BES & BHS
Belize's oldest Catholic school · since 1883
Where the whole story started.
Belize Elementary School came 127 years before BHS existed — and it's still the first classroom almost every BHS student ever sat in.
Our story
127 years before there was a BHS to feed into.
Founded as Saint Catherine Elementary School — the oldest Catholic educational institution in Belize, run by the Sisters of Mercy.
As the Sisters of Mercy shift their focus to elderly care, governance moves to a Board of Governors and the school relocates with government support.
Renamed Belize Elementary School — its official break from the Sisters of Mercy era. A new facility is built through June 1994.
After 15 years of planning, BES opens a secondary campus of its own: Belize High School, so its graduates never have to leave.
Mission
“To be a vehicle of professional values and behaviors that provide opportunities for achieving outstanding educational excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Athletics, and Mathematics.”
Vision
“An innovative physical space and culture with an engaged and supportive community that graduates leaders who are critical-thinking Belizean catalysts that positively impact the world.”
What BES focuses on
Pre-primary through Grade 8.
BES gives early learners the close attention and consistent expectations that carry them confidently into BHS — the same STEAM-and-athletics mission BHS continues, scaled for younger students.
Every BHS ninth grader who came up through BES arrives already fluent in the school's expectations, routines, and community — one less adjustment on day one of high school.
Enrolling at BES?
See BES tuition & fees.
Entrance, annual, and monthly tuition rates for Belize Elementary School are on the Admissions page — or call and the office will walk you through current rates and availability.