In this guide
To choose a school in Filadelfia, the first question is language: the Fernheim Mennonite colony's network teaches in German, public schools and some colony-supported schools teach in Spanish, and indigenous community schools start in the children's mother tongue. Then look at the level you need, the upper-secondary track and how far you will drive every day in the Chaco heat.
What language will your child study in?
Filadelfia has about 20,600 people (2022 census): descendants of the Mennonite settlers, Paraguayans from other regions, German-Brazilians and, in half of the town, indigenous peoples, mostly Nivaclé (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). The schools reflect that:
- Asociación Fernheim network, in German. Six primary schools from preschool to grade 6 across the colony, plus Colegio Filadelfia for grades 7–9 and upper secondary with tracks in social sciences, basic sciences or accounting. The whole system is recognised by Paraguay's Ministry of Education (MEC) and built on Christian-Mennonite values (Asociación Fernheim (opens in a new tab)). Colegio Filadelfia goes back to the 1930s: classes in its first building began in 1936 (InfoNegocios, 2023 (opens in a new tab)).
- Spanish-language schools. Fernheim also funds, with the state, a basic and secondary school taught in Spanish for Filadelfia children, and the Cove Chaco foundation subsidises another in Villa Choferes del Chaco (Asociación Fernheim (opens in a new tab)). There are also several public primary and secondary schools (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
- Indigenous schools. Each indigenous community has its own school, teaching in the native language and Spanish; young children are taught in Nivaclé and Spanish comes in at higher grades (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Tip: if your family does not speak German, ask the school directly how it supports a pupil who arrives without the language and which grade they recommend. Mennonite schools also teach English, and young people understand it well (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)).
Which level and track do you need?
Paraguay's system runs from early education through basic school (grades 1–9) to three years of upper secondary, where students pick a science or technical baccalaureate (UNHCR (opens in a new tab)). In Filadelfia that turns into concrete questions:
- Upper secondary: does the school offer the track your child wants? Colegio Filadelfia offers social sciences, basic sciences and accounting (Asociación Fernheim (opens in a new tab)).
- Technical training after school: the neighbouring colonies have options. In Loma Plata, 25 km away (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), the CFP offers a bilingual agricultural technical baccalaureate and courses in mechanics, electronics, carpentry or accounting; in Neuland, the CFHN offers dual training in cooking, nutrition or sewing (Asociación Fernheim (opens in a new tab)).
- Teaching: Filadelfia's teacher training institute (IFD) trains teachers for a bilingual, multicultural system and is shared by the Fernheim, Menno and Neuland colonies (Asociación Fernheim (opens in a new tab); Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).
Free or fee-paying: what the law says
- Public schools: enrolment is free and the parents' association contribution is voluntary (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
- Fee-paying schools: under Law 5738/16, a private school cannot deny your child an exam, withhold the report card or disclose fee arrears (Hoy, 2024 (opens in a new tab)). Get the fee, enrolment charge and costs for materials and transport in writing.
Hours, heat and transport
- Calendar: in 2026 classes ran from 23 February to 30 November, with winter holidays from 13 to 24 July (Última Hora (opens in a new tab)). Enrol well ahead of the next school year.
- Heat: Chaco summers go above 40 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), and the school year starts in February. Ask whether classrooms have air conditioning or fans and how breaks work on the hottest days.
- Midday: most businesses close from 12:00 to 14:00 on weekdays (Wikivoyage (opens in a new tab)). If you work, check pick-up times and whether someone looks after children.
- Distances: the colony's primary schools are spread across different areas (Asociación Fernheim (opens in a new tab)). Work out the daily trip from home, especially if you live outside town.
Before you enrol
- Visit during class time and ask which language each subject is taught in at each grade.
- Ask for the curriculum and check it is MEC-recognised.
- If you are coming from abroad or another school, bring report cards and certificates.
- Ask about activities outside class: the town has a conservatory that hosts classical music concerts (La Nación, 2025 (opens in a new tab)).
FAQ
Are there German-language schools in Filadelfia?
Yes. Asociación Fernheim runs six German-language primary schools and Colegio Filadelfia for grades 7–9 and upper secondary, all recognised by the MEC.
Can my child enrol without speaking German?
Public schools and some colony-supported schools teach in Spanish. If you prefer the German network, ask how they support pupils who arrive without the language.
What upper-secondary tracks does Colegio Filadelfia offer?
Social sciences, basic sciences and/or accounting, according to Asociación Fernheim.
When does the school year start?
In 2026 it ran from 23 February to 30 November, with winter holidays from 13 to 24 July.
