Compare International Schools in Bucaramanga, Colombia

Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia (in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area). Calle 34

8-73 Cañaveral Alto.

Kindergarten; Lower School; Upper School (K1–K5; 1–12).

non-profit educational community

Remedial support in core academic foundational skills and executive functioning; in-class support; occupational therapy; speech and language therapy; UDL (Universal Design for Learning) workshops for teachers; Jugar A stimulation program; PIAR (Plan Individual de Ajustes Razonables) implementation.

Colombia and United States

Uniforms: Colegio Panamericano requires all students to wear the clothes that make up the school uniform, as published on the website and distributed by authorized suppliers, in accordance with the schedule or occasion of use and in good condition (no fading, tears, or stains). Seniors may wear a shirt and jacket that identify them, with authorization from the directors and in compliance with school rules; the jacket is worn only by twelfth-grade students. For cocurricular activities, students may acquire the uniform and jacket for the sport practiced. Protocol for improper use of the uniform: violations are treated as a minor offense and the appropriate disciplinary process is followed. Note: old uniforms should not be distributed to others to avoid misuse; the school promotes uniform-recycling campaigns.

Snack Shack is available during recess; students line up and pay for items; purchases are made with money and can only occur during the break in designated areas; the Snack Shack is a privilege and can be suspended by the administration if misused. Lonchera is an optional service for K1–5 providing a snack during recess; the weekly menu is published in Jupiter. Almuerzo: the school provides a nutritionally appropriate lunch from Monday to Friday, except Wednesdays; the weekly menu is published in Jupiter; lunch is a curricular activity and all students from K3 to 12 must participate; dietary modifications require a medical order signed by a physician or nutritionist, and the school will adjust menus as needed. Parents should not accompany students during lunch; students must eat in an orderly way, return utensils, and no delivery orders are allowed.

Panamericano uses a house system; Panamerican Days celebrate values and community integration. Activities earn points, and at the end of the celebration a winning house is announced.

The school is a private, non-profit, bilingual, multicultural, non-denominational, co-educational institution with a single daily schedule and Calendar B. Governance is by a Board of Directors appointed by the Parent Assembly, which is composed of all parents with children enrolled for the year. The Director, hired by the Board, is the top academic and administrative authority. The school also maintains a Student Council (STUCO), a Parent Council, an Academic Council, and an Executive Council.

Academic Plan: Colegio Panamericano emphasizes STEM education. It was the first Latin American school to receive Cognia STEM certification. Through Project-Based Learning, students explore topics to enhance STEM knowledge and develop solutions to local community issues. An international teaching staff helps develop students' English skills within a safe and engaging learning environment. The school is the only international school in the Santander region that employs native-English speakers from abroad. The school offers a strong Student Support team, after-school activities and learning opportunities, and robust sports and arts programs.

8:3

The school centers on the whole-child, including socioemotional development. Student Support offers a wide spectrum of programs and initiatives that address socioemotional growth and well-being. The Student Support team includes professional therapists, cluster teachers, and inclusion teachers who collaborate to foster an inclusive community. Through these efforts, the school supports maturation, adaptation, and educational development for students. Family engagement and partnerships with external professionals further support students' social skills, self-esteem, and overall wellbeing.

The school provides remedial support in core academic foundational skills and executive functioning. In-class support is delivered through collaborative problem-solving and ongoing collaboration between teachers. Occupational therapy is available, and speech and language therapy is provided. The school implements PIAR (Plan Individual de Ajustes Razonables) to create individualized programs, instructional adjustments, and targeted support for student progress. The Student Support team works with families and external professionals to address learning differences and related educational needs.

The curriculum is taught 80% in English and 20% in Spanish. The school is bilingual and employs native-English speakers from abroad. It is the only institution in Santander authorized by the College Board to administer international tests. Project-based learning is embedded throughout the curriculum, with language development integrated across courses. Graduates earn a Colombian and American double degree.

The program explicitly supports mental wellbeing through socioemotional development as part of overall student growth. Therapists and inclusion staff work to support maturation, adaptation, and educational wellbeing within an inclusive community. The school emphasizes social skills and self-esteem through co-curricular activities and partnerships with families and external professionals. These efforts connect emotional well-being with academic learning, guided by Universal Design for Learning principles and collaborative teaching.

The policy defines the right to protection as outlined in the Code of Childhood and Adolescence (Law 1098 of 2006). The school has a role to protect students and ensure a safe learning environment. Educators and staff identify situations and students at risk through observation and interaction over time. There is a moral and legal obligation to offer support, protection, and necessary assistance to manage these circumstances for the student and family. Safeguarding is integrated into school practice to protect student wellbeing.

K1 to K5
1. Schedule an interview with the admissions coordinator, Maria Consuelo Durán. The interview begins the admissions process for kindergarten through fifth grade and introduces the family to the admissions team. It sets the stage for the applicant's fit with Colegio Panamericano and outlines the next steps.
2. Take a tour of the facilities and learn about our educational project. The tour provides firsthand insight into the school's spaces, resources, and how the educational project is implemented in daily practice. Families can ask questions during the tour to better understand the learning environment. The tour helps illustrate how the school supports student growth and curiosity.
3. Register on the website to receive the step-by-step admissions process by email. Registration ensures that the family receives the detailed sequence of required actions directly to their email. The emailed steps guide the family through what to prepare and by when. This step connects the family with the formal admissions workflow.
4. Make the admissions process payment and request the respective links to upload the payment receipt and the required documents. Payment confirms the family's participation in the admissions process. The links facilitate submission of the payment receipt and the required documents for review. Completing this step advances the application to the next evaluation stages.
5. The applicant will be called for an observation day (1 hour) and a psychological evaluation. The observation day assesses classroom behavior and interaction with peers and teachers. The psychological evaluation contributes to a holistic view of the applicant's readiness for the program. Scheduling depends on the admissions calendar and availability.
6. The admissions department will verify the required documents with the family. This verification ensures all necessary documents are provided and correctly completed. Timelines for the review are influenced by the completeness of submitted materials. Verification helps prevent delays in the admissions decision.
7. Financial analysis of the documentation provided by the family. The school reviews financial information as part of the admissions process to understand enrollment feasibility and related steps. This analysis informs the overall readiness for enrollment.
8. Admissions Committee. The committee reviews all collected information and makes a decision regarding admission. The process involves evaluating the applicant's fit with the school's programs and expectations. The outcome is communicated by the admissions coordinator.
9. The admissions coordinator will inform the family of the decision made by the admissions committee. Approved: K4, K5 and 1st grade: Submit SIMAT withdrawal. The family will receive an email from the treasury department with the steps to follow for payment and the respective legalization of the enrollment. Denied: End of the process. The response time for the admissions process will depend on the timely delivery of all documents.

