Education in Palau
Palau, a Pacific island nation in free association with the United States, runs a US-influenced education system using Palauan and English. Its close ties to the US shape schooling and the options students have afterward, since Palauan citizens can live, study, and work in the US.
Structure & stages
The system follows a US-influenced structure:
- ElementaryThe primary stage, in Palauan and English
- SecondaryUS-style high school, leading toward college
Compulsory education & enrolment
Education is compulsory from about age 6 to 17, 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 Palauan used in early grades and English higher up.
Private & international schools
Church-run and private schools operate alongside public schools.
Curriculum & language of instruction
The curriculum, influenced by US models, covers English, Palauan, mathematics, the sciences, and social studies, with a bilingual approach in early grades.
Exams & qualifications
Assessment follows US-influenced and local approaches; students continuing to higher education often study at Palau Community College or in the US.
Higher education
Higher education centers on Palau Community College (PCC). Because of the Compact of Free Association, many Palauan students continue their education in the United States (including Guam and Hawaii).
Studying in Palau from abroad
Palau 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, Palauan citizens can study and work in the US without a visa
- LanguageEnglish is used in later schooling and higher education
- Local higher edPalau Community College serves those studying at home
Special education & support
Special-education provision is limited, delivered through a small number of programs with 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
- LanguagesPalauan and English
- StructureUS-influenced elementary + secondary
- CompulsoryAges 6–17, free
- Higher edPalau Community College; 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: