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Instituto Thomas Jefferson - Campus Zona Esmeralda

Mexico, Mexico City

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish, French
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 1 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1287
Opened 2012
Bus Service No
Part of
Instituto Thomas Jefferson
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Taught languages English, Spanish, French
Typical class size 25
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Instituto Thomas Jefferson – Campus Zona Esmeralda is a private international day school in Mexico serving students from 1 to 18 years old. The campus follows a bilingual curriculum that blends EYFS foundations with Cambridge IGCSE and the IB Diploma, under SEP and UNAM standards from kindergarten through high school. The school is part of the Instituto Thomas Jefferson network and is accredited by NEASC, Cambridge, and IB, ensuring alignment with internationally recognised frameworks. Multilingual learning develops English, Spanish, and French through immersion, with a Cambridge bilingual approach powering the program. Facilities include modern science labs, a dedicated art studio, libraries, a Harvard room, on-site medical care, and sport facilities with outdoor courts and an on-site gym. The school reports a 100% pass rate in IB and IGCSE, and graduates gain access to universities worldwide. ISP programs, including MUN, Artists, and Cultural Exchange, enrich academics and life skills for students.

This campus is part of Instituto Thomas Jefferson

Av. Jorge Jiménez Cantú 1, Hacienda de Valle Escondido, 52937 Cdad. López Mateos, Méx., Mexico

The Essentials

Instituto Thomas Jefferson - Campus Zona Esmeralda has 1,287 pupils, typical class sizes of 25, instruction in English, Spanish, French.

Location
Located in the Valle Escondido area of Ciudad López Mateos, Mexico. The campus address is Av. Jorge Jime9nez Cantfa 1, Hacienda de Valle Escondido, Ciudad López Mateos. A school bus service is available with routes covering Interlomas, Green Hills, Satellite, Chiluca, Valley Hill and surrounding neighborhoods.

Stages
Nursery (Ages 1-3), Kindergarten (Ages 3-7), Elementary School (Ages 7-12), Middle School (Ages 12-15), High School (Ages 15-18)

Type
Private international day school

Additional learning support
Personalized attention with small-group support and continuous monitoring to tailor learning.

Country affiliation
Mexico; SEP & UNAM national curricula followed from Kindergarten through High School.

Bus service
School transportation services cover a broad area including Interlomas, Green Hills, Satellite, Emerald Lake, Stay, Chiluca, Valley Hill, San Juan Ranch, Nottingham-Britain, Nottingham Park, Britannia, Sherwood, Tax Authorities and more; routes are published on the Transport page.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
Part of Instituto Thomas Jefferson network; member of International Schools Partnership (ISP).
Fees
Application / Admission fees
- A one-time registration/admission (inscripción) fee is charged for new students. Reported figures for Zona Esmeralda vary by source and year: examples published by independent education guides include amounts in the range of MXN 10,065 to MXN 35,190 depending on level/campus; specific reported values for Zona Esmeralda include MXN 23,750 and MXN 31,800 for certain year groups.

Tuition fees by school year / level (amounts and frequency reported by recent independent sources)
- Nursery / Maternal (reported): registration MXN 10,065; monthly tuition MXN 7,405 (annualised as MXN 74,050 using a 10-month billing convention in the source).
- Pre‑school / Kindergarten (reported ranges): registration MXN 13,000–16,670; monthly tuition MXN 8,250–10,130 (annualised ranges reported MXN 130,000–166,700).
- Primary / Elementary (reported ranges): registration MXN 10,500–12,375; monthly tuition MXN 9,975–11,756 (annualised MXN 99,750–117,560 in one source). Another recent independent report gives typical primary figures of registration MXN 31,800 and monthly tuition MXN 14,600.
- Middle School / Secundaria (reported): registration MXN 26,430 (one source); monthly tuition MXN 14,235 (annualised MXN 260,430 in that source). Independent press reporting for Zona Esmeralda lists secondary registration MXN 34,000 and monthly tuition in the MXN ~18,000 range.
- High School / Preparatoria (reported): registration MXN 26,950; monthly tuition MXN 15,860 (annualised MXN ~260,950 in one independent report). Comparable independent reporting places senior-level registration and tuition at higher figures in some years.

