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The Antofagasta British School

Chile, Antofagasta

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1100
Type Co-educational
Opened 1918
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Spanish
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

The Antofagasta British School is a private, non‑profit IB World School in Chile serving students aged 3 to 18. The school delivers the full IB continuum with a bespoke curriculum. ABS was founded in 1918 to educate children of English immigrants and is governed by the ABS Educational Corporation, a nonprofit formed by parents and guardians. Its campus on Pedro León Gallo Street hosts over 860 students, about 70 teachers and 40 support staff. Infant School offers bilingual education; Junior School uses a bilingual curriculum strengthened by the IB Primary Years Programme. Middle School combines a national curriculum with the IB Middle Years Programme, and Senior School aligns Chilean programs with the IB Diploma Programme, including Extended Essay, TOK and CAS. Extra programs include sports, theatre, dance, graphic design, robotics, journalism and science clubs, plus student leadership through CEAL. The school also emphasizes international mindedness and community engagement for all.

Pedro León Gallo 723, Antofagasta, Chile

The Essentials

The Antofagasta British School has 1,100 pupils, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
Located at Pedro León Gallo 723, Antofagasta, Chile. It serves the city of Antofagasta. Inquiries are welcome at +55 2 598950 or contacto@abs.school.

Stages
Infant School; Junior; Middle; Senior

Type
Private, non-profit; IB World School; Cambridge-certified

Country affiliation
Chile
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform policy for Junior, Middle, and Senior cycles: Girls wear a traditional white blouse, an institutional tie, a gray official ABS sweater, an ABS-exclusive skirt or pants, gray socks, and black school shoes. Boys wear a white traditional shirt, an institutional tie, a gray official ABS sweater, navy blue trousers, dark socks, and black school shoes. A separate official sports uniform is worn for physical education and sports; the PE protocol provides gender-specific versions: girls wear a white polyester polo with a red stripe, blue leggings, and sneakers; boys wear a white polyester polo with red sleeves and blue side stripes, navy shorts, and sneakers. Exemptions may be granted for medical reasons or force majeure; pregnant students may adapt the uniform; uniforms must be labeled with the student's name and class. .

Governance and Ownership
The Board of Directors is the governing body of The Antofagasta British School. It is composed of six members with two-year terms, elected by the General Assembly of Members of the Corporation. The Board appoints the Rector and oversees management, reporting to the General Assembly, which comprises all guardians (apoderados) of the school.
Fees
Application fees

- Cuota de incorporación (aplicación/inscripción): 36 UF (valor indicado en los comunicados públicos para 2025). En la postulación se exige, además, el pago de la matrícula al momento de confirmar la incorporación.

Tuition fees by year group (amounts and billing unit)

- Valores públicos más recientes disponibles (año académico 2025):
- Matrícula única por alumno: CLP 693,351.
- Colegiatura anual (colegiatura / anualidad): CLP 5,363,787.
- La suma de cuota de incorporación (36 UF) más matrícula aparece indicada en los comunicados de admisión de 2025 como un pago simultáneo al momento de matricular.

- Ejemplo de desglose por niveles publicado en años anteriores (referencia de 2023, útil para entender diferencias por ciclo):
- Prebásica (Playgroup / Pre-kínder / Kínder): matrícula de ejemplo CLP 478,444 y colegiatura anual de ejemplo CLP 4,274,460.
- Desde 1° básico a IV medio: matrícula de ejemplo CLP 660,964 y colegiatura anual de ejemplo CLP 5,113,239.
- Estos valores se emplearon como referencia en comunicados locales y muestran que la colegiatura varía por ciclo; la institución publica o comunica el monto final por nivel en el proceso de admisión.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Matrícula: se paga al confirmar la matrícula; la formalización incluye la firma del contrato de prestación de servicios educacionales y el pago inicial correspondiente. El área de Finanzas coordina la concreción del pago (remoto o presencial) con la familia.

- Colegiatura / escolaridad anual: en comunicaciones públicas y reglamentos de establecimientos locales se manejan modalidades de pago fraccionado. En las referencias de la zona, la colegiatura anual se fracciona habitualmente en 10 cuotas; para 4° medio algunas ofertas de pago consideran 9 cuotas debido al calendario escolar. El colegio comunica las condiciones de pago (plazos y número de cuotas) en el proceso contractual con la familia.

