information for new families Admissions Office at Santiago College.
We hope you find the information provided here useful and helpful during the application process. Our aim is to engage with each family so that you can get to know and experience the spirit of our school.
At this stage, we aim for families to appreciate, in every interaction, the commitment and consistency that characterise those who form part of this community.
We also want you to learn about our educational project, with over 145 years of history, which combines this solid historical heritage with an innovative and committed approach to the challenges of the 21st century.
We stand out for integrating teaching practices of the highest international standard, encouraging our students to think beyond cultural boundaries and developing skills for educational environments of excellence and for their lives in general. Our teachers undergo continuous professional development aimed at fostering this dynamic, respectful and motivating environment.
We view education as a supportive process that encourages students to discover the world with curiosity, respect and openness towards others. We foster in our students the development of independence, critical thinking and an awareness of their own strengths, as well as the ability to excel and contribute positively to their environment.
Being part of Santiago College means joining a community that shares common principles and a strong sense of belonging.
We aim to nurture individuals of integrity, capable of thriving in a global context, acting with responsibility, empathy and a deep sense of ethics as global citizens.
Finally, we hope that throughout this process you will feel the warmth of becoming part of the Santiago College community. We will do our utmost to ensure you have a meaningful and enriching experience, just like being part of a family.
CURRENT AVAILABLE PLACES IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS
3rd Grade 7 places
5th Grade 7 places
7th Grade 2 places
8th Grade 10 places
9th Grade 3 places
Santiago College is a diverse and multicultural educational institution that admits students without discrimination on the grounds of creed, nationality, religion or gender identity. Applications for admission to Santiago College are open to all interested individuals, with priority given to families who are members of the college community.
The application process ensures that admitted students can benefit from the school’s existing schemes and programmes and available staff, and that they are able to function effectively within the school’s physical environment.
The application period is divided into two stages. The first stage is exclusively for current school families and children of alumni, and the second stage is for new families.
Application for current families (with children enrolled from PK through 12th grade) and children of alumni.
• Application Announcement: November 14th
• Application Period: December 2–10th
Application Period for New Families
• Application dates for new families: January 5–March 10th
Date for applicant and guardians visit to the school:
Saturday, March 7th
Saturday, March 14th
Once the application process is complete (form submission, document signature, and payment), the scheduled visit date will be communicated via email.
This is a group visit that must be attended in person. We expect all applicants and guardians to attend. Rescheduling a visit will only be possible if an available date is available.
Applicant Assessments: March–April
Guardian Interviews: March–April
Results Notification: no later than April 21ST
Providing Information About the School to New Families
Prior to or during the applicant evaluation period, information will be provided to parents/guardians through an in-person presentation with audiovisual materials, covering the school admission process as well as the characteristics and hallmarks of Santiago College. This presentation is mandatory.
The information will be shared with parents residing abroad (via email). In the case of parents residing in Chile where neither parent can attend, they must provide written notice so that the information can be sent to them via email. Rescheduling the presentation date will depend on availability.
The Admission Process
The admission process will be in-person for applicants residing in Chile. Applicants residing abroad will participate remotely. Both formats will be accepted.
• Applicants must meet the age requirement for admission to Pre-Kindergarten or First Transition Level (Exempt Decree No. 1126 of 2017), with a minimum age of 4 years old as of March 31st of the school year corresponding to that level.
• The parent or guardian must complete the electronic application form, available during the period designated for this process.
• The parent or guardian must electronically submit an original birth certificate for their child (provided electronically by the Civil Registry Service). Foreign applicants must submit a copy of their National Identity Card; if they do not have this document, a copy of their passport. These documents are required to verify the applicant’s official name and date of birth.
• Application Fee: UF2 The guardian must pay the application fee, which can be paid via WebPay through the online application form or in person at the school Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (only during the application period). Once the application is validated, this amount is non-refundable.
• Sign the “Declaration” document in which the guardian acknowledges having been informed by the school about the different stages and characteristics of the process. This document will be sent via the DocuSign platform upon completion of the online application process. Signing this document is a requirement for valid this application so that we may proceed with the corresponding admission process.
• In compliance with the provisions of Article 24 of Law 20.422, the College will make the necessary adjustments to adapt its admission mechanisms, procedures, and practices in order to ensure equal opportunities for applicants with disabilities, provided that this condition has been previously reported and supported by a medical certificate from a qualified professional. Such adjustments may include, where appropriate, measures to adapt the curriculum.