Per‑term / per‑year detail and how annual amounts were presented by sources
- The independent compendia that publish school cost summaries present tuition as a monthly colegiatura and compute an annual cost using a 10-month academic billing convention (monthly tuition × 10 = annual tuition reported). Where a single-source monthly amount is given, that same source's annual figure is the monthly amount multiplied by 10.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Reported practice for this campus and nearby private schools is monthly colegiaturas billed during the academic year (many sources and school contracts use a 10‑month academic billing model). Specific published figures from independent education guides use that 10‑month convention when showing annual totals.
- The campus provides a dedicated online payment portal (the site lists a ServoEscolar payment portal for ITJ Zona Esmeralda), and ServoEscolar-based payment arrangements commonly allow payment by tokenised credit or debit card, CLABE/SPEI bank transfer, and reference (bank slip) payments; individual campus billing rules (due dates, late‑payment interest, and instalment plans) are set in each school's enrolment/contract documents.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable: ITJ Zona Esmeralda is described and shown as a day school campus with classroom, sports and student lounge facilities; no boarding/dormitory program is listed.

Other costs and fees
- Uniforms: independent listings report a typical uniform cost (example: daily uniform reported at MXN 1,760 in one directory).
- School supplies / books: independent listings include an annual school‑supply cost category (example: MXN 5,775 reported in one directory).
- Transport: some reports indicate school transport is provided and may be included in the colegiatura for certain years/campuses; confirm whether transport is bundled for your chosen intake as it varies by campus and year.
- Extra‑curriculars / after‑school activities: many optional clubs, trips and competitive programmes are charged separately (extra fees for competitions, camps, international trips and third‑party activities are customary).

Refund information
- A campus‑specific public refund policy for the 2026/27 cycle is not published on the campus pages; private‑school standard practice in Mexico (and the terms used in ServoEscolar‑based contracts) is that registration/reinscription fees are generally non‑refundable except where contract terms and legally required notices apply, and that prepayments may be refundable only with written notice provided within the contract's stated deadlines. Where explicit contract terms are required they appear in each school's enrolment/contract documentation. The school's online documents and the admission process should be consulted for the exact contract terms that govern refunds and cancellations.

Fee payment options
- Online payment portal: ITJ Zona Esmeralda publishes a Payment Portal link (ServoEscolar) for fee payments. ServoEscolar portals are commonly configured to accept: tokenised credit/debit cards, bank transfers via CLABE/SPEI, and payment references for bank or convenience‑store deposit; campuses also typically accept direct bank deposit / payment reference and may offer recurring direct‑charge options. Exact accepted methods and any merchant surcharges are set by the school's payment portal and billing office.

Summary note on currency and year
- The figures above are reported in Mexican pesos (MXN) by independent education directories and press reports. Multiple recent independent sources report different values and ranges for inscription and monthly tuition at ITJ Zona Esmeralda; the campus does not publish a publicly accessible, itemised 2026/27 fee schedule on the public admissions pages that list detailed charges by grade and instalment plan. The numbers in this overview therefore reflect the most recently published independent summaries and press reports available at the time of compilation; consult the campus admissions office for exact, final billing schedules and any campus‑specific concessions, sibling discounts, or payment plans that may apply.
Academics

Instituto Thomas Jefferson - Campus Zona Esmeralda teaches IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
The school offers a bilingual international curriculum from early years through high school, integrating Cambridge frameworks with SEP and UNAM standards. The program spans EYFS to IB, powered by a Cambridge bilingual approach. In high school, students study the IB curriculum alongside UNAM curricula, and IGCSE is also offered. The curriculum is underpinned by NEASC, Cambridge, and IB accreditation, ensuring internationally recognized frameworks. Multilingual learning develops English, Spanish, and French through immersion. The school reports a 100% pass rate in IB and IGCSE programs, and graduates gain access to top universities worldwide.