- Descuentos por hermanos: la práctica comunicada en años previos incluye descuentos escalonados por hermano (por ejemplo: descuentos en matrícula y colegiatura que han llegado a 10–25% según el número de hermanos), aplicables según la normativa interna y la política económica comunicada a las familias durante admisión. Los porcentajes y condiciones se informan en el proceso de admisión y en el contrato.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- The Antofagasta British School opera como establecimiento particular pagado de jornada diurna (preescolar, básica y media). No figura oferta de internado/boarding en los documentos institucionales; por tanto, no hay tarifa de internado publicada.

Other costs and fees (uniforms, materials, extras)

- Uniforme: el uso del uniforme escolar es obligatorio para todos los ciclos; el reglamento detalla las prendas requeridas por ciclo y establece que el apoderado puede adquirir el uniforme en el comercio que estime conveniente. No hay un precio único publicado de uniforme en los documentos reglamentarios. Asimismo, existe una lista de útiles y materiales por curso que debe ser asumida por las familias.

- Actividades extracurriculares, salidas pedagógicas, materiales especiales, seguro escolar y otros recargos: pueden generar cobros adicionales según la actividad (salidas, talleres, academias, etc.). Estos cargos aparecen especificados puntualmente en comunicados o en autorizaciones de cada actividad y/o en el contrato anual.

Refund information and contract terms

- Condiciones de reembolso, procedimientos por retiro anticipado y obligaciones comerciales están reguladas por el Contrato de Prestación de Servicios Educacionales que firma la familia al matricular. El reglamento interno establece procedimientos relacionados con cancelación de matrícula por razones disciplinarias, mientras que los aspectos financieros (devoluciones y condiciones de pago ante retiros) se definen contractualmente y se comunican a la familia en el proceso de admisión. No existe una política pública de reembolso con cifras y condiciones generales publicada de forma abierta; los términos se especifican en el contrato y en la comunicación de Finanzas al momento de matricular.

Fee payment options

- El procedimiento de admisión indica que el área de Finanzas acordará con la familia la forma en que se concretará la matrícula (sistema remoto o presencial) y enviará el contrato; las formas de pago concretas (transferencia bancaria, tarjeta de crédito, pago presencial u otras) se pactan con Finanzas en ese proceso contractual. No aparece una lista pública y exhaustiva de métodos de pago publicada en los documentos institucionales disponibles.

Notes on the figures provided

- Las cifras monetarias detalladas en este resumen corresponden a valores informados públicamente en comunicados locales y en la prensa regional para el año académico 2025, y al detalle por ciclo divulgado en informes anteriores (2023). Los montos finales por nivel, las condiciones de pago, descuentos por hermanos y las modalidades de cobro son comunicadas directamente por el área de admisión y finanzas al formalizar la postulación y la matrícula.
Academics

The Antofagasta British School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
Infant School offers bilingual education. ABS Junior School uses a bilingual curriculum strengthened by the IB Primary Years Programme to develop 21st-century skills and inquiry-based learning. ABS Middle School covers grades 5–8 with a national curriculum and the IB Middle Years Programme, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning to integrate knowledge across disciplines and develop new understanding. ABS Senior School covers grades 9–12 and combines Chile's national programs with the IB Diploma Programme, with the first two years focused on developing high-level academic skills in preparation for PSU and IB Diploma examinations. The IB continuum is offered across ages 3–18, including the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme; the Diploma Programme emphasizes studying six subjects, at least two languages, to prepare for university and global citizenship.
Parent Experience

History
The Antofagasta British School is a science‑humanities educational establishment founded in Antofagasta on June 5, 1918, to educate the children of English immigrants under English education standards. The school is governed by The Antofagasta British School Educational Corporation, a nonprofit entity composed exclusively of the parents and guardians of the students, and operates under statutes approved by the Ministry of Justice with governing bodies (Assembly/Board) whose members are elected from among the guardians. Its first physical location (1918–1981) was in the old colonial‑style house at Zenteno and Iquique, on the grounds of the Antofagasta‑Bolivia Railway (FCAB); it was then known as Colegio Inglés and welcomed all children of British subjects in the city. Years later FCAB employees opened admission to their Chilean staff's children, forming a bilingual community. In 1982 the school moved to the current building on Pedro León Gallo Street in the southern sector of the city, constructed in record time thanks to the leadership and personal contributions of the directors of the era. Today ABS enrolls more than 860 students from Mini Kinder to IV Medio (the final year of upper secondary), taught by 70 teachers and supported by 40 administrative and support staff.

