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Gimnasio Inglés

Colombia, Armenia

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Spanish, English, French
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 760
Type Co-educational
Opened 1991
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish, English, French
Strengths Languages, Outdoor Education, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Academic and Intellectual, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Gimnasio Inglés (GI School) is a private day school in Salento, Colombia, offering bilingual education and an IB World School profile. The curriculum includes the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Diploma Programme (DP), alongside the American High School diploma, with Preschool and elementary, and English immersion to support language development while strengthening Spanish as the mother tongue. The school is accredited by Colombia's Ministry of Education and by SACS-Cognia, recognizing its international orientation since 2003 (SACS) and IB authorization in 2021. The 11-hectare rural campus features native forests, ecological trails, a maker space, a reading room, an art and music room, and a living classroom for experiential learning. GI serves 760+ students from K2 to 12 on an August–June calendar (Calendar B). A dedicated support team provides psychology, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and special-needs assistance. Extracurriculars span sports, arts, arts fest performances, and leadership development. GI nurtures global learners.

KM 3 Via, Armenia, Circasia, Colombia

The Essentials

Gimnasio Inglés has 760 pupils, instruction in Spanish, English, French.

Location
The GI School campus is located at Km 3, via Circasia, Quindío, Colombia. It sits on the Armenia–Circasia route in the Quindío department. The campus is accessible via the main road in this area.

Stages
Preschool: Great Kids (from 2 years). Elementary School: Grades 1 to 6. Secondary: Middle and High School, with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme available in grades 11 and 12.

Type
Private day school offering bilingual education with an IB World School profile; GI School is recognized by the Colombian Ministry of Education as an International Bilingual School and is accredited by the Ministry of Education and by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Pupil Nationality Mix
Approximately 99% of students speak Spanish at home; approximately 1% speak English or another language at home.

Additional learning support
An on-site support team provides services in psychology, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and support for learners with special needs (IEP). The Barton Dyslexia program supports students with dyslexia; language acquisition and development support is provided in English and Spanish, and all English Language Arts teachers in grades 1–12 are native English speakers.

Country affiliation
Affiliations include recognition by Colombia's Ministry of Education as an International Bilingual School and accreditation by the MOE and by SACS (USA). It also offers the Colombian bilingual Bachiller and the American High School diplomas and runs the IB Diploma Programme.

School day structure
School hours are 7:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday–Thursday and 7:00 am to 3:30 pm on Fridays.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
Gimnasio Inglés de Armenia is governed and owned by the Fundación Gimnasio Inglés de Armenia.
Fees
Availability of published numeric fees
- No publicly posted, itemised numeric fee schedule for the 2026/27 academic year (or for 2025/26) was available in the school's publicly accessible pages and documents; therefore precise amounts for application, matrícula and monthly tuition (pensiones) could not be located.

Boarding (day/boarding status)
- The institution operates as a day school; boarding fees are not applicable.

Application / pre‑registration fees
- Typical fee types that families are asked to pay at the start of an admissions process include a non‑refundable application or pre‑registration fee and a separate enrollment (matrícula) charge due at acceptance. No specific numeric amount for an application or pre‑registration fee was publicly posted.

Tuition structure and expected billing categories (how fees are usually split)
- Expected fee components (commonly charged by similar Colombian private schools and used by this school in practice) include:
- Matrícula (one‑off enrollment fee due at acceptance or at start of the year).
- Pensión (annual tuition) charged as periodic instalments (most frequently distributed across monthly payments).
- Seguro escolar (student accident insurance) or administrative charges included with matrícula in many schools.
- Restaurante / comedor (optional or mandatory meal plan) charged separately when provided by the school.
- Otros (exam, diploma, graduation rights, certificates, extracurricular club or materials fees).

Tuition by year group and per‑term/per‑month detail
- Specific numeric tuition amounts per year group and per term or per month for 2026/27 (or 2025/26) were not publicly available; a parent should expect the school to present fees broken down by grade (early years, primary, secondary) with a single matrícula plus periodic pension instalments. The school's public materials do not publish a grade‑by‑grade fee table for the requested academic years.

Typical billing schedule and payment terms used by comparable Colombian private schools (how GI School is likely to bill)
- Common schedule used by many Colombian private schools, and likely used by this institution, is: matrícula due at enrolment, then pension paid in regular monthly instalments across the school year (commonly 10 monthly instalments running from February/March through November or similar). Deadlines, late‑payment penalties and the exact number of instalments vary by school. No explicit GI School schedule with dates and instalment count was found in the public materials.

Other costs and one‑off charges parents should expect
- Uniforms and physical education kit: charged separately; families are expected to buy school uniform items.
- Extracurricular activities / clubs / after‑school care: charged per activity or term where applicable.
- Materials and workbooks: charged at matrícula or billed separately per term.
- Graduation / diploma / certificate fees and duplicate document fees: commonly charged as administrative fees in final grades.
- Meal plan (if used): billed either monthly or as part of the monthly pension depending on family selection. Specific GI School amounts for these items were not published.

