Comparing 3 schools side by side in USD.
The Vermont School Medellín operates two campuses in Medellín, Colombia: Campus El Retiro on Avenida Las Palmas Indiana Mall Km. 2 Vía La Fe, and Campus El Poblado on Calle 11 Sur
Early Steps; Kinder; Primary; Middle School; High School.
Private school; two campuses in Medellín (El Retiro and El Poblado); part of the Cognita Redcol family.
Integral Support for Learning with an interdisciplinary team (psychologist, nutritionist, nurse and speech therapist) who design and implement personalized intervention and follow-up plans; includes prevention programs and family guidance to support well-being and academic success.
Colombia
Safe and reliable school transport with designed routes and a team of qualified drivers and escorts; Ruta Segura real-time monitoring for journeys.
The school operates a restaurant and cafeteria service at the El Poblado and El Retiro campuses, offering breakfast and lunch options with a salad bar and snacks. Vegetarian options are available. The nutrition programme coordinates meals and there is an alternative menu.
The school is part of the Cognita family of schools and the Redcol network.
IB Diploma-based international curriculum across Early Steps, Kinder, Primary, Middle School and High School, delivered at Campus El Retiro and Campus El Poblado. English is taught as a second language and Mandarin Chinese is taught as a foreign language.
Active and participatory learning is promoted from early childhood, with a focus on social-emotional learning (SEL), development of agency and adaptability, and a commitment to wellbeing.
The school has a Learning Support Center and a Learning Support Center Coordinator, Marcela Giraldo Correa, to support students with diverse learning needs.
The school fosters mastery of three languages and offers a bilingual academic track, along with American Cognia and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.
Wellbeing is a central focus of the school's mission and educational approach, alongside SEL and active learning.
There is a safeguarding policy referenced in the school's governance documents.
1. Information meeting: It is very important to get to know the training project and the locations. Reservations can be made up to three years in advance of the admission date. Complete the form to schedule an informational meeting. This step helps families understand how Vermont School operates and what to expect at the campuses.
Waiting list: After the admission decision, applicants may be placed on the waiting list.
Envigado, Colombia (km16 Alto Las Palmas).
Preschool (K4 to 1st grade), Elementary (2nd to 5th grade), Middle School (6th to 8th grade), High School (9th to 12th grade).
International bilingual school.
The school has a Learning Center with professionals who support students with learning difficulties or who need additional help.
Colombia
The school works with transportation providers Transporte Asia, Las Buseticas, and Orientours; the contract with the transport company is directly with the family.
The Columbus School allows free expression; students can dress as they like as long as it is respectful. On PE days, they wear the uniform; it is also acceptable to wear the PE uniform on days when they do not have class.
Students have two breaks for snack or lunch. Families may choose to bring a lunchbox or use the school food service provided by ServExpress. For Early Years and Elementary, families can sign up and pay monthly for a snack and a daily lunch, just a daily snack, or just a daily lunch. Middle and High School can register and pay monthly for a daily lunch, bring a lunchbox from home, or buy at the cafeteria every day.
The Columbus School is a not-for-profit corporation, Corporación Colegio Cristóbal Colón (“The Columbus School”), domiciled in Envigado, Antioquia, Colombia. It has three governing bodies: Asamblea General de Miembros (General Assembly of Parents), Junta Directiva (Board of Directors), and Rectoría (Rector). The General Assembly is composed of the parents of the students who are in good standing. The Board of Directors consists of seven members, four internal (parents) and three external, elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms. The Board defines and monitors strategy, makes strategic decisions, ensures the school's sustainability, carries out risk management, ensures regulatory compliance, and evaluates its own performance and that of the Head of School. The Rector leads the school under the Board and the Assembly. The FUNDACIÓN THE COLUMBUS SCHOOL is a separate non-profit foundation connected to the school.
The Columbus School offers four school phases: Preschool (K4 to 1st grade), Elementary (2 to 5th grade), Intermediate (6th to 8th grade), and Senior High (9th to 12th grade). The curriculum emphasizes academic excellence, bilingualism, and training in values and social responsibility. The Elementary program includes K5 through 5th grade with Math Scope and Elementary Math Progressions. For grades 6 through 12, there are alignment documents for Grade 6 through Grade 12, updated February 19, 2019. These documents provide an overview of learning for each term, including essential learning, assessments and depth of understanding. All students pursue higher education at Colombian universities and prestigious institutions abroad.
All students pursue higher education at Colombian universities and prestigious institutions abroad.
The Counseling Department is composed of 14 psychologists, each assigned to a specific grade level. They provide socio-emotional support to students, working in collaboration with families and the teaching staff. They conduct group interventions for the promotion and prevention of issues such as conflict resolution, bullying, substance abuse prevention, responsible sexuality, self-esteem building, and digital citizenship. They offer conferences and workshops for parents to strengthen strategies for effectively managing situations with their children. A High School college counselor supports students in decision-making regarding their professional future and the application and admission processes to local, national, and international universities. This process is carried out both individually through advising students and parents, and at a group level with activities such as university fairs, internship opportunities, conferences, workshops, and more.
The Learning Center provides a department of professionals who help students who have learning difficulties or who need additional help, with the aim that all students reach their highest level. It emphasizes inclusive education and supports diverse learners. The center features highly qualified staff who participate in ongoing professional development, are supported by instructional coaches, and can engage in Master's degree programs or campus courses offered by SUNY Buffalo to enhance practice.
English is the primary language of instruction in homeroom classes, and students receive one hour of daily Spanish instruction.
The Counseling Department provides socio-emotional support to students and works with families and teachers. It runs group interventions on topics such as conflict resolution, bullying, and digital citizenship. It also offers parent conferences and workshops to support families, and a High School college counselor assists students with university planning and applications.
The school maintains a Protection Policy under Policies and a Personal Data Processing Policy (English version) on its site to govern safeguarding of personal data. An Ethics and Transparency Line provides a channel to report suspicious behavior, with defined procedures for reporting concerns.
Step 0: Informational meeting for prospective parents. The Columbus School schedules information meetings in April and May 2024 for prospective K4 admissions for the August 2027 start. Attending is essential to begin the admissions process, and seats are limited. The meeting provides information about the school, includes a tour of the facilities, explains the admissions process and its requirements, and offers the opportunity to ask questions. If a family already has a child enrolled or assigned a seat, they should not register for this meeting. Step 1: Admissions form, submission of documents and interview. A few days after the last information meeting, the Admissions Office will email an invitation with instructions and requirements to begin the admissions process. The emails used come from the registration; families should provide current email addresses. From late May to early August 2024, families must complete the admissions form with the required documents; parents/guardians must schedule the first interview, which is required to finalize the applicant. Step 2: Initial analysis (internal process). To proceed, all required documents must be submitted and the admissions interview attended during the established dates. In August 2024 the admissions committee will review all applicant families and pre-select those invited to schedule a counselor interview. Step 3: Counseling interview. From late August to September 2024, the admissions office will email families to schedule the counselor interview. The interview is conducted in person at the school or via Zoom; the attendance of the parent or guardian is essential. Step 4: Final analysis. The admissions committee will conduct a second evaluation based on the school's admissions philosophy and the number of spaces available; the committee will publish the list of accepted families. Step 5: Response to the family. During October 2024 the admissions office will email responses to the accepted families; along with acceptance, instructions for paying the pre-matriculation are provided; the family must respond by email to indicate acceptance. Those not allocated a seat will also be notified. Step 6: Pre-matriculation payment. The deadline for payment is defined in the communication; families accepting the seat for August 2027 must send the pre-matriculation payment proof to the admissions office by the deadline; failure to provide the proof will result in the seat being offered to another applicant. End of the admissions process.
There is a yearly waiting list; the Admissions team explains how the waiting list operates.
Colombo Británico Envigado is located in Envigado, Colombia. The address is Transversal 29 Sur Diagonal 32 B-97 Envigado. The campus includes Preescolar (Preschool), Primaria (Primary), and Bachillerato (Upper Secondary). It emphasizes English language instruction and bilingual education.
Preescolar (Preschool), Primaria (Primary), Bachillerato (Upper Secondary). Bachillerato consists of Basic Secondary (grades 6–9) and the Media (grades 10–11), with English as a language emphasis and Portuguese taught in the upper grades.
The school is a bilingual educational establishment.
Counseling and wellbeing services are provided, including psychological counseling for students and families, convivencia programs, parent education, vocational guidance, and a sex education project. The Center for Picasso Skills uses psycho-pedagogical experts in classrooms to support social, emotional, and academic development and to promote inclusion.
Colombia
School transport is provided by Vía Terrestre. Contact Andrés Felipe Ruiz at transporteccb@viaterrestre.com or 3004761809. For 2025, the full-time (round trip) rate is COP 475,200 and the half-time (one-way) rate is COP 332,640. The transport contract is signed at enrollment and follows Decree 3694 of 2009 with Vía Terrestre, reflecting the provider's 25 years of experience.
Students must wear the uniform correctly, which identifies the school as a learning community that learns together, educates by example, and teaches values. Uniforms can be renewed or purchased from authorized providers: Uniform Store (ustore.com.co) WhatsApp 301 773 65 19; Tel 604 202 77 26; Soluciones Deportivas (solucionesdeportivas.co) WhatsApp 314 888 42 99; Margarita Vélez, Calle 39 b sur
Cafeteria and restaurant service is provided by Cres & Catering, offering healthy, balanced meals that meet the nutritional requirements of CBE students. Cres carries the Green Seal: FAVORABLE Sanitary Concept, awarded by the Envigado Health Department, guaranteeing quality in food preparation and storage. Each month, Cres designs a different menu with high nutritional value and portions adjusted to age. Prices for the service are available by downloading the contract; administrator contact is Marcela Valencia Hernández, cafeteriayrestaurantecb@gmail.com, 3104144243. The August 2025 menu is available.
