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Curriculum CBSE Curriculum, American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages English, Spanish
Typical class size 14
Strengths STEM, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Cultural and Language, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction
Colombia-based Panamericano offers a bilingual international program in Floridablanca, Santander, with CBSE and American curricula and AP courses. It is a non-profit educational community serving families with cross-border ties to the United States. An international teaching staff supports students' English development within a safe and engaging learning environment, and it is the only international school in the Santander region employing native-English speakers. The campus spans more than 10,000 square meters and includes more than 40 classrooms, specialized rooms for science, art, and technology, plus libraries and study zones. Academically, the school emphasizes STEM education and Project-Based Learning, and holds Cognia STEM certification. The program also offers after-school activities, sports, and arts, with strong student support. Notable programs include Model United Nations (Panmun), National Honor Society, and the Senior Project, fostering leadership, global awareness, and community involvement.
Colegio Panamericano has 629 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in English, Spanish.
Location
Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia (in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area). Calle 34
8-73 Cañaveral Alto.
Stages
Kindergarten; Lower School; Upper School (K1–K5; 1–12).
Type
non-profit educational community
Additional learning support
Remedial support in core academic foundational skills and executive functioning; in-class support; occupational therapy; speech and language therapy; UDL (Universal Design for Learning) workshops for teachers; Jugar A stimulation program; PIAR (Plan Individual de Ajustes Razonables) implementation.
Country affiliation
Colombia and United States
Fees
Application fees
- No published, fixed application fee amount is available in the school's public materials. An online Application Form is provided for admissions; any specific application or enrolment reservation fee is communicated to families during the admissions process.
Tuition fees by year group (amounts)
- The school does not publish a public, grade-by-grade fee table or fixed numeric tuition schedule on its public materials for the 2026/27 academic year (or for 2025/26). The annual tuition structure and the exact monetary amounts by year group are issued to families each year as an authorized fee resolution and a parents' circular.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Annual tuition is collected in eleven (11) installments: one (1) payment at enrollment (matrícula) plus ten (10) monthly pension payments corresponding to the school year months (August to May). - Monthly payments and other charges are due by the 15th day of each month. Late payments incur interest at the maximum moratory rate established by the Superintendencia Financiera; continued delinquency may lead to progressive sanctions and referral to external collection. - Outstanding balances must be settled before academic records or certificates are released. The value of the monthly pension is backed by a signed pagaré and instructions at the time of matrícula. - The school approves and applies annual increases in matrícula and pension according to the percentage authorized by the Ministry of Education and the Council Directivo; the authorized values are filed with the municipal Secretariat of Education and communicated to parents annually.
Boarding / residential fees
- The school operates as a day school; there is no public listing or description of a boarding or residential programme and no boarding fees are applicable.
Other costs and periodic charges
- The school identifies a category of "otros cobros periódicos" (other periodic charges) that are charged annually at matrícula/renewal and cover items such as co‑curricular activities, field trips, family events, week‑long academic or cultural projects, and programme supplements. Specific items listed as occasional/eventual charges include certificates and transcripts, yearbook/agenda/photos, school insurance, MAP and PSAT exams, orientation and mock exams, graduation rights and diploma costs for final‑year students, certain extracurricular course fees, and costs related to damages caused by a student. These items may be billed separately or included as annual other charges. - Uniforms: All students must wear the official uniform distributed through authorised suppliers; the school states uniform items are published and sold through authorised providers but does not publish uniform prices in its public materials. Costs for sport/ensemble uniforms and optional cocurricular kit items are charged to families where applicable. - Transport, lunch/feeding, instruments for band, and specific cocurricular programme fees are handled as separate charges where applicable and may be billed as periodic or occasional costs. The school's contract/matrícula annex details which additional charges apply per student.
Refund and cancellation information
- The manual sets out the administrative process for cancellation or withdrawal of matrícula (written notification to the Rector and academic secretariat and observance of contractual effects). The matrícula is treated as the advance payment for the year; the manual describes causes and effects for cancellation and non‑renewal but does not present a general, line‑by‑line public refund schedule in the school's public materials. Any specific refund or reimbursement conditions are handled according to the contract of matrícula and any annexes provided to parents at the time of enrolment.
Fee payment options and practical process
- Payments and invoicing are managed through the school's designated payment platform (Phidias). Families use the Phidias payment channel associated with the school for matrícula, pensions, and other billable items; the school also uses the Jupiter platform for academic and administrative interfaces. The school indicates parents receive the payment code/reference needed to pay in the manner and financial channel determined by the school for the year. Specific allowed methods (e.g., PSE/online bank payment, bank deposit/consignment, bank transfer, card) are made available through the Phidias payment flow or by the payment instructions the school issues to families each year.
