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Colegio Granadino

Colombia, Manizales

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Spanish
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 1 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 848
Type Co-educational
Opened 1981
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages English, Spanish
Strengths Languages, Sport, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Community and Service, Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Colégio Granadino in Caldas, Colombia, offers an American-based curriculum with AP and a bespoke approach. It is a private, nonprofit, bilingual English–Spanish school serving Nursery through High School. Accredited by the Colombian Ministry of Education and previously by SACS-Cognia since 2001, it enables students to earn the American High School diploma alongside the Colombian Bachillerato. The 11.8-hectare La Florida campus in Villamaría provides a countryside setting with facilities: 48 classrooms, labs, a library, theaters, art and music spaces, multiple gyms and auditoriums, dining facilities. The school emphasizes standards-based curriculum design—written, taught, and assessed—focusing on deep learning, 21st-century skills, and responsible citizenship. Notable strengths include bilingual language development and a robust sports program, along with a commitment to community service through Granadino Solidario. The campus continues to expand under a Growth Plan, reinforcing its aim to prepare students for university and citizenship, while maintaining a values-driven environment.

La Florida, Cl. 71 #1-998, Villamaría, Caldas, Colombia

The Essentials

Colegio Granadino has 848 pupils, instruction in English, Spanish.

Location
Villamaría, Caldas, Colombia. Address: Cll 71 # 1-998, Villamaría, Caldas, Colombia.

Stages
Kinder (K1–K5); Primary (Grades 1–5); Secondary (Grades 6–12).

Type
Private, nonprofit, bilingual (English–Spanish).

Country affiliation
Colombia
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school has an on-site restaurant and publishes monthly snack and lunch menus.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a private, non-profit educational institution. It is accredited by the Colombian Ministry of Education and by COGNIA. It is governed by the Asociación Colegio Granadino (ACG).
Fees
Application fees

- No publicly posted application or registration fee amount is available for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic year. The admissions process requires submission of the school's application forms and acceptance of the school's Payment Policy as part of application/registration paperwork.

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)

- There is no publicly published tuition schedule showing amounts per term or per school year (K1–K5, Primary 1°–5°, Secondary 6°–12°) for 2026/27 or 2025/26 in the school's available admissions or financial documents. Tuition amounts are set in the student enrollment contract issued to families.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Enrollment and billing are governed by the school's Payment Policy, which families must accept as part of the admissions/matriculation process. The admissions process documentation states the school will communicate admission results within a 30‑day period after receipt of required documentation, and that enrollment (matrícula) is completed once required documents are delivered and the enrollment contract is generated. Payments are handled through the school's payments portal managed by ZonaPagos. Specific billing dates, term-installment options, late-payment penalties, and contract payment clauses are defined in the school's Payment Policy and the enrollment contract.

Boarding fees (if applicable)

- Colegio Granadino operates as a day school (Kinder, Primary, Secondary sections are listed) and no boarding program or boarding fees are listed in the institution's public section descriptions; therefore no boarding fees apply.

Other costs and typical additional fees

- Specific additional fee items (uniforms, meals/cafeteria, school transport, textbooks or materials, extracurricular activity fees, examination fees, insurance) are not published with amounts. The admissions checklist requires a health certificate, vaccination record and proof of health insurance/accident insurance, indicating families will need to provide or pay for these items independently. Any mandatory or optional ancillary fees and the amounts for them are specified in the enrollment contract and Payment Policy.

Refund information

- No publicly posted refund schedule or explicit fee-refund amounts for withdrawal, dismissal, or cancellation was found in the school's accessible admissions or financial documents. Refund and cancellation conditions are governed by the Payment Policy and by the terms in the enrollment contract.

Fee payment options

- Fee payments are processed through the school's payments portal (ZonaPagos). The school's admissions and payments references indicate families use that payment channel for invoices and payments; specific accepted payment instruments (credit card, debit card, bank transfer) are handled through the payment portal and are specified at the point of payment and in the Payment Policy.

