In this guide
To choose a school in Asunción, settle three things in this order: the type of school (public, private, state-subsidised or international), the language and grade you need, and a commute you can manage every morning. October and November are good months to start: many schools are already taking applications for next year, and places in the most requested grades fill before February.
Public, private or international?
- Public (state-run): enrolment is free. The Ministry of Education (MEC) says families should not pay anything to enrol (opens in a new tab), and the parents' association fee is voluntary: schools cannot make enrolment conditional on it. If asked to pay, you can complain on (021) 497-555, 0800-114975 or quejasydenuncias@mec.gov.py.
- Private or subsidised: you pay enrolment and monthly fees. Law 5738/16 (opens in a new tab) says no school may bar a student from midterm or final exams, or withhold their grades, over late fees. Complaints go to the MEC regional supervision office, which mediates.
- Bilingual or international: add another language, sometimes a foreign diploma, and usually have limited places and priority rules.
Two international schools and what they teach you to ask
Colegio Goethe. A German school abroad at Cnel. Silva corner of Tte. Rocholl, per its website (opens in a new tab). It's in the San Jorge barrio, which Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) says is known for the Goethe Schule, bounded by Avenida Aviadores del Chaco, Avenida Madame Lynch and Avenida Santa Teresa. It covers early years, primary and secondary, and its diplomas include the Deutsches Sprachdiplom and a bilingual International Baccalaureate. In October 2026 its site was already showing the notice for Kindergarten 2027 admissions.
The American School of Asunción (ASA). Founded in 1954, it runs from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, and graduates can earn a US high school diploma and a Paraguayan Studies diploma, per Wikipedia (opens in a new tab). It's at Avenida España 1175 and its website (opens in a new tab) lists 825 students. Admission starts with a pre-registration form; if there's space, the school sends the full application. For K4, children must turn four on or before 1 September, and places follow a priority order that puts siblings of current students fourth, per the admissions page (opens in a new tab).
The lesson for any school: ask the age cut-off for each grade, whether there's a waiting list and what priority order they use.
When does the school year start, and when to apply?
For 2026 the MEC set administrative work from 10 February, classes from 23 February to 30 November and winter break from 13 to 23 July, per Hoy (opens in a new tab). That is the state calendar; private schools can set their own dates, so ask for them in writing.
Public schools usually open enrolment for the next year before the current year ends. For private and international schools, ask now: admission dates, interviews and tests often close before the summer holidays.
What to ask about costs
Don't compare monthly fees alone. Ask in writing for:
- The enrolment or entry fee, and whether it's one-off or yearly.
- Whether fees are monthly in guaraníes or yearly in US dollars, and how many instalments.
- What's extra: uniform, supplies, lunch, transport, trips, insurance.
- Sibling or early-payment discounts.
That lets you compare two schools with real numbers instead of averages.
The morning commute
School drop-off is Asunción's worst traffic hour. A few rules from the municipal traffic police (PMT):
- You have about 10 seconds to drop children off, using the right lane (opens in a new tab); fixing hair or uniforms at the gate takes 30 to 40 seconds and backs up the line.
- Double-parking to run errands gets fined; in 2022 the PMT was patrolling about 40 schools in high-traffic areas (opens in a new tab), and the fine was four daily minimum wages, around G. 350,000 at the time.
- In September 2026 ASU 400 roadworks were under way on Mariscal López, España and San Martín (opens in a new tab), corridors many families in and around Villa Morra use.
Before deciding, drive the route on a school day at the real drop-off and pick-up times. If it takes longer than you can sustain all year, look for a closer school or set up a carpool with other families.
When you visit
- Ask to see the classrooms for your child's grade, not just the lobby.
- Ask how many students there are per grade and per section.
- Check drop-off and pick-up: where children get out, whether there's a car gate and what time it opens.
- Take notes and compare at least two schools before paying enrolment.
FAQ
How much does it cost to enrol in a public school in Asunción?
Nothing. The MEC says enrolment in state schools is free and the parents' association fee is voluntary. If you're charged, complain on 0800-114975.
Can a private school in Paraguay stop my child sitting exams over unpaid fees?
No. Law 5738/16 bans denying midterm or final exams and withholding grades over late fees. Complaints go to the MEC regional supervision office.
When does the school year start in Paraguay?
In 2026 the official MEC calendar ran from 23 February to 30 November, with winter break from 13 to 23 July. Private schools may set their own dates.
How old must my child be for K4 at ASA?
According to ASA's admissions page, four years old on or before 1 September. For K5, five years old by the same date.
