Parent's Review of The Columbus School in Medellin
What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)
The Columbus School
In what town or city is this school located?
Medellin
How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)
American?
What grade levels are represented at this school?
K4 through 12
How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)
Bus, car
How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?
At our first visit we were amazed. Facilities are beautiful. This school is one of the best schools (speaking only about facilities) in Colombia.
What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?
Absolutely nothing...They are NOT prepared to have international children. The transition is anything but smooth.
They have a serious bullying problem, the kids at school are so mean to the new students and the school doesn't know how to deal with this problem. The curriculum: It is suposed to be American but most of the new kids get really lost...be prepared to pay for tutors or extra curricular lessons...the school won't offer you any programs to prepare your child for the new curriculum.
How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?
You can volunteer for field trips and VIDA. Vida is a program in which some moms come to their kids classroom to teach about moral values.
What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?
It will be a very difficult decision to make since this is the only international school in Medellin. My advice: try to visit other schools, that don't have strong bullying problems (you can still find some like Montessori and Cumbres). Your children will be safer and happier.
More Parents' Reviews of International Schools in Colombia
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Comments about this Report
guestWe are an international family who have children who went Columbus school. The review is a 100% true. The school does not deal with the issues. The level We moved schools and our children are very happy.
guestWhat school would you recommend coming from the United States to Medellin Colombia?
guestIs the problem with bullying only in the senior school or in the elementary school as well?
guestBullying is a problem everywhere. Elementary, Middle, and High School. Please don't make your kids suffer by making them go there!
guestI made the mistake of enrolling one of my sons into high school at this shameful place. He had been to several international schools and had never had a problem. He was severely bullied to the point of asking we take out of the school. He would not tell us what horror he was going thru just wanted out. Now we have discovered international students and teachers were constanly abused mentally and physically , forced to silence by threats of hurting them, there siblings or parents. The local rich kids act with inpunity, they bully all outsiders even Colombians from other cities. To make matters worse the counselors and teachers never warned us of what was happening. The organized bullies of this horror house caused seriuos emotional pain and damage to teachers and students. How can a school with such problems be acredited by international institutions? Don't fall for the pretty videos and facilities. If you must work in Medellin leave your children Bogota and comute!
guestHello, Can you please tell me if the Colombus school is also bad for a bilingual British Spanish speaker boy? Sounds like the bulling is still on since 2013 until now? Any other option?? Many thanks