Refunds and withdrawal / cancellation charges
- No publicly posted, itemised refund or withdrawal policy with exact refund amounts or deadlines for matrícula or pensiones for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic year was found in the school's public materials. Standard practice at comparable schools is that application fees are non‑refundable, matrícula may be partially refundable only within a short, stated timeframe (or not refundable), and pensions already paid are subject to the school's written refund/withdrawal policy; families are normally required to provide formal written notice to avoid further monthly charges.

Accepted payment methods and payment channels
- The school maintains a parent payments portal and uses electronic payment channels; typical accepted methods at comparable schools include bank transfer, deposit/consignment at a local bank, and card payments through the school's finance office or payment portal. Exact merchant details (which card types, online gateway, or bank account numbers) and whether instalment plans or direct debit (ACH) are offered were not publicly published. Attempted access to the school's indicated payments portal encountered a redirect/login barrier.

How the fee information above should be used
- Use this summary to understand the types of fees you should expect and the standard billing pattern for Colombian private day schools. Exact numeric values, grade‑by‑grade tables, payment dates, discounts (siblings or early payment) and specific refund terms for the 2026/27 academic year were not available in the school's public materials and must be obtained directly from the school's admissions or finance office for definitive figures.
Academics

Gimnasio Inglés teaches IB (PYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
GI School was founded over thirty years ago to advance regional development through education. The campus spans 11 hectares with native forests, ecological trails, and a robust learning environment. We educate 760+ students from K2 to 12, and the school calendar runs from August to June (Calendar B). GI is internationally accredited by SACS-Cognia since 2003 and became an IB World School in 2021, offering the Diploma Programme (DP) and the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for the IB curriculum, with an IB program for preschool and elementary grades. Great Kids begins English immersion to facilitate acquiring English as a second language while strengthening Spanish as the mother tongue; the preschool includes spaces like a maker space, a reading room, an art and music room, and a living classroom for exploration, with small groups and personalized in-class support. Nationally, the Ministry of Education certifies GI as an International Bilingual School.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
GI School has an inclusion framework aligned with IB principles to support students with special educational needs. A dedicated team of Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology professionals collaborates with teachers and leaders to implement a care path, individualized education plans (IEPs), inclusive adjustments, and the RTI system. During admissions, the support team leads evaluations to identify needs, with early detection when appropriate, using tools such as DIBELS, Barton, and i-Ready as part of the assessment process. In preschool and primary grades, the team provides classroom accompaniment, therapeutic and emotional intervention, and trains teachers, co-teachers, and families in inclusive practices. The Diploma Program includes inclusive adaptations and accommodations to uphold curricular standards while supporting students with special needs, in line with IB guidelines. The school protects student information confidentiality, keeping it in secure folders accessible only to authorized staff, and coordinates with families and external health entities as needed.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
GI School supports students with special educational needs through a multidisciplinary team of Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology professionals. Identification of needs occurs during admissions and through classroom referrals, using tools such as DIBELS, Barton, i-Ready, and reading-writing screenings to plan supports. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is created when a disability is diagnosed, with a formal care route and coordinated support among teachers, families, and external health professionals. The RTI (Response to Intervention) system provides three levels of support—primary prevention, secondary differentiation, and intensive intervention—plus classroom accommodations and universal design for learning. The school provides teacher training, collaboration with co-teachers and parents, and ongoing progress monitoring to adjust supports. The IB Diploma Program allows for reasonable adjustments during Diploma assessments to maintain equity, and IB alignment guides inclusive adaptations within the curriculum.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
GI School is bilingual from preschool through 12th grade, with instruction in Spanish, English, and French (French offered from grade 4). Working languages are Spanish and English, and language acquisition is supported across the curriculum by an instructional coach and native-English language arts teachers. The school provides on-site support staff to assist students not proficient in the language of instruction, including librarians, speech therapists, reading consultants, and co-teachers. A comprehensive language-education program includes K–12 bilingual education, French classes (grades 4–8), and language-support strategies such as readers/writers workshops and visual scaffolds across subjects. Language assessments include Spanish ProgrAMA Letras, iReady diagnostics for English, PSAT/SAT for DP students, and DELF for French, with extensive exposure to English through drama, pen-pal programs, and other authentic language experiences. All English Language Arts teachers are native English speakers to provide authentic language input.

Mental Wellbeing
IB's profile emphasizes personal and social development, including thoughtful reflection, inquiry, balance, solidarity, open-mindedness, and integrity, which GI School supports across the curriculum. In preschool and primary, the support team provides classroom accompaniment and therapeutic and emotional intervention as needed. The school trains teachers, co-teachers, and families in inclusive practices and supports ongoing psycho-pedagogical evaluation. The Diploma Program includes inclusive adaptations and accommodations during DP assessments to ensure equity, in line with IB guidelines. The school engages families and external health professionals as part of safeguarding and well-being, integrating emotional support within the learning process.

