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Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction
The Antofagasta British School is a private, non‑profit IB World School in Chile serving students aged 3 to 18. The school delivers the full IB continuum with a bespoke curriculum. ABS was founded in 1918 to educate children of English immigrants and is governed by the ABS Educational Corporation, a nonprofit formed by parents and guardians. Its campus on Pedro León Gallo Street hosts over 860 students, about 70 teachers and 40 support staff. Infant School offers bilingual education; Junior School uses a bilingual curriculum strengthened by the IB Primary Years Programme. Middle School combines a national curriculum with the IB Middle Years Programme, and Senior School aligns Chilean programs with the IB Diploma Programme, including Extended Essay, TOK and CAS. Extra programs include sports, theatre, dance, graphic design, robotics, journalism and science clubs, plus student leadership through CEAL. The school also emphasizes international mindedness and community engagement for all.
The Antofagasta British School has 1,100 pupils, instruction in English, Spanish.
Location
Located at Pedro León Gallo 723, Antofagasta, Chile. It serves the city of Antofagasta. Inquiries are welcome at +55 2 598950 or contacto@abs.school.
Stages
Infant School; Junior; Middle; Senior
Type
Private, non-profit; IB World School; Cambridge-certified
Country affiliation
Chile
Fees
Application fees
- Cuota de incorporación (aplicación/inscripción): 36 UF (valor indicado en los comunicados públicos para 2025). En la postulación se exige, además, el pago de la matrícula al momento de confirmar la incorporación.
Tuition fees by year group (amounts and billing unit)
- Valores públicos más recientes disponibles (año académico 2025): - Matrícula única por alumno: CLP 693,351. - Colegiatura anual (colegiatura / anualidad): CLP 5,363,787. - La suma de cuota de incorporación (36 UF) más matrícula aparece indicada en los comunicados de admisión de 2025 como un pago simultáneo al momento de matricular.
- Ejemplo de desglose por niveles publicado en años anteriores (referencia de 2023, útil para entender diferencias por ciclo): - Prebásica (Playgroup / Pre-kínder / Kínder): matrícula de ejemplo CLP 478,444 y colegiatura anual de ejemplo CLP 4,274,460. - Desde 1° básico a IV medio: matrícula de ejemplo CLP 660,964 y colegiatura anual de ejemplo CLP 5,113,239. - Estos valores se emplearon como referencia en comunicados locales y muestran que la colegiatura varía por ciclo; la institución publica o comunica el monto final por nivel en el proceso de admisión.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Matrícula: se paga al confirmar la matrícula; la formalización incluye la firma del contrato de prestación de servicios educacionales y el pago inicial correspondiente. El área de Finanzas coordina la concreción del pago (remoto o presencial) con la familia.
- Colegiatura / escolaridad anual: en comunicaciones públicas y reglamentos de establecimientos locales se manejan modalidades de pago fraccionado. En las referencias de la zona, la colegiatura anual se fracciona habitualmente en 10 cuotas; para 4° medio algunas ofertas de pago consideran 9 cuotas debido al calendario escolar. El colegio comunica las condiciones de pago (plazos y número de cuotas) en el proceso contractual con la familia.
- Descuentos por hermanos: la práctica comunicada en años previos incluye descuentos escalonados por hermano (por ejemplo: descuentos en matrícula y colegiatura que han llegado a 10–25% según el número de hermanos), aplicables según la normativa interna y la política económica comunicada a las familias durante admisión. Los porcentajes y condiciones se informan en el proceso de admisión y en el contrato.
Boarding fees (if applicable)
- The Antofagasta British School opera como establecimiento particular pagado de jornada diurna (preescolar, básica y media). No figura oferta de internado/boarding en los documentos institucionales; por tanto, no hay tarifa de internado publicada.
Other costs and fees (uniforms, materials, extras)
- Uniforme: el uso del uniforme escolar es obligatorio para todos los ciclos; el reglamento detalla las prendas requeridas por ciclo y establece que el apoderado puede adquirir el uniforme en el comercio que estime conveniente. No hay un precio único publicado de uniforme en los documentos reglamentarios. Asimismo, existe una lista de útiles y materiales por curso que debe ser asumida por las familias.
- Actividades extracurriculares, salidas pedagógicas, materiales especiales, seguro escolar y otros recargos: pueden generar cobros adicionales según la actividad (salidas, talleres, academias, etc.). Estos cargos aparecen especificados puntualmente en comunicados o en autorizaciones de cada actividad y/o en el contrato anual.
