We are moving to Bonaire in August, from USA, with an 11-year old son and a 4-year old daughter. Are there any English speaking middle schools (other than Pelikaan, which is full) that we might consider for our son? And does anyone have any recommendations of a pre-school for our daughter (need not be in English). thanks

hello Louis,

there is no english speaking school on Bonaire. Pelikaan did a fair job on trying to teach my son, who is raised in the english language to teach dutch, which is the official language on Bonaire next to Papiamentu. My son went to Kristu Bon Wardador pre-school 5 years ago, he liked it to some extend, pre-schools and first grades are taught in papiamentu.. there is another private school up in Republiek which is called Aquamarin, I will see if I can find a phone number from her in his last report. It is a tiny private school with smaller groups and I was quite happy with this school since due to the smaller groups, the teacher could attend better to the different needs of the children. I think you have to start to adjust to the fact that your children will either be taught in papiamentu or in dutch. The first few months were rough for my son to adjust to the different culture and languages but looking now back, he was able to learn and study in dutch and maintain his english at home. I go and check if I can find a phone number from the Aquamarin school.

Louis,

please note that this address is from September 2007 and they might have moved already to a bigger building but I hope the phone number is still the same:

Basisschool Aquamarin
Kaya Aleksandrit 20
Republiek
phone: +599 717 2912

good luck!

Hi Louis,

My 6 year old is going to Aquamarin - he started there a month ago and really loves it. He was going to public school before that. There is another small private school offering lessons in English, but I can't remember the name right now. I had contacted them last year through the For Sale publication. If I find it I'll post it here.

By the way - Aquamarin is now located in Amboina in the ABVO building, but you can reach Yuffrouw Anja at the above number. If you're seriously interested, be in touch asap since there's limited spaces. I believe the'll be starting a new class come August and will begin to accept children at 4 years old.

Feel free to message me if you want!

Good luck,
Nydia

Thank you Sylvia and Nydia for this helpful info about Aquamarin. I'll pass it on to my wife and she will try to call the school.--Louis

Contact Pam at Paradise Moon. Her teen goes to a school (middle school age) in Tera Cora.

Ann--Do you have contact info for Pam at Paradise Moon? A phone number or email would suffice. Thanks--Louis

Watch out for the school that Pam's daughter goes to. It is operated by fundamentalist Christians, and the reports I heard from Taylor of the contents of the science classes (particularly such basic things as whether the earth is 4.3 billion years old vs. 6000, the veracity of evolution, etc) were extremely disturbing.

make sure if you find a school that it is accredited and attendance can be applied to the students permanent record ..

Is there a requirement for school aged children to be in school? Can they be home schooled?
Eileen

If you play the hop, skip, and jump game by being a permanent tourist that never spends 90 consecutive days on the island, you can get by with home schooling. You can't get a residence permit unless your children are enrolled in a real school.

I will say again something I have said many times before: people with English-speaking school-aged children shouldn't move to Bonaire. The education system is not set up for them. They will get educated in languages they don't understand well, so they will not grasp the subjects they are being taught well. Contrary to popular belief, children do not learn languages faster than adults ... it's just that we apply lower standards to young children. A 12-year-old child that has been learning Dutch for 2 years will speak about as well a a 5-year old that has been speaking it since the age of 3. We will expect a hell of a lot more from that 12-year-old than we will of the 5-year-old though, and his limited language skills will cripple him in school. That trouble is compounded by the fact that the kid isn't even given that couple of years to catch up: he'll get one hour of Dutch instruction, one hour of Papiamentu instruction, and then have to take match, science, and history in Papiamentu and Dutch armed with only that hour of instruction each day. Moving a kid that age to the island is guaranteeing that they will fail. If I was facing some short term tour of duty here, I would leave an 11-year-old boy with a relative for a couple of years. The separation from the parents will do far less damage to the child than being expected to function here.

kevin,

tomete kudasai (stop please), dont apply your own beliefs of how to raise a child on someone you dont know, just stick to the rule and help and dont intentionally put extra blame on the parents who already have enough burden on their shoulders with moving and the GUILT feeling of taking their children out of their personal environment.
I dare say, you are entitled to your beliefs and your point of views but dont oppress others with it, and thanks my son is doing pretty fine in school - with some extra help and some extra lessons for mom we even speak dutch at home. Its good being a wise crack here and there but this is about that a family made a choice - why not stretching out a helping hand and for the rest, respect their decision.

Sometimes the best help you can give is to tell someone they are making a mistake. There's a big difference between a child in pre-school (like yours was, or the daughter being discussed) and someone in 6th or 7th grade. At the age of four, I'd be reasonably supportive. At eleven, I can't be.

I had the impression that the BT forum is about and around bonaire, sharing knowledge and expressing valuable information, I do think this kind of personal expressions should be posted at everything else bonaire or at the forum chat.
I do understand your concern - dont you think that Louis and his family already evaluated that concern within their family, I do not doubt a second - still, and this is the last time I express personal opinion, it is up to Louis family to make that decision - it is up to their concern how to deal with the future of their children and it not up to us to criticize in any way but the good spirit of BT talk to stretch out a helping hand wherever we can. shitsurei shimasu

this is fine where it is it is a Local thread and I would think a school is local...now please get back to the subject at hand...Please

Thanks everyone for a very active and helpful discussion (and concern). What are the laws that apply to education in our situation? The homeschool program we propose is accepted by our school district. We do want to participate in local life as practicable while meeting the needs of our son.

Thanks again! Eileen

All personal judgments aside, the laws are pretty simple: children of residents must attend a government-licensed school. Home-schooling of resident children isn't permitted.

The only way I know to evade that is to evade residence ... if the government believes you to be on an extremely long vacation taken 89 days at a time, they don't care about your children's education. To do that, you must leave the country often enough that you are never here for 90 days in a row. I forget the requirement for how long you stay off ... it's either 48 or 72 hours. A trip to Aruba counts. That's a risky approach, as the government keeps making noise about taking steps to prevent people from doing that.

If I absolutely had to bring a middle-school age English-speaking child to the island, I would be prepared to basically school the child twice: once at SGB (Papiamentu/Dutch), and repeat the classes every day with a tutor tutoring the same subjects in English, as well as classes in Dutch and Papiamentu. The kid would have to work extremely hard, but even if he failed every class at SGB because of language barriers, he would have learned the material from a tutor, and would stand a chance of passing the second time around.

you have to stay off the island for at least 48 hours. Kevin is right. the immigration does monitor that and is not very amused lately.
Some more information, there is another school on Kaya Amsterdam called Unicollege, they accept children, as much as I am aware of from 11 or 12 year on, very enthusiastic bunch of teachers, school premise includes a library etc., it is a private school though and by the dutch system, however I had the impression they are very hands on and might help. the principal's name is Cees Visser, his phone number: 00599 787 0119. (got that phone no. late january)
However I am not aware of the requirements.

After basic school, children on Bonaire are taught in dutch, so it is more important to focus on the dutch language, however the science of grammar between english and dutch is to my belief similar. But yes, it will still be difficult the first year and hard work.

