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St Margaret's British School for Girls

Chile, Viña del Mar

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Spanish, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 950
Type Girls School
Opened 1941
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Spanish
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

St Margaret's British School for Girls is a bilingual, English-medium school in Chile enrolling ages 3 to 18. The curriculum combines the National Curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for senior students, taught in English across the curriculum, alongside other international programs and examinations in English. The school operates a four-stage progression from Infant to Senior School, with a bilingual setting and a focus on well-being and community. The Bosque de Montemar campus in Concón, inaugurated in 2005, hosts a range of facilities enhanced by 2022 improvements to support student development. Sports facilities include hockey, volleyball, athletics, gymnastics and cycling; the Arts offer Visual Arts, Music, Technology and Drama. The school's Integral Education team provides psychologists and counsellors to support student wellbeing. Four pillars frame extracurricular life: Sports, Service in Action (CAS), Academic Excellence and English, underpinning a debate team and extensive arts activities. A welcoming, culturally diverse community.

Saint Margaret 150, 2511009 Concón, Valparaíso, Chile

The Essentials

St Margaret's British School for Girls has 950 pupils, instruction in Spanish, English.

Location

Saint Margaret #150, Lomas de Montemar, Concón, Chile. The Bosque de Montemar campus was inaugurated in 2005. The campus faces the ocean in Concón.

Stages

Infant School covers Playgroup to Kindergarten. Junior School covers 1st to 4th Basic. Middle School covers 5th to 8th grade. Senior School comprises 1st to 4th grade; during the first two years, students follow the ministerial program through a modern approach with an international vision, while maintaining emphasis on English.

Type

Follows the National Curriculum and offers the IB Diploma Programme to senior students, with English used across the curriculum; it also offers other international programs and examinations in English.

Additional learning support

Counseling and Wellbeing: psychologists, educational psychologists, vocational guidance and school coexistence psychologists.

Country affiliation

Chile

Religious affiliation

Christian
Diving Deeper

Food Options

Lunch is provided by Havana Food Limitada. Tickets are purchased online. Monthly menus are published.

Governance and Ownership

The school is operated by Colegio Británico St Margaret's S.A.
Fees
Application fees

- Admission/exam fee: 1 UF for application testing (applies to entry tests indicated for Playgroup, Pre-Kinder, Kinder and early primary and for some middle/senior admissions).
- Incorporation (one-time entry) fee: UF 40, payable on entry from Pre-Kinder and valid for the student for all subsequent years (paid once).
- Annual registration / enrollment (matrícula) fee: one registration fee per student each year (standard value shown on admission documentation).

Tuition fees by year group (annual and monthly amounts)

- Playgroup (half day): Annual tuition UF 75.00; typical monthly instalment shown UF 7.50. Parents who extend the daily schedule to 15:45 pay an additional UF 4.50 per month; an occasional extended-day rate is charged per day (published daily amount for occasional use).
- Pre‑Kinder: Annual tuition UF 137.90; monthly instalment shown UF 13.79.
- Kinder: Annual tuition UF 137.90; monthly instalment shown UF 13.79.
- Básica y Media (1st Grade through 4th Senior / primary and secondary): Annual tuition UF 151.80; typical monthly instalment shown UF 15.18 (monthly instalment value varies by the school's three monthly payment windows — see billing schedule below).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition is treated as an annual charge and may be paid in ten monthly instalments (March through December). Payment is scheduled in three windows each month (Vencimiento 1: days 1–10; Vencimiento 2: days 11–20; Vencimiento 3: days 21–30/31) with slightly different instalment amounts depending on the chosen window.
- Late payment: amounts paid after the agreed due date incur a surcharge; the school applies a surcharge for late payment (surcharge policy and calculation are stated in the school's billing rules).
- Early‑payment discounts for full-year, up‑front payment are published seasonally (examples of discount tiers and applicable dates are applied when paying the full annual tuition in advance).
- Sibling discounts: second sister receives a 10% discount on the basic tuition; third and subsequent sisters receive a 20% discount on the basic tuition.

Boarding

- Boarding is not applicable; the school operates as a day school and fees are charged for day enrolment and optional extended-day services.

