Schools and Education for Expat Families in Colombia
Colombia · Step by Step
Key Facts
- Two calendars. Calendar A runs February to November across most of the country; Calendar B runs August to June at many Bogotá private and international schools.
- Tuition. International schools run roughly COP 25–80 million a year, about US$6,000–20,000, depending on school and grade.
- Curricula. The big cities offer IB, American, British, German and French programs.
- Public is free. Public schools cost nothing but teach in Spanish; most expat families choose private bilingual or international.
- Apply early. Popular schools have waiting lists, plus one-time enrolment fees of roughly COP 3–8 million.
Most expat families in Colombia choose a private bilingual or international school, budget roughly COP 25–80 million a year, and apply months ahead. Here is how schools in Colombia work for foreign families in 2026.
Public, private and international
Colombia has three tiers. Public schools are free and open to legal residents, but they teach entirely in Spanish and vary widely in quality.
Private bilingual schools teach in Spanish and English and suit families planning to stay. International schools follow a foreign curriculum and are the usual choice for families who may move on again.
The two school calendars
This is the detail newcomers miss. Calendar A schools run February to November, the rhythm in most of the country, including Medellín and Cali.
Calendar B schools run August to June, matching the northern hemisphere, and many of Bogotá’s older private and international schools use it. Pick the calendar that fits your arrival date and any school your child is transferring from.
The main international schools
In Bogotá the best known are Colegio Nueva Granada (American curriculum), Colegio Anglo Colombiano (IB), the German Colegio Andino and the Lycée Français Louis Pasteur. The English School and Gimnasio campuses round out the field.
Medellín’s flagship is The Columbus School, with American and IB tracks, alongside Vermont and Montessori options. In Cali, Colegio Bolívar is the long-standing American-curriculum choice.
What it costs
Plan on tuition of roughly COP 25–80 million a year. At a top-tier school such as Colegio Nueva Granada, fees sit in the upper half of that range, around COP 35–62 million depending on grade.
Then budget the extras: a one-time enrolment fee of roughly COP 3–8 million, school bus at COP 3–6 million a year, plus uniforms and supplies. International schools cost more than bilingual ones for the same grade.
How to enrol
Start early, because the strongest schools keep waiting lists and admit by assessment and interview. Younger grades are easier to enter than the senior years.
Have your paperwork ready: the child’s passport, an apostilled birth certificate, prior school records and report cards, and vaccination history. Many schools ask for records translated into Spanish by an official translator.
The bottom line
For most expat families the practical choice is a private bilingual or international school, picked as much for its calendar and location as its curriculum. Budget COP 25–80 million a year and apply well before you move.
Visit in person if you can, ask about the share of foreign versus local students, and confirm whether the diploma your child earns will transfer to your next country. Those three questions settle most decisions.
More: Colombia news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an international school in Colombia cost?
Roughly COP 25–80 million a year, about US$6,000–20,000, depending on the school, the grade and the curriculum. Top-tier schools such as Colegio Nueva Granada sit in the upper half of that range, plus enrolment, bus and uniform fees.
What is the difference between Calendar A and Calendar B?
Calendar A runs February to November and covers most of the country. Calendar B runs August to June, matches the northern hemisphere and is common among Bogotá’s private and international schools.
Can my child attend a free public school?
Yes, legal residents can enrol in public schools at no cost, but classes are in Spanish and quality varies. Most expat families choose private bilingual or international schools instead.
Which cities have the most international schools?
Bogotá has the widest choice, followed by Medellín and Cali. Bogotá offers American, IB, German and French curricula; Medellín and Cali centre on American and IB programs.
What documents do I need to enrol?
Typically the child’s passport, an apostilled birth certificate, prior school records and vaccination history, often translated into Spanish by an official translator. Apply early, as the best schools keep waiting lists.
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