• In accordance with Law No. 21,544, the school is required to have at least one spot per grade level for students with disabilities or permanent special educational needs starting in 2026. Currently, our school does not have any openings available.
The date for the release of results is communicated to parents/guardians at the time the application process is announced, via the website, posters, or flyers, and during the informational meeting held in person, or through information shared with those parents/guardians who were unable to attend the meeting in person for valid reasons.
Results will be communicated via email at the conclusion of the admission process, on the established date. If the admission process concludes before the scheduled date, results may be sent earlier. Once the final status of applicants has been communicated to parents/guardians, the list of admitted applicants will be posted, in accordance with current regulations, on the Admission bulletin board located in the Administration building.
As required by law, the school will provide a report for those who are not admitted, which must be requested in writing. Requests must be received no later than 15 days after the results are released. The school has set a maximum deadline of 15 business days for the delivery of the report. This report does not include applicants on the waiting list.
Enrollment Confirmation
The deadline for confirming enrollment will be provided, either in the acceptance letter or in a separate financial aid letter sent via email to the guardians of applicants who have been offered admission.
Waiting List
In the event that the number of available spots is fewer than the number of applicants, the formal application process will be considered as a criterion for priority and ranking, as indicated above.
The waiting list does not imply any commitment on the part of the school to enroll applicants on it; it merely leaves open the possibility of admission should vacancies become available while the regular school admission process is underway. It is the sole responsibility of the guardian of any applicant on the waiting list to ensure their child’s enrollment for the following school year at an educational institution.
www.scollege.cl – admiss@scollege.cl – Admissions Office – tel. 2 27338911
General Admission Criteria
The application and admission process for the Pre-Kindergarten level consists of several stages:
Details about each stage are provided below.
In relation to this process, it is important to note that, in accordance with our admission policy, the priority criteria for this process are as follows:
The school admission process allows families applying to gain an in-depth understanding of the educational proposal offered by Santiago College.
Members of our educational community must adhere to and respect the school’s institutional educational project and its internal regulations.
Santiago College is a high-performance bilingual school that expects a strong commitment from families regarding students’ learning, values development, and adherence to the code of conduct.
In compliance with Article 24 of Law 20.422, the School will make the necessary adjustments to admission mechanisms, procedures, and practices to ensure equal opportunities for applicants with disabilities, provided this condition has been previously reported and supported by a medical certificate issued by a qualified professional. These adjustments may include, when appropriate, curricular accommodations.
Vacancies
Santiago College offers a total of 144 vacancies for Pre-Kindergarten, to be distributed among applicants participating in the regular admission process, including both current Santiago College families and new families.
Pre-Kinder Application and Admission Schedule
Application Periods
The application period is divided into two stages:
●The first exclusively for current families and children of alumni.
● The second for new families.
Applications for current families (students enrolled from PK to 12th grade) and children of alumni:
● Call for applications published: November 14, 2025
● Application period: December 2–10, 2025
Applications for new families:
● Call for applications published: December 15, 2025
Application period: January 5 – March 10, 2026
Date for applicant and parent visit to the School
After completing the application process (form, declaration signature, and payment), the scheduled visit date will be communicated by email.
This visit is in-person and group-based. Attendance is expected from all applicants and parents. Rescheduling will only be possible if an alternative date is available.
Visit of the applicants and guardians
Saturday March 7, 2026
Saturday March 14, 2026
These are group visits, we expect all applicants and parents/guardians attend. It will only be possible to reschedule a visit if we have an available date.
Applicant Evaluations: March–April
Parent Interviews: March–April
Results Released: by April 21st
Application Requirements
Before or during the applicant evaluation period, an in-person information session will be held, including a presentation about Santiago College’s educational project and the admission process. Attendance is mandatory.
For families residing abroad, this information will be shared by email. For families living in Chile, if neither parent can attend, written notice must be provided so that the information can be emailed. Rescheduling the session will depend on availability.
Admission Process
The admission process will be in-person for applicants residing in Chile and remote for those living abroad. Both modalities are valid.
Type of Evaluations
In-person modality
Families who have completed the application process and signed the “Declaration” will be contacted via email by the Admissions Office.