Community
The ABS community includes School Life ABS, CEPAD, CEAL 2022–2023, and alumni networks. School Life ABS develops actions to promote healthy coexistence through promotion, prevention, and response to conflicts, framed by respect, dialogue, and the commitment of students, teachers, and guardians to ensure a learning‑friendly environment. CEPAD is a parent association with the objective of delivering value to children and parents in a social context, inviting parents to contribute ideas to enrich education and to participate in activities that strengthen the British family community; CEPAD leadership includes President Claudia Cisternas, Vice‑President Daniela Meneses, Secretary Javiera Olivera, Treasurer Macarena Rojas, and Alternate Directors Astrid Lobos and Milenka Sandoval. CEAL 2022–2023 sets out objectives for the student body to represent issues, needs and aspirations; promote organized and democratic student expression; foster holistic development and wellbeing; ensure positive convivencia and inclusive life; promote student wellbeing and universal human rights; and encourage solidarity, environmental awareness, positive leadership, and cultural values through its programs; CEAL 2022–2023 officers include President, Vice‑President, Executive Secretary, Management/Finance Secretary, Public Relations and Communications ABS, Convivencia Escolar ABS, Medio Ambiente ABS, Deportes ABS, Responsabilidad Social, and Cultura.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
CEPAD is the school's parent association with the objective of delivering value to children and parents in a social context. It invites parents to contribute ideas that make their children's education an enriching experience and to participate in activities that bring families together as a British school community. CEPAD leadership includes President Claudia Cisternas, Vice‑President Daniela Meneses, Secretary Javiera Olivera, Treasurer Macarena Rojas, Alternate Directors Astrid Lobos and Milenka Sandoval. CEPAD engages parents in planning and supporting school events and initiatives that enhance student life and community wellbeing.
Facilities

Sports Facilities
Football, girls' volleyball, athletics, fencing, hockey, rugby, and basketball are offered. Junior School competes in football, volleyball, athletics, and other sports along with Middle School and Senior School teams. The program includes a range of sports across Junior, Middle, and Senior levels.

Academic Facilities
ABS offers the Diploma Programme as part of the IB framework. The Diploma Programme is a rigorous, balanced program with final examinations that develops students physically, intellectually, social, emotional, and ethical growth and requires study in six subject areas. Students study at least two languages as part of the Diploma Programme. The Diploma Programme includes Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS). ABS Junior School uses a bilingual curriculum strengthened by the IB Primary Years Programme.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Robotics Club, Journalism Club, and Science Experiments Club are offered.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Antofagasta British School is an IB World School offering the three IB programs for ages 3 to 18: the Primary Years Programme (PEP), the Middle Years Programme (PAI), and the Diploma Programme (DP). These programs are delivered within a framework aligned to the Chilean Ministry of Education and enriched to support the IB approach. The IB aims to develop inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, good communicators, open‑minded, courageous, caring, reflective, balanced, and principled individuals who contribute to a better world. The school implements IB across all levels, from Infant to Senior, to foster international-mindedness and lifelong learning.

Arts & Creative
ABS offers a range of extracurricular arts academies, including Theater, Ballet, Robotics, Dance, and Graphic Design. These academies operate outside the formal curriculum and are designed to develop performance, creativity, and design skills. They enrich students' artistic development and provide dynamic alternatives to classroom learning. The Extracurricular Academies form part of ABS's arts and creative programming.

Cultural & Language
ABS Infant School provides bilingual education. ABS Junior School operates a bilingual curriculum strengthened by the IB Primary Years Programme. The IB framework at ABS across levels fosters an international outlook and intercultural understanding, supporting students to become globally minded.

