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British International School - Barranquilla

Colombia, Barranquilla

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Spanish, English, French
Fees COP 29,008,083 - 70,846,531
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1100
Type Co-educational
Opened 1981
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary)
Taught languages Spanish, English, French
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

British International School Barranquilla is a private, co-educational bilingual school serving ages 3 to 18. The school pursues a Colombian-British education with Cambridge Primary, the IB Middle Years Programme, and the IB Diploma Programme, alongside a Catholic Curriculum. The Early Years and Primary years combine UK and Cambridge frameworks with local Colombian requirements, while secondary students complete the IB MYP from Year 7–11 before progressing to the IB DP. Instruction is offered in English, Spanish, and French, supporting a trilingual emphasis and study abroad opportunities. Founded in 1981, the campus includes a Knowledge Centre for inquiry, science laboratories, music conservatory, art rooms, and dedicated spaces for sport, including synthetic and grass pitches, a multi-purpose hall, and courts. The Inspired educational approach integrates specialist-led extracurriculars, summer camps, student exchanges, and leadership conferences to foster creativity, collaboration, and wellbeing. The school supports study abroad opportunities and engages families in the educational journey.

Km 6 Autopista Puerto Colombia, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia

The Essentials

British International School - Barranquilla has 1,100 pupils, instruction in Spanish, English, French.

Location
Cra 30 # 2 – 906, Puerto Colombia, Colombia. The campus location is provided with a Maps and Directions link on the school page.

Stages
Preschool, Primary, and Secondary.

Type
Private, co-educational bilingual school.

Country affiliation
United Kingdom (Colombian-British bilingual education with IB and Cambridge programmes)
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has a daily uniform, a formal uniform, a physical education uniform, and a house-system T-shirt.

Food Options
Food service is provided on site under the Healthy Nutrition at Your Service program. There is a dining hall on campus (comedor).

House System
The school uses a house system with four houses: Churchill, Darwin, Shakespeare, and Wellington. The house system is led by a House Master with coordinators for each section; students earn points and participate in activities across social, academic, and sporting programs.

Governance and Ownership
The school is operated as COLEGIO BRITANICO INTERNACIONAL SAS and is part of Inspired Education Holdings Limited. The Executive Head is Santiago José Castro Agudelo.
Fees

Annual tuition at British International School - Barranquilla ranges from COP 29,008,083 to COP 70,846,531 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- There is no separate, recurring "application fee" listed. The annual enrollment charge is the Matrícula (enrollment fee), which is charged once per year and which legally may not exceed 10% of the authorised annual tariff for the grade.

Tuition fees — authorised annual tariffs and maximum matrícula (enrollment) by grade

- Prejardín / Jardín / Transición / Grade 1: Annual tuition (Matrícula + Pensión) COP 76,280,459. Maximum Matrícula (enrollment) COP 7,628,046.

- Grade 2 and Grade 3: Annual tuition (Matrícula + Pensión) COP 73,152,961. Maximum Matrícula COP 7,315,296.

- Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6: Annual tuition (Matrícula + Pensión) COP 70,545,720. Maximum Matrícula COP 7,054,572.

- Grade 7: Annual tuition (Matrícula + Pensión) COP 67,788,378. Maximum Matrícula COP 6,778,838.

- Grade 8 and Grade 9: Annual tuition (Matrícula + Pensión) COP 64,731,608. Maximum Matrícula COP 6,473,161.

- Grade 10 and Grade 11: Annual tuition (Matrícula + Pensión) COP 62,034,458. Maximum Matrícula COP 6,203,446.

Other authorised periodic charges and program fees

- School meals (Alimentación): COP 6,251,980 (per level as authorised). Transport (Transporte): COP 6,251,980 (per level as authorised). Alojamiento (boarding): COP 0 (no boarding charge authorised).

- International-programme / imported-materials / text rental charge (applies from Year 6 / Grade 4 through the upper years): COP 2,607,245 (listed as an "other periodic charge" for those years). Additional occasional costs for activities, trips, exams, extracurriculars and similar items are charged separately.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Matrícula (enrollment) is charged once per year at the time of enrollment and may not exceed 10% of the authorised annual tariff for the grade; the Matrícula is normally due when the family formalises the student's contract.

- The Pensión (the remainder of the annual tuition) is billed separately from Matrícula. The school may bill pensions in monthly instalments or in periods not exceeding a trimester; the exact instalment schedule and due dates are set in the institution's payment rules and in the contract of enrollment. Families who pay the full annual pension in advance or who pay in two instalments are eligible for discounts according to the school's payment incentive rules. Examples of permitted payment schedules and discounts are specified in the school's payment policy documents.

- The school requires a signed contract of educational services at enrollment; the contract is supported by a promissory note (pagaré) that secures the family's financial obligations to the school.

Boarding fees

- Boarding (alojamiento) is not charged; the authorised Alojamiento value is COP 0, so there is no boarding programme fee.

Other costs parents should expect

- Meals and transport: COP 6,251,980 each (authorised periodic charges listed by level).

- International-programme / imported texts / material rental (Year 6 upward): COP 2,607,245.