Safeguarding
Confidentiality of student information is a core principle; information remains in the student's folder and is accessible only to authorized staff. The school coordinates with families and external health entities as needed to support identification, accommodations, and interventions for students with special needs. The inclusion framework requires careful handling of data and collaboration across teachers, specialists, and administrators to protect privacy and promote safe participation in all programs. The policy aligns with IB standards for inclusive education and safeguarding practices within the school community, ensuring appropriate disclosure and process for students requiring health or social supports.
Parent Experience

History
GI School was founded more than thirty years ago when leaders from the Quindío department recognized the need to advance the region through education. In a philanthropic act, the founders donated their resources, expertise, and time to make the school we have today possible. The project began on a rented site with fewer than 50 students and grew quickly, eventually acquiring its own rural campus. Today the school occupies 11 hectares with native forests and ecological trails, serves a mixed population of 760+ students from K2 to 12, and follows an August–to–June calendar; it is internationally accredited by SACS-Cognia since 2003 and became an IB World School in 2021, offering the IB Diploma and the PYP for preschool and primary.

Community
The GI School community comprises a co-educational student body of over 760 students from K2 to 12, on an 11-hectare campus with native forests and ecological trails. Students participate in a broad cocurricular program including sports—volleyball, basketball, soccer, goalkeeper training, cheerleading, and taekwondo—and arts—tech art, art for children, music, bands, instrumental development, and choir. Sports teams represent the school in national and international competitions, and arts and music clubs regularly perform in various presentations, especially Arts Fest. Transportation is available for those in the transportation program, with the service leaving the campus at 5:15 pm.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The GI campus is located in Salento, near Armenia, on an 11-hectare rural site. The campus has solid educational infrastructure and spaces conducive to learning and the holistic development of students. The preschool program, Great Kids, emphasizes experiential learning through inquiry and exploration. Learning spaces include a maker space classroom, a children's reading room, an art and music room, and a living classroom with natural exploration areas. The school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School.

Academic Facilities
The preschool Great Kids program emphasizes experiential learning through inquiry and exploration. Learning spaces include a maker space classroom, a children's reading room, an art and music room, and a living classroom with natural exploration areas. The program is inspired by Reggio Emilia and the IB Primary Years Programme model. Small groups with personalized classroom support are provided. English immersion is introduced to facilitate acquiring English as a second language while strengthening Spanish. A support team of psychology, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and support for special needs accompanies students.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular classes extend intellectual, artistic, and athletic skills and foster leadership, decision-making, and teamwork. Sports teams represent the school in national and international competitions. Arts and music clubs participate in various performances, especially Arts Fest. Transportation is provided for those enrolled in the transport program. Primary students attend activities on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm and on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 12 pm; middle and high school attend on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:15 pm to 5:30 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 10 am.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Co-curricular classes provide opportunities to further develop intellectual, artistic, and athletic abilities and to foster leadership, decision‑making, and teamwork. Teachers and coaches are qualified to guide these areas. The school's sports teams represent the school in various national and international competitions, and our art and music clubs have spaces for presentations, especially at Arts Fest. Transportation for students in the transportation program departs from the campus at 5:15 pm.

Arts & Creative
Tech Art, Art for Children, Music, Bands, Instrumental Development, and Choir are offered as cocurricular arts. These activities provide opportunities for creative expression and performance, with presentations across the year and notable participation in Arts Fest. Arts and music clubs contribute to school events and exhibitions through these programs.

Social & Hobbies
Sports include volleyball (men and women), basketball (men and women), and soccer (men and women), plus goalkeeper training, cheerleading, and taekwondo. The teams represent the school in national and international competitions. Primary students meet after school on Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:15 pm to 5:15 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm; middle school and secondary students meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:15 pm to 5:30 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.

Leadership & Professional
Co-curricular activities provide opportunities to develop leadership, decision‑making, and teamwork. The program is guided by qualified teachers and coaches who direct these areas. Participation helps students build collaborative and disciplined professional skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Physical activity through volleyball, basketball, football, and other cocurricular sports supports healthy, active lifestyles. After‑school cocurricular activities also promote social interaction and overall well‑being. The structured schedule helps students balance academics with after‑school commitments.
Languages

Language Provision
Working languages are Spanish and English; instructional languages are Spanish, English, and French. French classes are offered in grades 4-8, and IB English is taught as the Language B course on site. Bilingual education is provided K-12 with native English-speaking English Language Arts teachers and on-site language support and resources in both English and Spanish.

Bilingual Teaching
Bilingual education is provided from preschool through high school (K-12). Classes are delivered in English and Spanish. Starting in fourth grade, French is offered as a third language.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
GI School is accredited internationally by SACS-Cognia since 2003 and became an IB World School in 2021. It offers the IB Diploma Programme (DP) and the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for the primary years; the Colombian Ministry of Education certifies GI as an International Bilingual School.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions: The school invites inquiries about admissions. The Admissions Coordinator is Angela María Velásquez. The school is located at Km3 Via Armenia, Circasia, Colombia. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 7:00am–4:00pm and Friday 7:00am–3:30pm.
School Events
The school has not added events
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