Schools in Luque: how to choose a place that fits

To choose a school in Luque, start with three filters: the type of school you can sustain (public, subsidized private or private), a commute your kids can manage every day without fighting rush hour, and an in-person visit before the end of the year, when many schools already open enrollment for the next one. That gives you a shortlist of two or three to compare on facts, not rumors.

Public, subsidized or private? What changes for your budget

• Public (gestión oficial): enrollment is free. The Ministry of Education (MEC) reminds families that nothing has to be paid to enroll or confirm a place, and that the parents' association (ACE) cannot make enrollment conditional; its contributions are voluntary (La Nación⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).
• Subsidized private (privada subvencionada): the state covers part of the costs and families pay a fee. Ask the monthly amount, how many installments a year and what is charged separately.
• Private: full fees, enrollment charge and sometimes a deposit to hold a place. Get everything in writing before paying the deposit.

If your child is in grades 7 to 9 at a public or subsidized school and the family has a low income, look at MEC scholarships: in 2026 applications ran from May to June (Hoy⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠).

When do you have to enroll?

The school year starts in February. In 2026, administrative work began on February 10 and classes on February 23, ending in late November (Última Hora⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). MEC sets the calendar each year.

What matters for you: many schools open enrollment for the following year before the current one ends (La Nación⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). If you want a school with few places, do not wait for February. Visit in October or November and ask:

• which grades still have places,
• which documents they require,
• how long they will hold a place.

How does location within Luque matter?

Luque is spread out: 28 barrios, from the center to Isla Bogado, Itapuamí, Laurelty, Maka'i or Yukyry, crossed by the Silvio Pettirossi and Ñu Guazú highways and avenues such as General Elizardo Aquino and Las Residentas (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). A school that looks close on the map can sit on the far side of a jammed highway at 7 a.m.

• Do a test run on a weekday, at drop-off and pick-up times.
• Think about rainy days. In Luque, heavy summer and autumn rain floods streams (Wikipedia⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠); ask whether the school's street floods and how dismissal works on those days.
• School transport: if you plan to use a school van, ask the school which drivers families use and get references from other parents.

What to ask on the visit

A half-hour visit tells you more than any ranking. Bring this list:

• Shift: morning, afternoon or extended day, and what happens to kids after hours.
• Languages: the Paraguayan system already teaches Spanish and Guaraní. If a school calls itself bilingual, ask whether that means English or another language and how many hours a week.
• Class size and who supports children who struggle.
• Safety: who controls the gate, how children are picked up and what happens if someone else comes for them.
• Communication: how changes are announced, by notebook, app or WhatsApp group.

Meals, supplies and costs that are not in the fee

• School lunch: the Hambre Cero program covers schools with pupils in early-childhood and basic education (ABC Color⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). In Luque, lunch started reaching public schools in 2024 (La Nación⁠⁠ (opens in a new tab)⁠). Ask the school whether your child's level receives it and at what time.
• Uniform and supplies: ask for the full list at the visit, not in February.
• Extra contributions: trips, events, workshop materials. At a public school they are voluntary; at a private one, ask which are mandatory.

If you are moving from abroad

If you are relocating to Luque from another country, check with the school and with MEC how studies completed abroad are recognized, well before the enrollment date. Bring your child's school records and ID, and ask whether they need translation or an apostille.