commerce and Digital Marketing (ISSGCN)
16. Sister Marie Laurence Primary School
17. St. Dominic Primary School
18. St. Joseph Primary School

1. St. Maarten Academy

St. Maarten Academy is a secondary school that is located in the town of Cul de Sac, Sint Maarten. St. Maarten Academy was the first secondary school built on the island of St. Martin in 1974. St. Maarten Academy offers quality education to its students and prepares them for college and/or the workforce. The school strives to create an environment where each student feels comfortable, free to learn and develop. All students are encouraged to perform at their highest potential.

At St. Maarten Academy English is the language of instruction. The school has both an academic campus and a vocational campus. St. Maarten academy strives to develop excellence in scholastic achievement, self-discipline, morals, values, social development within their students so that they can be responsible and successful members of society. St. Maarten Academy is a very nurturing environment that is committed to developing the character of each student by instilling civic and social responsibility as well as moral values into the curriculum.

Courses covered in the curriculum at St. Maarten Academy are English language and literature, science, French, Dutch, social studies, philosophy of Life, science, math, economy and society, art, music, information technology, and more. The school also offers college placement for its students. Many of the students go on to colleges in the United States, the United Kingdom, or the University of Saint Martin. The school also helps students with college placement.

The official website of St. Maarten Academy is https://www.stmaartenacademy.net.

2. Asha Stevens Elementary School

Asha Stevens Elementary school is located in Little Bay St. Maarten, this school was founded in 1968 to provide quality education to all its students while teaching them to maintain godly values and beliefs of the protestant religion. This school teaches children from Pre-K through grade 6. The school works hard to develop a true love of learning within their students that will last a lifetime. The motto of the school is based on the following biblical passage “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”. The mission of the school is to meet the holistic needs of every child enrolled so that they can reach their God-given potential to the fullest.

Asha Stevens Elementary School is in affiliation with the Helmich Snijders Hillside Christian School and has around 650 students enrolled per year between both of the schools. The courses offered at this school are health and physical education, mathematics, language and communication, social and emotional development, philosophy of life, social studies, and more. English is the language of instruction at this school. There is no tuition for Asha Stevens Elementary School, the school is entirely free for students above 3 years old to attend. Students under 3 years old who attend the early childhood school have a tuition of $100 (€88) per month for each student.

The official website of Asha Stevens Elementary school is https://www.ashastevenscampus.net.

3. Caribbean International Academy (C.I.A)

The Caribbean International Academy was founded in 2003 and is located in the lowlands of Dutch Sint Maarten. This is a private school that teaches students from kindergarten to grade 12. This is a very culturally diverse school that celebrates the differences and cultures within the students and faculty. The school prides itself on being very multicultural and representing over 15 different nationalities. One of the missions of the Caribbean International Academy is to bring awareness to the students about their civic duty. Community involvement is one of the primary lessons taught at this school.

The Caribbean International Academy focuses on the personal growth, scholastic development, and ethical enrichment of each student. The school provides a nurturing, family-like environment. The students at CIA are known to be confident, responsible, compassionate, independent, enthusiastic about learning, and inquisitive. About 90% of the students go on to attend colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Europe after graduation. There is an average of 200 students enrolled in the school throughout each school year. The staff has over 30 members who are expertly trained to provide quality education to students of all ages.

The official website of the Caribbean International Academy is https://ciaschool.com.

4. Sister Regina Primary School

Sister Regina Primary School is a catholic school that is located in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten. This school has been educating students in Sint Maarten for over 50 years. This school teaches from kindergarten to grade 6 and Dutch is the main language of instruction. Sister Regina Primary is dedicated to helping each student become well-rounded and reach their fullest potential by teaching them the principles and teachings of the Catholic religion along with the academic curriculum.

Sister Regina Primary School is in affiliation with 6 other Catholic schools on the island. Sister Regina Primary School is personally devoted to the educational enrichment, creativity, and success of each student. This can be seen by the wide array of courses that the school offers such as science labs, library, woodworking classes, cooking classes, art classes, and drama classes. This school also values learning through experience and educating children through play, this can be seen by the hands-on agricultural and artistic activities that are regularly planned for the students.

Sister Regina Primary School has a very pleasant, helpful, and friendly staff that goes the extra mile to make sure the needs of their students are taken care of. There is an average of 200 students enrolled in the school during each school year. The tuition for the school is 300 NAF ($167, €146) per year.

The official website of Sister Regina Primary School is https://skos-sxm.org/school/sr-regina-primary.