that law of 90 days on island -off for for 48 hours then back still is in effect . however the LAW is no more then 180 days on island in a calendar year .. so whatever your purpose of being here is more than that .. YOU MUST follow our country's rules and apply for residency . it is that simple .. as we move forward in our change of status .. the rules will be enforced ..as regard to schooling . i have lived here nearly 30 years and have been thru the education quandary long before you .. it is very simple and i have written about this before .. my son is of usa parents .. played in papiamentu and was required to learn in dutch .. as a result he is now fluent in 7 languages ..but as parents ,we were required to send him abroad at age 12 .. as happens to almost all of us who want a professional career for our child over a technical program which is is only available here .. if you are moving here for a short term then you have alot of problems concerning your child's education .. the schools here on on a European system .. math alone is totally different .. the curriculum will not in anyway apply to an American system . it is great if education at the higher level will be continued in Europe .. your child will struggle in a land of many languages .. English is most often in last place . our school days are different .. you cannot compare America with what is the norm here ..i so totally agree with Kevin .. if you do not plan on living here permanently you are doing a disservice in a grand style to your child .. just alone .. the culture is so different and then the challenges of the multiple languages .. not easy for any child .. .. i can only say .. think hard .. this is a foreign country .. it is in NO way America .. ..and no.. home schooling is really not an option .. it just will not be permitted by the government here and if your children are not in an acceptable educational program.. your immigration will not be approved .. think about it I know .... i live here .. done all of this .. i know you all will argue to make it your way as happens on BT regularly .. it really is important to listen to us locals ..maybe we might know something .. probably what you don't want to hear or think you can change .. or get around .. the answer is the law is the law . i would never challenge the rules of the USA .. bonaire is small but we stand tall and hard .. it is not a game in anyway for the playing with the laws here .. RESPECT BONAIRE .. please

Again, thanks for the concern. I am happy to report that my family has lived in 3 European countries for periods of over 2 years each and in Central Asia for more than 3. We have also taught and sent our son to school there. So, the assumptions being made are... Eurocentric. We are not trying to circumvent the laws; we are trying to find out what they are. Unfortunately, we have tried to talk to immigration, consulted websites, consulted the embassy in Washington, ad infinitum to no avail. We know, thank goodness, that Bonaire is not Maryland. That's why we wish to come. So, indeed, we appreciate helpful information. Thanks again. Eileen

Petrie...now if you ask Chief Inspector of Immigration, Look, now tells me that no matter if you do own property you are still limited to the total of 90 days per year without residency.

About the only assumptions I made is that your child is fluent in English, and isn't fluent in Dutch or Papiamentu (which would solve the problem) or Cape Verde creole, Spanish, Portuguese, or Afrikaans, all of which would go a long way towards solving the problem. Let me know if I assumed incorrectly.

the Consulate General of the United States of America located in curacao is a great resource for you .. the consulate -in my opinion -has given me outstanding service in the multiplicity of problems that have arisen over my 30 years here .. and if you live here you must register with them anyway .. .. the consulate is located at J.B. Gorsiaweg # 1 .. Willemstad .. curacao .. telephone 599-9 461-3066... Fax: 599-9 461-6489. once you establish a direct contact at the consulate .. it is possible for you to have an e-mail address for your contact person .. hope this will work for you ...

Micheal ..as it happens . i will have contact with immigration tomorrow .. let's see what info I get .. as it is well known .. everything here is always "subject to change" .

as always Micheal you are right .. no more than 90 days in a calendar yesr unless an application for temporary residence is filed .. 3 weeks or so ago .. it was the other info .. got to keep on your toes -well flippers- here....

Pietri or Michael: The exchange about schooling has been helpful, but one thing still confuses me: is enrollment in a local school required before the issuance of a residence permit; or is such enrollment required for one's children after the permit has been issued? How is the law in this matter enforced?

Also, if one's application for a residence permit takes longer than the 3 months one is allowed to remain on the island, can one receive an extension until the permit application is granted or denied? (If one's documents are all in order and ready for submission the day one arrives, can the process take that long?)--Louis

Part of your paperwork package for the residence permit is proof of enrollment. They won't issue the residence permit without it. I don't know how the post issuance enforcement works.

You aren't supposed to be on the island while your permits are being processed. If you are moving here in August, you should all fly down now, submit your application, and then leave until the permits are approved. Waivers can be issued for this requirement, but they are becoming harder and harder to get. As a hotel owner, I received a waiver, because I could show that I would have to close the hotel and five people would lose their jobs if they forced me to leave the island. It really has to be a situation like that. Don't think you can fly down, submit your papers, and then hang around until approval is received. It's actually a little tight for an initial application right now.I usually allow 75 days for the renewal of mine, and that's a lot simpler than the initial application. My initial application was filed Dec 14, 2004, and wasn't approved until Jun 29, 2005.

