Colegio Aleman Santa Cruz is a prestigious German international school founded in 1936 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. With 1,350 students across 22,500 square metres of infrastructure, the school delivers a bilingual German-Spanish curriculum enriched with English instruction. As part of the Deutsche Auslandsschulen International network, it offers the IB Diploma Programme, the German Language Diploma (DSD), and professional internship opportunities. The school emphasises academic excellence, cultural exchange, and holistic development through a wide range of extracurricular activities.
Location
Avenida San Martin, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Stages
Kindergarten through Secondary (Grade 12)
Type
Private International German School
Pupil Nationality Mix
Predominantly Bolivian with German expatriate families
Country affiliation
Germany
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational
School day structure
Full-day programme
Fee information not publicly available on the school website. Contact the school directly for current tuition rates.
Governance and Ownership
Governed in partnership with Deutsche Auslandsschulen International (DAS), ensuring adherence to German educational standards while adapting to the local Bolivian context. The school community comprises approximately 800 families supported by 150 staff members.
Curriculum
The school follows the German international curriculum complemented by the IB Diploma Programme. Students can earn the German Language Diploma (DSD) and pursue dual qualification pathways. Subjects include Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Arts.
Higher Education Progression
Graduates are well-prepared for universities in Germany, Bolivia, and internationally through the IB Diploma and DSD qualifications.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides pastoral support through its class teacher system, consistent with the German educational model of close teacher-student relationships.
History
Founded in 1936, Colegio Aleman Santa Cruz has served the international and local community in Santa Cruz de la Sierra for nearly nine decades, growing to serve 1,350 students across 800 families.
Community
The school community comprises approximately 800 families, supported by 150 staff members. Parents are actively involved through school events and cultural activities.
Facilities Overview
The campus spans 22,500 square metres and includes modern academic buildings, science laboratories, sports facilities, and dedicated spaces for music and arts programmes.
Sports Facilities
The school has tennis courts and general sports facilities supporting its physical education programme.
Academic Facilities
The school maintains dedicated science laboratories, technology resources, and classroom facilities designed to support the German and IB curricula.
Extra Curricular Facilities
Facilities support a range of extracurricular activities including choir, chamber orchestra, band rehearsals, student publications, and Model United Nations preparation.
Academic & Intellectual
Model United Nations, Student Magazine, Public Speaking
Arts & Creative
Choir, Chamber Orchestra, Band Seminar
Cultural & Language
German Language Diploma preparation, Student Exchange programmes with German schools
Community & Service
Community engagement activities and professional internship programme for senior students
Leadership & Professional
University guidance programme, Professional internships, Student leadership through Model United Nations
Language Provision
English is taught as an additional language alongside the primary German and Spanish instruction. The German Language Diploma (DSD) programme provides formal certification of German proficiency.
Bilingual Teaching
The school provides structured German and Spanish bilingual instruction from kindergarten through secondary school, with both languages used as languages of instruction.
Immersion Programs
Students experience full German language immersion within the German curriculum subjects, complemented by Spanish instruction for the Bolivian curriculum components.
Awards
Recognised as one of the leading German international schools in South America with nearly nine decades of educational excellence.
Accreditations
Accredited by Deutsche Auslandsschulen International (DAS) and authorised as an IB World School for the Diploma Programme.
Admissions
The school operates a formal application process (Proceso de Postulacion). Prospective families can apply through the school website or contact the admissions office directly.
Santa Cruz Cooperative School (SCCS), founded on April 10, 1959, is a private American Overseas day school in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Accredited by AdvancEd/Cognia and the Bolivian Ministry of Education since 1960, SCCS offers American and Bolivian diplomas with three divisions (Elementary, Middle, High School) and a Jaguar mascot.
Location
SCCS is at Barrio Las Palmas, Calle Barcelona #1, Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
Stages
Elementary School (ES), Middle School (MS), High School (HS).
Type
SCCS is a private co-educational American Overseas day school.
Country affiliation
American curriculum with optional Bolivian diploma.
Food Options
Cafeteria with catering services.
Governance and Ownership
Cooperative school structure.
Curriculum
American education curriculum with option for combined American/Bolivian diploma.
Founded on April 10, 1959. Recognised by the Bolivian Ministry of Education since 1960. Accredited by SACS since 1987. Re-accredited by AdvancEd in 2019.
Community
Mother's Club. Father's Day and Grandparent's Day events. Family reading nights and book fairs. Winter camps.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Mother's Club and community events.
Facilities Overview
Campus with multiple buildings, Jaguar Plaza community space, cafeteria.
Sports Facilities
Athletics programme.
Academic Facilities
Library with digital resources (Destiny Software, EBSCO, TumbleBooks). Technology integration throughout.
Academic & Intellectual
Model United Nations. NJHS/NHS honour societies.
Arts & Creative
Fine Arts programme.
Cultural & Language
Global Issues Network.
Social & Hobbies
Student Council (StuCo). Friendship Games.
Community & Service
Community service programme. Family reading nights and book fairs.
Leadership & Professional
Student Council and honour societies.
Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Social-emotional learning programmes.
Language Provision
English-medium with Spanish for Bolivian diploma pathway.
Accreditations
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (since 1987). Bolivian Ministry of Education (since 1960). AdvancEd (re-accredited April 2019). Cognia and Yondr Education certified. American Association of Schools in South America (AASSA).
Santa Cruz International School (SCIS) is a private, co‑educational day school in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, serving Pre‑Kindergarten through Grade 12 (approximately ages 3–18). The school combines the Bolivian National Curriculum with international programmes — the International Early Years Curriculum and Cambridge pathways (Cambridge Primary, IGCSE and Cambridge International AS Levels) — with students taking Checkpoint in Grade 8, IGCSE in Grade 10 and AS‑Level examinations in Grade 12. Instruction is offered in both English and Spanish, with Spanish taught across the programme. The campus (around 10 acres) includes science laboratories, dedicated art and music studios, extensive sports facilities (five football/soccer fields, outdoor basketball courts and a gym), age‑appropriate playgrounds and nature areas with on‑site habitats. SCIS also operates an on‑campus Riding Academy and stables; horseback riding is integrated into the curriculum and may be chosen as a Physical Education option from primary years.
