Education in Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands, a Pacific nation of atolls in free association with the United States, runs a US-influenced education system using Marshallese and English. Its close ties to the US — through the Compact of Free Association — shape both schooling and the paths students take afterward, since Marshallese citizens can live, study, and work in the US.
Structure & stages
The system follows a US-influenced structure:
- ElementaryThe primary stage, taught with Marshallese and increasing English
- SecondaryUS-style high school, leading toward college
Compulsory education & enrolment
Education is compulsory from about age 6 to 14, and public schooling is free. The school year runs roughly August to June, on a US-style calendar.
Public schools
Most children attend public schools, with Marshallese used in early grades and English increasingly the medium higher up. Delivering education across scattered atolls is a central challenge.
Private & international schools
Church-run and private schools operate alongside public schools, particularly on the main atolls.
Curriculum & language of instruction
The curriculum, influenced by US models, covers Marshallese, English, mathematics, the sciences, and social studies, with a bilingual approach in early grades.
Exams & qualifications
Assessment follows US-influenced and local approaches; students aiming for college often continue their studies in the US.
Higher education
Higher education centers on the College of the Marshall Islands (CMI), along with a University of the South Pacific presence. Because of the Compact of Free Association, many Marshallese students continue their education in the United States (with sizable communities in Hawaii and Arkansas).
Studying in Marshall Islands from abroad
The Marshall Islands is not a destination for international students; its distinctive feature is the US pathway for its own students.
- US pathwayUnder the Compact of Free Association, Marshallese citizens can study and work in the US without a visa
- LanguageEnglish is used in later schooling and higher education
- Local higher edThe College of the Marshall Islands and USP serve those studying at home
Special education & support
Special-education provision is limited, delivered through a small number of programs with government and US-supported resources.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is not an established route; education is school-based.
Costs & funding
Public education is free. Church and private schools may charge fees. The currency is the US Dollar (USD).
Key facts for families
- LanguagesMarshallese and English
- StructureUS-influenced elementary + secondary
- CompulsoryAges 6–14, free
- Higher edCollege of the Marshall Islands; many study in the US
- DistinctiveThe Compact of Free Association enables study/work in the US
Where to verify the details
This guide is a starting point, not the final authority. For current details: