Colegio Bolívar

Calle 5 No. 122-21, Vía Pance, Cali, Colombia (14-hectare campus at the foothills of the Farallones de Cali).

Early Childhood Center; Preprimary; Primary; Middle School; High School.

A robust learning support program that nurtures students' skills from the earliest years.

Colombia; affiliated with Colombia's Ministry of National Education and Cognia (AdvancED).

Preprimary uses the Ontario Program with a play-based, bilingual curriculum that develops 21st-century skills such as inquiry, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, character, and critical thinking. The Preprimary curriculum integrates math, science, art, physical education, and values, supported by two teachers per classroom and spaces like the library, gym, and Atelier. Primary offers a bilingual, Deeper Learning-guided program for Grades 2–5, focusing on reading, writing, critical thinking, and knowledge in science, math, and technology. The Primary curriculum features Math based on the San Francisco model and the Ontario Curriculum; Science taught through real-life phenomena and STEM challenges; advanced bilingual development with instruction primarily in English; and Integration of Art, Music, Dance, Physical Education, and Technology. Middle School provides a bilingual, international program preparing students for the Colombian Bachillerato and the U.S. High School Diploma, with class sizes capped at 22 and electives such as art, robotics, video production, Model UN, AI, and video game design. High School offers a double diploma and a robust college-preparation program, including AP courses across multiple subjects, AP Capstone, Senior Project, college guidance for SAT/ACT/TOEFL/ICFES, and placement support; graduates have gained admission to top universities worldwide.

Class sizes are capped at 22 students in Primary and Middle School; Preprimary classrooms typically have 18–20 students, with two teachers per classroom.

High School offers a double diploma and a robust college-preparation program, including AP courses across multiple subjects, AP Capstone Diploma, Senior Project, college guidance for SAT, ACT, ICFES, and TOEFL, and scholarships. Starting in Grade 9, university guidance helps with admissions in Colombia and abroad. AP is offered in English, Spanish, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computing, and art, with a Senior Project and honors recognition. 57% of graduates have been admitted to top universities worldwide, including 26% in the United States and Canada, 31% in Europe/Asia/Latin America, and 43% in Colombia.

Learning Support Services include one NES teacher, six Learning Support teachers, and one Enrichment teacher (shared with Preprimary). Enrichment supports advanced learners within the Learning Support framework, alongside specialized counselors for social-emotional development.

The school has a comprehensive social and emotional learning (SEL) program focused on wellbeing, inclusion, and empathy. The Week of Well-Being emphasizes managing emotions, a sense of community, inclusion and empathy as daily practices. This initiative is aligned with the Strategic Plan 2022-2025 and addresses mental, physical, emotional, relational, and cognitive wellbeing. Activities include expert talks, promotion of healthy habits, balanced nutrition, physical exercise, mindfulness practices, and yoga. The counseling team coordinates these activities with input from teachers, the library, the music program, alumni, and families to foster a supportive community and to promote resilience and social-emotional growth as part of a holistic education.

The school has Learning Support Services that work with teachers and families to strengthen skills, overcome difficulties, and enhance talents, supporting academic and socioemotional development. The program covers foundational learning (Preprimaria to 2nd grade): attention, memory, and phonological awareness, as well as English reading and writing support (1st–5th). It also includes Mathematics understanding (1st–5th), critical thinking and deep learning, executive functions (1st–5th): self-regulation, organization, and emotional management, and English enrichment (K4–5th) plus Mathematics enrichment (2nd–5th) for advanced learners. In Middle School and High School, the program supports learning processes and study strategies such as organization, time management, comprehension, and autonomy.

The school offers a bilingual English–Spanish program to support language development for all students, including reading and writing in English and enrichment in English for advanced learners.

The school places emphasis on mental wellbeing as part of its wellbeing initiatives. The Week of Well-Being focuses on mental health, emotional health, and the development of healthy coping strategies through activities designed for every grade level. The counseling team coordinates initiatives related to social-emotional learning, including mindfulness, stress management, and resilience-building activities. The program engages administrators, teachers, the counseling department, the library, and families to create a supportive environment for students' mental health. The school aims to foster a culture of wellbeing that recognizes mental health as essential to learning and development.

The school has a Manual for the Protection of Minors. The school also maintains a Data Protection Policy outlining how personal information is collected, stored, and used in compliance with privacy regulations.

The school offers a daytime, bilingual, bicultural, and binational program for families seeking this educational approach. It educates approximately 1,250 students in pre-college education, from Kinder 4 through 12th grade, in English and Spanish, and is designed to be comparable with leading schools in Colombia, the United States, and other global communities. The program prepares students to continue their university education and to develop as individuals. The admissions process consists of five steps: Step 1 – About us: Download the brochure. Step 2 – Contact us: Complete the form. Step 4 – Payment of the registration fee. Step 5 – Evaluation of the application by the Admissions Committee. Address: Calle 5 No. 122-21 Vía Pance, Cali, Colombia.

The ASOBOLÍVAR Educational Fund is a solidarity commitment to the future of Colegio Bolívar's students. It currently has two main components: The Temporary Economic Assistance Program (AET) provides partial scholarships to families facing temporary economic difficulties. This aid is granted for one school year and is awarded to a single student per family, prioritizing the eldest child. After review, the amount assigned can range from 15% to 50% of the annual tuition; for Grade 12, the benefit can extend for an additional year if resources exist and the student performs well (top 25% of the grade). Death of a parent coverage: Life insurance included with the Fund's services covers both parents with a single premium and operates on a first-loss basis, aiming to cover educational costs up to grade 12 for students whose father or mother dies. Additionally, there are benefits including serious illness assistance of COP 20,000,000 and funeral assistance of COP 8,000,000. Impact of the Fund: It has 30 years of existence, with 59 students having completed their education thanks to the Fund, and financial returns are allocated to annual aid.