- Extra, incidental and activity charges: Fees for excursions, exam registrations (external Cambridge / IB where applicable), specific workshops, CAS activities, certificates, event fees and similar are invoiced separately as they occur; the school's administrative guidelines list which services require separate payment and the accepted payment channels. Payments for these items are collected through the school's finance office using the established payment channels.

Refund and cancellation policy

- If the parents/guardians terminate the enrollment contract before the start of academic activities and are up to date on payments, they are entitled to a full refund of any amounts already paid for Matrícula and other charges. Once the academic year has started, Matrícula and other charges are not refundable. If pensions were paid in advance and the contract terminates before the end of the service period, the school will refund the portion of the pre-paid pensions corresponding to the months during which the educational service will not be provided. The school has up to one (1) month to process approved refunds.

Fee payment options and practical notes on payments

- Accepted payment channels for tuition, program and incidental charges include payment by debit/credit card, payment at the designated financial institution and bank transfer to the accounts designated by the school (the finance office issues the exact account details and the authorised collection channels). Cheques of management type (cheque de gerencia) are accepted where noted for certain payment incentives. Payment deadlines, discount rules for early or split payments, and the authorised collection account(s) are set out in the school's enrollment contract and institutional payment communications.

Summary (key points for parents)

- Annual authorised tuition is published by grade as shown above; the school charges a one-time Matrícula (up to 10% of the annual tuition) plus the Pensión component.

- Meals and transport are additional authorised periodic charges (COP 6,251,980 each per level); boarding is not applicable. Other programme-specific charges apply for international materials and services for the upper levels.

- Pensions can be invoiced in monthly instalments or in periods not exceeding a trimester; the school offers discounts for annual or two‑payment options and processes refunds for pre-paid pensions corresponding to unused months if enrollment ends early. Accepted payment methods include card, bank transfer and payments at the bank designated by the school.
Academics

British International School - Barranquilla teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The British International School of Barranquilla provides a bilingual Colombian-British education for Preschool, Primary, and Secondary. Early Years combines the best practices of the United Kingdom and the Cambridge University curriculum with Colombian requirements. In Secondary the Middle Years Programme (MYP) of the International Baccalaureate (IB) is implemented from Year 7 to Year 11, preparing students for the IB Diploma Programme (DP). The DP offers six subjects: three at higher level and three at standard level, spanning languages, social sciences, sciences and mathematics, with the sixth subject from Arts or other options. The IB emphasises active learning and international-mindedness, and the school supports a trilingual approach with Spanish, English and French.

Exam Results
In 2025 IB exam results were exceptional.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates have been accepted by universities in Colombia (Universidad del Norte, Universidad de los Andes, Universidad Javeriana, Universidad del Rosario, Universidad de la Sabana, CESA, Colegiatura de Medellín), the United States (Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, Northeastern University, Penn State, Purdue, SUNY Oswego, University of Colorado Boulder), Spain (IE University, Universidad de Navarra), and the United Kingdom (Nottingham Trent University).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Social Behaviour programme is a core pillar of the school's educational approach. It focuses on developing social and emotional skills alongside academic learning. It fosters values such as respect, tolerance, empathy, honesty and responsibility. It aims to prepare students to become ethical leaders with strong human and social interaction skills for contemporary life. It includes activities inside and outside the classroom, such as community service, cultural events, debates, student leadership, and collaborative projects to promote intercultural understanding and openness to the world.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school has a Special Educational Needs Coordinator. A dedicated wellbeing team includes a Year 8–10 psychologist, a Primary psychologist, an Early Years psychologist, an Early Years Speech Therapist, and additional psychologists, providing support across the school for students with emotional and academic needs.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The BIS is bilingual in English. English is taught with the same program of academic English as students whose native language is English, with immersion beginning from Reception. French is learned as a third language from Year 6.

Mental Wellbeing
There is a network of emotional support with interdisciplinary professionals who accompany students at different stages of academic and socio-emotional development. The Wellbeing Committee plans, executes, monitors, and evaluates activities to foster a positive environment and healthy coexistence. The school provides comprehensive student support, personal situations management, and transitions support to help students succeed and integrate.

Safeguarding
Anonymous Bullying Reports are available as a confidential reporting channel. The Wellbeing team, psychologists, and related safeguarding resources are part of the school's safeguarding framework to support students' safety and wellbeing.
Parent Experience

History
British International School Barranquilla was founded in 1981. It is a private, co‑educational school offering a high‑quality bilingual curriculum for preschool, primary, and secondary levels, as well as an optimal learning environment. It promotes innovation, creativity, an international mindset, and independent critical thinking, encouraging students to explore and learn beyond the classroom. Its doors are always open to guide and support our educational community with respect and kindness.