Remote modality (for applicants residing abroad):
Families will receive an email with the date, time, and link for the remote session with the evaluators (multidisciplinary team). A protocol will be provided, outlining required materials and specific instructions.
●Duration: approximately 30 minutes.
● The same evaluation objectives and criteria apply as in the in-person process.
● This evaluation also represents 50% of the final admission result.
Areas of Observation and Weighting
Motor Skills /4 points – 7%
Fine and gross motor skills
Language /18 points – 31%
Oral comprehension and expression
Cognition /11 points – 21%
Memory, attention, logical-mathematical reasoning
General Maturity /3 points – 5%
Graphic expression
Emotional Observation Guideline
Socialization and adaptation /21 points – 36%
Total Score /57 points – 100%
Score Review (for both in-person and remote process)
After evaluations are completed, scores are reviewed according to Santiago College’s established standards.
Applicants who do not reach the minimum required score will not continue in the process. Families will be notified by email.
Parents of new family applicants who continue in the process will be invited to an interview—either in person or online (for families living abroad).
The purpose of the interview is to get to know the applicant’s family and allow them to better understand our educational philosophy.
Santiago College promotes the holistic development of students, requiring the commitment of all members of the community, especially parents/guardians.
The interview will assess the alignment between family expectations and the school’s mission, educational project, and values.
The family interview represents 50% of the total admission score. Each interview lasts up to 45 minutes and may be held in person or online.
Grading Scale
Outstanding: 6.0 – 7.0
Good: 5.0 – 5.9
Satisfactory: 4.0 – 4.9
Insufficient: 3.9 or below
Families with children already enrolled at the School will not be interviewed, except in cases where only one parent is currently a Santiago College guardian. In such cases, an interview will be conducted provided no legal impediments exist affecting the welfare of the enrolled children.
In accordance with our admission policy, applicants with siblings currently enrolled at the School have priority for available spots. However, this does not guarantee admission; they must still meet the minimum required score.
After all interviews with new families are completed, the Admissions Committee reviews both applicant evaluations (50%) and parent interviews (50%).
A statistical age-correction formula is applied to standardize applicant scores regardless of age.
Among new families with similar results, children of alumni will have priority. Gender balance will also be considered, allowing for a difference of up to 12%.
The results release date will be communicated to parents through the website, posters, and information sessions.
Results will be sent by email on the established date. If the process concludes earlier, results may be sent before that date.
After results are shared with families, the list of admitted applicants will be posted on the Admissions notice board located in the Administration building, as required by law.
Families of applicants not admitted may request a written report within 15 days after results are issued. The School will deliver the report within a maximum of 15 working days. This report does not apply to applicants on the waiting list.
The date for enrollment confirmation will be communicated together with the acceptance letter or through a separate financial letter sent by email to families of admitted applicants.
If available spots are fewer than the number of applicants, the formal application process and priority criteria described earlier will be used to determine placement.
Being placed on the Waiting List does not constitute an enrollment commitment by the School. It simply keeps open the possibility of admission should vacancies become available during the regular process.
It is the sole responsibility of parents/guardians of applicants on the Waiting List to secure a place for their child at another educational institution for the following school year.
Application process PK 2026 for new families – Closed (click here)
Application Process PK 2026 for applicants with siblings enrolled in Santiago College – Closed
Application Process PK 2025 (click here)
Santiago College is a diverse and multicultural school.
Applications to Santiago College are open to all families who freely choose our educational approach for their children.
The school’s admissions process allows applicant families to gain an in depth understanding of the educational program offered by the College.
Members of our educational community must adhere to and respect the institutional educational project and current internal regulations.
Santiago College is a high-performance bilingual school that expects a high level of commitment from families regarding student learning, values development, and adherence to the code of conduct.
In compliance with Article 24 of Law 20.422, the College will implement the necessary adjustments to adapt its admissions mechanisms, procedures, and practices in order to guarantee equal opportunities for applicants with disabilities, provided that their condition has been previously disclosed and supported by an appropriate medical certificate. These adjustments may include, when applicable, curricular accommodations.
DATES
Applications for Preschool levels (from Kindergarten onward) are accepted from March to November in a continuous admissions process.
Please note that the admissions process may only begin if vacancies are available in the requested level.
Tests and Interviews:
These will be conducted as soon as possible for grade levels with available vacancies.
