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Altamira International School

Colombia, Barranquilla

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Spanish, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 650
Type Co-educational
Opened 1992
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum
Taught languages French
Strengths Performing Arts, Languages, STEM
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Altamira International School, located at Km 10 via Puerto Colombia highway, Atlántico, Colombia, offers an American Curriculum for Pre-Primary through Secondary. It is an international community with bilingual instruction in Spanish and English and an intercultural ethos that supports global perspectives. The curriculum complies with Colombian regulations and aligns with the U.S. Common Core, with French introduced in secondary. PRAE integrates Environmental Education with Problem-Based Learning to connect learning with real-world issues. The campus includes physics, robotics, and fabrication laboratories, a library opened in 2004, a cafetorium and new administrative offices in 2019, and the Antonio Ruiz Angulo Coliseum (2009). After-school programs feature volleyball, football, basketball, coding and robotics, music, and the arts. Clubs focus on Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, and Community and Service. AIS Life emphasizes well-being and leadership, and the House System fosters collaboration and school spirit. The school prepares students to be globally competitive leaders.

Km 10 Autopista Puerto Colombia, Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, Colombia

The Essentials

Altamira International School has 650 pupils, instruction in Spanish, English.

Location
Km 10 via Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, Colombia

Stages
Pre Primary; Elementary; Secondary

Type
International school

Country affiliation
Colombia and United States

Bus service
Movilizate Express
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has a Dress Code with Nido uniforms, a Daily Uniform, a Physical Education Uniform, and Accessories.

House System
The school uses a four-house system. Students are allocated randomly to a house at enrollment, and younger siblings join the same house when they enroll. The four houses are EGETES (Green) — Leadership; ΟΙΚΙΑ (Red) — Family; GNOSIS (Yellow) — Knowledge; and POLITEIA (Blue) — Biculturism.

Governance and Ownership
Altamira International School is a family-owned non-profit corporation. The Shareholders Assembly is the supreme governing body responsible for appointing and evaluating the Director, ensuring the financial viability of the institution, and directing its general policies.
Fees
Application / Registration fees

- Pre-enrolment (registration) cost: COP 150,000 for Altamira; COP 70,000 for NIDO. This registration payment is non‑refundable.

Annual tuition (matrícula + pensión) by year group (values in COP)

- Prejardín — Annual total: COP 64,784,840; Valor máximo de matrícula (inscripción): COP 6,478,484; Annual pension (tuition portion) = COP 58,306,356. Per-payment examples: up to 10 monthly installments (monthly) ≈ COP 5,830,636; per trimester (3 payments) ≈ COP 19,435,452.

- Jardín — Annual total: COP 58,128,196; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 5,812,820; Annual pension = COP 52,315,376. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 5,231,538; per trimester ≈ COP 17,438,459.

- Transición — Annual total: COP 54,727,698; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 5,472,770; Annual pension = COP 49,254,928. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 4,925,493; per trimester ≈ COP 16,418,309.

- 1° — Annual total: COP 50,892,198; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 5,089,220; Annual pension = COP 45,802,978. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 4,580,298; per trimester ≈ COP 15,267,659.

- 2° — Annual total: COP 50,892,198; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 5,089,220; Annual pension = COP 45,802,978. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 4,580,298; per trimester ≈ COP 15,267,659.

- 3° — Annual total: COP 50,564,340; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 5,056,434; Annual pension = COP 45,507,906. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 4,550,791; per trimester ≈ COP 15,169,302.

- 4° — Annual total: COP 50,071,365; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 5,007,136; Annual pension = COP 45,064,229. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 4,506,423; per trimester ≈ COP 15,021,410.

- 5° — Annual total: COP 49,822,255; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 4,982,226; Annual pension = COP 44,840,029. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 4,484,003; per trimester ≈ COP 14,946,676.

- 6° — Annual total: COP 49,257,138; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 4,925,714; Annual pension = COP 44,331,424. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 4,433,142; per trimester ≈ COP 14,777,141.

- 7° — Annual total: COP 48,997,856; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 4,899,786; Annual pension = COP 44,098,070. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 4,409,807; per trimester ≈ COP 14,699,357.

- 8° — Annual total: COP 41,905,250; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 4,190,525; Annual pension = COP 37,714,725. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 3,771,473; per trimester ≈ COP 12,571,575.

- 9° — Annual total: COP 40,038,559; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 4,003,856; Annual pension = COP 36,034,703. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 3,603,470; per trimester ≈ COP 12,011,568.

- 10° — Annual total: COP 40,911,950; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 4,091,195; Annual pension = COP 36,820,755. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 3,682,076; per trimester ≈ COP 12,273,585.

- 11° — Annual total: COP 36,765,313; Valor máximo de matrícula: COP 3,676,531; Annual pension = COP 33,088,782. Monthly (10) ≈ COP 3,308,878; per trimester ≈ COP 11,029,594.

(Note: the column “Valor máximo de matrícula” equals up to 10% of the annual tariff; the pension amount shown above is the annual total minus that maximum matrícula.)

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The value of matrícula may not exceed 10% of the authorized annual tariff. The pension (tuition) may be charged in monthly payments or in periods not exceeding a trimester; the school's internal rules (manual de convivencia) fix the exact schedule. The school offers split tuition into up to 10 installments under an agreement with a bank. Electronic payments (PSE) are available. Direct bank transfers to the school's accounts for tuition payments are not accepted.

Boarding / accommodation fees

- Boarding (alojamiento) is listed as COP 0 for all levels; boarding is not applicable.

Other periodic charges and optional services (values in COP)

- Voluntary services by level:
- Preescolar — Alimentación: COP 3,842,422; Transporte: COP 6,480,000; Alojamiento: COP 0; Otro: COP 0.
- Primaria — Alimentación: COP 5,532,406; Transporte: COP 6,480,000; Alojamiento: COP 0; Otro: COP 0.
- Secundaria — Alimentación: COP 5,532,406; Transporte: COP 6,480,000; Alojamiento: COP 0; Otro: COP 0.
- Media — Alimentación: COP 5,532,406; Transporte: COP 6,480,000; Alojamiento: COP 0; Otro: COP 0.

- Other authorized periodic charges (per year):
- Pruebas estandarizadas: COP 426,909.
- Seguro “Todo Riesgo” alumnos: COP 169,383.
- Proyecto de Liderazgo y valores: COP 109,376.
- Actividades extracurriculares / Proyectos STEAM: COP 796,617.
- Proyecto de deporte y cultura: COP 608,657.
- Bibliobanco: COP 2,647,644.
- AISMUN: COP 414,351.

(These cobros periódicos are voluntary and parents are not required to acquire them from a single mandated supplier.)

Uniforms and school‑supplied items

- Uniforms are offered for purchase through the school's channels and at the campus during enrolment; prices are set by the uniform supplier. Supplies lists are provided by grade.

Refund information

- The registration (pre‑enrolment) payment is non‑refundable. Specific refund terms for other fees and tuition installments are established in the school's enrolment contract and manual of convivencia.

Fee payment options and practical payment notes

- Accepted payment methods and arrangements:
- Installment plan via an agreement card with the bank (tuition may be split into up to 10 installments).
- PSE (online payments from checking/savings accounts or credit cards).
- Payment at the bank for admission costs (Bancolombia savings account: 69209746778, Corporación Colegio Internacional Altamira, NIT 802008179‑5) for registration deposits.
- Important practical note: direct bank transfers to the school's accounts for tuition payments will not be accepted; follow the school's PSE or bank agreement processes for tuition.

How amounts are presented here and rounding

- Annual tariff figures and periodic charges are stated in Colombian pesos (COP) as authorized for 2025; the breakdown labeled “valor máximo de matrícula” corresponds to the maximum enrollment charge (10% of the annual tariff). Per‑payment examples (monthly and per trimester) are calculated from the authorized annual pension (annual total minus the maximum matrícula) and rounded to the nearest whole peso.
Academics

Altamira International School teaches American Curriculum.

Curriculum
An internationally focused education emphasizing Spanish/English language proficiency, with a holistic educational approach and inclusive ethos. Intercultural education supports bilingual development and global perspectives. Programs run from Pre-Primary through Secondary. PRAE integrates Environmental Education with Problem-Based Learning (PBL) to connect learning with real-world issues.

Higher Education Progression
The school aims to be college-ready and globally competitive integral leaders prepared to change the world. Alumni pursue higher education at universities including Universidad del Norte (Colombia); University of Florida (USA) with a double degree in Management; Clark University (USA); University of Navarra (Spain); Universidad Externado Colombia; High Tech High (USA); UC Davis (USA); Universidad del Rosario (Colombia); and Pamplona University (Spain). Examples include: Rachid Correa (Universidad del Norte; double degree in Management from the University of Florida; specialization at Externado Colombia), Mariangela Vergara Ruiz (University of Navarra; Master's in Education at High Tech High), Salomón Cure (HULT International Business School, UK), Natalia Saade Ortega (Universidad del Rosario; UR Diplomats), Andrea Ramirez (Pamplona University, Spain), Marcelly Contreras (Universidad del Norte; teacher), Natasha Chegwin (Universidad del Norte; student counselor at AIS).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The counselors at Altamira International School provide a comprehensive guidance program for students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders. The SEL Curriculum focuses on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making, inspired by Illinois Classroom in Action and CASEL.org. The Optimal Match Center offers a PK-12 program to meet students' social, emotional, and academic needs, with adjustments in the classroom to ensure meaningful learning. Early Childhood Intervention provides additional instruction for younger learners, and RTI uses scaffolded activities to support readiness. The mental, emotional and physical well-being of students and staff is a priority, and families engage through Coffee with the Principal and SEL Newsletters.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Altamira International School attends to learners with special needs within the classroom. The school has an Inclusion Policy and a Process for Admission to Learners with NEE. The Plan Individualizado de Ajustes Razonables (PIAR) guarantees individualized adjustments based on pedagogical and social assessment. Adaptive strategies include non-significant and significant adaptations, curriculum adaptations, universal design for learning, and targeted supports. Policies align with national laws and inclusive education principles.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Intercultural Education provides an internationally focused education emphasizing Spanish/English language proficiency.