Community
We focus on the socio‑emotional wellbeing of our community and stand out for implementing international programs such as the IB and Cambridge, preparing global leaders for a diverse and changing world. Preschool Early Years blends the best practices from the United Kingdom and the Cambridge curriculum with Colombian requirements, preparing students holistically. Primary combines three educational programs to provide a complete education, emphasizing high academic standards and social and emotional development, adaptable to individual needs. Secondary fuses national and international curricula, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP), to prepare students for global standards of success. The school is a member of Inspired Education; Inspired provides academic excellence to over 80,000 students at more than 110 schools in 24 countries, offering opportunities such as summer camps, student exchanges, leadership conferences, and collaborative projects abroad.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Association of Parents of BIS is regulated in Title IV of Decree 1075 of 2015 as a private, nonprofit legal entity formed by the voluntary and free decision of BIS parents of students enrolled in the institution, whose principal purpose is to develop activities to contribute to the improvement of the educational processes for both parents and students, as well as those directed at student wellbeing within the school environment. We, as BIS parents, elect to become members of the Association of BIS Parents and to receive information about ongoing and occasional activities conducted by Asopadres for the benefit of BIS families. For the 2024‑2025 period, the maintenance fee for old families is 116,000 pesos, and the membership fee for new families is 348,000 pesos. Reuniting has been the most magical and constructive part of this year. These activities strengthen the BIS community by fostering cooperation and communication among BIS Parents, Educators and School leadership.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
British International School's campus offers spaces designed to support learning across sports, arts, and academics. Sport facilities include synthetic and grass football pitches, a multi-purpose sports hall, volleyball and tennis courts, basketball, table tennis, and softball areas. The campus includes a Knowledge Centre for inquiry and research, art rooms for visual arts, and a music conservatory for instrumental and vocal training. Laboratories support hands-on learning across sections, with Early Years featuring music and technology labs and Secondary offering science laboratories. Milton Plaza, the auditorium, open fields, and the dining hall support gatherings and events.

Sports Facilities
Facilities include synthetic and grass football pitches, a multi-purpose sports hall, volleyball and tennis courts, a basketball court, and spaces for table tennis and softball.

Academic Facilities
The Knowledge Centre is a space designed to discover, inquire, read, investigate, think, imagine, and learn with modern tools. Laboratories are available in every section, with Early Years featuring music and technology laboratories and Secondary providing science laboratories for the three sciences. Art rooms support artistic development, and a music conservatory provides instrumental and vocal training.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Specialist-led extracurricular activities are integrated into the Inspired educational approach, resulting in engaged and active students. Students have opportunities to participate in summer camps, student exchanges, leadership conferences, and collaborative projects abroad.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Academic Excellence is a core pillar. Students achieve outstanding results at the national level and earn internationally recognized certifications. The program integrates academics with sports and the performing and creative arts, and offers trilingual education in English, Spanish and French to support study abroad opportunities.

Arts & Creative
Performing and Creative Arts are central to the Inspired approach. Every child is encouraged to adopt a creative approach to life and to express themselves through dance, drama, music, and visual arts.

Cultural & Language
We offer trilingual education in English, Spanish and French. The school provides opportunities to explore talents and cultures through summer camps, student exchanges, leadership conferences, and collaborative projects abroad.

Social & Hobbies
Sports form a pillar of school life. The P.E. curriculum and extracurricular sports cater to all abilities, with specialist in-house coaching to help students achieve national and international honours.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership development is supported through opportunities such as leadership conferences, student exchanges, and collaborative projects abroad; specialist-led extracurricular activities are integrated into Inspired's educational approach.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Wellbeing is addressed through a network of emotional support with interdisciplinary professionals across all sections. The Wellbeing Committee plans, monitors and evaluates activities to ensure a positive environment. The international Character Counts program develops six Pillars of Character to foster values such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.
Languages

Language Provision
English, Spanish and French are taught.

Bilingual Teaching
The school offers trilingual education (English, Spanish and French).
Admissions

Admissions
1. Information Meeting. The Admissions Coordinator conducts an information meeting, in person or virtually, to explain BIS and address concerns. The school is bilingual and combines the national curriculum with the Cambridge International program and the International Baccalaureate, with French taught as a third language. The learning environment includes ongoing socio-emotional support to help students develop into well-rounded individuals. BIS accepts Nursery (3 years old by July 31) and Reception (4 years old by July 31); placements in Early Years are primarily offered, while Primary and Secondary placements depend on space and the applicant's demonstrated readiness for the level.

2. Fill out forms. The forms and documents must be completed on the Open Apply platform using the link sent by email. The Open Apply process can be completed remotely, allowing parents to update information during the process.

3. Admission Interview. After documentation is approved, an interview is scheduled with the psychologist in the corresponding section. Written tests are administered in Primary and Secondary schools, and all parents have an in-person interview with the school psychologist.

4. Process Results. Parents are informed of the result. If accepted, an appointment is scheduled with the Administrative and Financial Department to determine the educational investment.

Scholarships
Nsouli Scholars Programme is a global initiative that enables 50 extraordinary students at any one time to attend Inspired's prestigious schools on a full scholarship for the duration of their education, BIS included. The programme aims to expand the BIS community and provide opportunities in academics, sports, the arts, and extracurricular activities for learners from diverse backgrounds. Nadim Nsouli founded Inspired in 2013, and several scholarships are awarded to individuals of Lebanese origin as part of the programme. Inspired schools deliver a holistic, world-class education with access to specialist programs and transformative learning technologies to support each student's growth.
School Events
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