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Strengths Languages, Performing Arts, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Cultural and Language, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Preschool, Early Years, Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction
Colegio Helvetia is a private, co‑educational, non‑denominational school in Bogotá that follows a Swiss model within a Colombian context. Serving ages 3 to 18, it operates on a Calendar B and has no uniform policy, with classes taught primarily in English and Spanish and dedicated sections in German and French. The school offers language immersion programs with certification in German or French, and a four‑cycle curriculum: Playgroup (3–4), Cycle I (4–8), Cycle II (multilingual immersion focus), and Cycle III (7–12) with options to select priority and complementary subjects. It awards dual certification: the Swiss Matura, supervised by the Canton of Bern, and the Colombian high school diploma, while Saber 11 preparation is integrated into the program. The Research Center Library houses resources in four languages, and the Casita de los libros supports early immersion learning. Signature initiatives include a language‑rich environment, a modern Master Plan, and a community‑funded Coliseum‑Theater project today.
Colegio Helvetia has 780 pupils, instruction in Spanish, German, French, English.
Location
The school is located at Calle 128
71A – 91, Bogotá, Colombia. It provides its own transportation service with a fleet of 19 vehicles, and a monitor accompanies each trip to ensure safety and orderly travel.
Stages
Playgroup (3-4 years old); Cycle I (KINDERGARTEN – SECOND GRADE); Cycle II (THIRD – SIXTH GRADE); Cycle III (SEVENTH – TWELFTH GRADE).
Type
The school is private, co-educational, non-denominational, and follows a B-calendar. It offers multilingual education with sections in German and French, in addition to a strong emphasis on English and Spanish as the languages of instruction.
Country affiliation
Switzerland
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational
Bus service
The school operates its own transportation service with 19 vehicles, each accompanied by a monitor to supervise and ensure safety on trips.
Fees
Application / admission fee
- COP 270,000 — one-time payment to initiate the admissions process (pago derechos de admisión).
Enrollment (matrícula) and tuition (pensión)
- Enrollment (matrícula, one-time): COP 3,359,000 (reported as the matrícula value). - Tuition (pensión): COP 3,350,000 per period as reported (listed as 'pensión').
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Academic calendar: the school operates on Calendar B (August–June). Matriculation for the upcoming cycle is indicated in April with classes starting in August. - The school accepts online payments through its store for admission items; specific tuition-billing frequency (monthly, per term, or per semester) is not published in a detailed per-grade schedule in the school's public admissions materials.
Boarding
- Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school.
Other costs and routine extras
- Transport: the school operates an in-house school-transport service (fleet and monitors), billed separately from basic tuition; route and fee details are not published publicly. - Food / cafeteria: an institutional meal service exists; specific meal-plan costs are not published in the public menu page. - Extracurricular activities: extracurriculars are offered and may carry additional fees; specific prices are not published in the public materials. - Uniform: the school indicates it operates without a uniform; therefore no uniform purchase is required as a standard mandatory cost. - School store / incidental purchases: the school maintains an online store for admission payments and other items; incidental purchases (books, materials, events, trips) may appear there or be billed separately.
Refunds and cancellation
- No publicly posted, detailed refund or tuition-cancellation policy was located in the school's admissions pages or FAQs. Families should expect admission and enrollment payments to follow the school's internal policy; a public, grade-by-grade refund schedule is not published.
Fee payment options and surcharges
- Payment channels observed: online store (card payments), bank transfer/consignation. Some school-related payment pages and partner-trip registration documents indicate bank-transfer details and note a credit-card surcharge in certain transactions (a 3.5% surcharge is referenced on related event/trip payment documents). Card payments for admissions are processed through the school store.
Summary of available figures and gaps
- Available, specific amounts found: COP 270,000 (admission fee), COP 3,359,000 (matrícula), COP 3,350,000 (pensión). - Not publicly available in the school's published materials: a full, grade-by-grade and per-term tuition schedule, explicit billing frequency (monthly vs. per term) for every year group, published transport/meal/extracurricular price lists, and a detailed public refund policy. For those items, only the existence of the service or a general indication (for example, that transport and meals are provided) is published.
Academics
Colegio Helvetia teaches Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
Multilingual education with German and French sections, complemented by English and Spanish as core languages. Language immersion programs exist in German or French, with certification in those languages. The curriculum is organized around four cycles: Playgroup (3–4), Cycle I (4–8), Cycle II (multilingual education with immersion focus), and Cycle III (7–12) with options to select priority and complementary subjects. The school offers dual certification: the Swiss Matura and the Colombian high school diploma. The Swiss Matura diploma is supervised by the Canton of Bern and opens doors to universities in Switzerland, Europe, and beyond; Saber 11 (ICFES) preparation is part of the program.