Mental Wellbeing
The mental, emotional and physical well-being of students and staff is a priority. The Optimal Match Center provides a comprehensive program to meet social, emotional and academic needs and offers adjustments to help students with different learning styles develop their strengths.

Safeguarding
Altamira International School has a comprehensive Child Protection Policy based on US and Colombian law and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Staff are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect, and training is provided for staff. The policy includes age-appropriate lessons for students, information sessions for parents, and staff training. The school also references structured procedures for reporting and response, including the Ruta de Atención Integral para la Convivencia Escolar, and collaborates with community health services and authorities for holistic referrals.
Parent Experience

History
Altamira International School officially founded on July 26, 1992, as American Korner Learning Center, a preschool for children from 3 months to 4 years. On August 18, 1992, Kid's Korner Kindergarten opened; Operating License No. 721 was issued November 5, 1992. In 1993, Education Approval No. 350 was granted for preschool. In 1994, the school became American Corner School and expanded to primary education under License No. 312, and in 2000 it added basic secondary education and moved to Km 10 on the Puerto Colombia highway. The name changed to Colegio Internacional Altamira to reflect the land known as Lomas de Altamira, and the campus now includes large classrooms and laboratories for physics, robotics, and fabrication, with both Colombian and foreign teachers; programs meet Colombian regulations and align with the U.S. Common Core, and French is introduced as a third language in secondary.

Community
The AIS community is active and engages families through a range of events and news updates. Grandparent's Day, Learning through play, the Finnish way, Welcoming our Littlest Ones with the Shark Spirit, and Celebrating Our School's 33rd Anniversary are featured in the latest news. Orientation Days connect families with the school, and recent posts highlight senior events, class activities, and family involvement in exhibitions and learning experiences. Families are encouraged to participate in events and programs that foster community, collaboration, and hands-on learning.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Km 10 via Puerto Colombia, Atlántico. A cafetorium (cafeteria/auditorium) and new administrative offices were inaugurated in 2019. The Antonio Ruiz Angulo Coliseum was inaugurated in 2009. A library was opened in 2004. Expansion and remodeling of facilities occurred 2017–2022.

Sports Facilities
The Antonio Ruiz Angulo Coliseum is a sports facility on campus. After-school sports programs include volleyball, football, and basketball. There is a School of Volleyball. There is a School of Football. There is a School of Basketball.

Academic Facilities
A library was opened in 2004. The library supports student research and study. Information and communications technologies provide tools for knowledge foundations. The rural campus was constructed at Km 10 Puerto Colombia highway. In 2019, a cafetorium (cafeteria/auditorium) and new administrative offices were inaugurated.

Extra Curricular Facilities
After School Programs include Volleyball, Artistic Gymnastics, Football, Coding & Robotics, Basketball, Music, Taekwondo, Plastic Arts, and Dance. These programs complement the education by giving students opportunities to collaborate, communicate, be creative, and develop critical thinking. They also help students build meaningful relationships with peers. Extension Schools foster learning and ongoing improvement while strengthening student connections.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Spanish and English language proficiency is emphasized to support an internationally-focused education. The school aims to prepare students to be college-ready, globally competitive integral leaders who can change the world. The mission engages minds, hands and hearts to inspire curiosity, leadership and compassion. The vision describes an inspirational, innovative and inviting environment that empowers students to lead in the world.

Arts & Creative
Altamira has a strong performing arts tradition with student-led musicals. Past productions include Grease (2004), Chicago (2005), Mamma Mia (2006) and West Side Story (2009), among others. These activities illustrate a holistic approach that integrates arts and collaboration into student life.

