The Best International Schools in Guatemala

As a proud alumni and parent of multiple children at HKIS, the school is more than just an educational institution; it’s a nurturing home for students to thrive and excel. Their mission and vision reflect a commitment to fostering holistic growth and well-being. HKIS prioritizes student development, not just academically but also emotionally and socially. My children have not only excelled in academics but have also become confident, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals.

The emphasis on well-being truly sets HKIS apart. The strong and vibrant community at HKIS is unparalleled. From the faculty welcoming students arriving at school in the early morning to the supportive parent network, it feels like a big family. This sense of belonging makes a significant difference in a child’s educational journey. The student learning experience is dynamic and engaging.

The school’s emphasis on transfer goals ensures that students are well-prepared for the future. My children love going to school every day, which speaks volumes about the quality of the education experience.

The powerful alumni network is a testament to the success of HKIS graduates, something I have experienced first-hand. Knowing that my children will have access to this network in the future provides immense peace of mind.

In conclusion, HKIS isn’t just a school; it’s a community that cares deeply about each child’s growth and well-being. I wholeheartedly recommend HKIS to any family looking for a nurturing and academically enriching environment for their child. It’s not just a school; it’s a home where dreams take flight.

In a world with dizzying choices for international schools, HKIS has exceeded our expectations at every turn. The values, the quality of the teachers, the facilities, all to the highest standard.

When looking for a school, we reviewed all the materials we could get our hands on. Each institution had an impressive mission statement and it seemed that all were well-equipped to provide a quality education. In the end, one line in particular from the HKIS handbook stood out and guided our selection:
 
“We appreciate childhood as a unique stage of the human life cycle. We value the quality of children’s lives in the present, not just as preparation for the future.”
 
The application process was straightforward. HKIS grants an assessment to all who submit by the priority deadline. The Admissions team was helpful and easily accessible throughout. No math test here – a group play-date determined if there was a fit.
 
Our son enrolled in Lower Primary at the Repulse Bay campus, which comes with a series of age-graded playgrounds, a 25 meter pool with a hydraulic floor, and a “wonder lab” for budding scientists. Classrooms flow to open spaces with ocean views and birdsong from the mountains.  A truly beautiful setting to help settle young minds.
 
Education at HKIS is differentiated by a rigorous focus on the science of learning. Guided-play in the early years teaches perseverance and critical thinking, not just memorization. A strong support structure is in place for specialized learning in middle and high school. Teachers provide regular updates to parents, and counsellors are available to children at every grade.
 
The environment is wonderfully positive. Teachers glow and children speak with confidence.  Parents are given ongoing guidance on how to develop a child’s independence in problem solving, and importantly – what to avoid. The Head of School and Principals are easily accessible, each of whom has an uncanny ability to remember names and particulars of individual families.
 
Negatives? None. Our biggest surprise is just how much we enjoy the HKIS experience as grown-ups, knowing our son is happy and learning. The parent community is humble and non-competitive, and we have yet to meet a family that is not thrilled to be part of the school.
 
With just one year in school, our son has been influenced by HKIS values and often reminds his parents of the “4 Bees” – be kind, be responsible, be respectful, and be safe.

Our son is 8 years in BISP, next year graduating the IB program. We are so lucky being a part of the school community, having all the experiences in all offered sports, singing , art and foreign languages! Growing in multinational, tolerant, warm hearted environment, learning to give, to think criticaly, to enjoy friendship, active life style and celebrate diversity has been the best choice of school and we would do it again! Love our school! My son hopes it is still here for his future children after 20 years ? 

We have chosen St. Peter’s School because we wanted our daughter to be educated in English since that would be of great help in her future. And we also wanted to provide her with the opportunity to have friends from other nationalities, because that would enable her to get to know other cultures and traditions. What we value the most is the fact that our daughter is happy in school. We noticed this since she started at the age of 3. In her own words, St. Peter’s is “a very special place”.What we like the most about the school is that they have small groups, because that enables teachers to provide students with a very personalized education, helping every child with their needs. We like the curriculum, the activities that respond to social needs and the special events such as the “World Book Day”, the “Chocolatada Solidaria”, the “Book Fair” or the “Maths International Day”. It has been a great decision to bring our daughter to this school, we are very happy!

Choosing our children’s school is not an easy task. When we arrived at St. Peter we had already visited several schools, we were tired and discouraged, as none of the previous ones had met our expectations. At St. Peter, we were received with incomparable attention and, little by little, during the visit, our doubts were clarified and our insecurity was dissolved. Finally, when we entered the art room – a space with so many colors, textures and smells – we were sure that St. Peter would be our choice. We can see our son’s growth daily, his incredible linguistic development, the recognition of numbers, the writing of his own name and so many other achievements that make us sure that we made the right decision when choosing St. Peter as our school.

We chose St. Peters as we were drawn by its vision and mission, to nurture students with a love for life-long learning, and making meaningful contributions to society. Adapting to a new country as a family is challenging but the professionalism of the St. Peter’s family eased it for us where our child’s education is concerned. Our child enjoys going to school and we are very impressed and appreciative of the efforts and dedication of the teachers and staff, in ensuring a loving and safe environment for our child to develop and prosper. The teachers and staff constantly project an enthusiastic outlook for the betterment of the students, see every child with potential of his/her own and always strive for close partnership with parents. We saw how they rose to the occasion as an institution in overcoming the challenges of the lockdown last year and this ongoing pandemic. Our child looks forward and speaks fondly of his school experiences daily and we thank the St Peters family for this.

NLCS Jeju doesn’t expect children to have outcomes from every experience. Instead, they look for happiness and satisfaction. Children respond well to this philosophy. My daughter became more active, positive and engaged. She feels safe and comfortable with teachers always there for her and supporting her to become a better person.

My son is an only child and, before entering into the boarding programme, he was very immature. He has learnt to be more independent and thoughtful – now he is much more mature and even takes care of his parents.

I am so grateful for all the opportunities available to students at NLCS Jeju. Through Bryant and after-school activities, I was introduced to sports like badminton and community service programmes like Angel House orphanage visits, and through various societies, I was able to explore the world of dance and become involved in interesting Mathematics. What excited me the most was being able to start my own dance performance project with friends, and through directing this Project MAUM, I gained invaluable experiences not only in choreography but also in creating theatre, editing music, combining different art forms and collaborating with various people.

NLCS Jeju has a great tradition of House Competition where children learn teamwork and leadership

At NLCS Jeju, students have a huge choice for their co curricular classes. Since my son started here, he is planning his future with things he would have never have dreamed before.

Modern approach to education that takes into consideration the skills needed in future careers and developing the child as a whole.