Concise summary of findings and gaps (why numeric amounts are not provided here)
- The school's publicly posted Manual of Convivencia and main site clearly define billing structure, payment schedule, sanctions for late payment, categories of other charges, uniform rules, and the administrative process for cancellation of matrícula. - However, the school's public materials do not publish a grade‑by‑grade numeric tuition table (matrícula and monthly pension amounts) for the 2026/27 academic year or for 2025/26 on the public pages and PDFs accessible without parental login. The authorized numeric fees are issued annually by the school to families (typically via an official circular and the school's payment portal) and are therefore not available in the public documents consulted. Because precise per‑grade monetary figures are not published openly, no definitive numeric tuition amounts are provided in this overview.
If you require those per‑grade numeric values for 2026/27 or 2025/26, the school communicates the authorized fee schedule to enrolled or prospect families and through its secure payment portal.
Academics
Colegio Panamericano teaches CBSE Curriculum, American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
Academic Plan: Colegio Panamericano emphasizes STEM education. It was the first Latin American school to receive Cognia STEM certification. Through Project-Based Learning, students explore topics to enhance STEM knowledge and develop solutions to local community issues. An international teaching staff helps develop students' English skills within a safe and engaging learning environment. The school is the only international school in the Santander region that employs native-English speakers from abroad. The school offers a strong Student Support team, after-school activities and learning opportunities, and robust sports and arts programs.
Student Teacher Ratio
8:3
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school centers on the whole-child, including socioemotional development. Student Support offers a wide spectrum of programs and initiatives that address socioemotional growth and well-being. The Student Support team includes professional therapists, cluster teachers, and inclusion teachers who collaborate to foster an inclusive community. Through these efforts, the school supports maturation, adaptation, and educational development for students. Family engagement and partnerships with external professionals further support students' social skills, self-esteem, and overall wellbeing.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school provides remedial support in core academic foundational skills and executive functioning. In-class support is delivered through collaborative problem-solving and ongoing collaboration between teachers. Occupational therapy is available, and speech and language therapy is provided. The school implements PIAR (Plan Individual de Ajustes Razonables) to create individualized programs, instructional adjustments, and targeted support for student progress. The Student Support team works with families and external professionals to address learning differences and related educational needs.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The curriculum is taught 80% in English and 20% in Spanish. The school is bilingual and employs native-English speakers from abroad. It is the only institution in Santander authorized by the College Board to administer international tests. Project-based learning is embedded throughout the curriculum, with language development integrated across courses. Graduates earn a Colombian and American double degree.
Mental Wellbeing
The program explicitly supports mental wellbeing through socioemotional development as part of overall student growth. Therapists and inclusion staff work to support maturation, adaptation, and educational wellbeing within an inclusive community. The school emphasizes social skills and self-esteem through co-curricular activities and partnerships with families and external professionals. These efforts connect emotional well-being with academic learning, guided by Universal Design for Learning principles and collaborative teaching.
Safeguarding
The policy defines the right to protection as outlined in the Code of Childhood and Adolescence (Law 1098 of 2006). The school has a role to protect students and ensure a safe learning environment. Educators and staff identify situations and students at risk through observation and interaction over time. There is a moral and legal obligation to offer support, protection, and necessary assistance to manage these circumstances for the student and family. Safeguarding is integrated into school practice to protect student wellbeing.
