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Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, Sixth Form
Introduction
Gimnasio del Norte International School is a bilingual IB World School in Colombia for students aged 3–18. It delivers the IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) with emphasis on the IB learner profile and inquiry-based learning. Diploma examinations are externally assessed and can be taken in Spanish, French or English; the DP requires the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and CAS, and a minimum of 24 points. Founded in 1977 by Principal Director Ricardo Pérez Arciniegas, the school has grown with IB partnerships. The campus comprises 120,000 square metres of gardens and sport facilities, including eight football fields, three covered arenas and over 60 venues, plus green spaces for outdoor learning. The IB-aligned language policy makes Spanish the mother tongue and English an additional language taught from age seven, with English integrated across the curriculum. Extracurricular activities include robotics, music and chess, such as MADD Show and a school radio initiative.
Gimnasio del Norte International School has 735 pupils, instruction in Spanish, English.
Location
Location: Calle 207
70-50, Bogotá, Colombia. The school is located in Bogotá, Colombia. The campus is accessible by local transport. Main contact: +57 601 745 1000.
Stages
Preschool through 11th grade. The school offers the International Baccalaureate continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP).
Type
Bilingual international IB World School.
Pupil Nationality Mix
International families account for 20%–25% of the school community; most international families are from Europe and the Americas.
Additional learning support
Diversity and Inclusion in Learning policy with Universal Design for Learning (UDL/DUA) and a Plan for Reasonable Adjustments (PIAR) to support students with diverse learning needs.
Country affiliation
Colombia
School day structure
School days run Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 7:20 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday from 7:20 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Extracurricular activities may alter Wednesday hours.
Bus service
Transportation service is available and can be included in tuition.
Fees
Application / enrolment fee - The admission form (Formulario de Admisiones) is charged at COP 200,000.
Tuition structure and how fees are calculated (per year group) - The school sets an annual tariff for each grade. The annual tariff is split into two components: matrícula (enrolment fee) and pensión (tuition). The matrícula equals 10% of the approved annual tariff for the grade; the pensión equals the remaining 90% (the annual tuition portion). These proportions apply to each grade level. - Specific numeric tuition amounts by year group (the school's approved annual tariff per grade) are not published in the school materials accessible here; parents receive the exact annual tariff and the resulting matrícula and pensión values at the time of enrolment / in the Contract of Matrícula.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Matrícula (10% of the annual tariff): payable once per year on the date assigned by the school; matrícula becomes official when paid and when required documents are submitted. The matrícula payment is not refundable on withdrawal. - Pensión (90% of the annual tariff): invoiced for the school year and normally paid monthly in ten (10) instalments covering September through June. Payments of monthly pension are due during the first five calendar days of each month at the banking entity designated by the school. - Restaurant (cafetería) and transport services are invoiced together with monthly pension payments and are due in the same monthly schedule. The school may offer an upfront full-year payment option with a special discount. Late payments incur penalties as established by the school.
Boarding / day status - The school operates as a day school (no boarding programme). Regular school hours are daytime; transport service is offered as an additional paid service.
Other costs and fees (what families should expect in addition to tuition) - The Council authorises the following additional annual or occasional charges, which are billed as “otros cobros” or included at matrícula or monthly invoices as appropriate: - Student ID (carné) — physical or virtual. - School agenda (physical or virtual). - Student accident insurance. - Rights for Grade 11 graduation (derechos de grado). - Examinations for the IB Diploma Programme (IB exam fees) for Grade 11 candidates — these exam fees must be paid in full by the start of the final year or according to the school's procedures. - Voluntary charges: school trips and outings, extracurricular activity fees. - School supplies (útiles escolares) and uniform costs are borne by families; the school publishes grade-by-grade school-supplies lists for 2025–2026.
Uniforms - The school uses three uniform types: daily, sweatshirt, and formal; competition teams have an additional uniform. Families are responsible for uniform purchase and costs.
Refunds and withdrawal - The matrícula payment is non-refundable in the event of early withdrawal; the Manual specifies that the school will not return or reimburse the matrícula amount when a student withdraws. The school may also charge the costs of matrícula, pensión and other authorised items in cases of early withdrawal, as described in the school's Contract of Matrícula and Manual of Convivencia. Late-payment surcharges and collection costs may be applied for unpaid amounts.
Fee payment options and process - Admission-form payments are processed online via PayU at the time of submitting the application form. - Monthly tuition, cafeteria and transport payments are to be made at the banking entity designated by the school during the first five calendar days of each month; the Contract of Matrícula specifies the accepted modalities and the designated bank. The school reserves the right to require manager's cheques in certain circumstances and to apply penalties for returned cheques.
Summary of what is available and what families will receive at enrolment - The site materials and the school's Manual of Convivencia give the complete billing framework: how the annual tariff is split (matrícula 10% / pensión 90%), the standard payment calendar (monthly payments over ten months, September–June), which additional charges may be applied, payment channels for the admissions form (PayU) and that payments of regular tuition and services are made at the bank designated by the school. Numeric tuition (annual tariff) by specific grade is not published in the publicly available materials reviewed here; families are provided the exact annual tariff and the resulting matrícula and monthly pensión figures in the Contract of Matrícula at the time of admission or by the Admissions Office.
Academics
Gimnasio del Norte International School teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.