Student Teacher Ratio
7 students per teacher.
Exam Results
Saber 11 (ICFES) exam preparation and historically outstanding results.
Higher Education Progression
Graduates gain admission to universities in Colombia, Switzerland and around the world; the Matura enables direct access to Swiss universities without entrance exams and facilitates admission to Colombian universities such as Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario, and Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school develops global citizens and leaders with critical thinking, responsibility, and an open-minded approach to the world. It teaches empathy and respect as essential values, fostering an environment where students from diverse cultures coexist and learn from each other. Comprehensive education balances knowledge, values, and life skills to promote personal growth and autonomy in a respectful, diverse community. The School Welfare program promotes healthy coexistence and prevents issues that affect the school environment, supported by an interdisciplinary team and psychology services.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Inclusive Education accompanies, advises, and supports actions to help students with disabilities, learning difficulties, or exceptional talents access learning, coordinating with interdisciplinary teams to tailor educational plans. The interdisciplinary CH team, psychology, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and the inclusion program provide evaluation, guidance, and referrals to meet each student's needs.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school is trilingual (Spanish, German or French, and English). Immersion in German or French is used in Cycle II, and English is taught as a language from early on.
Mental Wellbeing
The interdisciplinary School Coexistence team accompanies students and their development through the School Guidance Service (SOE+) to promote emotional well-being and mental health. Psychology, speech therapy, and occupational therapy support are available, with plans to monitor and support individual student needs. Psychoeducation for families and socioemotional skill workshops are offered, along with risk prevention programs.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is addressed through the Integral Attention Route for School Coexistence (RAICE), the Coexistence Manual, and protocols for bullying, cyberbullying, and sexual violence. School mediators facilitate peaceful conflict resolution, and the program includes parenting education and external partnerships to support students. An interdisciplinary team coordinates protection measures and referrals to professionals as needed.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Begin the admissions process by completing the online application, scheduling a guided tour, and paying the admissions fee. Entering Playgroup marks the beginning of an adaptation journey and includes educational immersion in a second language. The calendar is a B calendar (August–June); the school is co-educational, does not require uniforms, and is trilingual (Spanish, German or French, and English). Tours are available Monday to Friday at 9 a.m. or 3 p.m. 2. After payment, fill out the admission form and upload the required documentation to continue with the process. Documentation is organized by grade: Playgroup documents and Kindergarten through 12th-grade documents can be downloaded from the admissions section. Online document submission follows to move the process forward. 3. Online document submission continues and an interview notification is issued. 4. Interviews are conducted as part of the admissions process. 5. A decision notification is issued. 6. Enrollment is completed. 7. Enrollment occurs in April 2026. 8. Start of classes takes place in August 2026.
FAQs
What curriculum does Colegio Helvetia follow?
Multilingual education with German and French sections, complemented by English and Spanish as core languages. Language immersion programs exist in German or French, with certification in those languages.
What age range does Colegio Helvetia serve?
The school serves students from age 3 to 18.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual fees range from RMB 3,350,000 to RMB 6,979,000. Contact the school for the full fee schedule and any additional charges.
Is the school co-educational?
The school is described as co-educational.
How many students attend Colegio Helvetia?
The school has approximately 780 students.
Where is Colegio Helvetia located?
The school is located at Calle 128 # 71A – 91, Bogotá, Colombia. It provides its own transportation service with a fleet of 19 vehicles, and a monitor accompanies each trip to ensure safety and orderly travel.
When was Colegio Helvetia established?
The school was established in 1949.
Who leads Colegio Helvetia?
The school is led by Thomas Schwarb Méroz.
Does the school provide learning support for students with special educational needs?
Inclusive Education accompanies, advises, and supports actions to help students with disabilities, learning difficulties, or exceptional talents access learning, coordinating with interdisciplinary teams to tailor educational plans.
What languages are used for instruction?
German and French are taught in dedicated sections as official languages of Switzerland. There is a strong emphasis on English and Spanish as mother tongues.
How do I apply to Colegio Helvetia?
1. Begin the admissions process by completing the online application, scheduling a guided tour, and paying the admissions fee. Entering Playgroup marks the beginning of an adaptation journey and includes educational immersion in a second language.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Arts are a core component of extracurricular life. Noche de Artistas is a flagship annual music event featuring performances by students across all levels, guided by music and art staff.
What accreditations does Colegio Helvetia hold?
SwissCham
Swiss Embassy
Canton of Bern
Canton of Valais
Uncoli
Is there a school bus service?
The school operates its own transportation service with 19 vehicles, each accompanied by a monitor to supervise and ensure safety on trips.
