The Department of Education Services has recorded a notable increase in student applications for the 2025/26 academic year.
Between March and September this year, 958 applications were submitted for the 2025/26 academic year – an increase over the 932 received for 2024/25 by the 30 Nov. registration deadline, which resulted in 664 new students being placed in government schools.
So far, 566 students have already been placed for the upcoming year, with another 81 applications still being processed – and with more than a month remaining before this year’s registration period closes, officials expect the number to rise further.
Of the applications still under review, many were received after the 30 June close of standard registration, while others were delayed due to missing documentation or were newly submitted since September.
“We are encouraged to see more families choosing Government schools,” said DES Director Mark Ray. “As enrollment grows, our focus is on ensuring that schools are properly staffed and resourced so every student receives a high-quality education.”
To keep pace with the growing demand, the number of school staff has also expanded, increasing from 910 in August 2024 to 943 in 2025.
The growth in students is particularly visible at Layman E. Scott Sr. High School, which saw 26 more students enrolled than the previous year, followed by Sir John A. Cumber Primary School and Edna Moyle Primary School, which both increased enrollment by 11 students.
Meanwhile, enrollment in the Dual Entry Programme, which allows Year 12 students to earn college credits through the University College of the Cayman Islands, has climbed by 20%, signaling that more students are qualifying for advanced study and reflecting a growing interest in college preparation and career readiness at the high-school level.
The Department of Education Services notes that these figures remain provisional, as applications will continue to be accepted until the close of late registration on 30 Nov.
Growing confidence in public education
A spokesperson for the Department of Education Services attributes the rise in applications to a combination of demographic shifts, increased confidence in government schools and the strong academic and pastoral support available to public school students.
Economic realities may also be a factor. Families are increasingly seeking better value-for-money in education options amid rising living costs and high private school fees.
Stronger performance of Cayman’s government schools might have also played a role. According to the Ministry of Education’s 2024 Annual Report, Cayman’s public-school students outperformed the regional average across 18 subjects, with three students earning places on the prestigious CSEC regional merit list. More than 94% of students passed subjects such as biology, information technology, industrial technology and office administration.
The standards of public schools are also improving. Last year Edna Moyle Primary became the first government primary school to receive a “Good” rating from the Office of Education Standards, joining John Gray High School, Layman E. Scott Sr. High and the Lighthouse School in the top performance tier.
The Bigger Picture
Of the 958 applications for 2025/26, 311 applications have been declined for various reasons, including failure to meet registration guidelines or lack of available space in the relevant year group for non-Caymanian applicants. A number of parents also withdrew their applications after opting to send their children to private schools, homeschool programmes or institutions overseas.
Caymanian and refugee applications receive first priority in the public school system followed by dependents of Caymanians and government employees. Applications remain open through 30 Nov.
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