1st–12
1. Schedule an interview with the admissions coordinator, Maria Consuelo Durán. The interview initiates the admissions process for 1st grade through 12th grade and begins the family's onboarding with the school.
2. Take a tour of the facilities and learn about our educational project. The tour provides an overview of spaces and resources and helps families understand how the educational project is implemented for older students.
3. Register on the website to receive the step-by-step admissions process by email. Registration ensures that the family receives the detailed sequence of actions via email. The process guide supports families as they complete required steps.
4. Make the admissions process payment and request the respective links to upload the payment receipt and the required documents. Payment and document submission move the applicant to the testing and interview phases.
5. 1st grade – Second semester: English and Spanish tests (2 hours) and an interview with the principal of the section. The tests evaluate English and Spanish proficiency and are followed by an interview with the section's principal.
6. 2nd – 12th grade – First and Second semester: MAP Test in English and Math (2 hours). An interview with the principal of the section will be scheduled. The MAP Test assesses language and math skills as part of the admissions assessment.
7. The admissions department will verify the required documents with the family. Documentation verification ensures all required items are complete for review.
8. Financial analysis of the documentation provided by the family. Financial review evaluates the family's documentation in relation to enrollment requirements.
9. Admissions Committee. The committee reviews all materials to determine admission eligibility.
10. The admissions coordinator will inform the family of the decision made by the admissions committee. The outcome will be communicated and next steps provided.
11. Approved: 1st – 12th grade: Submit SIMAT withdrawal. The family will receive an email from the treasury department with the steps to follow for payment and the respective legalization of enrollment.
12. Denied: End of the process. The timeline depends on the timely delivery of all documents.
13. The response time for the admissions process will depend on the timely delivery of all documents.

Santander, Colombia. Three campuses: Cañaveral (Calle 32

22-140, Floridablanca) serving early years through Grade 9; Cabecera/Little Cambridge (Carrera 39 44-72, Bucaramanga) for early childhood through Grade 3; and PreU Campus (Anillo vial, km 3, vía Girón) for Grades 10-12 in a British sixth-form-inspired model.

Little Skills (2-12 months), Early Years (8 months-6 years), Primary School (7-10 years), Lower Secondary (11-14 years), and Upper Secondary/PreU (15-17 years, Grades 10-12).

Private, co-educational, bilingual day school. Part of the Redcol network.

Predominantly Colombian students from the Bucaramanga metropolitan area.

Learning Support Center for students needing additional academic assistance. Personalized after-school support, mentoring, and extended hours sessions available.

Colombia. Accredited by Cognia (US-based). Authorized IB World School for the Diploma Programme.

None.

Full school day with academic instruction, extracurricular activities, and after-school programs. PreU campus follows a British sixth-form model for upper secondary.

Not available. Day school only.

HACCP food safety certification from ICONTEC ensures food preparation meets health and safety standards.

The school operates a house system to foster community and friendly competition among students.

Part of the Redcol network of schools in Colombia. Previously associated with Cognita Schools. ISO 9001 certified for quality management and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety.

The school blends the Colombian national curriculum with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Preschool follows the HighScope curriculum. The school uses Cognia-accredited standards and i-Ready adaptive assessments to track student progress. The RULER emotional intelligence program (developed at Yale University) is integrated across all levels.

Consistently ranked in the top 3 nationally on Colombia's Saber 11 exam over seven consecutive years, achieving first place in 2017 and 2021. In 2020-2021, a student achieved a perfect 500/500 score. Three alumni from the 2022-2023 class received the prestigious Andrés Bello Distinction. Ranked as the best school in Colombia for quality by Col-Sapiens 2024 and second best overall in 2025.

The PreU campus (Grades 10-12) is modeled after the British sixth form and prepares students for university. IB Diploma holders have access to universities worldwide.

The RULER emotional intelligence program, developed at Yale University, is implemented across all levels. This evidence-based approach helps students recognize, understand, label, express, and regulate their emotions.

Learning Support Center provides personalized assistance to students needing additional academic support.

RULER emotional intelligence program embedded across the school. Safeguarding and wellbeing programs in place.

The school has a dedicated safeguarding program to ensure student safety and protection.

Five-step process: schedule an appointment with admissions advisors, complete forms and submit documentation, attend family interview and academic evaluation (for children 5+), receive admission decision with enrollment guidance, and attend Open Day orientation. Families can also book personalized tours, a Magic Day (trial day), or attend Open House events.

Alumni benefit: children of alumni receive waived enrollment fees at NCS or any Redcol institution. Sibling discount (Little & Big Brother): tuition or enrollment discounts when two or more siblings enroll simultaneously. Ambassadors Club: tuition rewards for referring new students.