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.
Located in the Ditaires sector, Itagüí, in the Medellín metropolitan area, Colombia. Address: Carrera 61 N. 34-62, Ditaires, Itagüí. The campus is described as an environment where contact with nature prevails to facilitate movement and learning.
Four academic sections: Kindergarten; Elementary (Grundschule); Middle School (Mittelstufe); Upper Secondary (Oberstufe). The 14 grades are organized with four parallel groups per grade.
Nonprofit educational institution; German international school; affiliated with the Corporacif3n Colegio Aleme1n and the German government. It is part of the German Schools Abroad network (ZfA) and an International Baccalaureate World School.
Inclusion and differentiation are addressed through classroom differentiation and the School Mediation program to support coexistence and diverse learning needs.
Affiliated with Germany; recognized and sponsored by the German government; member of the German Schools Abroad network (ZfA) and IB World School.
Non-denominational educational institution.
The school day runs from 7:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m., depending on the developmental stage. Free time activities for Grades 7–12 run from 3:10 p.m. to 4:20 p.m. Lunch is included for Kindergarten; in other sections lunch is voluntary.
Transportation is offered in partnership with a school transportation company, with full-day (round trip) or half-day (one-way) options.
The only mandatory uniform is the sports uniform, which consists of a shirt and a lower garment (lycra, shorts, or a sweatshirt).
The school operates a cafeteria. Meals are served in portions that minimize waste, and non-disposable dishes and glasses are used in the cafeteria to reduce environmental impact.
The school is governed by the Corporación Colegio Alemán (Deutscher Schulverein). The school receives support from the Government of Germany through the Central Office for German Schools Abroad (ZfA) and the Association of German Schools Abroad (WDA); it also cooperates with the German Embassy in Colombia and the German Consulate in Medellín, and with other German schools in Colombia.
The International Baccalaureate (GIB) pathway is followed from Kindergarten through Klasse 12 in a multilingual German-Spanish-English environment. The GIB includes core elements such as Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay. German language learning is integrated throughout the curriculum, with German-language DFU subjects and immersive experiences. In Klasse 6 there is a three-week trip to Germany, and in Klasse 10 a semester or year in Germany, with the Deutsches Sprachdiplom II (DSD II) certifying language skills at levels B2/C1. The GIB opens doors to universities in Germany, the United States and Spain, and provides a competitive international pathway to higher education, complemented by university fairs and campus visits for planning.
The GIB pathway opens doors to universities in Germany, the United States and Spain. The programme develops critical thinking, research and time management skills that support higher education admissions. The German University Fair and University Tour, along with partnerships with the German Embassy, DAAD and AHK, help students explore and access higher education.
Arts, Music and Sports are delivered through ATL activities, with Talent Shows (Die Talentschau) showcasing students' talents. An Art Show acknowledges student work, and the sports program emphasizes track and field, volleyball, swimming and basketball, with participation in the National Games and Humboldt Games. Cultural exchanges and related activities further support students' artistic and athletic development.
Counselling Department includes psychologists per section and provides guidance to students, parents and teachers. It supports coexistence, education for peace, citizenship skills, development of identity, appreciation of differences, self-regulation and autonomy. The Coordination of School Coexistence designs transversal projects and uses prevention and intervention strategies to foster a respectful campus environment.
Counselling Department includes psychologists per section and offers personal academic counseling and group leveling outside the academic day for students who have not achieved their goals. The Nursing service delivers health care with a focus on prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Language learning and the International Baccalaureate are key; the intercultural education environment emphasizes ongoing language immersion.
Counselling Department supports mental wellbeing through guidance for students, parents and teachers, and by working with the School Coexistence Coordination to promote healthy social and emotional development. Health professionals in the Nursing service focus on prevention and promoting healthy lifestyles.
The School Coexistence Coordination and the Counselling Department work to create a safe, respectful educational community through prevention and intervention activities.
Prekindergarten Admissions Process: Step 1 Open Day: A space for families to learn about our educational proposal and resolve their concerns. This step is optional for current families. The next dates for the informative talks are published in January 2024. Step 2 Registration to the admissions process: Registration, filling out the form, and uploading documentation. From January 2024 the registration form will be available for future processes. Step 3 Interview with parents: Attendance of the parents at the school, with a pre-scheduled meeting to meet with the Admissions team during the process. Step 4 Recreational day: A morning of activities with Admissions and Kindergarten staff, attended by parents and the applicant child. It is scheduled by Admissions during the process. Step 5 Visit to the day care center: Admissions staff visits the day care centers, in accordance with directives, to visit the children in their usual environment. Attendance at a day care center is not compulsory for participation in the process. Step 6 Evaluation and notification: Once the different stages have been completed, the Admissions Committee analyzes the applications and then sends notification of the result by email. Step 7 Reservation of place: Parents of admitted children must complete the requirements and documentation for the arrangement of a place reservation. If your child is at least 1 year old, leave us your contact information to start the admissions process. For more information and to clarify doubts about the admission process to Prekinder, contact our Admissions office by phone at +57 (604) 2818811, extension 131 or +57 3245117686, or by email at [email protected].
Scholarships: The school offers a Sibling Discount, available from the second child in the family, with the younger child entering Prekinder receiving a discount on tuition for that first year only. Excelencia scholarships are awarded to students with the best average in their grade-level sections (Grundschule, Mittelstufe, Oberstufe) and to the best results in German-language examinations (A2 in Klasse 7, DSD I in Klasse 9, DSD II in Klasse 11).
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.