If you would tell us a little bit about your situation, we could give you more specific advice. Are you buying a business? Is there a local business bringing you in with a work permit? A large employer with a lot of pull, or a tiny employer that can't accomplish much? Things like that.

SO much depends on who you talk to here. It really boils down to keeping your cool and networking with someone who can shepherd your papers through immigration for you. e mail me for a contact name for someone who has lots of experience and can help. info@chatnbrowse.com

Help! You are all making it seem quite horrible about trying to live in Bonaire if you have children. We are trying to find schooling for three kids, 8,10,12 that speak english only. We are only on the island for 16months while I go to school.
I thought that there were some considerations for short term residency due to schooling and not looking for permanent residency. No plans on working just education.
Does anyone else have the same situation and recommendations?

Hi Melodi! Are you coming for the med school? I met a family last year who had their son enrolled in on-line schooling, while his father attended the med school. I have no idea how it worked. Hopefully someone here will join in who knows more than I.

Jeanine,
Any info you can get would be appreciated...rules and regs of it all.
Are they still on the island...
Thanks....do you live on the island?
Looking for a three bedroom anything...not too far from SJSM.

Cheers

Melodi, I moved with a 10 year old to Bonaire in 03. Please email me at ann@bonairecaribbean.com. She spoke some Dutch from private tutoring before our move which helped a great deal. As Michael posted it would behoove you to hire a specialist to help you move your papers. There must be some concessions for medical school students as we read about this often here. I am a resident but am required to file paperwork each year and I hire someone to handle this for me. It is affordable and take the stress out of the entire experience. If I was on island for 16 months assuming 6-8 of them my child would be in school, I would home school them but that's me based on what I learned as a parent.

Melodi...no I do not live on island, nor do I have kids. You might want to ask the med school. They have had other students in the same situation. Don't forget to email Ann, she is a wealth of knowledge.

Sorry but there really are no concessions made for English speaking students. Our budgets for schools are already strained and the government has problems enough to contend with. As a student you are not a taxpayer so if you come with 3 kids that need schooling, there is no way that Bonaire can afford to have special programs. I don't mean to sound negative, but the medical school should have informed you better as to your options. Once we become a full Dutch Municpality, there may be some changes, but I would not look for anything positive in the near future.

I dont want special concessions...I am willing to pay for private school that is taught in english. All I wanted to know is how many english taught schools are there? Where are they?and if they have a special visa program for those going to school with families. As a student coming to the island we are not coming for free....we are renting properties, eating in restaurants, frequenting your shops and paying for all extracurricular activities such as diving. We are not coming to mooch off your goverment , we are just asking if maybe we could be accomodated somehow with short term visas.

I think you read Michael's message more harshly than he intended. He is correct, though ... there aren't English-speaking schools on the island, and enrolling your children in licensed schools (which are taught in Papiamentu and Dutch) is normally a requirement for residency. There may be an exception for medical students, but I've never heard of one.

I think this would be an interesting business if there was a demand, however. Anyone think that there would be even 20 students interested?

There are no English speaking schools as yet here other than the one mentioned that teaches in a very controversial curicculum. You can offer to pay as much as you want but the government will not recognize any school other than one that has been sanctioned by the school board, Your expectations are really much too high and there are no special visas nor considerations for medical students or their families. You may spend money, etc. but you do not pay taxes to support the infrastructure. I think the school has done you a disservice by not informing you as to the realities of Bonaire

I just wanted to thank everyone for the feedback. It seems that we've got the schooling taken care of, the residence permits in the works, and can now really look forward to a wonderful experience. We're working on our Dutch...and look forward to contributing to our new home.
Michael, thanks for the volunteer ideas on the Support Bonaire stream.

Eileen

If there's a legal solution that permits schooling a middle-school age child in English, would you share it with us?

Please, Eileen: if there's a legal solution to this problem that no one on this board was aware of, please share it with us. The only way this system works is if people share the answer to questions when they find one.