Other costs and typical extra charges

- Parent Association fee: an annual fee per family (example value applied at matriculation).
- Extension hours and occasional day care (Playgroup / Pre‑Kinder / Kinder): an additional UF 4.50 per month for extended daily hours; occasional-use daily charge is published as a fixed CLP amount per day.
- Uniforms, books and school supplies: families are responsible for uniform purchase and grade‑specific supplies; official uniform lists and school‑supply lists are published by the school for each year and grade.
- Insurance: on completion of matriculation standard insured coverages are activated (personal accidents for pupils and a life‑insurance policy for the contracting guardian). The policies and related administrative documents are part of the school's administrative documentation.
- Lunch / cafeteria and other optional services: lunches and other optional on‑campus services are billed separately via the school's payments systems.

Refunds and cancellations

- Refunds, cancellations and specific conditions for the return of fees are governed by the school's Contract of Educational Services and the matriculation rules contained in the school's administrative documentation; the contract establishes the terms for enrolment, cancellation and any applicable reimbursements.

Fee payment options and instructions

- Accepted payment methods include automatic bank debit (PAC), automatic credit‑card debit (PAT), bank transfer and online card payments (WebPay). Bank transfer details and account information are provided for tuition payments.
- Electronic payment portals and the school's payment platform are used for processing monthly tuition and other charges. Families can arrange automatic debits (PAC/PAT) to avoid manual monthly payment.

Notes:
- Tuition values are expressed in Chilean Unidad de Fomento (UF) as published in the school's fee circulars and admissions information.
Academics

St Margaret's British School for Girls teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

The school follows the National Curriculum and is an IB School, offering the Diploma Programme to all senior students, together with other international programmes and different international examinations in English throughout school life. The curriculum develops talents across languages, science, history, mathematics, sports and the arts in a bilingual setting. The Vision describes the school as a bilingual school of excellence with all-rounded education and a commitment to the community. Academic progression runs through Infant, Junior, Middle and Senior School, with international programs and cultural exchanges. The school emphasizes wellbeing and safety in a caring environment to prepare students for a dynamic, globalized world.

Exam Results

The Class of 2024 obtained excellent results in the International Baccalaureate exams.

Higher Education Progression

The school hosts a Vocational Fair with more than 15 higher education institutions, including Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Universidad del Desarrollo, Universidad de los Andes and Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, among others.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

The school has a Counseling and Wellbeing team with specialized professionals, including Psychologists, Educational Psychologists, Vocational Guidance, and School Coexistence Psychologists. These roles support student wellbeing and provide psychological and educational guidance.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school employs Educational Psychologists as part of the Counseling and Wellbeing team.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

English is a central pillar in the Academic Programme, with a goal of Full Command of English.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing is supported by a Counseling and Wellbeing department comprising psychologists and other specialists.

Safeguarding

Wellbeing and safety are prioritized in a protective and caring environment.
Parent Experience

History

St Margaret's British School for Girls was founded in Viña del Mar, Chile, in 1941 by a group of British residents who sought an English-speaking school for daughters. The name Queen Margaret reflected Christian values such as kindness, nobility and service. The school badge drew on the War of the Roses, with the York white rose and Lancaster red rose, and a pink rose was later introduced as a symbol of England's unity. The school opened on Limache Street with 64 pupils, moved to the Hoschild Villa in 1948, then to a 5 Norte building after the 1971 earthquake, and in 2005 inaugurated its current Bosque de Montemar facilities in Concón.

Community

The school has an alumni network called SMOG (St Margaret's Old Girls) that connects staff, students and graduates to uphold the school's values, pillars and tradition. The school maintains an active blog with news and reports about student activities and events, including the Capellán Pascal Debate League, the Our Sea art competition and the Vocational Fair, illustrating ongoing community engagement.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

During 2022, infrastructure works were carried out to provide spaces aligned with the development of students.

Sports Facilities

Hockey, Volleyball, Athletics, Gymnastics, Cycling and more.

Academic Facilities

The school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Four pillars are Sports, Service in Action (CAS), Academic Level (Excellence), and English. Sports include hockey, volleyball, athletics, gymnastics, cycling and more. Arts include Visual Arts, Music, Technology, Theater and more. The Integral Education area provides a team of professionals including psychologists, psychopedagogues, vocational guidance and counselors.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

The school offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. The four pillars are Sports (Fair Play and Teamwork), Service in Action (Creativity, Activity and Service — CAS), Academic Excellence, and English (Full Command). The English pillar supports English culture and intellectual development as core objectives. A debate team participates in competitive leagues, such as the Colegio Capellán Pascal Debate League.