Contact for definitive fee figures and invoices

- Exact tuition amounts, term-by-term breakdowns, ancillary fee amounts, payment schedules, refund rules and accepted payment methods are provided in the school's enrollment contract and Payment Policy and are issued to families by the Admissions/Finance office. Contact details published for school administration are: telephone +57 3104232524 and email colgranadino@granadino.edu.co.

Summary of availability

- The school's publicly available admissions and financial materials do not publish numerical fee schedules for the 2026/27 or 2025/26 academic years. The Payment Policy and the enrollment contract are the documents that define amounts, billing dates, payment methods and refund rules for each family.
Academics

Colegio Granadino teaches American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
Standards-based curriculum that defines what students should know, understand, and be able to do at each stage. The written curriculum describes the knowledge and skills to be taught, aligned with national and international standards. The taught curriculum (implementation) covers textbooks, platforms, and teaching strategies used to support learning. The taught curriculum (assessment) transforms 21st-century standards and skills into a coherent curriculum and assessment system that emphasizes deep learning and long-term transfer. The curriculum values the arts, humanities, health, well-being, and responsible citizenship and prepares students for university and professional life, developing responsible, critical thinkers and creative individuals. Accredited by the Colombian Ministry of Education.

Student Teacher Ratio
Class sizes vary by grade. Grades with two sections per level have about 25 students per section (up to 26). Grades with three sections per level (K3 to 12) have about 21 students per section (up to 22). For admissions, the school lists these targets for grouping by level.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school runs a comprehensive social-emotional learning program across Kinder, Primary, and Secondary. Kinder: Navegar Seguro teaches social-emotional skills; Fun Day strengthens emotional expression and positive learning habits; PECES supports emotional education, positive discipline, and effective communication with families. Primary: Navegar Seguro continues; Meraki provides holistic stimulation to develop attention, self-regulation, and socio-emotional skills; PECES supports families; Steps to Success helps parents reinforce study habits and learning strategies at home. Secondary: Study Skills Classes develop organization, planning, and study techniques to promote autonomy and academic performance; HEPASI provides parenting tools for the 21st century; the Mental Health and Wellbeing Club offers a safe space for Middle and High School students to learn about emotional wellbeing, develop healthy coping skills, build self-awareness, and foster a positive school community. The department works in close partnership with families and, when needed, external specialists to support each student's well-being.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning Support provides a team of highly qualified professionals delivering differentiated education. In Preschool, Primary, and Secondary, there is ongoing support during and after classes for students with differences in language development and learning processes; there are stimulation, prevention, and pedagogical intervention programs to prevent future learning problems; early detection is emphasized and addressed. The work is interdisciplinary, with families, teachers, and external professionals collaborating. Inclusion is guided by Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences framework, with an inclusion approach that uses differentiated learning goals, alternative assessments, feedback, and multiple opportunities. For students with special needs, the school develops and implements IEPs, IAPs, and comprehensive learning plans designed by a team and monitored by the learning support team.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English Language Development (ELD) develops English proficiency, and students whose English skills are below school expectations receive support in the classroom (push-in) or in ELD elective sessions (grades 11 and 12).

Mental Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing Club provides a safe and supportive space for Middle and High School students to learn about emotional wellbeing, develop healthy coping skills, build self-awareness, and foster a positive school community. The program emphasizes coping strategies and social-emotional growth within a supportive environment.

Safeguarding
The CG Community Kindness Code commits to a kind, safe, and supportive environment: we treat everyone with kindness and respect every day, we include others, and we stand up for each other by informing a trusted staff member if we witness unkind behavior. The guidance emphasizes a See Something, Say Something, Do Something mindset and a community built on kindness, inclusion, and respect. The school also works in close partnership with families and external specialists to support each student's learning and well-being.
Parent Experience

History
The school began in 1979 when Maria Mercedes Londoño de Gutiérrez and American educator Joanne Smith Barrett, with visionary Manizales parents, explored creating a bilingual school modeled after successful American international schools. The aim was to provide high-quality bilingual English-Spanish education in a community-centered, non-denominational framework that included transportation and a cafeteria. In November 1980, the Asociación Colegio Granadino was founded, with the initial administrative team including Dr. Alix Saffon, Joanne Smith Barrett as academic director, Marujita Escobar as General Director, and Maria Mercedes Londoño de Gutiérrez as Executive Director. The Colegio Granadino opened on February 9, 1981 with 45 students in Kinder 4 and Kinder 5, adding a grade each year until the K4–12 program was complete; the current La Florida campus opened in 1984 in a renovated area including the Casa Roja. The school adopted the B calendar in 1987, earned international accreditation from SACS-Cognia in 2001 enabling the American High School diploma alongside the Colombian Bachillerato, and opened Granadino Infantil in 2007 under Reggio Emilia principles.