5. Sister Magda Primary School

Sister Magda Primary School is located in Philipsburg St. Maarten. This school teaches from kindergarten to grade 6 and Dutch is the main language of instruction. Sister Magda Primary School was founded in 1978 and is in affiliation with 6 other Catholic schools on the island. The teachings and principles of the catholic church are taught in conjunction with the secular curriculum.

This school is unique in Saint Martin because it is one of the few schools where the instruction is in Dutch. Sister Magda Primary school aims to encourage independence among the students. The school focuses on each child rather than just the subject matter. Students are challenged to discover and investigate things and take ownership of their development.

The courses taught at Sister Magda Primary school are philosophy of life, Dutch language & communication, English language & communication, mathematics, penmanship, social studies, science, and traffic. There is an average of a little under 300 students enrolled in the school during each school year. The tuition for the school is 300 NAF ($167, €146) per year.

The official website of Sister Magda Primary School is https://skos-sxm.org/school/sr-magda-primary.

6. Sister Borgia Elementary School

Sister Borgia Elementary School is a Catholic primary school that is located in the center of Philipsburg, Sint Maarten. This school teaches children from the grades of kindergarten to 6th grade. The school was founded in 1978 and is affiliated with other catholic schools on the island such as Sr. Regina Primary school, St. Dominic High school, and more. Sister Borgia Elementary School is known for the cultural diversity and inclusivity among the students and staff at the school. The school is indeed a melting pot of cultures.

The staff at Sister Borgia Elementary school have a very warm and welcoming spirit that represents the friendly nature of St. Maarten well. The teachers have a reputation for helping each student to reach their highest scholastic potential to prepare them for high school and even life beyond that. The helpful and attentive staff promote a very healthy and vivid learning experience for the children by providing courses such as philosophy, technology, social studies, cultural and artistic development and so much more. The school is also heavily involved in sports and encourages each student to reach their physical and athletic ability.

Sister Borgia Elementary school is a multilingual school. However, Dutch is the main language of instruction. Students here are guaranteed to become proficient in the Dutch language. The average number of students at the school throughout the year is around 200. And the yearly tuition or parental contribution is 300 NAF (€146, $166) per student.

The official website of Sister Borgia Elementary School is https://skos-sxm.org/school/sr-borgia-elementary.

7. St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School

The St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School is located in Phillipsburg, Sint Maarten. This school teaches children from ages 4 to 12. The mission of the St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School is to ensure that their students attain the best possible educational development of their mental, spiritual, physical, and social capacities. The school teaches these skills in harmony with the beliefs of the Seventh Day Adventist philosophy.

At St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School the students are encouraged to strive for excellence at each stage of their educational development. The staff is trained to teach the children to develop skills such as discipline and critical thinking so that they can become responsible members of society. St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School also works to instill a true love of nature, literature, art, and music in the students. The school also focuses on community involvement and teaches its students to have a big part in the local community. The school teaches courses such as math, science, English, Dutch, physical education, art, music, and more.

The official website of St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School is https://www.sxmsda.com.

8. American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine

The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) is a private medical school located in Cupecoy, Sint Maarten. The School was founded by the American educator Dr. Paul Tien in 1978 and was originally located on the island of Montserrat. The university was moved to St. Maarten in May of 1998 where its main campus is located, other campuses for the University are located in Iselin, New Jersey, USA, and Miramar, Florida USA.

The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine’s campus consists of teaching and learning facilities such as laboratories, classrooms, a microbiology lab, an anatomy lab, and a medical library. The school is known to offer comprehensive medical training for all medical students enrolled in their program to be able to practice medicine internationally. The students at the school undergo 5 semesters of study of medical sciences and then 4.5 semesters of training in clinical sciences. After completing these courses, the students can choose between teaching hospitals in the United States or the United Kingdom. The residency attainment rate for AUC graduates in 2020 was 92%. Tuition for the school is from $23,000 to $26,000 (euros) per semester.

The official website of the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine is https://med.aucmed.edu.

9. Learning Unlimited Preparatory School

The Learning Unlimited Preparatory School is located in Cay Hill, Sint Maarten. This is a private school that was opened in 1990 in St. Maarten that teaches Pre-K through grade 12. The school’s mission is to teach all of the students global awareness and connectivity and to develop critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills within the students.

The Learning Unlimited Preparatory encourages each student to develop skills such as leadership, communication, organizational, and research skills. LUC tailors their education to each student and allows them to grow at their own individual pace. LUC is also known for having a great sports and AP program which enables a high percentage of the students to be accepted to colleges and universities abroad. The tuition for these schools is $1000 (€868) each month per student.

The official website of the Learning Unlimited Preparatory School is https://luprepschool.com.

