Moving abroad is one thing. Moving abroad with kids?
That’s a whole different adventure.

If you’re thinking about calling Colombia home — whether in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Bucaramanga, or a quieter mountain town where the air tastes like eucalyptus — then one of your biggest questions will be: “How is the school system over there? And what does it cost?”

Let’s break it down clearly, simply, and honestly… the way I wish someone had done for me.
Because Colombia’s education system is full of options — private, public, bilingual, calendar A, calendar B — and if you don’t know the differences, you’ll spend your first month feeling like you’re applying to Hogwarts.

This is your full guide to understanding how schools work, how admissions really happen, what fees to expect, and the real daily life of sending your kid to school in Colombia.

Colombia’s education structure is familiar, but with a few twists:

Yes — Colombia ends at grade 11, not 12.

After 11th grade, students graduate with a diploma called Bachillerato… and most take the country’s big exam, the ICFES.

The ICFES Saber 11 exam is Colombia’s national standardized test.

Think of it as a mix between the SAT, ACT, and a national ranking system.
It measures:

Why does this matter for expat parents?

Because a school’s reputation is often tied to its ICFES score.
You’ll see ratings like:

If a school constantly hits “Muy Superior,” parents brag about it.
If it falls to “Medio,” parents panic and switch schools faster than you can say “uniform.”

A good trick:
If you want academic rigor → look for “Muy Superior.”
If you want balance, bilingualism, and international culture → look beyond rankings.

Colombian schools follow two calendar types, and this surprises most foreigners.

If you’re coming from North America or Europe, Calendar B is the smoothest transition.

But Calendar A schools are significantly more affordable — sometimes half the price.

Let’s simplify the landscape.

Costs vary by city, school prestige, and whether it’s Calendar A or B.

Below are realistic ranges (not inflated “official” numbers).

Most schools charge 10 months per year.

Colombian schools love add-ons:

In general, private bilingual schooling in Colombia costs 30%–70% less than in Mexico, Panama, or Portugal — and about 90% less than in the U.S.

Colombian families apply one year in advance.

Even for preschool. Yes, preschool.

Schools care a lot about “familia” fit.

Knowing another parent at the school helps a lot. Quietly.

Once one child is in, others follow more easily.

Colombians take school transport very seriously.
The buses are:

Parents track the bus in real time — very common.

Private schools have:

Schools are extremely safety-conscious.
In many cities, parents worry more about traffic than security.

Every student wears one or two uniforms:

They’re usually bought directly from the school or a certified store.

Here are realistic, accurate snapshots of well-known schools expats consider.

Absolutely — and this comes from someone who’s seen the U.S., Europe, and Asia up close.

You get:

Colombia is not perfect — the system can feel bureaucratic, communication can be slow, and the admissions process is more intense than you expect.

But the lifestyle your kids get?
Worth it. Every single time.