How to Choose an International School in Bogota: 2026 Family Guide

Quick answer: How do you choose an international school in Bogota in 2026? Decide first between Calendar B schools, which run August to June like most international systems, and Calendar A schools, which run February to November. Then match the campus to your home, as many are in the far north. Leading schools such as The English School or St George's charge roughly COP 30 to 75 million a year.

Last reviewed: September 2026 by David from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Bogotá has a deep, well established market of bilingual and international schools, many of them founded by British and American communities more than half a century ago. Working out how to choose an international school in Bogota means understanding a few local rules that newcomers rarely expect, starting with the school calendar. This guide explains the key decisions, profiles five schools from our directory and sets out realistic 2026 fees in Colombian pesos.

Understand the two school calendars

Colombian schools follow one of two calendars. Calendar A runs from February to November and is used by most public and many private schools. Calendar B runs from August or September to June and is the norm for international and bilingual schools with foreign curricula. If you are arriving from Europe, North America or another international school, a Calendar B school lets your child move without losing or repeating half a year. If you plan to stay long term and want a Colombian university path, a strong Calendar A bilingual school can work well too.

Choose the right part of the city

Bogotá sits at around 2,600 metres on a high plateau, and it is a long city running north to south. Most international families live in the north: Chicó, Rosales, Chapinero Alto, Santa Bárbara, Usaquén and Cedritos, with some choosing houses in Chía, Cajicá or La Calera just outside the city. Many of the large school campuses sit in the far north or on the Sabana, reached via the Autopista Norte or the Carrera Séptima. Morning traffic is heavy, so school buses are part of daily life and routes are worth checking before you rent.

Curricula on offer

IB schools. Many of the best known schools offer the IB Diploma, and some offer the full continuum from primary.
British bilingual schools. English and Spanish taught side by side, with Cambridge exams or IGCSEs and the Colombian bachillerato.
American schools. US style diplomas, often with AP courses, alongside the Colombian qualification.
Multilingual schools. A few schools add French or German as a third language from primary.

Most schools also prepare students for the Colombian Saber 11 exam, which keeps local university options open.

Five schools to put on your list

The English School

The English School (TES) has educated the children of Colombian and international families since 1961. It describes itself as caring, inclusive and forward thinking, with a mission to prepare students to be agents of change for Colombia. It is a natural first visit for families who want a long established British style bilingual school.

St George's School

St George's School is a British bilingual, co-educational school founded in 1958. It emphasises a liberal education built on work ethic, self-discipline and a strong sense of social awareness, and it has a long record of preparing students for leadership roles in the country.

Colegio Anglo Colombiano

Colegio Anglo Colombiano on Avenida 19 in the north of the city educates critical thinkers with a global mindset and firm roots in their own culture. It is known for a strong academic programme and a large, active community of Colombian and international families.

Knightsbridge Schools International

Knightsbridge Schools International (KSI) Bogotá teaches boys and girls aged 4 to 18 through an inquiry based, concept driven curriculum. As part of an international group, it suits globally mobile families who value continuity if they move again.

Colegio Gran Bretaña

Colegio Gran Bretaña (CGB) offers well known international programmes including the IB, with Spanish and English as languages of instruction and French as an additional language. Small class sizes and a focus on the development of the whole child are central to its approach.

International school fees in Bogota for 2026

Fees are usually billed as ten monthly payments plus an annual enrolment charge. Indicative ranges for 2026:

Bilingual Calendar A schools: roughly COP 15 to 35 million a year.
Established Calendar B international schools: roughly COP 30 to 75 million a year.
Top IB schools in the final grades: can exceed COP 80 million a year.

Two hard facts help with budgeting. First, education services are excluded from VAT in Colombia, so the 19% IVA does not apply to tuition. Second, private school fee increases are capped each year by the Ministry of National Education, which publishes the maximum authorised rise, so you can forecast next year's cost with some confidence once you know the starting fee.

Extras to add:

Application and admission test fees.
Annual matrícula, often close to one monthly payment.
At some schools, a one-off entry bond or donation, which can be substantial.
Transport, lunch, uniforms, books, trips and extracurricular activities.

Practical tips

Apply early for Calendar B. For an August start, many schools open applications around September of the previous year and complete assessments by early spring. Family interviews are common, even for young children.

Ask about altitude and sport. Children adapt quickly, but outdoor sport at 2,600 metres takes a few weeks to get used to. Ask how the school handles PE for newly arrived students.

Check Spanish support. In bilingual schools a good part of the day is in Spanish. Ask how newcomers with little Spanish are supported and whether extra classes are included or charged separately.

Visit more than once if you can. Bogotá weather changes quickly and campus life looks different on a sunny morning and a rainy afternoon. A second visit, ideally during a normal school day rather than an open house, lets you see lessons, lunch and the bus line as they really are, and gives your child a chance to ask their own questions.

Compare schools across Colombia

To compare ratings, reviews and facilities, see our ranking of the best schools in Colombia and contact any school from its profile.

More guides to schools in Bogota

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Calendar A and Calendar B schools in Bogota?

Calendar A schools run from February to November, while Calendar B schools run from August or September to June. Most international and foreign curriculum schools use Calendar B, which makes transfers from abroad much smoother. Choosing the wrong calendar can mean your child repeats or skips half a school year.

Do international schools in Bogota charge VAT?

No. Education services are excluded from VAT in Colombia, so the 19% IVA does not apply to tuition. Other services such as transport, meals or activities may be billed separately, so read the fee schedule carefully and ask which items are compulsory.

How much do international schools in Bogota cost in 2026?

As a rough guide, established Calendar B international schools charge around COP 30 to 75 million a year, while bilingual Calendar A schools charge less. Add the annual matrícula, transport, lunch and books, and at some schools a one-off entry bond.