Admissions
Admissions
K1 to K5 1. Schedule an interview with the admissions coordinator, Maria Consuelo Durán. The interview begins the admissions process for kindergarten through fifth grade and introduces the family to the admissions team. It sets the stage for the applicant's fit with Colegio Panamericano and outlines the next steps. 2. Take a tour of the facilities and learn about our educational project. The tour provides firsthand insight into the school's spaces, resources, and how the educational project is implemented in daily practice. Families can ask questions during the tour to better understand the learning environment. The tour helps illustrate how the school supports student growth and curiosity. 3. Register on the website to receive the step-by-step admissions process by email. Registration ensures that the family receives the detailed sequence of required actions directly to their email. The emailed steps guide the family through what to prepare and by when. This step connects the family with the formal admissions workflow. 4. Make the admissions process payment and request the respective links to upload the payment receipt and the required documents. Payment confirms the family's participation in the admissions process. The links facilitate submission of the payment receipt and the required documents for review. Completing this step advances the application to the next evaluation stages. 5. The applicant will be called for an observation day (1 hour) and a psychological evaluation. The observation day assesses classroom behavior and interaction with peers and teachers. The psychological evaluation contributes to a holistic view of the applicant's readiness for the program. Scheduling depends on the admissions calendar and availability. 6. The admissions department will verify the required documents with the family. This verification ensures all necessary documents are provided and correctly completed. Timelines for the review are influenced by the completeness of submitted materials. Verification helps prevent delays in the admissions decision. 7. Financial analysis of the documentation provided by the family. The school reviews financial information as part of the admissions process to understand enrollment feasibility and related steps. This analysis informs the overall readiness for enrollment. 8. Admissions Committee. The committee reviews all collected information and makes a decision regarding admission. The process involves evaluating the applicant's fit with the school's programs and expectations. The outcome is communicated by the admissions coordinator. 9. The admissions coordinator will inform the family of the decision made by the admissions committee. Approved: K4, K5 and 1st grade: Submit SIMAT withdrawal. The family will receive an email from the treasury department with the steps to follow for payment and the respective legalization of the enrollment. Denied: End of the process. The response time for the admissions process will depend on the timely delivery of all documents.
1st–12 1. Schedule an interview with the admissions coordinator, Maria Consuelo Durán. The interview initiates the admissions process for 1st grade through 12th grade and begins the family's onboarding with the school. 2. Take a tour of the facilities and learn about our educational project. The tour provides an overview of spaces and resources and helps families understand how the educational project is implemented for older students. 3. Register on the website to receive the step-by-step admissions process by email. Registration ensures that the family receives the detailed sequence of actions via email. The process guide supports families as they complete required steps. 4. Make the admissions process payment and request the respective links to upload the payment receipt and the required documents. Payment and document submission move the applicant to the testing and interview phases. 5. 1st grade – Second semester: English and Spanish tests (2 hours) and an interview with the principal of the section. The tests evaluate English and Spanish proficiency and are followed by an interview with the section's principal. 6. 2nd – 12th grade – First and Second semester: MAP Test in English and Math (2 hours). An interview with the principal of the section will be scheduled. The MAP Test assesses language and math skills as part of the admissions assessment. 7. The admissions department will verify the required documents with the family. Documentation verification ensures all required items are complete for review. 8. Financial analysis of the documentation provided by the family. Financial review evaluates the family's documentation in relation to enrollment requirements. 9. Admissions Committee. The committee reviews all materials to determine admission eligibility. 10. The admissions coordinator will inform the family of the decision made by the admissions committee. The outcome will be communicated and next steps provided. 11. Approved: 1st – 12th grade: Submit SIMAT withdrawal. The family will receive an email from the treasury department with the steps to follow for payment and the respective legalization of enrollment. 12. Denied: End of the process. The timeline depends on the timely delivery of all documents. 13. The response time for the admissions process will depend on the timely delivery of all documents.
FAQs
What curriculum does Colegio Panamericano follow?
Academic Plan: Colegio Panamericano emphasizes STEM education. It was the first Latin American school to receive Cognia STEM certification.
What age range does Colegio Panamericano serve?
The school serves students from age 3 to 18.
Is the school co-educational?
The school is described as co-educational, day.
How many students attend Colegio Panamericano?
The school has approximately 629 students.
Where is Colegio Panamericano located?
Floridablanca, Santander, Colombia (in the Bucaramanga metropolitan area). Calle 34 # 8-73 Cañaveral Alto.
When was Colegio Panamericano established?
The school was established in 1963.
Who leads Colegio Panamericano?
The school is led by Dr. E. Adam Smith.
Does the school provide learning support for students with special educational needs?
The school provides remedial support in core academic foundational skills and executive functioning. In-class support is delivered through collaborative problem-solving and ongoing collaboration between teachers.
What languages are used for instruction?
Languages taught are English and Spanish. English is the primary language of instruction in about 80% of courses, with Spanish comprising about 20%.
How do I apply to Colegio Panamericano?
K1 to K5
1. Schedule an interview with the admissions coordinator, Maria Consuelo Durán. Contact: +57 321 210 6808; maco.duran@panamericano.edu.co.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Music is a powerful tool for developing concentration, discipline, motor skills, memory, language learning, and soft skills.
What accreditations does Colegio Panamericano hold?
Cognia (since 1994; Cognia is the regional accreditation body formerly known as AdvancED). Tri-Association member.
