Lima - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
American and other foreign schools are available and people seem happy with them. In-person classes resumed around March 2022. - Jul 2022
Great private schools everywhere; tons of excellent neighborhood preschools; and many of the large international schools have the IB program at nursery level, called PYP, starting at 2 years old.
Quick run down:
FDR is the American Assisted School in Camacho/Surco area close to the Embassy,
Newton College is 2 years through high school, is bilingual, smaller than FDR, and in La Molina area; this is our school and we loooove it. The kids start instruments (violin, guitar, etc.) in kindergarten and the teachers are so caring and amazing. They have very good leadership at each level and very community oriented.
Lots of British - Peruvian schools are very good and in different areas of the city.
Trener is close to the Embassy, very progressive (no uniforms!) and is bilingual but is almost 100% Peruvian
Waldorf - located across from FDR near Embassy; nice campus and curriculum; in the network of international schools; but unfortunately located alongside a major interstate with high pollution...not as green a campus as FDR or Newton;
Casa Maria - Montessori school in Miraflores area (or close by)...I think it's nursery through Grade 8...wish I had known about this school before we moved here. They get great reviews and are quite progressive although a bit difficult to get into given space restraints; nice, urban campus.
San Silvestre - fantastic, progressive all girls school in San Isidro. Again, wish I had known about it before moving here. Some children from the embassy go to it and looove it.
Altair - good, small Peruvian school near old La Molina. The nursery is in a different location, but this school has a good reputation and a nice, urban campus.
There are also very good Italian, French, Germany, and Christian schools, and in San Isidro a Jewish nursery school (not sure how high it goes). Contact the CLO at the embassy or do your homework. Whatever you want you can find here. There's also a fairly strong expat homeschooling group. - Oct 2018
Colegio Roosevelt (FDR) is used the most by embassy kids and we were happy with the school. The British school (Newton) was also popular and located in La Molina. - Mar 2018
Most foreign students attend Roosevelt school. Generally people seem happy. - Jul 2016
There are several international (English-based) schools in Lima where most expats send their children. Colegio Roosevelt is where the bulk of the embassy children go. It is a massive school with 1500 children in EC through 12th grade, and there is an IB program. There are a number of other options in both San Isidro and La Molina. There are also several Christian schools taught in English, and a Jewish day-school in San Isidro, where the language of instruction is Spanish/Hebrew. If you are attached to the US Embassy, the CLO is very helpful at providing school information. - Sep 2015
We don't have school-aged children, but from what I've heard from others that do, there are wonderful schools. Most all of the embassy kids to to Roosevelt School, located in Camacho, not far from the U.S. Embassy. In addition, there are several British schools as well as a German one. - May 2015
There are a couple international schools in Lima; Newton College and Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt (The American Intl. School of Lima). I'm a highschooler at FDR, the school that most expat families choose. My experience with this school was not good. I have been extremely comfortable and happy in every other school I've ever attended in my life, but unfortunately Roosevelt broke that streak. The biggest issue with this school is the racial divide. The locals and the "gringos" at FDR are completely separated. The school is nowhere near as international as it may seem, and the atmosphere among the students is not welcoming. New Americans rarely have a choice in who their friends will be, as it's pre-decided once their nationality is revealed. This remains the case even if they're fluent Spanish speakers. Academically, however, FDR is pretty good. Those who are fans of the IB program will definitely appreciate that aspect of the school. It's highly encouraged and quite rigorous. Most teachers are pretty good. Athletic-wise, it's also good. There are many opportunity to travel across South America through sports like Volleyball, Soccer, Basketball, and Swimming. There's also a Fine Arts workshop that travels as well. So really, the only big issue with FDR is the social aspect. Those who don't focus on this as much will have a fine time at Roosevelt. Those who do care, however, would probably be happier at a different school. - Apr 2015
Great schools--the American school Roosevelt has a good reputation. - Sep 2014
The official school is Roosevelt. The quality is adequate but most parents have at least one serious complaint. Right now the frustration over math instruction (or the lack thereof) is driving everyone nuts. It's really a Peruvian school and does little to accommodate or make expat kids feel at home. There has been a reputation for bullying, but we've found that expat kids never fit in and thus cling to each other. After school activities are great and one of the few highlights. Space is guaranteed for U.S. Embassy kids. Theft at Roosevelt is rampant. Rich, entitled children take whatever they want regardless of whether it belongs to them. Uniforms, electronics, books, whatever will disappear from your child's backpack. Our children have been totally bewildered wondering why their classmates would steal from them. It's one of the aspects of Peruvian culture that we truly hate. Other options include Newton, Markham and other local bilingualish schools. They all operate on the southern hemisphere calendar, which can be difficult for an older kid to drop in to. Your child will have to either repeat or skip a semester. The International Christian School (which I've been told was started by expat parents frustrated by Roosevelt) works on a version of the northern hemisphere calendar. - Apr 2014
Roosevelt School in Surco is the most popular. Has a great reputation and is excellent academically. I've also heard good things about San Silvestre in Miraflores, although I don't know any embassy members that send their kids there. - Aug 2013
I didn't have to deal with this, but I did have two friends whose kids were having a terrible time being bullied. - Jun 2013
Roosevelt, Newton, San Silvestre are reputed to be of good quality, but I have no experience with them. - Jan 2012
There are several good school to choose from: FDR, the American school is affiliated with the US Embassy. My kids attend FDR and are very happy. It is pre-k thru Grade 12.The school has a strong IB program and offers several afterschool activities. They have a strong theater program and very successful traveling soccer, basketball, and volleyball teams. They are equipped with a large indoor pool as well as soccer fields, basketball courts, and baseball diamonds. Newton is the British School. It has an excellent reputation and the kids that I know who attend are very happy. There are also kids at the International Christian School, San Silvestre, and Markham. ICS is newer and small, but definitely growing. The families I know there are very happy. San Silvestre & Markham are older, established schools in Lima with stellar reputations. Of significant note is The Anne Sullivan School, which is a school for special needs students. I know a few students who attend Anne Sullivan and their parents have been delighted with the school's program. - Aug 2011
There are a few international schools. Americans, British, German. A very good special-needs school. - Jul 2010
Schools are generally good. Colegio Roosevelt is the English speaking "American School" and has a strong IB program. Other contenders are Newton, an Anglo-Peruvian School and the less preferred International Christian School. Families have options. The school year is based on a long South American "summer" break from December to March with only June off between academic years. The nice thing is your kids will develop their Spanish skills, if encouraged. - Jun 2010
Several, in different parts of town, but most in suburbs. - Jul 2008
Our children are not old enough for school, but we have heard mostly positive reports about Roosevelt and Newton. - Apr 2008
