doris
doris
Find Schools
Events
Saved schools
My account
Parent Guide Parent testimonials Community Transparency Charter About For Schools
Currency
T

The Columbus School

Colombia, Medellín

Save school
Share
Navigate

· Reviewed by · Co-founder & CEO

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees COP 39,079,260
Ages 4 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1867
Type Co-educational
Opened 1947
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Spanish
Typical class size 11
Strengths Languages, STEM, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

The Columbus School is a nonprofit, multicultural international bilingual school in Envigado, Colombia, serving students from ages 4 to 18. It blends the IB Primary Years Programme with an American curriculum, with English as the primary language of instruction in most classrooms and daily Spanish. The school organizes learning across four phases: Preschool (K4 to 1st grade), Elementary (K5 to 5th), Intermediate (6th to 8th), and Senior High (9th to 12th). In Elementary, learning follows Common Core language and mathematics standards, while science aligns with NGSS and social studies with AERO standards; grades 6–12 have aligned documents outlining term-by-term learning. The campus spans 21 hectares with facilities including 70 classrooms, eight science labs, two libraries, gyms, fields for soccer and baseball, and outdoor theater. Notable programs include COSMUN, Columbus Life extracurriculars, and student governance through StuCo and National Honor Society. The school is pursuing IB authorization as a candidate school.

Alto de Las Palmas, Km 16, Envigado, Vda. El Penasco, Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia

The Essentials

The Columbus School has 1,867 pupils, typical class sizes of 11, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
Envigado, Colombia (km16 Alto Las Palmas).

Stages
Preschool (K4 to 1st grade), Elementary (2nd to 5th grade), Middle School (6th to 8th grade), High School (9th to 12th grade).

Type
International bilingual school.

Additional learning support
The school has a Learning Center with professionals who support students with learning difficulties or who need additional help.

Country affiliation
Colombia

Bus service
The school works with transportation providers Transporte Asia, Las Buseticas, and Orientours; the contract with the transport company is directly with the family.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The Columbus School allows free expression; students can dress as they like as long as it is respectful. On PE days, they wear the uniform; it is also acceptable to wear the PE uniform on days when they do not have class.

Food Options
Students have two breaks for snack or lunch. Families may choose to bring a lunchbox or use the school food service provided by ServExpress. For Early Years and Elementary, families can sign up and pay monthly for a snack and a daily lunch, just a daily snack, or just a daily lunch. Middle and High School can register and pay monthly for a daily lunch, bring a lunchbox from home, or buy at the cafeteria every day.

Governance and Ownership
The Columbus School is a not-for-profit corporation, Corporación Colegio Cristóbal Colón (“The Columbus School”), domiciled in Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia. It has three governing bodies: Asamblea General de Miembros (General Assembly of Parents), Junta Directiva (Board of Directors), and Rectoría (Rector). The General Assembly is composed of the parents of the students who are in good standing. The Board of Directors consists of seven members, four internal (parents) and three external, elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. The Board defines and monitors strategy, makes strategic decisions, ensures the school's sustainability, carries out risk management, ensures regulatory compliance, and evaluates its own performance and that of the Head of School. The Rector leads the school under the Board and the Assembly. The FUNDACIÓN THE COLUMBUS SCHOOL is a separate non-profit foundation connected to the school.
Fees

Annual tuition at The Columbus School ranges from COP 39,079,260 for 2026/27.

Academic year covered
- Values shown are for the 2025–26 fee schedule.

Application / Registration fee
- Registration fee (charged once a year in June): COP 4,342,140.

Tuition / Monthly school fee
- Monthly tuition (charged August through May): COP 3,907,926 per month. Billing period shown is monthly for the academic months August to May.

Optional / recurring service fees
- Asopaf (PTA) contribution (optional, charged once a year / per family): COP 270,000.
- Serviexpress (food service) — Lunch (monthly option): COP 330,000 per month.
- Serviexpress (food service) — Snack and Lunch (monthly option): COP 495,000 per month.
- Transportation (monthly, optional):
- Metropolitan area: COP 610,000 per month.
- Alto de Las Palmas route: COP 550,000 per month.
- East area (after toll booth): COP 748,000 per month.