Arts & Creative

The Arts pillar includes Visual Arts, Music, Technology, Drama and more. First grade students represented the school in the Our Sea art competition. Arts are part of the Integral Education framework.

Cultural & Language

English is a central pillar with full command of English. The objectives include English culture, intellectual development and character development. The school offers the IB programme to support international language development.

Social & Hobbies

Sports include Hockey, Volleyball, Athletics, Gym, Cycling and more. Sports emphasise fair play and teamwork. Counseling and Wellbeing are supported by a team of psychologists, educational psychologists, vocational guidance and school convivencia specialists.

Community & Service

Service in Action is one of the four pillars. Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) is central to that pillar. CAS emphasizes creativity, activity and service as core activities.

Leadership & Professional

A Vocational Fair exposes students to different career paths. The school has a debate team that competes in leagues. Debate competitions and career events provide opportunities to develop communication skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Sports include Hockey, Volleyball, Athletics, Gym, Cycling and more. The Sports pillar emphasizes fair play and teamwork. Counseling and Wellbeing are supported by a team of psychologists, educational psychologists, vocational guidance and school convivencia specialists.
Languages

Language Provision

English is the language of instruction throughout school life. Spanish is used for paperwork, reports and IB exams. French is one of the official IB languages.

Bilingual Teaching

St Margaret's is a bilingual school. English is the language of instruction throughout school life. The school's vision is to be a bilingual school of excellence. It offers the IB Diploma Programme to senior students, with English used in the curriculum and Spanish used for paperwork, reports and exams.

Immersion Programs

International exchange opportunities and cultural visits are offered. An example describes immersion in an IB setting entirely in Spanish to improve Spanish as a second language.
Reputation

Accreditations

IB, ABSCH, SNCAE, FIDE, ESU
Admissions

Admissions

Infant, Junior, Middle and Senior School Admissions start with an application period from April to June, according to vacancies. Required documents: signed Application Form, photocopy of Birth Certificate, photocopy of ID on both sides (if available), and a Kindergarten report if attending. Playgroup involves a Fun Morning observation (30 minutes) for up to six applicants, followed by an online interview. Results are delivered within 10 working days by email with an observation letter; if accepted, a signed acknowledgment is returned and enrollment must be completed within 5 working days. Junior: 1st Grade to 4th Grade requires an Application Form plus documents: Birth Certificate, ID on both sides, Annual School Certificate from previous years, Partial 2025 grades, and a Personality Report. After submission, a diagnostic assessment from cognitive to affective-social domains is conducted by an interdisciplinary team, followed by a face-to-face interview with the Head of Junior and the Junior Psychologist. Results are provided within 10 working days; enrollment must be completed within 10 working days. Middle & Senior School (5th Grade and 6th Grade) follow the same process with the diagnostic assessment and interview; results are delivered within 10 working days and enrollment must be completed within 10 working days. There are no vacancies for 7th Grade and 8th Grade; the Head of Admissions should be contacted for updates. For Students from abroad, options are Recognition of Studies or Validation of Studies. Recognition requires documents apostilled and presented to the Ministry of Education on arrival; Validation requires exams with provisional enrollment during the process. An Incorporation Fee starts at UF 40 (valid for all years) and an annual Enrollment Fee of UF 10.5 per student applies. Participation in the application process does not guarantee admission. Former students' mothers have priority if there is a waiting list. Admission Vacancies 2026 list vacancies by grade and note waiting lists in some Infant grades. The Application Class requires ages: Playgroup 3 years; Pre-Kinder 4 years; Kinder 5 years; 1st Grade 6 years; 2nd Grade 7 years; 3rd Grade 8 years; 4th Grade 9 years (age completed by March 31). The Admission exam value is 1UF for Pre-Kinder to 4th Grade. Contact: Sra. M. Address: Saint Margaret #150, Lomas de Montemar, Concón.

Waitlist

Playgroup Waiting list; Pre-Kinder Waiting list; Kinder has 8 vacancies. Junior School: 1º Básico 7 vacancies; 2º Básico 2 vacancies; 3º Básico 3 vacancies; 4º Básico 8 vacancies. Middle School: 5th grade 6 vacancies; 6th grade 3 vacancies; 7th grade 0 vacancies; 8th grade 0 vacancies. Senior School: 1st senior 0 vacancies; 2nd senior 0 vacancies; 3rd senior 0 vacancies; 4th senior 0 vacancies. Admission Vacancies 2026 updated to April 2025.
School Events
The school has not added events