The stipulated compulsory school age in Saint Lucia is 5-15 years. All pre-school centres are privately owned and administered. Pre-school education is generally provided for children between the ages of 2 to 5 years. The infant level incorporates the first three grades of public schooling. The junior department includes grades four, five, six and seven, and the senior division caters for grades eight, nine and ten.
Promotion is by age and by grade level.
Promotion from primary to secondary is by age, grade level and success in the Common Entrance Examination. The Senior Primary programme caters for students who fail to gain entry into the secondary schools via the common entrance examination. It is designed for students who have completed five years of secondary schooling. The major post-secondary education thrust in Saint Lucia since the 1970's has been through the Morne Educational Complex. In September 1986 these institutions were integrated to form the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.