Quick summary of key school information
School details
Number of students |
1400 |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
There are 5-10 nationalities represented at the school. |
Most common nationality |
Colombian |
Ratio of local students to international students |
Probably 100-1 |
Native English and Spanish speaking teachers |
Native English and Spanish speaking teachers.
|
Language support for students not fluent in English and Spanish |
Yes. We have an extracurricular space four times a week to provide additional academic support to those students who might need it. This applies for languages as well as other subjects like mathematics and science. |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
French (A1, A2, B1 and B2) |
Max. number of students per class |
25 students |
Average number of students per class |
23 |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
Use of technology in the classroom |
The school enjoys robust technology from both external vendors and in-house design specific to the needs in the classroom for student learning experiences, for teacher resources and methodology and for agile communications with our entire community. The school also has an Innovation Centre with specialized staff working to incorporate innovation (technological, and otherwise) into all grade levels and academic areas. We have a 3D Printer lab with ten 3D printers and all subject areas include use of these resources. |
Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes. The school has been working with Office 365, including Teams and all of the other available applications, since 2015. To respond to the COVID-19 situation, SGS teachers participated in 25+ different online training sessions that were given by colleagues who had developed expertise in these programs, platforms and applications. Examples include several sessions on use of Teams for virtual learning, as well technology for: teaching-learning processes, collaboration, communications, presentations, assessment for learning, creation of videos, and formative/summative assessment. |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
Catholic faith is the official religion of the School. |
How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
The religious beliefs of other denominations or individuals should be accepted, appreciated and respected. |
External examinations or assessments available |
Cambridge Assessment International Education: IGCSEs (ICE certificate), Primary and Lower
|
Results in these examinations |
Cambridge Assessment International Education:
|
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
Approximate hours of homework given |
When assigning homework, teachers work collaboratively to distribute homework among different subjects each day, consider the learning objectives, and regulate the time students need to complete assignments.
Currently, with our virtual learning plan, homework guidelines are even more specific: one assignment per day / maximum 30 minutes. Preschool: 20 minutes – Primary: 45 minutes – High School 1 hour and a half. |
Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
100% |
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes, it does. |
Learning support offered |
There are extra lessons for pupils who need help in certain subjects and to prevent difficulties that may arise in the teaching-learning process. Individual development, motivation and learning styles are all taken into account. |
The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
In-depth study encourages research, creativity, autonomous work and the development of teamwork as well as knowledge questioning and provides solutions to everyday problems. |
Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
Entry evaluation for students |
Yes, it does. To enter the school in the first year, Prekinder (age 4), children participate in assessments that cover cognitive abilities, achievement, oral language skills and motor skills. |
Brief description of entry evaluation required |
In Kindergarten, students participate in the same assessments as those listed for new Prekinder students. In higher grade levels, students take written exams in grade level English, Spanish, mathematics and science, and have a brief interview by an academic coordinator. |
Waiting list |
No |
Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
November |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes, it does. |
School start time |
7:00 a.m. |
School finish time |
3:15 p.m. and students in extracurriculars activities 4:30 p.m. |
Supervised care before/after school |
No |
School bus service available |
Yes |
School provided lunches |
Yes, it does. |
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes, it does. |
Uniform required |
Yes |
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Artistic Activities: Audiovisual, two-dimensional and three-dimensional. Murals, photography, animation. Cinema, theater and improvisation, poetry, comic, fable, essay, oratory, narrative. Instrumental Practice of different instruments. Sports Activities: Volleyball, soccer, basketball, chess, taekwondo, kickboxing, spinning, swimming, Ultimate, athletics, gymnastics, tennis, ping pong, ballet and rumba. Training Activities: Cultural exchanges, national and international travel, Model United Nations, robotics, physics experiments, scientific research workshop, 3D printing. Other activities: Gastronomy, Mindfulness, Yoga, biodiversity and ecology, first aid. |
Sports activities included |
Football, volleyball, basketball, Athletics and chess, in which students have the opportunity to interact with athletes from other schools. |
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
The school participates throughout the year in competitions organized by UNCOLI (Union of International Schools) and ASOCOLDEP (Colombian Association of Private Schools). There are competitions in football, volleyball, basketball and chess, in which students have the opportunity to interact with athletes from other schools.
|
Facilities at the school |
We have laboratories for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Languages, Systems, and Audiovisuals: 4 multimedia classrooms with smart digital boards, a 3D creative and innovation laboratory.
|
Sports facilities at the school |
Covered Coliseum 770 Mts² Soccer field (2), basketball court (3), and volleyball court (2). The sports facilities occupy 13,825 Mts² Multiple court. |
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
We are a bilingual Colombian school of British origin that seeks to develop the human, spiritual and healthy values necessary for a high performance in life, through the development of a work ethic, self-discipline, solidarity, and respect for all the differences and forms of life on our small planet. |
Teaching approach of the school |
In 2012, SGS became a Cambridge International School, and has been integrating the curriculum ever since. Cambridge International has five elements that are at the core of providing excellent, international education to students around the world: international curriculum, teaching and learning, assessment, international recognition and global community. |