Social & Hobbies
Extracurricular social and hobby options include Robotics, Journalism, and Science clubs. ABS also offers performing and visual arts activities such as Theater, Ballet, Dance, and Graphic Design as part of its arts academies. These activities promote teamwork, creativity, and sustained personal interests beyond the classroom.

Community & Service
CEPAD invites parents to contribute ideas and collaborate to enrich student experiences and strengthen the school community. The ABS student council (CEAL) aims to promote a healthy, respectful, inclusive school culture and student involvement in school life. CEAL also outlines its statutory roles and responsibilities to support representation and leadership within the school.

Leadership & Professional
ABS has a student leadership body, CEAL, with roles including President, Vice‑President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and other officers. CEAL represents student interests to the school and authorities and promotes organized student voice and democratic participation. It works to advance a culture of rights, responsibility, and collaboration aligned with IB values.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sport ABS offers physical education and competitive sport from 1st grade through Senior School, including football, volleyball (girls), athletics, fencing, hockey, rugby, and basketball. The program promotes healthy lifestyles and active participation in sports as part of daily school life. Students engage in team and individual sports under qualified guidance to foster fitness and well‑being.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught: English and Spanish. Infant School uses English as the language of instruction, with Spanish used to support learning. Junior School delivers most instruction in English, with Spanish taught as a subject; communications with families occur in both languages. Senior School uses Spanish as the language of instruction, with English developed as a second language; the BI Program supports students whose home language is not Spanish.

Bilingual Teaching
The Antofagasta British School teaches in English and Spanish. In Infant School, the language of instruction is English; Spanish is used to supplement learning. In Middle School, instruction is in Spanish with bilingual teachers guiding students while prioritizing English inside and outside the classroom. In Senior School, Spanish is the language of instruction, with English developed as a second language.
Reputation

Accreditations
IB World School (DP/IBPYP/IBMYP) since 2011; Education plans aligned with Chilean Ministry of Education (Curriculum Nacional) via IB; Member of Association of British Schools in Chile (ABSCH).
Admissions

Admissions
1. Postulation: All families wishing to apply must begin the process on abs.school via the ADMISIÓN POSTULAR link. This directs to the Colegium admissions platform where the guardian completes the application and uploads the following documents: birth certificate for Chilean applicants; RUN or passport for other nationalities; certificates of study from the previous year; grade report for the period if applicable; personality report from the current school. 2. Debts: Guardians must not have any outstanding debt with The Antofagasta British School. The rule also applies to guardians who have debts with the Corporation and are applying with a new family, where the guardian had previously served as guardian. 3. The Admissions area will contact the family by email with information on fees, discounts, and related terms. 4. If the family decides to continue, a meeting with the Cycle Principal will be scheduled, who will interview the family and provide detailed information about the educational project, policies, schedule, clubs, projects, and sports. 5. After the interview, the Admissions Department will send the admission decision to the family. 6. To finalize admission, enrollment must be completed within five business days after receiving the acceptance letter, including paying the incorporation fee (if applicable) and the enrollment, and signing the Educational Services Contract and the sponsor's insurance form. If any exception applies, the Admissions area will coordinate with Finance to send the contract to the family. 7. In line with International Baccalaureate requirements, particularly the Diploma Programme, admission is not offered at III and IV Medio. 8. Guided visits: The Admissions Assistant will lead guided visits for applicant families according to the established calendar so they can view the facilities. 9. Age and eligibility: entry ages are defined by national law, with age requirements by level; the school follows Decree and CNED guidance, including provisions for Playgroup, Pre-K, Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary, with the maximum secondary age set at 16 by March 31. The school also notes inclusion considerations and maintains vacancies for students with Special Educational Needs (NEEP) in accordance with current law. 10. Priority criteria: the school prioritizes applicants as follows—(a) first option for children whose siblings are currently enrolled; (b) second option for children of alumni; (c) third option for children of staff; (d) fourth option for children of alumni; (e) fifth option for children with no prior ties. 11. Vacancies: the number of vacancies by level is published on the admissions page. 12. Enrollment for continuing students: enrollment of continuing students typically occurs in September of the new academic year, subject to any conditions stipulated by staff. 13. Admissions visits: guided visits to view facilities can be arranged according to the admissions calendar.
School Events
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