Refund information and contract terms
- Condiciones de reembolso, procedimientos por retiro anticipado y obligaciones comerciales están reguladas por el Contrato de Prestación de Servicios Educacionales que firma la familia al matricular. El reglamento interno establece procedimientos relacionados con cancelación de matrícula por razones disciplinarias, mientras que los aspectos financieros (devoluciones y condiciones de pago ante retiros) se definen contractualmente y se comunican a la familia en el proceso de admisión. No existe una política pública de reembolso con cifras y condiciones generales publicada de forma abierta; los términos se especifican en el contrato y en la comunicación de Finanzas al momento de matricular.
Fee payment options
- El procedimiento de admisión indica que el área de Finanzas acordará con la familia la forma en que se concretará la matrícula (sistema remoto o presencial) y enviará el contrato; las formas de pago concretas (transferencia bancaria, tarjeta de crédito, pago presencial u otras) se pactan con Finanzas en ese proceso contractual. No aparece una lista pública y exhaustiva de métodos de pago publicada en los documentos institucionales disponibles.
Notes on the figures provided
- Las cifras monetarias detalladas en este resumen corresponden a valores informados públicamente en comunicados locales y en la prensa regional para el año académico 2025, y al detalle por ciclo divulgado en informes anteriores (2023). Los montos finales por nivel, las condiciones de pago, descuentos por hermanos y las modalidades de cobro son comunicadas directamente por el área de admisión y finanzas al formalizar la postulación y la matrícula.
Academics
The Antofagasta British School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
Infant School offers bilingual education. ABS Junior School uses a bilingual curriculum strengthened by the IB Primary Years Programme to develop 21st-century skills and inquiry-based learning. ABS Middle School covers grades 5–8 with a national curriculum and the IB Middle Years Programme, emphasizing interdisciplinary learning to integrate knowledge across disciplines and develop new understanding. ABS Senior School covers grades 9–12 and combines Chile's national programs with the IB Diploma Programme, with the first two years focused on developing high-level academic skills in preparation for PSU and IB Diploma examinations. The IB continuum is offered across ages 3–18, including the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme; the Diploma Programme emphasizes studying six subjects, at least two languages, to prepare for university and global citizenship.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Postulation: All families wishing to apply must begin the process on abs.school via the ADMISIÓN POSTULAR link. This directs to the Colegium admissions platform where the guardian completes the application and uploads the following documents: birth certificate for Chilean applicants; RUN or passport for other nationalities; certificates of study from the previous year; grade report for the period if applicable; personality report from the current school. 2. Debts: Guardians must not have any outstanding debt with The Antofagasta British School. The rule also applies to guardians who have debts with the Corporation and are applying with a new family, where the guardian had previously served as guardian. 3. The Admissions area will contact the family by email with information on fees, discounts, and related terms. 4. If the family decides to continue, a meeting with the Cycle Principal will be scheduled, who will interview the family and provide detailed information about the educational project, policies, schedule, clubs, projects, and sports. 5. After the interview, the Admissions Department will send the admission decision to the family. 6. To finalize admission, enrollment must be completed within five business days after receiving the acceptance letter, including paying the incorporation fee (if applicable) and the enrollment, and signing the Educational Services Contract and the sponsor's insurance form. If any exception applies, the Admissions area will coordinate with Finance to send the contract to the family. 7. In line with International Baccalaureate requirements, particularly the Diploma Programme, admission is not offered at III and IV Medio. 8. Guided visits: The Admissions Assistant will lead guided visits for applicant families according to the established calendar so they can view the facilities. 9. Age and eligibility: entry ages are defined by national law, with age requirements by level; the school follows Decree and CNED guidance, including provisions for Playgroup, Pre-K, Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary, with the maximum secondary age set at 16 by March 31. The school also notes inclusion considerations and maintains vacancies for students with Special Educational Needs (NEEP) in accordance with current law. 10. Priority criteria: the school prioritizes applicants as follows—(a) first option for children whose siblings are currently enrolled; (b) second option for children of alumni; (c) third option for children of staff; (d) fourth option for children of alumni; (e) fifth option for children with no prior ties. 11. Vacancies: the number of vacancies by level is published on the admissions page. 12. Enrollment for continuing students: enrollment of continuing students typically occurs in September of the new academic year, subject to any conditions stipulated by staff. 13. Admissions visits: guided visits to view facilities can be arranged according to the admissions calendar.
FAQs
What curriculum does The Antofagasta British School follow?
The school offers bilingual education combining British educational approaches with the Chilean national curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.
What age range does the school serve?
The Antofagasta British School serves students aged 3 to 18, from preschool through Grade 12.
Where is the school located?
The school is located in Antofagasta, a major city in northern Chile's mining region.
Is the school co-educational?
Yes, The Antofagasta British School is co-educational, welcoming both boys and girls.