Cultural & Language
Intercultural Education emphasizes Spanish/English language proficiency within an inclusive ethos. The environment fosters respect and appreciation for cultural diversity across Colombian and American contexts. It also reflects a bi-cultural appreciation of Colombian and American cultures within the school's identity.

Social & Hobbies
AIS Life offers social and hobby opportunities through AIS Clubs and an After School Program. The House System supports student community and collaboration, and there are events such as Altamira Games. There are also international engagement programs like Mini AISMUN and AISMUN.

Community & Service
Service is central to campus life. The school encourages service with passion and fosters service-learning partnerships that are collaborative and mutually beneficial to address community needs.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership is a core aim; students develop leadership skills through ongoing practice and the LEAD WITH HEART framework. The mission envisions empowering students to lead and to serve, and the vision emphasizes preparing students to be college-ready, globally competitive leaders.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is integrated into the AIS Life program. The school implemented a Healthy Eating Program to promote wellbeing and healthy habits. The After School Program and Clubs provide balanced routines that support student wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
Spanish and English language proficiency is emphasized.

Bilingual Teaching
The school has bilingual teaching in Spanish and English.
Admissions

Admissions
Admission Process and General Information: Application requirements: Age: To apply you must consider the student's age for the following grade levels: Pre‑Kinder — 4 years old before June 30; Kinder — 5 years old before June 30; First Grade — 6 years old before June 30. To ensure the experiences and academic quality of our students, admissions are limited, so families should begin the admissions process one to two years in advance. To learn about the educational project or visit our campus, contact us via WhatsApp. OUR ADMISSIONS PROCESS 1 – Registration: To apply to our school and begin the admission process please fill out the following form. Make the payment of the admission costs according to the rates: ALTAMIRA: COP 150,000; NIDO: COP 70,000; Non‑refundable. Pay online: After completing the registration form, you will be redirected to the payment process. Pay at the bank: Corporación Colegio Internacional Altamira; NIT: 802008179‑5; Bancolombia savings account: 69209746778. 2 – Document Submission: Once the documents have been filled out, they will be sent directly to the admissions department and the admission process will formally begin. Documents to attach to the application form include: Student's School Report (English and Spanish versions), Families Recommendation (English and Spanish versions). 3 – Interview with the school's Counselor and academic ASSESSMENT: After the required documents are received, the admissions committee will schedule an on‑campus appointment and the student will undergo the academic screening. 4 – Response of the admission process: The committee will take time to respond to applicant families and will email the admission decision; enrollment is subject to seat availability. The school reserves the right of admission. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is the admissions process? The process consists of the following steps: 1. Pre‑inscription: Complete the form on the website. 2. Document submission: Present the required documents (birth certificate, academic reports, school references, etc.). 3. Interview and exams: An appointment is scheduled with the admissions team and a diagnostic evaluation is conducted. 4. Evaluation and decision: The admissions committee reviews the application and communicates the decision. 5. Enrollment: If admitted, sign the contract and pay the enrollment rights. How can I schedule a visit? Pre‑register on the admissions page and the team will contact you to schedule the visit. When can I apply for admissions? Applications are accepted year‑round as long as there are seats available in the requested grade, but it is advisable to start early (January–March), especially for the start of a new academic year. Can I apply to join mid‑year? Yes, if seats are available; late‑year admissions require a leveling plan and, if necessary, external tutoring may be recommended at the family's expense; retaking times will be defined after school hours with prior validation by the vice‑rectorates. What are the requirements for foreign students? The requirements are in the Admissions page, in the Document Submission section. Also note: notes must be apostilled/convalidated if applicable; translations are required if certificates are not in Spanish; a passport and a visa showing stay in the country are required. From what age can a child enroll? The school begins bilingual education from Prekinder and goes up to Grade 12. Children can apply at Prekinder (4 years old by June 30), Kinder (5 by June 30), or 1st Grade (6 by June 30). What does it mean to be on the waiting list? Being on the waiting list does not guarantee a seat; if a seat becomes available later, you will be contacted immediately to continue the process. When are ordinary enrollments? The school, on a calendar B, runs the academic year from August to June; ordinary enrollments occur toward the end of the school year during a three‑week period, generally starting in the last week of May. What should I do if I need any type of certificate from the school? Certificates and academic records are processed through the school's online system. Each certificate costs COP 15,000; payment can be made on the website; delivery time is 5–7 business days after the request and payment confirmation. Km 10 via Puerto Colombia, Atlántico.

Scholarships
Student clubs at AIS provide opportunities to apply for scholarships and national or international networking experiences.

Waitlist
Being on the waiting list does not guarantee a seat; it means that although an application has been submitted, there are currently no available seats in the requested grade. If a seat becomes available later, you will be contacted immediately to continue the process.
School Events
The school has not added events
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