Higher Education Progression
University and career guidance prepares students for higher education, with 95% of graduates admitted to top universities worldwide through a robust counseling program. Future Pathways provides personalized guidance for university and career choices with specialist guidance and industry connections, and exclusive scholarships give opportunities to study with some of the world's renowned institutions.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Life Competencies framework by Camtree, supported by Cambridge as part of ISP Life Competencies, develops cognitive, digital, global, interpersonal, and self-leadership skills. Socio-emotional skills are embedded throughout the learning journey to build resilience and confidence. KiVa is used to support student wellbeing, with personalized attention and dedicated small-group monitoring. Leadership opportunities such as Student Council, Debate Club, KiVa Monitors, and Ecology Committees foster collaboration and responsibility. The school provides globally connected learning experiences through the ISP network that reinforce socio-emotional growth.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Become confident multilingual speakers—learning English, Spanish, and French through immersion, CLIL programs, and technology. From Preschool to High School, students receive tri-lingual instruction with English used in most subjects in Preschool and Elementary, and French introduced through songs and basic vocabulary. In Middle School and High School, academic English is developed through reading, writing, and presentations, while Spanish and French deepen literacy and cultural understanding. A mother tongue foundation supports language learning and ensures strong literacy in students' first language. Language practice is enhanced with digital tools and real-world use.

Mental Wellbeing
Socio-emotional skills are embedded throughout the learning journey via the ISP Life Competencies framework. KiVa provides personalized attention with small-group support and ongoing monitoring to promote wellbeing. Leadership opportunities and collaborative activities build resilience and confidence. The overall approach integrates socio-emotional development as a core component of academic and personal growth.

Safeguarding
The safeguarding policy is clear and comprehensive and outlines procedures for identifying, reporting, and addressing concerns. An on-site school doctor provides immediate medical assistance. On-site ID badges are required for all staff and parents, and new staff undergo police background checks. First aid training is provided for all teachers and staff, with trained security personnel and CCTV surveillance to maintain a safe campus. A dedicated safeguarding team, including a Whole School Designated Safeguarding Leader and safeguarding representatives for different school levels, supports students and families.
Parent Experience

History
The Instituto Thomas Jefferson Zona Esmeralda is part of the Instituto Thomas Jefferson network and has provided safe, happy learning since 1978. It offers IB and IGCSE programs with a Cambridge bilingual program and is NEASC, Cambridge, and IB-accredited. It follows the SEP and UNAM curriculum from Kindergarten through High School, providing a recognized Mexican education. As part of the International Schools Partnership, the school incorporates the ISP Life Competencies framework to develop cognitive, digital, global, interpersonal, and self-leadership skills. It emphasizes multilingualism and global opportunities through its programs and partnerships.

Community
The school promotes collaboration among the school, families, and students to prepare for the future, focusing on socio-emotional skills, critical thinking, and leadership. The campus is secure and fully equipped, featuring labs, studios, sports areas, and student lounges to support wellbeing and collaboration. Leadership opportunities include the Student Council, Debate Club, KiVa Monitors, and Ecology Committees, providing practical experience in governance and service. Through its ISP affiliation, ITJ Zona Esmeralda connects families to a global network of learning opportunities and events that broaden community engagement.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus is secure and vibrant, designed to support academic, social, and emotional growth. It is equipped with labs, creative studios, sports facilities, and welcoming lounges. The campus is in a peaceful, family-friendly community with green spaces and safety measures including on-site medical care. The environment fosters exploration and collaboration.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor basketball, soccer, and volleyball courts are available for PE and competitions. The on-site gym supports physical development and sports activities. Multipurpose rooms provide spaces for workshops and events related to sports and physical education. The campus has student lounges and patios that support informal activity and collaboration around sports and recreation.

Academic Facilities
Science lab is modern and equipped with advanced technology, aligned with IB guidelines to support hands-on science learning. A multipurpose laboratory provides a flexible space for science, technology, and creativity. A computer room facilitates digital skills development and exploration of essential technological tools. An art studio offers materials for painting, sculpture, and design experimentation. The library provides books and digital resources for research and critical thinking, and a Harvard room (mini auditorium) serves as a space for presentations, debates, and events.