One‑off / annual supplies and uniform costs
- School supplies / school kit (optional; approximate public price, once a year): COP 427,000.
- PE uniforms (physical education; mandatory — one sweat pant, one shirt, one sweater): COP 284,000 (one‑time purchase as listed).

After‑school and extracurricular activities
- Columbus Life (after‑school sports): billed semestrally — COP 559,000 per semester.
- Columbus Life (extracurriculars): semestral payment; maximum reported cost per semester COP 2,509,000.

Billing schedule and payment timing
- Registration fee: once a year (June).
- Regular tuition: billed monthly for the academic months August through May.
- Optional services: food service and transportation billed monthly; Columbus Life activities billed semestrally; Asopaf billed once yearly.

Boarding fees
- The school does not list boarding fees; no boarding program fees are shown in the published fee schedule.

Refund information
- No explicit refund policy or refund amounts for registration, tuition, transport, food service, uniforms, or extracurriculars is provided in the published fee schedule.

Fee payment options
- Invoices and account statements are accessed through the school's invoicing portal for parents. Specific accepted payment methods (for example, which card types, online payments, or bank transfer details) are not listed on the public fee schedule.

Other notes (concise)
- The fee schedule lists the values shown above and indicates the Secretary of Education of Envigado authorizes any annual increases.

Information not present in the published fee table
- The published fee table does not provide a grade‑by‑grade (year group) breakdown or distinct per‑term tuition amounts; only the single monthly tuition figure and other itemized charges are shown. Refund rules and the school's accepted payment methods are not specified in the published fee table.
Academics

The Columbus School teaches American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 4 to 18.

Curriculum
The Columbus School offers four school phases: Preschool (K4 to 1st grade), Elementary (2 to 5th grade), Intermediate (6th to 8th grade), and Senior High (9th to 12th grade). The curriculum emphasizes academic excellence, bilingualism, and training in values and social responsibility. The Elementary program includes K5 through 5th grade with Math Scope and Elementary Math Progressions. For grades 6 through 12, there are alignment documents for Grade 6 through Grade 12, updated February 19, 2019. These documents provide an overview of learning for each term, including essential learning, assessments and depth of understanding. All students pursue higher education at Colombian universities and prestigious institutions abroad.

Higher Education Progression
All students pursue higher education at Colombian universities and prestigious institutions abroad.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Counseling Department is composed of 14 psychologists, each assigned to a specific grade level. They provide socio-emotional support to students, working in collaboration with families and the teaching staff. They conduct group interventions for the promotion and prevention of issues such as conflict resolution, bullying, substance abuse prevention, responsible sexuality, self-esteem building, and digital citizenship. They offer conferences and workshops for parents to strengthen strategies for effectively managing situations with their children. A High School college counselor supports students in decision-making regarding their professional future and the application and admission processes to local, national, and international universities. This process is carried out both individually through advising students and parents, and at a group level with activities such as university fairs, internship opportunities, conferences, workshops, and more.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Learning Center provides a department of professionals who help students who have learning difficulties or who need additional help, with the aim that all students reach their highest level. It emphasizes inclusive education and supports diverse learners. The center features highly qualified staff who participate in ongoing professional development, are supported by instructional coaches, and can engage in Master's degree programs or campus courses offered by SUNY Buffalo to enhance practice.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the primary language of instruction in homeroom classes, and students receive one hour of daily Spanish instruction.

Mental Wellbeing
The Counseling Department provides socio-emotional support to students and works with families and teachers. It runs group interventions on topics such as conflict resolution, bullying, and digital citizenship. It also offers parent conferences and workshops to support families, and a High School college counselor assists students with university planning and applications.

