International Schools on the DR North Coast

Are there international schools on the DR north coast?

Yes. The north coast’s English-language schools sit along the Sosúa–Cabarete corridor, about 10 to 25 minutes from Puerto Plata airport (POP). The best-established is the International School of Sosúa, which teaches a US curriculum from early childhood through grade 12 and awards both a US and a Dominican high school diploma. A smaller set of bilingual, French-language and Montessori programs fills out the options. Puerto Plata city has private bilingual schools that mainly follow the Dominican curriculum.

Spots are limited, and schools recognized by the Dominican Ministry of Education also require Spanish and Dominican social studies. Contact schools before you choose a home, not after.

Which schools serve Sosúa, Cabarete and Puerto Plata?

Three English-language schools are the ones relocating families ask about most. Details below come from each school’s published materials or school directories; confirm grades, programs and fees directly before you apply.

The International School of Sosúa has operated since 1989. Its high school students graduate with both diplomas, and its accreditation through Cognia helps credits transfer to schools and universities in the US and Canada (ISS Family Handbook 2026–2027).

Beyond these three, the Sosúa–Cabarete area has French-language, Montessori and faith-based bilingual programs, mostly for younger children. Ask us for current contacts; small schools open, merge and change grade levels often.

What do “international,” “bilingual” and “accredited” mean here?

The labels are used loosely, so check what sits behind them.

• International school: teaches a foreign curriculum, usually American, in English. Graduates can apply directly to North American universities.
• Bilingual school: usually follows the Dominican curriculum, with part of the day taught in English. A good fit for long-term residents who want full Spanish fluency.
• Accredited: reviewed by an outside body against published standards. Cognia is a US-based accreditor; accreditation makes it easier to transfer credits back home.
• Ministry recognition: permission from the Dominican Ministry of Education to operate. Recognized schools also teach Spanish language arts and Dominican social studies.

If you may move back to the US or Canada before graduation, ask how transcripts and credits have transferred for past students.

How do enrollment and costs work?

Apply early, and ask for the full fee schedule in writing. Fees change every year, so we don’t publish them here.

Admissions. Expect placement tests and a waiting list in popular grades. At the International School of Sosúa, applicants test in English, math and Spanish, and students entering grades 6 to 12 must show Spanish at B1 level or above. The testing fee is US$100 (ISS admission form). Classes there are considered full at 20 to 22 students.

Documents. Have these ready before you move: passport or birth certificate, vaccination records and recent school transcripts. Foreign grades may need official validation (convalidación) before a student is placed, so bring originals.

Costs to budget for. Beyond tuition, ask about:

• Admission testing and registration fees
• Books, uniforms and technology
• Spanish support or tutoring, which is often billed separately
• Transportation
• Extracurricular activities and field trips

What should you ask a school before you commit?

Visit in person if you can, on a regular school day.

• ☐ Is there space in my child’s grade this year, and how long is the waiting list?
• ☐ Who accredits the school, and is the accreditation current?
• ☐ Which diploma does a graduate receive, and where have recent graduates gone to university?
• ☐ How much of the day is taught in English, and how much in Spanish?
• ☐ What Spanish support is offered to newcomers, and what does it cost?
• ☐ What support is there for learning differences?
• ☐ Is there school transportation, and what are drop-off and pick-up times?
• ☐ What is the full annual cost, including every fee?

How does the school run affect where you buy?

You’ll make the drive twice a day, so map it before you make an offer. The main English-language campuses sit between Sosúa and Cabarete, in La Mulata and at Playa Laguna. From most of Sosúa and Cabarete, that’s a short drive. From Puerto Plata city or Playa Dorada, it’s a longer daily commute along the coastal highway.

Roads near schools get busy at drop-off and pick-up. The International School of Sosúa starts at 8:00 a.m. and expects prompt pick-up at 3:00 p.m., and its handbook encourages carpooling. Before you buy, drive the route at school hours.

We can plan your viewing trip so you see homes and visit schools on the same days.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an American school near Sosúa and Cabarete? Yes. The International School of Sosúa teaches a US curriculum from early childhood through grade 12, offers AP courses and awards both US and Dominican diplomas. ISLA Academy in Cabarete also teaches a US curriculum with AP options.

Do students need to speak Spanish? Not to start in the younger grades, but Spanish is part of the program. Ministry-recognized schools teach Spanish language arts and Dominican social studies. At the International School of Sosúa, students entering grades 6 to 12 must show Spanish at B1 level or above.

Will credits transfer back to the US or Canada? Credits from an accredited school generally transfer more easily. The International School of Sosúa is accredited by Cognia. Ask any school how transcripts have transferred for past students.

How far ahead should we apply? As early as you can, ideally before you choose a home. Popular grades fill up, and some schools keep waiting lists.

Are there international schools in Puerto Plata city? Puerto Plata city has private bilingual schools that mainly follow the Dominican curriculum. Most families looking for a US curriculum choose schools in the Sosúa–Cabarete area.

Planning a move with school-age children?

Book a 20-minute call with an agent who lives here, or message us on WhatsApp. We’ll plan a scouting trip that covers school visits and homes within an easy drive of them.