Extra Curricular Facilities
ITJ Zona Esmeralda offers a dynamic after-school program with sports, cultural, artistic, and technology-based workshops. Activities foster creativity, teamwork, discipline, and core values, with leadership opportunities, competitions, and international experiences. Students aged 5 to 18 can participate in ISP programs including ISP Artists, ISP Changemakers, ISP Chess Masters, ISP Cultural Exchange, ISP Scientists, ISP Filmmakers, ISP Virtual Exchange, and ISP Model United Nations. These ISP programs include regional qualifiers and virtual and in-person competitions, and involve collaboration with ISP schools worldwide. Through ISP, students develop life competencies in digital, global, cognitive, self-leadership, and interpersonal areas.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ISP Model United Nations develops public speaking, research, diplomacy, and global citizenship. It provides public speaking training and intensive MUN experiences at regional and virtual levels. ISP Scientists offers real-world problem solving and hands-on environmental projects with external experts. Students engage in international exchanges and competitions through ISP programs.

Arts & Creative
ISP Artists provides a visual arts curriculum with workshops led by experts and virtual art exhibitions. The program includes a personalized visual arts curriculum and opportunities to showcase work. ISP Filmmakers offers real-life movie-making experiences with digital editing tools and a Filmmakers Awards Ceremony.

Cultural & Language
ISP Cultural Exchange encourages reciprocal exchange across ISP regions through homestays and attending another ISP school for a month. Multilingualism develops confident multilingual speakers by learning English, Spanish, and French through immersion, real-world use, and tech tools. Learning languages across ISP broadens cultural understanding and communication in global contexts.

Social & Hobbies
The after-school program offers a wide variety of sports, cultural, artistic, and technology-based workshops, fostering creativity, teamwork, and discipline. Activities promote core values such as honesty, respect, and excellence and include leadership opportunities. Leadership opportunities include Student Council, Debate Club, KiVa Monitors, and Ecology Committees.

Community & Service
ISP Changemakers focus on social-impact projects with grants for real-change initiatives. Students collaborate to address strategic issues and develop projects that benefit communities, building social responsibility and teamwork. These experiences promote empathy and practical action for positive change.

Leadership & Professional
Public speaking training is provided through ISP Model United Nations, supporting diplomacy, research, and debate skills. Leadership roles are available through Student Council, Debate Club, KiVa Monitors, and Ecology Committees. Life-pathways guidance offers university and career planning support within the ISP framework.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The sports program includes Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, and Taekwondo. Dance Team Advanced, Dance Team Kids, and Baby Ballet offer performance-oriented activity, alongside Creative Workshop (Expression & Theater) and other arts activities. A broad range of after-school activities promotes wellbeing, physical fitness, teamwork, and resilience.
Languages

Language Provision
English, Spanish, and French are taught. English and Spanish are the primary languages of instruction, with English immersion from an early age. French is introduced from Kindergarten as part of the multilingual program. Home-language support is provided to assist students' first languages.

Bilingual Teaching
The school has bilingual education in English and Spanish. From Nursery, daily immersion in English and Spanish supports natural bilingualism. From Kindergarten, students are immersed in English, Spanish, and French, further developing multilingual capabilities. The Middle School operates a Cambridge bilingual program alongside SEP to build proficiency in English and Spanish.

Immersion Programs
The school has daily immersion in English and Spanish starting in Nursery. From Kindergarten, English, Spanish, and French are used in learning experiences. The Cambridge bilingual program in Middle School strengthens bilingual proficiency, with SEP integration. Language support emphasizes students' home or first languages.
Admissions

Admissions
01 Initial enquiry. Reach out to our Admissions Team or complete the online enquiry form to express interest and ask initial questions. The Admissions Team provides support throughout the process. 02 Schedule a school tour. Schedule a personalized tour of our campus to explore facilities and learn about the educational philosophy. Your child may participate in a test day to experience daily life. 03 Clear guidance and information. Receive detailed information about our educational programs, multilingual approach, extracurricular offerings, and admission requirements. Checklists, timelines, and key dates help plan with confidence. 04 Assessment and interview. Your child will take part in academic and psychopedagogical assessments to understand strengths and growth areas. A personalized interview allows us to learn about the family and align expectations. 05 Family-school value alignment. The school prioritizes families who share core values and focuses on your child's well-being and overall development. 06 Welcome to ITJ Zona Esmeralda! Following admission, orientation sessions help new families settle in, and new students are paired with mentors who provide ongoing support.

Scholarships
The school offers exclusive scholarships. These scholarships provide opportunities to study with some of the world's most renowned institutions and help students gain skills for emerging careers and industries globally.
School Events
The school has not added events
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