Safeguarding
The school maintains a Protection Policy under Policies and a Personal Data Processing Policy (English version) on its site to govern safeguarding of personal data. An Ethics and Transparency Line provides a channel to report suspicious behavior, with defined procedures for reporting concerns.
Parent Experience

History
Founded in 1947, The Columbus School is a nonprofit, multicultural institution dedicated to providing a rigorous, personalized education for students of all backgrounds, regardless of race, creed, sex, or ideology. Our commitment to academic excellence and global citizenship has made us a leading educational institution in Colombia. From the start, The Columbus School has pursued the highest standards of education, both nationally and internationally. We have been accredited since 1964 by SACS/AdvancED, now Cognia, recognizing our commitment to quality education. Our focus on personalized learning and a supportive environment empowers students to reach their full potential, with an emphasis on learning with courage and curiosity, serving others, and fostering belonging.

Community
Columbus Life provides a broad and engaging range of sports and extracurricular activities for students from K4 through 12, contributing to a vibrant campus life. The program uses dedicated communication channels, including WhatsApp groups for each activity and email, to keep families informed about schedules, participation, and logistics. The Columbus School Foundation supports social and educational programs, including the Faro Columbus early childhood center and the ConnecTI Scholarships that involve local public-school students in the LBL robotics program. Inspirational student stories and cultural events, such as recitals by Valentina and other activities, illustrate the school's engaged community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Columbus School sits on a 21-hectare campus in Alto de Las Palmas, Envigado, 2,520 meters above sea level. The campus is set in a natural environment that supports a balanced education. It offers spacious, modern facilities with technology to support students' interests and learning across the three schools. The campus is about 30 minutes from the city of Medellín, and the climate ranges from 13°C to 24°C.

Sports Facilities
Three gyms; two soccer fields; an athletic track; and a baseball field. Separate fields and hard tracks are provided for elementary students.

Academic Facilities
Over 70 spacious classrooms; eight science labs; four computer halls with laptops for students in the three schools; two libraries; three gyms; two soccer fields; an athletic track; a baseball field; separate fields and hard tracks for elementary students; an outdoor theater for 400 spectators; a Fine Arts Center with eight music halls and art classrooms; an auditorium for 270 spectators; an art gallery; a Professional Development and Curriculum Center; teacher lounges and work areas.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Outdoor theater for 400 spectators; Fine Arts Center with eight music halls and art classrooms; and an art gallery support arts-related extracurricular activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Columbus School is a non-profit, multicultural institution offering a curriculum aligned with internationally benchmarked standards, emphasizing academic excellence, bilingualism, and social responsibility. In Elementary, learning is organized around six transdisciplinary units of inquiry, with Common Core standards for language and mathematics, NGSS for science, and AERO standards for social studies and social sciences. English is the primary language of instruction in homeroom classes, with daily Spanish instruction. The Columbus School is a candidate for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is pursuing authorization as an IB World School.

Arts & Creative
The Columbus School offers weekly specialist classes in Music, Art, Physical Education, and Life Skills. The Columbus Life program provides an extensive range of extracurricular activities, including Chess, Martial Arts for Life, Fun Cooking, Club de Artes, Equitation, Brain Explorers, Robotics (CRITTERS, FLYERS/VEX, ROVERS), Science Explorers, Snapology, Survival, Taekondo, Musical Theater, and Yoga. These activities complement academic work and foster creativity and collaboration.

Cultural & Language
All students receive bilingual instruction in English and Spanish. In Preescolar, K4 uses Spanish as the primary language of instruction with one hour of English daily; in K5 and 1st grade, instruction is primarily in English with one hour of Spanish daily. The Columbus School is a Candidate School for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is pursuing IB authorization. The school hosts international activities such as COSMUN, a Model United Nations program, reflecting its global focus.

Social & Hobbies
The Columbus School offers a broad Student Life program through Columbus Life, with extensive extracurriculars, sports and clubs aligned with student interests. In Middle School, students participate in a House system and attend a weekly Advisory period for mentorship and social development. The school maintains student governance through a Student Council (Stuco) and a National Honor Society with established bylaws. COSMUN, a student‑run Model United Nations conference, provides leadership and diplomacy experiences for students.

