For families relocating to Puerto Rico, finding the right home is often only one part of the decision.
If you have school-age children, choosing the right school—and understanding how that choice affects where you may want to live in Puerto Rico—can become one of the most important parts of planning your move.
Located in Condado, San Juan, Saint John’s School is one of the private-school options families often explore when researching education in Puerto Rico.
For families moving from the mainland United States or internationally, questions often go beyond academics:
What is the admissions process? Is instruction in English? What communities should we consider? How will the school commute affect where we live? Should we choose a school before choosing a home?
Understanding these factors early can make both your school search and your Puerto Rico home search considerably more focused.
About Saint John’s School in Puerto Rico
Saint John’s School is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational college-preparatory day school located on Ashford Avenue in Condado, San Juan.
The school serves students from its early childhood program through 12th grade and reports enrollment of more than 800 students. Instruction is primarily in English, with Spanish included as part of the curriculum.
For families relocating to Puerto Rico from the mainland United States or abroad, an English-language academic environment may be an important consideration when comparing private schools.
Academics and College Preparation
Academics are naturally one of the first areas parents investigate when evaluating a school in Puerto Rico.
Saint John’s describes its secondary-school program as a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum encompassing English, Spanish, mathematics, science and social studies, along with electives and opportunities for Honors and Advanced Placement coursework.
The school also provides college counseling and preparation for students approaching university admissions.
For relocating parents, however, academic reputation should be only part of the evaluation.
A more useful question is:
Does the school’s curriculum, academic environment and educational philosophy align with the needs of your child?
Families should review the academic program and speak directly with the school as part of their relocation planning.
Beyond Academics: Athletics, Arts and Student Life
When children move to a new location, school can become one of their first opportunities to establish a community.
Saint John’s offers athletics, arts, clubs and extracurricular opportunities in addition to its academic programs.
For a child transitioning to Puerto Rico, activities outside the classroom can provide opportunities to meet other students, explore interests and become involved in the school community.
Parents evaluating schools should therefore consider not only academics, but also the environment in which their child will spend a significant part of everyday life.
Saint John’s School Admissions: Why Relocating Families Should Start Early
If Saint John’s is among the schools you are considering, begin the admissions conversation early.
Admission is not automatic, and availability can vary by grade and academic year.
Saint John’s publishes application requirements that vary depending on grade level and may include academic records, recommendations, assessments and interviews. Families should verify the current requirements, deadlines and availability directly with the school.
This becomes particularly important when relocating.
If your housing decision depends on your child attending a particular school, waiting until after selecting a home may unnecessarily limit your options.
A better approach is to research schools and communities together.
Relocation Tip: If school placement is one of your family's priorities, begin researching schools before narrowing your Puerto Rico home search to one community.
Where Should You Live If Your Child Attends Saint John’s School?
This is where school search and real estate search intersect.
Because Saint John’s School is located in Condado, some relocating families begin their home search in Condado and nearby San Juan communities.
Depending on housing preferences, budget, work location and lifestyle, families may explore areas including:
Condado
Urban and coastal, with condominium living, restaurants, hotels, beaches and many everyday services nearby.
Miramar
A residential neighborhood offering a different atmosphere while remaining within the San Juan metropolitan area.
Ocean Park
A beach-oriented residential community that may appeal to families seeking a more residential environment while remaining close to Condado.
Santurce
A diverse urban area with multiple residential pockets and convenient access to much of metropolitan San Juan.
Some families may also consider Guaynabo, while others may prefer Dorado because of housing, work, resort lifestyle or other personal priorities.
But there is an important consideration:
Distance on a map does not necessarily represent your actual daily commute in Puerto Rico.
Traffic patterns, school schedules and work location can substantially influence daily family life.
That is why we encourage relocating families to evaluate the relationship between:
School + Home + Work + Commute + Lifestyle
rather than choosing each one independently.
Where Should You Live If Your Child Attends Saint John’s School?
This is where school search and real estate search intersect.
Because Saint John’s School is located in Condado, some relocating families begin their home search in Condado and nearby San Juan communities.
