Education

Columbus School is generally considered the top international school in Medellín, offering American and IB curricula from PK through grade 12. Abraham Lincoln School and Colegio Montessori are also popular with expat families. Fees range from $8,000–15,000/year. Enroll at least 3–6 months in advance as spots fill quickly, especially for elementary grades.

Yes. Colombian public schools are open to children of legal residents regardless of nationality. They are free and provide exceptional Spanish immersion. Quality varies by neighborhood and municipality - schools in strato 4–6 neighborhoods are generally better resourced. This works best for younger children (under 10) who adapt to a new language most rapidly.

Universidad de los Andes is Colombia's top private university and ranks approximately 250 globally (QS 2025). It has active international exchange partnerships and welcomes foreign students. Most undergraduate instruction is in Spanish, but some graduate programs and courses are offered in English. Tuition runs $4,000–8,000/year - a fraction of comparable US institutions.

Options abound at all budget levels: (1) Language schools like Nueva Lengua (Medellín and Bogotá) offer intensive group programs from $200/month, (2) Private tutors ($15–25/hr via expat groups or Italki), (3) Italki.com online Colombian tutors for pre-arrival preparation, (4) Universidad de Antioquia and EAFIT offer formal Spanish courses for foreigners for $150–300/semester. Colombian Spanish - especially the paisa accent - is widely considered the clearest for learners.

Yes, homeschooling is legal in Colombia. There is no mandatory registration with the Ministry of Education for homeschooled children, though some families register to keep options open for university admission. Many digital nomad families use recognized online curricula (Connections Academy, Khan Academy, Acellus) alongside local tutors for socialization and subject support.