I am thinking about taking a program at Saint James School of Medicine...If successful I will bring my 2 children. They are in elementary school.

What is the name of the elementary school in Kralendijk? Do they speak/teach english?

Thanks,
JayVon

Hi JayVon,

They only speak Dutch in the schools on Bonaire.

Cheers!

Cynde

They teach in Papiamentu ages 4 and 5. At 1st level (age 6) they begin teaching them Dutch so it is a mix. Many of the teachers also speak English. My kids attend Reina Beatrix which is the only non-Catholic elementary school. Both my kids speak Papiamentu so we have not had a problem with them in school.

You might want to catch up with Annie Phelan who just moved here with her 12 year old daughter and see how it is working for her. Her daughter started taking Dutch lessons before moving here to help her out.

Linda, thanks for the clarification. I had thought that it was only Dutch from previous posts

Tell Annie hi, and I'm glad to see she finally made it!

The main language of instruction is Dutch with most of the children having Papiamentu as their first language. They recently introduced Papiamentu in the older grades as a subject for reading and writing the language.

English is taught as a subject around the age of 12 (or 6th level). Spanish (I think, age 10) and French (in high school) are also available.

Thanks!
Is Reina Beatrix in the city of Kralendijk?
Is there a charge for schools?

My children are 6 and 7... They only know english, but I would LOVE for them to learn any of the other languages. I plan on being there for approx. 2.4 years.

Thanks again...
Any other info will be appreciated...

Hello,

Maggie is 11 and attends Papa Cornes in Antriol. I chose this school simply because I know some parents who have kids there and also Maggie knows some kids. It is a nice school in appearance and the headmaster is very nice.

The curriculum from what I can tell is about 2 years behind Maggie's previous pvt school and public school education. She can focus on the language rather than content. There are clearly some major differences in behaviors in the classroom. It sounds like a rather immature group of kids who are silly (for grade 6). She is ok where she is at.

I pay 25,00 Florin for private Dutch tutoring. She has an intensive program for break.

I also supplment her education with her previous school curriculum for Math, LA and Science.

I am very happy so far as she is learning Dutch and is ok with the transition BUT SHE MISSES her friends at home. She has no friends here so far. Just some classmates who are nice to her and vice versa. I hope in time she forges some friendships.

The school is free. Uniforms are t shirts which are 11,00 each. The kids must wear dark jeans.

Email me ANYTIME.

Annie

Thanks Ann. I appreciate all the detail that you provided in your message!

Annie, glad to see you made it Tell Maggs to hang in there, she will make friends soon...it's always a tough transition at that age

You can also do some homeschooling with your kids as well. Living on Bonaire is a great opportunity for them to learn another langauge.

The elementary school closest to the medical school is San Bernado. It is within shouting distance.

The next closest would be Reina Beatrix within walking distance for an adult. The next two at about equal distance is Papa Cornes in Noord Salina and Kristu Bon Wardador in Tera Cora. The last two would be a couple minute drive from the medical school.

Elementary school is held between 7:30 and 12:30. They do not have lunch at school and there are no afternoon hours. They do offer a new program called Skol di Bario which is an afternoon program which parents can have their kids attend. I don't know much about it since my kids are not doing it.

Wellcome to everybody!

My family want to live in Bonaire, we have two children, one of them 11 years old the other 12 years old. Please help me , which shcool is the best for children and do I find anything about it on the Internet?
And how is the hospital and doctors? I'm afraid of public health.

THANK YOU

What languages do the children speak and read and write? If not Dutch, then the local schools will be challenging. Ann Phelan, one of the regulars here, is an American who moved to Bonaire a few months ago with her daughter. She's had her daughter in intense Dutch language training since last summer and it seems to have paid off.

Hospital is fine for emergencies, and doctors for general medical issue. Specialists however are only on Curacao or elsewhere for more unique conditions and problems.

Jake

I hope I can jump in here: I had a terrible flu and was SO sick and needed to see a MD. I called Jake and got a referral but the MD was too full so I went across to the hospital and it was amazing..they were professional, quick and so helpful. I ended up seeing Dr. Schrader 2 hours later and got GREAT care for 20.00 USD for the office visit.

Having lived in a Third World (Antigua) I have seen HORRORS in medical care. I was most relieved with my experience here.

Education is tough for Mags. I wish I could say I am excited about her learning Dutch but truthfully it is not a world language she will have much use such as Arabic, Chinese, Spanish or German but it's a GREAT life experience.

I meet with her teacher every other week, we have a communication log between the teacher and Maggie's Dutch tutor..it's a LOT of work for all but I lucked out with a SUPER teacher and tutor.

I also home school her which is NOT easy for me..I lack the discipline needed...but I try..

Hi,
I'm planning to go to Bonaire, and looking for a job working with kids. Since I am only 17, and graduating in a few days from the American School of the Hague, (i'm dutch though) with an IB diploma, i was wondering if i could get in touch with any of the schools to see if they have anything.. like an outside tutoring program, babysitting type service.. summer camps.. ?
Thank you, Maxine

Hello to all,
My husband will be attending St. James School of Medicine in September and myself and our two children will be moving to the island as well. The children are 5 and 6 years of age. I have read some of the posts and have received much information on the island. I have some additional questions. Where is the best place to live (kid friendly) on a budget? What would average price for a used vehicle (again on a budget)?
Kallie