Overview of the General Education System

Guam’s education system closely resembles that of the United States, largely due to the island's status as a U.S. territory. This alignment ensures that Guam adopts similar curricula and educational standards as those found in the mainland U.S., promoting consistency in educational outcomes.

The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) is the central administrative body overseeing K-12 schooling. It upholds content standards and performance indicators that define what students should know and accomplish at each grade level, while the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) conducts accreditation.

The country’s education is structured into three levels: elementary (K–5), middle (6–8), and high school (9–12). Guam comprises a total of 38 public schools while there are also 22 private schools, to the majority of which are religiously affiliated, along with several Department of Defense schools for military dependents.

The medium of instruction is English, though Chamorro language and culture are mandatory subjects. Statistics showed that Guam’s literacy rate among people over the age of 15 is 99.79%. As of a 1999 estimate, there are approximately 32,000 students enrolled in K-12 programs within Guam's public schools. This student body reflects a diverse ethnic composition, consisting of 54 percent Chamorro, 26 percent Filipino, 11 percent Pacific Islanders, 4 percent of mixed ethnicity, 2 percent Asian, 2 percent Caucasian, and 1 percent categorized as other.

The school year typically consists of 180 instructional days, from August to June. Guam’s education system has continually evolved, with programs such as the Prekindergarten Pilot and gifted education initiatives like GATE, which reflect an inclusive and enriched academic environment.

Compulsory education in Guam is free and begins at age five and continues until age 16. Kindergarten enrollment is mandatory for children who turn five years old on or before July 31 of that year. The standard grade progression follows the U.S. model, transitioning from kindergarten through grade 12 in a 6–3–3 format (elementary, middle, and high school). These programs operate full school days (six hours), five days a week, providing meals and totaling 1,080 hours annually.

While early childhood education is not compulsory, the territory supports a public Prekindergarten Pilot Program in its four regions. The curriculum for this program is specifically tailored to meet the needs of gifted children aged four (4) years. It aims to provide a well-rounded educational experience that addresses their physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development.

Higher education in Guam is snupervised by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and consists primarily of two institutions: the University of Guam (UOG) and Guam Community College (GCC).

The UOG, established in 1952, is a four-year public university that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across a wide range of disciplines such as liberal arts, education, nursing, business, and the sciences. UOG, in particular, is known for its accredited nursing program and its developing education programs. Meanwhile, the GCC, a semi-autonomous agency, provides vocational education, adult learning, associate degrees, and college transfer programs. Both institutions are governed by independent boards, ensuring a level of operational autonomy and academic oversight.

Entry into tertiary education in Guam requires a high school diploma and standardized test scores, similar to mainland U.S. requirements. Students can pursue bachelor’s, master’s, and in some cases, technical or professional degrees.