Community & Service
Columbus Life emphasizes service, encouraging students to lead by helping classmates, creating new works, and serving as team captains. The school emphasizes values education and social responsibility as part of its program. The Columbus School Foundation and other nonprofit partners support school initiatives, including community-oriented projects and events such as Cosmun and formal charity activities.

Leadership & Professional
High School programs include College Counseling to prepare students for further education. The Middle School and High School curricula incorporate advisory periods and a house-based leadership structure. The school supports leadership opportunities through student government (Stuco) and the National Honor Society, with formal bylaws. COSMUN provides leadership and organizational experience as a Model United Nations conference hosted by The Columbus School.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The Columbus Life program offers a broad range of sports, arts, and wellness activities, including Chess, Martial Arts, Cooking, Arts Club, Equestrian, Robotics, Science Explorers, Snapology, Survival, TaekwonDo, Musical Theater, and Yoga. Summer camps and a busy schedule of after‑school activities provide opportunities for physical fitness and personal development. The Kite Festival and other community events help foster well‑being and social connection among students and families.
Languages

Language Provision
The curriculum includes English and Spanish language units across middle and high school: MS English and HS English; MS Español and HS Español. The program also provides bilingual instruction across core subjects, evidenced by bilingual course listings such as MS Sociales and HS Sociales.

Bilingual Teaching
The Columbus School is an international bilingual school in Medellín. It describes itself as a bilingual and inclusive community. English immersion begins in K5, the second year of school, and 80% of subjects are taught in English by native English speakers. In the middle and high school levels, the curriculum includes English language units (MS English, HS English) and Spanish language units (MS Español, HS Español).

Immersion Programs
English immersion begins in K5, the second year of school. 80% of subjects are taught in English by native English speakers. The level of English depends on the grade and can only be determined by the school through an academic diagnosis. For MS and HS applications an advanced level of English is required, and for ES English knowledge is required since K5.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 0: Informational meeting for prospective parents. The Columbus School schedules information meetings in April and May 2024 for prospective K4 admissions for the August 2027 start. Attending is essential to begin the admissions process, and seats are limited. The meeting provides information about the school, includes a tour of the facilities, explains the admissions process and its requirements, and offers the opportunity to ask questions. If a family already has a child enrolled or assigned a seat, they should not register for this meeting. Step 1: Admissions form, submission of documents and interview. A few days after the last information meeting, the Admissions Office will email an invitation with instructions and requirements to begin the admissions process. The emails used come from the registration; families should provide current email addresses. From late May to early August 2024, families must complete the admissions form with the required documents; parents/guardians must schedule the first interview, which is required to finalize the applicant. Step 2: Initial analysis (internal process). To proceed, all required documents must be submitted and the admissions interview attended during the established dates. In August 2024 the admissions committee will review all applicant families and pre-select those invited to schedule a counselor interview. Step 3: Counseling interview. From late August to September 2024, the admissions office will email families to schedule the counselor interview. The interview is conducted in person at the school or via Zoom; the attendance of the parent or guardian is essential. Step 4: Final analysis. The admissions committee will conduct a second evaluation based on the school's admissions philosophy and the number of spaces available; the committee will publish the list of accepted families. Step 5: Response to the family. During October 2024 the admissions office will email responses to the accepted families; along with acceptance, instructions for paying the pre-matriculation are provided; the family must respond by email to indicate acceptance. Those not allocated a seat will also be notified. Step 6: Pre-matriculation payment. The deadline for payment is defined in the communication; families accepting the seat for August 2027 must send the pre-matriculation payment proof to the admissions office by the deadline; failure to provide the proof will result in the seat being offered to another applicant. End of the admissions process.

Waitlist
There is a yearly waiting list; the Admissions team explains how the waiting list operates.
School Events
The school has not added events
Search for more schools
Search schools in Colombia View all schools in Medellín View all schools in Colombia American curriculum schools in Colombia Open days & tours in Medellín What is the American curriculum? View all schools Search all schools