Community
Vida Estudiantil includes STUCO, National Honor Society, and CG Spotlight, forming the core of student life. STUCO, or Student Council, is a student organization that develops leadership, collaborates on school initiatives, and represents the voice of students to the school board; it regulates the active participation of students in projects across grade levels. The National Honor Society promotes leadership, character, citizenship, scholarship, and service, organized into NEHS for grades 4–6, NJHS for grades 8–9, and NHS for grades 11–12; members complete service hours and run campaigns to support the school and the community. CG Spotlight recognizes student achievements across the community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parents Association (PA) is a non-profit organization formed freely and voluntarily by Colegio Granadino parents. Its purpose is to promote and strengthen the school's philosophy and objectives, and to support school programs and projects for the benefit of the entire school community. The PA operates independently from the school with its own legal personality, assets, and bylaws, and it renews each school year. It also benefits from Class Parents who help plan and execute initiatives that strengthen the bonds between families and the school. Current members of the PA board include Mónica Rocío Güiza Quijano – Presidenta y Representante Legal; Paola Rodríguez Grisales – Vicepresidente; Francisco Javier Castellanos Galeano; Manuela Uribe Llano; Natalia Mejía Victoria; Oriana Marín Roncancio; and Viviana Restrepo Giraldo."
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is located on 11.8 hectares in La Florida – Villamaría, Caldas, Colombia, offering a countryside environment. It serves Nursery through High School and includes facilities planned for expansion under the Growth Plan. There are 48 classrooms in operation, plus 3 art rooms, 2 music rooms, 1 theater room, 2 infirmaries, 2 auditoriums, 3 coliseums, 2 gyms, 1 dance hall, 1 library, and 3 laboratories. The campus also has 24 general bathrooms and 30 bathrooms in classrooms and offices (120 sinks, 98 toilets, and 16 showers), 2 restaurants, 5 soccer fields, 3 basketball courts, 1 tennis court, 1 BMX track, 5 playground sections, and green areas. The Red House houses 14 administrative offices and 1 boardroom; the school is accredited by the Colombian Ministry of Education.

Sports Facilities
The campus features 5 soccer fields, 3 basketball courts, 1 tennis court, 2 gyms, 3 coliseums, and a BMX track. The sports program runs for students from Grade 2 through Grade 12, with school teams that compete in tournaments representing Colegio Granadino. Four annual events are held with visiting schools, including Binacional games and the Eje Cafetero Games.

Academic Facilities
Academic facilities include 48 classrooms in operation and 3 laboratories for science and technology. There is also 1 library, 1 theater room, 3 art rooms, 2 music rooms, and 2 auditoriums, plus 2 infirmaries and a dance hall. The campus supports ongoing expansion as part of the Growth Plan.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular instructors are professionally trained in their activities, and hiring for extracurricular programs is coordinated with the human resources office to ensure a reliable process. From Grade 2 through Grade 12, students participate in the School Sports program, with teams that compete in tournaments representing Colegio Granadino, including annual Binacional games and the Eje Cafetero Games with partner schools such as G.I. School in Armenia, Liceo Inglés de Pereira, and Liceo Francés de Pereira.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school forms bilingual, ethical, and responsible leaders who are creative and critical thinkers who make a difference. It educates students integrally and harmoniously based on standards of academic and humanistic quality. The school envisions a globalized world and aims to form citizens who lead and contribute to society with solid principles and values that pursue social well-being.

