· updated monthly
The five schools Barranquilla parents researched most this year, chosen from the 7 international schools in the city. Ranked by how many families opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between September 2025 and August 2026, then the full picture on curricula, class sizes and fees.
The 2026 ranking
Ranked purely by parent interest — the number of families who opened each school’s profile and spent time reading it between September 2025 and August 2026.
Colegio Karl C. Parrish is a private, bilingual school in Barranquilla offering a Colombian–American curriculum for students aged 3 to 18. Instruction is conducted in English and Spanish, and the school operates two diploma paths: the Colombian Bachillerato (grades 7–12) and an American High School Program that includes Advanced Placement courses. AP offerings include Calculus AB, Physics, English, Spanish, Biology, Economics, US History and Chemistry, among others. Graduates earn both the US High School Diploma and the Colombian Diploma. BYOL for grades 3–12 and an Optimal Resource Center (ORC) support program provide inclusive, language-rich learning. The school embraces Reggio Emilia-inspired early learning and 21st Century Learning approaches. The campus spans about 80,000 square meters and houses a large library (over 21,000 volumes), a swimming pool, gym, Alumni Hall, and a Student Center opened in 2020. Ninety-five percent of graduates achieve the dual diploma, reflecting strong college preparation and global-minded education.
Marymount Barranquilla is a bilingual Catholic day school with a history dating to 1953. The campus network includes a Preschool in Barranquilla and a site in Sabanilla, offering modern science laboratories, a library, and dedicated spaces for music, dance, art, and theatre. The school has a 25-meter swimming pool, a coliseum for volleyball and basketball, and a knowledge and technology center to support projects. The curriculum blends national and international standards. Since 2019, Cambridge courses in English, Science and Mathematics have been taught; English Social Studies follows the AERO Standards; French follows CEFR; Physical Education follows NASPE; Art uses NAfME; Library uses AASL; Technology develops ISTE standards; Religion aligns with the Episcopal Conference. Instruction is bilingual (English and Spanish) from early years. In high school, students may pursue Advanced Mathematics and Engineering, Advanced Biology and Science, or Advanced Economics, Humanities and Arts. The NOVA program provides personalized options for achievers.
British International School Barranquilla is a private, co-educational bilingual school serving ages 3 to 18. The school pursues a Colombian-British education with Cambridge Primary, the IB Middle Years Programme, and the IB Diploma Programme, alongside a Catholic Curriculum. The Early Years and Primary years combine UK and Cambridge frameworks with local Colombian requirements, while secondary students complete the IB MYP from Year 7–11 before progressing to the IB DP. Instruction is offered in English, Spanish, and French, supporting a trilingual emphasis and study abroad opportunities. Founded in 1981, the campus includes a Knowledge Centre for inquiry, science laboratories, music conservatory, art rooms, and dedicated spaces for sport, including synthetic and grass pitches, a multi-purpose hall, and courts. The Inspired educational approach integrates specialist-led extracurriculars, summer camps, student exchanges, and leadership conferences to foster creativity, collaboration, and wellbeing. The school supports study abroad opportunities and engages families in the educational journey.
Colegio Alemán de Barranquilla is a historic German international school in Colombia, founded in 1912 and located on the Via al Mar campus since 2002. The school offers a bilingual program in German, Spanish and English, with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Bachillerato alongside a German curriculum. It is affiliated with the German government and forms part of the global network of Auslandsschulen supported by ZfA, providing recognized credentials and updated methodologies with cultural immersion opportunities. The campus spans more than 55,000 square meters, featuring modern classrooms, laboratories, a library, arts and technology spaces, green areas, and multiple sports facilities. In Kindergarten, the Reggio Emilia approach guides learning through play, creativity and exploration. The school earned Microsoft Show‑Case School status in 2021 and renewed its accreditation with BLI 3.0 in 2022; in 2024 it added an IB specialization. The school remains committed to academic and intercultural excellence for families.
Altamira International School, located at Km 10 via Puerto Colombia highway, Atlántico, Colombia, offers an American Curriculum for Pre-Primary through Secondary. It is an international community with bilingual instruction in Spanish and English and an intercultural ethos that supports global perspectives. The curriculum complies with Colombian regulations and aligns with the U.S. Common Core, with French introduced in secondary. PRAE integrates Environmental Education with Problem-Based Learning to connect learning with real-world issues. The campus includes physics, robotics, and fabrication laboratories, a library opened in 2004, a cafetorium and new administrative offices in 2019, and the Antonio Ruiz Angulo Coliseum (2009). After-school programs feature volleyball, football, basketball, coding and robotics, music, and the arts. Clubs focus on Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, and Community and Service. AIS Life emphasizes well-being and leadership, and the House System fosters collaboration and school spirit. The school prepares students to be globally competitive leaders.
What’s on offer
The mix of programmes and teaching languages across all 7 schools. Many offer more than one curriculum, so totals run higher than the school count.
Number of schools teaching each curriculum.
Number of schools teaching in each language.
Size & classes
School size and class size shape day-to-day experience as much as curriculum does.
Schools grouped by total enrolment.
Average school size is 889 students · based on the 6 schools that report enrolment.
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