Puerto Rico triples its bilingual schools: from 36 to 119 campuses across 55 municipalities

Puerto Rico now has 119 public bilingual schools — more than triple the 36 that existed just 18 months ago — benefiting some 15,000 students across 55 municipalities on the island ¹. Governor Jenniffer González Colón made the announcement on July 31, days before the start of the 2026-2027 school year, positioning the program as one of her administration's central priorities.

"Speaking English is no longer a luxury; it's an indispensable tool for opening doors in education, science, technology, business, and the professional world," the governor declared from Escuela Marta Vélez de Fajardo, a K-8 campus that's part of the expansion ¹.

Context: why bilingualism matters on the island

Puerto Rico has historically had a complex relationship with English-language instruction. Although Spanish and English have been official languages of the territory since 1902, federal Census data estimates that only about 20% of residents are fluent in English. That language gap has real economic consequences: it limits access to federal jobs, reduces the competitiveness of Puerto Rican professionals in global markets, and makes it harder to participate in scholarship and grant programs that require English proficiency.

The Department of Education's (DE) 2026-2030 Strategic Plan sets goals to improve student academic performance and strengthen schools' technological infrastructure — objectives that directly complement the bilingual initiative ².

The expansion by the numbers

• Before (January 2025): 36 bilingual schools on the island
• Now (July 2026): 119 active bilingual schools ¹
• Growth: 231% in 18 months
• Students benefited: approximately 15,000 ¹
• Municipalities covered: 55 of Puerto Rico's 78 municipalities ¹
• Grade levels: the program includes elementary and middle school campuses (K-8), such as Escuela Marta Vélez de Fajardo ¹

"The future of Puerto Rico begins in a classroom," González Colón emphasized, adding that "this commitment didn't just stay written in a government program; it became a priority of our administration" ¹.

The governor also recognized the role of teachers, school directors, support staff, and families in making the transformation possible: "This transformation wouldn't be possible without the commitment of those who make education a reality in Puerto Rico every day" ¹.

How the program works

The DE's bilingual schools don't simply offer English as a second language class. The model seeks to integrate English across the curriculum — teaching subjects like science, math, or social studies partially in English — so students develop real communication skills, not just basic grammar.

For the 23 municipalities that don't yet have an assigned bilingual school, the DE has plans to extend coverage under its five-year strategic plan. With the $3.493 billion budget the DE receives for fiscal year 2026-2027 — equivalent to 27% of Puerto Rico's general budget — the base resources exist to continue the expansion ³.

What this means for you

If you have children in public school or are considering enrolling them, this program significantly expands the options available. You no longer need to live in San Juan or pay for private school to give your child access to quality bilingual education. With 55 municipalities covered, there's a real chance a participating school exists near your home.

For young people aspiring to study at U.S. universities, apply for federal scholarships like the Fulbright, or compete for jobs at multinational companies, functional English proficiency is non-negotiable. This program gives them a head start.

How to take action / Checklist

1. Check if your municipality has a bilingual school: visit the Department of Education's page at de.pr.gov or call (787) 759-2000 to confirm which of the 119 schools are in your area.
2. Ask about enrollment dates: with back-to-school in August 2026, some schools are still accepting transfers or new students. Contact your school of interest directly.
3. Request details on the bilingual model: ask which subjects are taught in English, how many hours of immersion your child gets per week, and how linguistic progress is assessed.
4. Prepare materials at home: if your child is entering a bilingual school for the first time, expose them to English with free resources (Duolingo, PBS Kids, municipal library books) during summer to ease the transition.
5. Attend parent meetings: the governor emphasized that families are key to this transformation. Attending meetings and communicating with teachers helps reinforce learning.

What's next

The logical next step is extension to the remaining 23 municipalities. If the DE maintains its current expansion pace — more than five new schools per month — full coverage of all 78 municipalities could be achieved before the 2027-2028 school year ends.

Measuring results also remains pending. So far the government has emphasized the number of schools opened, but data on student performance — improvements in standardized English tests, retention rates, and teacher satisfaction — will determine whether the investment is paying real dividends. The DE's 2026-2030 Strategic Plan includes academic performance targets that should serve as an objective benchmark ².

With back-to-school days away, now is the time to take advantage of what's already available.

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Sources

¹ Primera Hora, "Ya es una realidad expansión de programa de escuelas bilingües," July 31, 2026. ² Puerto Rico Department of Education, Strategic Plan 2026-2030. ³ NotiCel, "Educación debe $257,000 a Vega Baja por servicios de transporte," July 29, 2026 (reference to DE budget).