10. University of Saint Martin

The University of Saint Martin (USM) is located in Philipsburg St. Maarten and is one of the main institutions for higher education in Saint Martin and the entire Caribbean. USM was founded in the early 1980s to offer high-quality education on the island of St. Maarten that is tailored to each student. The school has programs that are dedicated to helping students to develop their productivity, creativity, and fulfill their goals in a wide variety of career paths.

The University of Saint Martin offers associate degrees in business, general liberal arts, as well as hospitality, and tourism. This university offers students a chance to prepare for their successful careers in an environment where they will no doubt feel inspired. The school has partnered with other universities such as the American University of Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC), Johnson and Wales University, the National Institute of Professional Advancement, and many others. The tuition for this school is around $22,000 (€19,098) per student each semester.

The official website of the University of Saint Martin is https://www.usm.sx.

11. Helmich Snijders Elementary School

Helmich Snijders Elementary School is located in the town of St. Peters, Sint Maarten. This is a protestant Christian Primary school that teaches students from Pre-K to grade 6. This school is affiliated with Asha Stevens Elementary school and was founded at the same time in the early 1970s. The language of instruction at Helmich Snijders Elementary School is Dutch. Between Helmich Snijders Elementary School and its sister school Asha Stevens Elementary there is an average of 600 students that are enrolled in the school each year.

Helmich Snijders Elementary School is known for teaching its students along with the teachings and principles of the protestant religion. The motto of the school is based on the following biblical passage “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”. The mission of the school is to meet the holistic needs of every child enrolled so that they can reach their God-given potential to the fullest.

The curriculum at Helmich Snijders Elementary School is determined by the Ministry of Education and includes courses such as philosophy of life, health & physical education, language & communication, mathematics, science, social & emotional development, and more. There is no tuition for Helmich Snijders Elementary School, the school is entirely free for students above 3 years old to attend. Students under 3 years old who attend the early childhood school have a tuition of $100 (€88) per month for each student.

The official website for Helmich Snijders Elementary School is https://www.helmichsnijderscampus.net.

12. Methodist Agogic Centre (M.A.C)

The Methodist Agogic Centre (MAC) was founded in 1976 by the methodist church. The goal of the school was to promote education and philanthropic services based on the teachings of the church. The school has several campuses located in Phillipsburg and Cul De Sac in Dutch Sint Maarten, some that are elementary schools and others that are high schools. Pre-K through 12th grade is taught at these campuses.

The goal of the MAC is to develop a strong love for learning, self-discipline, self-esteem, and independence with all of its students. The curriculum includes a broad range of subjects designed to challenge the students and help them develop and learn to their fullest potential. They foster creativity and critical thinking within their curriculum to teach the students how to form this trait for their futures. They center the lesson around the child so that the child will be fully equipped to enter the workforce. English is the main language of instruction in this school. Dutch is offered throughout the classes.

The educational motto of MAC is “Education from the Cradle to the Grave”. Efforts are made to offer a seamless transition for each student from the early stimulation center to Highschool. The school’s mission is to create a learning environment where the children have many opportunities for self-fulfillment and development regardless of background.

The student population throughout all of the campuses averages a little over 1000 students per school year. The tuition paid at this school is dependent on the different levels of education.

The official website of the Methodist Agogic Centre (MAC) is http://macsxm.org.

13. Prins Willem-Alexander School

The Prins Willem-Alexander School is a public elementary school for children with special needs that is located in the town of Belvedere in Dutch St. Maarten. This school offers special education for students with a range of disabilities such as learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism, neurological disorders, Down syndrome, and other disabilities that could impact the student’s education.

The Prins Willem-Alexander school is located in the town of Cul de Sac in Dutch Sint Maarten and has been educating students for over 45 years. The school is dedicated to providing holistic educational programs catered to the needs of each child and preparing them to function as well as lead happy and successful lives within the community.

14. Robert Weinum High School

Robert Weinum high school is located near Grand Case, French Saint Martin. This school is a general and technological high school that was founded in the early 2000s. Along with the standard curriculum, Robert Weinum high school prepares its students to enter the world of digital technology. The school’s goal is to prepare and perfect the skill of each student to meet the growing technological needs that are essential in our personal, professional, and civic lives.

Robert Weinum is named after Robert Leonel Weinum, who was a native of Saint Martin and an advocate for education and the development of the island. Robert Weimum high school uses French as its the language of instruction. In addition to the many technological courses that are available for students to take, the school also teaches other courses such as philosophy, art, Spanish, English, music, math, physical education, science, and more.

The official website of Lgt. Robert Weinum high school is https://robertweinum.lyc.ac-guadeloupe.fr.

15. Higher Institute of Commerce and Digital Marketing (ISSGCN)

The Higher Institute of Commerce and Digital Marketing is located in Marigot, French Saint Martin. This school has been educating adults on the island of St. Maarten for over 20 years. The Higher Institute of Commerce and Digital Marketing was founded in 2001 and specializes in business and digital management. This school is mainly geared toward educating students who are pursuing higher education after high school or those who are looking for on-the-job training.

The Higher Institute of Commerce and Digital Marketing provides an engaging learning environment that enables each student to master necessary skills so that they can achieve their professional career as successfully as possible.  The school’s mission is to lead all their students to success as well as teaching them to work efficiently, flexibly, and creatively in their field of choice.

The Higher Institute of Commerce and Digital Marketing offers diploma courses such as management & administration, human resources management, visual communications, managerial action support, trade, and sales professions. There is also office and digital training available such as computer and internet classes, website creation, e-commerce, regional and international marketing, and more. The school also provides foreign language training with teachers who are skilled linguists. The Higher Institute of Commerce and Digital Marketing is a great choice for anyone who wants to excel in their career.

The official website of the Higher Institute of Commerce and Digital Marketing is https://soualigaeducation.fr.

16. Sister Marie Laurence Primary School

Sister Marie Laurence Elementary School is located north of Phillipsburg, St. Maarten. This school teaches students from kindergarten to the 6th grade. Sister Marie Laurence Elementary school aims to empower all students to embrace learning, acquire the skills, abilities, and attitudes to be successful members of a global society. Sister Marie Laurence elementary school was founded in 1988 and is under the same school board as 6 other catholic schools on the island of St. Maarten.

Sister Marie Laurence elementary school has a diverse set of courses available for its students such as mathematics, English, Dutch, social studies, science, music, religion, dance, handicraft, drawing, physical education, swimming, and more. The school has an average of 150 students each school year and the tuition or parental contribution is 300 NAF ($166, €146) per year.

The official website of Sister Marie Laurence Primary school is https://skos-sxm.org/school/sr-marie-laurence-primary.

17. St. Dominic Primary School

St. Dominic Primary School is located in South Reward, Sint Maarten. This school teaches from kindergarten to grade 6 and English is the main language of instruction. St. Dominic Primary School was founded in 1988 and is in affiliation with 6 other Catholic schools on the island. The teachings and principles of the catholic church are taught in conjunction with the secular curriculum.

St. Dominic Primary school focuses heavily on not just the academic achievement of the students but their social and emotional development. They provide classes such as social & emotional health where they offer the students positive behavioral support. The school aims to help each child achieve academic success while also helping the child to thrive emotionally, spiritually, socially, and physically.

At the time it was founded St. Dominic Primary School was the first catholic school to use English as the language of instruction on the island of St. Maarten. This school is one of the top 2 schools on the island where students earn the highest grades on test scores. There is an average of over 200 students enrolled in the school during each school year. The tuition for the school is 300 NAF ($166, €146) per year.

The official website of St. Dominic Primary school is https://skos-sxm.org/school/st-dominic-primary.

18. St. Joseph Primary School

St. Joseph Primary school is located in Philipsburg St. Maarten. This school teaches from kindergarten to grade 6 and English is the main language of instruction. St. Joseph Primary School is in affiliation with 6 other Catholic schools on the island. The teachings and principles of the catholic church are taught in conjunction with the secular curriculum.

St. Joseph Primary school is dedicated to educating young people in different aspects of their lives such as spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally, and morally. The program is child-centered and approaches the education of each child in a holistic and nurturing manner, each child is motivated to achieve to the best of his/her ability. St. Joseph primary school creates an environment that provides the opportunity for the students, staff, and parents to celebrate and express their roman catholic faith.

The courses offered at St. Joseph primary school are English, Math, science, social studies, traffic, social & emotional lessons, philosophy of life, cultural and artistic development, positive behavior support, gardening, music, dance, choir, and physical education. There is an average of about 200 students enrolled in the school each year. The tuition for the school is 300 NAF ($166, €146) per year.

The official website of St. Joseph Primary School is https://skos-sxm.org/school/st-joseph-school.

What are the types of schools in St. Maarten and their characteristics?

Some of the different types of schools that are available in St. Maarten are elementary schools, high schools, vocational schools, performing arts schools, schools for those with disabilities, medical schools, universities, and more. In St. Maarten, education is readily available throughout the island.

In St. Maarten, most children between the ages of 4 and 18 will go to two schools, primary school, and secondary school. Primary school, which is also known as elementary school, teaches from kindergarten to 6th grade. Secondary school, which is also known as high school, teaches from grades 7 to 12. Some of the primary and secondary schools in St. Maarten promote religious beliefs along with academics while other schools are more secular in focus. The schools teach the curriculum in the Dutch, English, and French Languages. On average, schools in St. Maarten each have around 200 students enrolled per year.

Since education is so highly valued in St. Maarten’s culture, each school is very dedicated to the development of each student in every way imaginable. The goal of many of the schools is to equip their students to be well-rounded and successful for their future and to ensure the academic, social, emotional, physical, and even spiritual wellness of each child.

Is school mandatory in St. Maarten?

Yes, education is mandatory on the island of St. Maarten for all between the ages of 4 and 18 years old.

Are there any special education schools in St. Maarten?

Yes, the Prins Willem-Alexander School is a public elementary school in St. Maarten that offers special education for students with a range of disabilities such as learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism, neurological disorders, Down syndrome, and other disabilities that could impact the student’s education.

The Prins Willem-Alexander school is located in the town of Cul de Sac in Dutch Sint Maarten and has been educating students for over 45 years. The school is dedicated to providing educational programs catered to the needs of each child and preparing them to function as well as lead happy and successful lives within the community.

Are there public schools in St. Maarten?

Yes, there are public schools in Saint Martin. Some of the public schools in St. Maarten include Sint Dominic Primary School, Methodist Agogic Center (M.A.C), St. Maarten Academy, and Sister Magda Primary School. The public schools in St. Maarten are known for creating an environment where students can reach their full potential academically and socially. The tuition for these schools is around $200 (€176) each year per student.

Are there private schools in St. Maarten?

Yes, two of the private schools in Sint Maarten include “The Learning Unlimited Preparatory school (LU)” and “Caribbean International Academy (CIA)”. Students at this school are taught from kindergarten to grade 12. Students are taught various skills such as creative and critical thinking, time management, and decision making. The tuition for these schools is $1000 (€868) each month per student.

Are there elementary schools in St. Maarten?

Yes, there are many elementary schools in Saint Martin. Some of the elementary schools on the island include Asha Stevens Elementary School, Sr. Borgia Elementary School, Sister Magda Primary School, and Sister Regina Primary School.

These schools are known on the island of St. Maarten for molding the minds of young children to become successful and functional members of the community. Many different activities including art, agricultural classes, drama classes, woodworking classes, etc are offered to these students to enhance their education and prepare them for their high school courses. The tuition for these elementary schools is usually around $200 (€176) for each student per year.

Are there middle schools in St. Maarten?

No, there are no middle schools located in Sint Maarten. In Sint Maarten, grades kindergarten through 12 are split between elementary school (primary school) and high school (secondary school). In Sint Maarten elementary schools teach students from grades kindergarten to 6 and high schools teach grades 7 to 12.

Are there high schools in St. Maarten?

Yes, there are high schools in St. Maarten. Some of the high schools in St. Maarten include Sint Dominic High school, St. Maarten Academy, Lgt Robert Weinum High school, and the Methodist Agogic Center (M.A.C).

The high schools in St. Maarten are known for giving their students a quality and well-rounded education that prepares them for a successful future whether they decide to pursue college or head straight into the workforce. The tuition for these schools is around $200 (€176) each year per student.

Are there universities in St. Maarten?

Yes, there are 2 universities located on the island of St. Maarten. These universities include the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine and the University of Sint Maarten. These universities offer all of their students the educational resources needed for a solid foundation to start a career. The tuition for each school is approximately $22,000 (€19,098) per semester.

Is there a performing arts school in St. Maarten?

Yes, there is one performing arts school located in St. Maarten called “The Charlotte Brookson Academy of the Performance Arts”. Charlotte Brookson Academy offers both academic and artistic education for high schoolers and is committed to equipping these young adults with the resources and education necessary to enhance their artistic talents. The school even offers talent showcases where the students have the opportunity to exhibit their artistic talents while traveling abroad. The tuition for this school is around $500 (€434) for each student per year.

Are there medical schools in St. Maarten?

Yes, there is one medical school located in St. Maarten, called “The American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine”. This school offers comprehensive medical training for all medical students enrolled in their program to be able to practice medicine internationally. The tuition for this school is around $22,000 (€19,098) each semester per student.

Are there any vocational or technical schools in St. Maarten?

Yes, there is one vocational school located in St. Maarten called “The National Institute for Professional Advancement” (NIPA). This is the only government-recognized vocational school in Sint Maarten. This school offers advanced vocational education for adults who are already in the workforce and students who are looking to further their education after secondary school. The programs offered by the National Institute for Professional Advancement are tailored to the needs of the labor market in St. Maarten. The tuition depends on which courses the student decides to take.