Depending on housing preferences, budget, work location and lifestyle, families may explore areas including:
Should You Choose the School or the Home First?
For families relocating to Puerto Rico with children, we generally recommend researching both simultaneously—but addressing school availability early.
Imagine finding a home you love and then discovering that your preferred school does not currently have space in your child’s grade, or that the daily commute does not work for your family's schedule.
A more deliberate relocation process may look like this:
1. Research potential schools
Understand curriculum, admissions requirements, availability and educational fit.
2. Identify compatible communities
Consider neighborhoods that work with your school choices, workplace and preferred lifestyle.
3. Understand the commute
Evaluate the trip during realistic school and work hours—not simply the mileage.
4. Define your housing priorities
Condominium or house? Urban or suburban? Walkability or more space? Beach access? Gated community? Backup generator? Outdoor areas?
5. Begin a targeted home search
Once these priorities are clear, your real estate search becomes significantly more efficient.
This is where relocation planning can save families considerable time and uncertainty.
Living in Condado Near Saint John’s School
or families who want to live near Saint John’s, Condado real estate offers a distinctly urban and coastal lifestyle.
The area is characterized primarily by condominium living and provides access to beaches, restaurants, hotels, medical services, parks and other amenities.
For some relocating families, living close to school and everyday services can simplify their routine.
Other families may prefer a larger home, more outdoor space, a gated community or a resort environment and may decide that commuting is an acceptable trade-off.
Neither approach is universally better.
The more important question is:
Which community supports the way your family actually wants to live in Puerto Rico?
That is a question worth answering before you begin touring properties.
Moving to Puerto Rico With Children: Look Beyond the House
When relocating, it is easy to begin by looking at homes.
But families often make better housing decisions after considering the broader picture.
Think about:
- School options and admissions
- Work location
- Daily commute
- Housing type
- Community amenities
- Lifestyle
- Children’s activities
- Access to healthcare
- Proximity to family or support networks
- Long-term plans in Puerto Rico
The “best” neighborhood on a list may not necessarily be the best neighborhood for your family.
Your relocation search should begin with your priorities.
Planning a Move to Puerto Rico?
At INCANTO Real Estate & Relocation, we understand that finding the right home and finding the right community often go hand in hand.
Our relocation approach goes beyond showing properties.
We help relocating families explore communities and housing options while considering practical lifestyle factors such as schools, commute and everyday needs.
Whether you are considering Condado, Miramar, Ocean Park, Guaynabo, Dorado, Palmas del Mar or another Puerto Rico community, we can help you narrow your options and develop a more focused home search.
Ready to Explore Where Your Family Could Live?
Schedule a Relocation Consultation
Tell us about your family's move, preferred schools, workplace, housing needs and lifestyle priorities, and we'll help you identify communities to explore.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Saint John’s School and Relocating to Puerto Rico
Is Saint John’s School in Puerto Rico taught in English?
Instruction at Saint John’s is primarily in English, while Spanish is included as part of the curriculum. Families should consult the school directly for current curriculum information by grade.
Where is Saint John’s School located?
Saint John’s School is located on Ashford Avenue in Condado, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
What neighborhoods are near Saint John’s School?
Families interested in living in or around San Juan may consider Condado, Miramar, Ocean Park, Santurce and other metropolitan communities. The right location depends on school, work, budget, preferred housing and commute.
Can my family live in Dorado or Guaynabo and attend Saint John’s?
As a private school, Saint John’s is not based on a public-school residential attendance zone. Admission is determined by the school. Families considering communities farther from Condado should carefully evaluate commute times and daily schedules.
When should we apply to Saint John’s if we are relocating to Puerto Rico?
Families should contact Saint John’s as early as possible. Application requirements and availability vary by grade and academic year. The school publishes current admissions information on its website.
Should we choose a school before buying or renting a home in Puerto Rico?
For families whose housing decision depends heavily on a particular school, it can be beneficial to research admissions and availability before committing to a specific community. School, work location, commute and lifestyle should ideally be evaluated together.