Everyone Warned Us Not To Put Our Kids in a Public School in El Salvador

Everyone warned us not to do it. They said it was unsafe, chaotic, and outdated. But one year later… this experience changed everything — for our children, and for us.
What happens when you take three Canadian kids — raised in comfort, English schools, and endless resources — and drop them into a Spanish-only public school in El Salvador?
Everyone told us we were crazy. They warned us that Salvadoran public schools were unsafe, underfunded, and academically behind. But one year later, we’ve discovered something no one told us: growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones.
In this video, we share our honest one-year review of public school life in El Salvador — from language barriers, friends, and teachers, to discipline, academics, and President Bukele’s education reforms. You’ll also hear directly from our kids about how they adapted, what shocked them, what they loved, and what they learned the hard way.
This is not a travel vlog — it’s a story about resilience, courage, and rediscovering what education really means.
📍 Location
Filmed in El Salvador, featuring local public schools, students, and family experiences in El Salvador and surrounding areas.

💰 Currency
USD ($) — El Salvador uses the US dollar.

🕒 Timeline
This video covers our family’s first full school year (2025) in a Salvadoran public school — our one-year review and honest reflection by children and parents.

🔑 Key Takeaways
Honest review of public education in El Salvador

How our Canadian kids adapted to a Spanish-speaking school

Real talk: bullying, academics, language learning, and culture shock

What we learned about discipline and respect in Salvadoran schools

Insights on Bukele’s “Two Schools a Day” program

Tips for expat parents considering public schools abroad

🕒 Video Timeline
00:00 – What Have We Done?
03:45 – Interviews with our kids
16:46 – Safety
16:55 – Teachers, classmates & routines
17:35 – Bullying
19:13 – Academics vs. Canada
20:36 – Language Acquisition speed
21:41 – Social Interactions
22:21 – MINED
24:10 – Homework
25:38 – Supplies & Uniforms
28:17 – Daily Schedule
29:43 – Parent Observations
36:28 – Student Health
37:23 – Fundraising for the school parking lot
39:45 – The future of education in El Salvador

🔁 Related Videos
🇸🇻 Why We Moved Our Family to El Salvador https://youtu.be/rCOUHmh0phc

🏫 Everything You Need for Residency Renewal in El Salvador https://youtu.be/PwjrneZe-k0

🔥 14 months living in the Former Murder Capital of the World https://youtu.be/gg5xbK4lMH8

💬 About the Channel
We’re a Canadian family living in El Salvador — documenting our journey, challenges, and discoveries as we build a new life in Latin America. From education to freedom, cost of living, and cultural life, we share what it’s really like living abroad.
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