How to Get an Elementary School Certificate Online with INEA

Rogelio Valdés

May 10, 2021

In Mexico, it is possible to complete elementary and middle school studies fully online because there is a government institution that has spent nearly 30 years validating those studies. It is called INEA, the National Institute for Adult Education, and here I want to explain how it works as a certification route for children.

INEA was originally created to provide basic education to adults in Mexico, but one of the most interesting aspects of the program is that it can also work for children and teenagers. In fact, it has been one of the most common ways families practicing homeschooling or home education certify their children’s studies. If you want to learn about other certification methods for home education, you can visit robinacademy.com/homeschool-legal and access our guide.

At what age can students certify elementary or middle school studies through INEA?

From the age of 10, students can certify their elementary studies by taking the “recognition of prior knowledge” exam. Likewise, any student aged 15 or older can validate middle school studies.

What curriculum will the student be using?

INEA offers free educational programs designed to build the knowledge required at each level. MEVyT is a sequence of online modules that students complete independently. To enroll, families simply go to the website and fill out the registration form. The program also includes diagnostic exams so students can identify their level and move through the process more efficiently.

That said, it is important to note that most families practicing homeschooling or online education use INEA alongside other programs. The curriculum provided by INEA does meet the official requirements of Mexico’s Public Education Ministry, but naturally most families want to offer their children something stronger and more complete. For example, soft skills need to be built elsewhere. Socializing with peers, learning to negotiate, and working as a team are not covered by this program, yet those skills are essential. The development of personal projects tied to a student’s interests, and even language learning, are things we cannot ignore.

Also, even when two curricula cover the same content, the methodology can be very different, and one student may learn better with one approach than another. For that reason, I usually recommend using INEA mainly as a certification pathway. At Robin, we built a more comprehensive elementary and middle school program that includes all the areas mentioned above. If that interests you, you can learn more at robinacademy.com/escuela.

What is the cost and what are the requirements for enrollment?

Fortunately, there is no cost at all for studying and certifying elementary or middle school through INEA. Every service offered by the institution is completely free.

The evaluation process works like this:

The only documents you need to present are: