Schools in Bermuda for Expat Families: Public vs Private, Fees and Registration

Last checked 12 October 2026

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If you’re moving with children, schooling can decide the parish you live in, your budget and even your start date. This guide explains the public system’s registration rules, published private school fees, and the questions to settle before you accept a job.

Two systems: public and private

Bermuda has the Bermuda Public School System (BPSS), run by the Ministry of Education, and a number of private schools. Many expat families choose private schools, but the public system is an option for residents. Budget for whichever you choose, and look at both.

Public schools: how registration works

The Ministry publishes a yearly registration notice. For 2026/27, the official notice (gov.bm PDF) said:

• Registration window: Monday 17 November to Friday 28 November 2025, covering Bright Start, preschool, Primary 1, Middle 1 (Year 7) and Senior (Year 9 and Year 10/S1) entry.
• How: an online registration form.
• Documents: a copy of the child’s birth certificate, plus one document in the applying parent’s name, dated within the last three months, proving the child’s address: a BELCO (electricity) bill, lease, internet bill or bank statement (with balances redacted).
• Late forms are considered only after all on-time forms have been processed.
• Appeals: parents can appeal an admission denial for an aided or maintained school. The link comes with the denial letter.

What this means for movers: the main intake window is in November for the following September. If you arrive mid-year or after the deadline, your application counts as late. Contact the Ministry as early as possible.

Preschool and Bright Start

The same notice sets conditions for the youngest children:

• Bright Start: children must turn three between 1 January and 31 August 2026, live in the preschool’s catchment, be fully toilet-trained, and there must be space.
• Preschool: children must turn four during 2026 and live in the same parish as the preschool.
• Preschools are assigned by parish, e.g. St George’s Preschool for St George’s residents and Lyceum Preschool for Hamilton Parish.

This is another reason your choice of parish matters.

Private schools: published fees for 2026–27

Fees from the schools’ own websites:

Other private schools include the Bermuda High School (girls). Check each school’s website for current fees, waiting lists and entrance assessments. Expect extras such as application fees, uniforms, trips and lunches on top of tuition.

For under-fives, Numbeo’s crowd-sourced average for a private full-day preschool is about $1,320 a month per child (numbeo.com).

How fees fit your budget

Two children at Warwick Academy cost $48,534 a year, about $4,045 a month. Add that to the rent and living costs in our cost of living guide. If your employer offers an education allowance, get it in writing in your offer letter.

Questions to ask before you move

Ask your employer:

• Do you contribute to school fees or help with places?
• Can my start date fit the school calendar?

Ask schools:

• Do you have a place in my child’s year? Is there a waiting list?
• Is there an entrance assessment, and can it be done remotely?
• What curriculum do you follow, and how will my child’s current stage map across?
• What documents do you need (reports, transcripts, birth certificate, immigration status)?
• What’s the full annual cost, including extras?

Check immigration:

• Children joining you need their own permission to live in Bermuda as dependants. Immigration lists a “Dependant re-entry letter” among its residence services (gov.bm). Schools may ask to see it.

Coming from the UK school system

• Records: bring recent school reports and any SEN or EHCP documents. The BPSS registration form asks for evidence of any diagnosed disability or learning difference, if applicable (gov.bm PDF).
• Year groups: BPSS uses names like P1, M1 and S1, alongside UK-style years in places. Ask each school where your child would be placed.
• Timing: joining at the start of a school year is usually smoother.

Documents checklist

• Child’s birth certificate (certified copy)
• Recent school reports and transcripts
• Any SEN or learning-support documents
• Proof of address in Bermuda (lease, BELCO or internet bill, bank statement within three months)
• Dependant immigration documents
• Passport copies

Getting help

For public schools, contact the Ministry of Education through gov.bm. For private schools, contact the admissions office directly, ideally before you sign a lease, because the school you get may decide where you want to live.

Related: moving to Bermuda from the UK · moving checklist · renting

Sources checked 12 October 2026. Fees and registration dates change every year.