Cultural & Language
The school is bilingual (English-Spanish). English and Spanish language instruction supports a globalized world. It is accredited by the National Ministry of Education and by COGNIA.

Social & Hobbies
Health Week 2026 involved Kinder, Primary, and Middle & High School with workshops and talks about well-being. The school hosts community events that emphasize mutual care. Sleepover activities, such as the Franklin the Turtle night, foster friendship and reading.

Community & Service
Granadino runs community service initiatives under the Granadino Solidario program. I Run For You 2026 mobilized the community to raise funds for partner schools. Students and families participate in fundraising events and volunteer activities to support social causes.

Leadership & Professional
The school prioritizes forming citizen leaders who are prepared to contribute to society with principled, values-driven leadership. The mission emphasizes ethical leadership and professional development to prepare students for global citizenship. Leaders are nurtured through a holistic approach that combines academics with character and social responsibility.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school promotes physical and mental health through wellness programs and regular physical activity. Health Week and other wellbeing initiatives include activities that support mindfulness, fitness, and outdoor experiences. Extracurricular events and school life encourage balance, resilience, and a sense of community.
Languages

Language Provision
The Granadino School is described as bilingual (Spanish-English) and offers education from pre-school to grade 12. The curriculum uses American standards and includes an International Bilingual Academic Diploma and a U.S. High School Diploma. English language development is supported through the Learning Support program, with push-in classroom support and ELD electives in grades 11–12. Students are expected to achieve high proficiency in English and Spanish.

Bilingual Teaching
The school is a bilingual (English–Spanish) institution offering education from Kinder 1 through Grade 12. The curriculum follows American standards and includes an International Bilingual Academic Diploma and a U.S. High School Diploma. The Primary section benefits from Colombian and foreign teachers to promote English, with 1st–3rd having a lead teacher and a bilingual assistant, and 4th–5th having a lead teacher. The beliefs emphasize achieving high proficiency in English and Spanish.

Immersion Programs
International Summer Programs reflect the school's commitment to developing globally competent learners. These experiences extend learning beyond the classroom through language immersion, STEAM innovation, or community impact. Programs are designed to grow student participation in international programs and exchanges with age-appropriate experiences.
Reputation

Accreditations
The school has accreditation from the Ministry of National Education (Colombia) — Accredited by the Ministry of National Education; Resolution No. 01871; NIT 890.805.175-5; bilingual (English-Spanish).
The school has accreditation from COGNIA — Accredited by COGNIA.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Initial Visit. Prospective families visit the school to learn more about Colegio Granadino. The visit is scheduled by the Admissions Office through direct invitation, referrals from families, or direct requests from interested families. 2. Attention and Information. The Director of Admissions meets the family and provides information about the school's philosophy, mission and vision; beliefs and institutional values; organization, structure and academic programs; and general policies of the Asociación Colegio Granadino. 3. Delivery of the Application Package. If the family decides to continue, the application package is provided. This package includes all required documents detailed in the List of Documents for Admissions (see below). 4. Evaluation and Interview. The Counselor of the relevant section schedules an interview with the family and conducts an evaluation or observation of the student. 5. Communication of the Result. After the evaluation, the Admissions Office informs the family by email of the result. The school has 30 days to communicate the decision from the receipt of the required documentation. 6. Essential Requirements. To begin the admissions process, the family must submit all completed documents. The process does not begin until the documentation is complete. Receiving the admissions application and evaluating the applicant does not guarantee acceptance. 7. Availability of Space. Admission is subject to seat availability, guaranteeing quality education and differentiated instruction. Placement by grade is as follows: Grades with two groups per level have 25 students per group (with a possible 26th in special cases); grades with three groups per level (K3 to 12) have 21 students per group (with a possible 22nd in special cases); K1 has a maximum of 16 students per group; K2 has a maximum of 18 students per group. Colegio Granadino offers education from Kinder 1 to Grade 12 with a bilingual approach and an international curriculum.

Scholarships
No scholarships are granted during the first year of studies at Colegio Granadino. The student who is the recipient of a scholarship must meet, to the satisfaction of Colegio Granadino, the terms set by the school.
School Events
The school has not added events
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