Securing a place at a top international school is one of the highest-stakes decisions for expat families relocating to Bogotá. The best schools have waitlists, tuition that demands serious financial planning, and admissions processes that should begin 3–6 months before arrival. Here's the landscape.
Calendar A vs Calendar B
Colombian schools operate on two calendars. Calendar A (February–November) is the national standard. Calendar B (August–June) aligns with the US and European academic year. All major international schools in Bogotá run Calendar B, making mid-year enrollment for arriving families in January or February challenging — plan around the August start.
Top International Schools
| School | Curriculum | Annual Tuition (Est.) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colegio Nueva Granada | US college-prep (25 AP courses) | $10,000–$15,000+ (+ $18K capital fee) | Dual diploma, 98% university placement, Mandarin offered, ~1,700 students |
| Colegio Anglo Colombiano | Full IB Continuum (PYP/MYP/DP) | $5,000–$14,000 | CIS-accredited, 1,800 students, significant waitlists, 46% of 2025 class studied abroad |
| Colegio Gran Bretaña | British + IB DP | ~$22,000–$23,000 | Most expensive in Bogotá, one-time entry fee $2K–$8K, British curriculum rigor |
| Deutsche Schule (Colegio Andino) | German Abitur + Colombian Bachillerato | ~$16,300–$16,900 | Trilingual (German/Spanish/English), "German School of Excellence" certified |
| Colegio Los Nogales | AP curriculum | ~$11,500+ | Ranked #1 Colombia by Col-Sapiens, strong STEM focus |
| The English School | Full IB Continuum | $8,000–$12,000 (est.) | 1,200+ students, well-established IB program |
Admissions Process
Apply 3–6 months in advance. Top schools maintain waitlists. Standard required documents include: apostilled transcripts from previous school, passport and visa copies, teacher recommendation letters, parent employment letters, and application fees (COP 150,000–250,000+). Non-Spanish speakers are generally exempt from Spanish-language assessments at English-medium schools.
Entry evaluations typically include academic testing (math and English proficiency), a student interview, and a parent interview. Some schools require a trial day where the child attends classes before a final admission decision.
Neighborhood Proximity
- CNG: Chapinero (eastern hills) — families often live in Rosales, La Cabrera, or Chicó for proximity
- Anglo Colombiano: Usaquén — families gravitate toward Santa Bárbara and northern Usaquén
- Gran Bretaña: Northern suburbs (Calle 164+) — Chía and northern Bogotá are convenient
- Deutsche Schule: Far north (Calle 218) — many families live in Chía or Cajicá
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