The Colombo Británico Envigado is a non-profit educational corporation, bilingual (Spanish-English) and multicultural, coeducational, for students from 18 months of age, meeting the national educational standards and the international standards of the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme of the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
Curriculum is experience-based and student-centered, emphasizing active learning, thinking development, inclusion, and diversity. A bilingual program provides English exposure across levels, with Prejardedn to Transicif3n teaching some dimensions in English and others in Spanish. Primaria develops social, cognitive, physical, communicative and spiritual capacities using technology-enabled classrooms and English as a second language. Bachillerato includes English instruction, with Portuguese offered in the 10th and 11th grades, and IELTS certification on completion. The International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) is offered in 10th and 11th grades, enabling graduates to apply to universities worldwide with potential credit recognition and scholarships. There is also a Dual Diploma with Advantages School International (ASI) and international immersion programs in Canada and the United Kingdom, complemented by PRIMED socio-emotional learning accreditation.
1:10 (one teacher for every ten students)
IB Diploma graduates may apply to universities worldwide, with credits convalidated and scholarships available.
Development of students' talents and abilities through inclusive education that respects diversity.
1. Data entry for the family and applicant is completed digitally on the cbe.edu.co website. This information starts the admissions process and is used to verify basic eligibility for the applicant. The data collection applies to all grades and is the first step before any interviews or evaluations. 2. Payment of the application processing fee is required to continue with the admissions process. The payment confirms the family's intent to apply and unlocks access to subsequent steps. 3. Acceptance of the SAGRILAFT legal and financial background analysis is required. The analysis verifies the origin of assets and patrimony to ensure the applicant is not listed on any national or international restricted lists. The school reviews the analysis as part of the eligibility assessment. 4. Submission of family references (if available) is requested to support the application. References may be considered in the admissions decision. 5. After the first stage, families are invited to an interview with the school. The interview report and seat availability inform the Admissions Committee's decision on admission. The school uses three priority groups in this order: siblings of active students, children of alumni and employees, and applicants with references from families of the School. Those not securing a seat are placed on a waiting list and offered a seat when available. 6. Proceso de admisión a grados Jardín a Noveno (three-day pasantía). Applicants for Jardín to Undécimo complete a three-day internship with diagnostic tests in Spanish, English and mathematics, plus interviews with teachers and the grade advisory council. Based on the results and the report, the Rector decides whether admission is granted, granted with conditions, or not advisable for the applicant. 7. Proceso de admisión a grados Décimo y Undécimo. Generally, the School does not admit new students to these grades, but admission may be considered under certain circumstances: exchange students with sufficient English; students who have withdrawn and have a reserved seat for academic or humanitarian reasons; students from other IB schools whose program matches the School's offering. Any admission process is subject to the procedures in the current Coexistence Manual, Chapter II. 8. Proceso de admisión al Dual Diploma. The Dual Diploma program, offered in partnership with Advantages School International, is voluntary and additional to the regular program. It targets families with enrolled students whose life project is to live, reside or study in the United States. To access this program, applicants must: (1) submit formal application when the School makes the official call in the second half of Grade 8; (2) learn the program requirements through information meetings and publications; (3) pay the program registration fees as defined by the School according to the rates set by Advantages School International. Dual Diploma withdrawal is possible only 15 days before the start of the academic year and before invoicing the semester's credit; the family must notify the Rector in writing. 9. Proceso de admisión al Programa de Diploma del Bachillerato Internacional. The School aims for all enrolled students in Grades 10 and 11 to be IB Diploma Programme candidates. The School will subsidize at least 70% of the extra costs associated with this candidacy, with families paying 30% themselves. Generally, all students are candidates, but exceptions include students with prior accommodations that prevent program objectives, students with exceptional talent (sports or arts) requiring timetable or workload adjustments, and any other financial situations needing to be resolved before enrollment. If a family chooses participation despite prior commitments, they must inform the Rector in writing at least 30 days before ordinary enrollments, confirming acceptance of the program's academic responsibilities. The IB Diploma Programme withdrawal is effective immediately when the student withdraws for reasons stated in the Manual of Coexistence. | Parágrafo 5. Desvinculación del Programa de Diploma del Bachillerato Internacional. 9. Causales de no admisión include lack of seats, late submission, falsified documents, conflicts of interest, negative SARLAFT analysis, or undisclosed information about family structure or special educational needs.
IB Diploma Programme subsidy: The School subsidizes at least 70% of the extra costs associated with IB Diploma candidacy for Grades 10 and 11, with families paying the remaining 30%.
If a seat is not available, the applicant will be kept on a waiting list and will be offered a seat when one becomes available.