Curriculum
The school offers the International Baccalaureate continuum for students aged 3 to 19, including the Primary Years Programme (PEP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP). The Diploma Programme, for 16–19-year-olds, is a rigorous and balanced education recognized by prestigious universities worldwide. The Diploma is preceded by the Primary Years Programme and the Middle Years Programme; the three IB programmes are philosophically aligned and focus on developing the attributes of the IB learner profile. In the Diploma Programme, students select one course from each of the five subject groups and complete three core components: the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge, and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS). Examinations are externally assessed, and final IB exams can be taken in Spanish, French, or English. Examinations use a 1–7 grading scale, with up to three additional points possible for Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay; the Diploma is awarded to students who achieve at least 24 points and meet minimum requirements.
Higher Education Progression
Graduates are prepared for higher education worldwide; the Diploma Programme is recognized by prestigious universities globally and supports geographic and cultural mobility.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school supports social and emotional learning through Emotional Education led by the Guidance Department. The program aims for children to recognize their own emotions, identify the emotions of others, and develop skills to manage them, contributing to healthy convivencia and to social competencies essential for life and well-being. These activities are conducted in spaces run by the Guidance Department with the active involvement of course leaders. The holistic approach to emotional development helps students face daily emotional challenges and supports their overall well-being, in line with the school's Learn to Live ethos.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school values differences in the classroom and respects the individuality of each student as key to learning success. From admission, different learning styles and the tools and strategies needed for healthy development are considered. The school provides language-support for students with difficulties in Spanish or English, ensures differentiation in the classroom, designs and acquires appropriate materials, and may arrange external support. It uses diverse assessment approaches, conducts diagnostic testing at the start of the school year to identify needs, trains teachers, maintains ongoing family communications, and develops strategies to foster self‑esteem and continuous personal and academic growth.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is taught as the additional language. The linguistic policy explains that the school supports multilingual teaching and learning, with Spanish as the mother tongue and English as the additional language. Students begin exposure to the additional language at age three, with formal English instruction starting around age seven, aligned with IB guidance to promote international-mindedness. The school supports language development across the IB programs, promoting literacy and intercultural understanding through exposure to texts in multiple languages and culturally diverse experiences.
Mental Wellbeing
The school provides an on-site nursing service to care for the physical, emotional, and social well-being of students, teachers, and staff, offering primary care, first aid, and health campaigns during the school day. Emotional Education complements this by fostering students' understanding and management of emotions and by building social competencies, with the Guidance Department coordinating activities and collaborating with homeroom teachers.
Safeguarding
The Manual de Convivencia establishes the Ruta de Atención Integral para la Convivencia Escolar to address conflicts, harassment, substance use, violence, and violations of human, sexual, and reproductive rights. The Ruta has four components—Promotion, Prevention, Attention, and Follow-up—and guarantees immediate and appropriate attention to cases affecting convivencia and rights. Incidents are reported in the Sistema de Información Unificado de Convivencia Escolar and managed by the School Convivencia Committee. The Department of Orientation provides educational support, conducts initial assessments of cases, informs families, and coordinates restorative dialogues to protect students and restore rights and climate.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Initial visit to get to know the school: A campus visit is offered to learn about the school. A tour covers the campus and its expansive green spaces, and you learn that safety and student well-being are prioritized. A representative from the Admissions Department will contact you after the visit with the next steps. The school is bilingual and offers all three International Baccalaureate programs. 2. Payment of the application form: Payment of the application form begins the admissions process. This initiates the admissions review to determine eligibility and next steps. A representative from the Admissions Department will contact you to provide all necessary information. The step marks the transition from inquiry to formal admissions. 3. Interviews and exams: Interviews and examinations are conducted. The Wellbeing and Pedagogical Leadership departments analyze the academic profile of your children and their family environment. This helps determine fit with the International Baccalaureate programs offered. The results inform the subsequent enrollment steps. 4. Meeting with Rector: A family interview with the Rector is held to discuss the applicant and assign a seat for your children. The Rector's input influences the enrollment decision. If a seat is allocated, enrollment documents are prepared and you move toward enrollment. 5. Enrollment and welcome: Documents are submitted and enrollment is formalized. The family becomes part of the Gimnasiana community. This completes the admissions process.
FAQs
What curriculum does Gimnasio del Norte International School follow?
The school offers the International Baccalaureate continuum for students aged 3 to 19, including the Primary Years Programme (PEP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP).
What age range does Gimnasio del Norte International School serve?
The school serves students from age 3 to 18.
Is the school co-educational?
The school is described as co-educational.
How many students attend Gimnasio del Norte International School?
The school has approximately 735 students.
Where is Gimnasio del Norte International School located?
Location: Calle 207 #70-50, Bogotá, Colombia. The school is located in Bogotá, Colombia. The campus is accessible by local transport. Main contact: +57 601 745 1000.
When was Gimnasio del Norte International School established?
The school was established in 1977.
Who leads Gimnasio del Norte International School?
The school is led by Ricardo Pérez Arciniegas.
Does the school provide learning support for students with special educational needs?
The school values differences in the classroom and respects the individuality of each student as key to learning success. From admission, different learning styles and the tools and strategies needed for healthy development are considered.
What languages are used for instruction?
Spanish is the mother tongue; English is the additional language. The additional language is English, shared with Spanish, and used as the vehicle for teaching and learning.
How do I apply to Gimnasio del Norte International School?
1. Initial visit to get to know the school: A campus visit is offered to learn about the school. A tour covers the campus and its expansive green spaces, and you learn that safety and student well-being are prioritized.
What extracurricular activities are available?
Arts-related activities include Preballet and Music Initiation. Plastilina (modeling clay) and LEGO are available as creative entries within the program. Minichef (cooking) is also offered as a creative activity.
Is there a school bus service?
Transportation service is available and can be included in tuition.