For questions or inquiries, you may contact our Admissions Office at admiss@scollege.cl.
VACANCIES
It is important to note that the number of vacancies may vary during the regular admissions process. Availability depends on student withdrawals and cases such as applications from international families or re-enrollment of former Santiago College students returning after a period of absence.
Since admissions are conducted on a continuous basis, the availability of vacancies may vary throughout the year.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Parents or legal guardians must complete the application form in full HERE.
The form may also be requested directly from the school’s Admissions Office.
Additionally, parents or guardians must submit electronically or in original the following documents:
• Birth certificate.
• Annual Academic Certificates from the three previous years (if applicable).
• First-semester grade report from the current academic year, for applicants coming from schools with the same academic calendar.
• The application fee must be paid only if the applicant is invited to an evaluation.
• Due to the curricular programs for grade levels from 10th grade (2° Año de Enseñanza Media) onward, applicants must come from an IB World School.
Non-Excluding Complementary Requirements
• Personal and Social Development Report.
ACADEMIC AND LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
The minimum academic average required for consideration is 5.8 (calculated using the subjects of Language and Communication, English, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences), or the international equivalent in the case of foreign applicants.
Applicants must demonstrate:
• English proficiency at a bilingual school level for the grade to which they are applying.
• Spanish proficiency starting from 7th grade, and bilingual-level mastery from 8th grade onward, for all applicants whose academic language is not Spanish.
GENERAL ADMISSION CRITERIA
Santiago College is a diverse and multicultural school.
It is an English–Spanish bilingual institution that offers most subjects in English up to 8th grade, and from 9th grade (1° Año de Enseñanza Media) onward, most subjects are taught in Spanish (except English and other courses taught by bilingual teachers).
The school is part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization, offering all three IB programs:
• Primary Years Programme (PYP)
• Middle Years Programme (MYP)
• Diploma Programme (DP)
Applicants must meet the English language proficiency required for the grade they are applying to, and Spanish proficiency requirements from 7th grade onward.
Admission processes can only take place when vacancies are available. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Families of former students who wish to re-apply must complete the standard admission process. The school does not guarantee a reserved placement for students wishing to return after a period of absence. Re-admission depends on the availability of vacancies at the time of re-entry and the results of an assessment to determine the candidate’s readiness for the applied level. This evaluation follows the same criteria and procedures as those for new applicants, without distinction. Due to the nature of our curriculum, students applying for re-entry from 9th grade onwards, must come from an IB school.
Admissions Process Participation Fee: UF2 — non-refundable under any circumstances.
ACADEMIC EVALUATIONS
Applicants will be assessed in the subjects of Language and Communication, English, and Mathematics.
Beginning in 10th grade (2º año de enseñanza media), applicants will also take an evaluation in one of the three Sciences: Biology, Physics, or Chemistry. The minimum expected performance to continue in the admissions process is an achievement of 80% in each area.
If the applicant does not reach the required percentage(s) due to differences between their previous school’s curriculum and that of Santiago College, the College will review the applicant’s individual case. Based on this analysis, the admissions process may continue or conclude.
Applicants to 7th grade whose academic language is not Spanish must achieve a minimum of 60% on their Spanish Language examination in order to proceed.
INTERVIEW WITH A PSYCHOLOGIST FROM THE STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM
Applicants will be scheduled for a personal interview with one of the psychologists from the Student Support Team.
This interview may take place before or after the academic evaluation results are available. Therefore, the interview does not imply that the applicant has already met the academic requirements.
Purpose of the Interview:
To learn about the applicant’s previous school experiences and socio-emotional factors that may influence their adjustment to the College.
In the case of Infant School, the psychological interview and the academic evaluation may take place on the same day, without one necessarily preceding the other.
PARENT INTERVIEW — NEW FAMILIES
The purpose of this interview is to get to know the applicant’s family and, in turn, allow the family to gain a deeper understanding of our educational project.
The school has established principles aimed at promoting the integral development of students, which requires the commitment of all members of the community—especially that of parents and/or legal guardians. Therefore, during the interview for new families, the school will assess the alignment between the family’s expectations and the school’s mission, educational project, and the understanding and adherence to its values will be observed.
The interview is scheduled via email with the adults responsible for the student’s educational process.
The outcomes of the parent interview and the participation of new families in the admissions process will be considered when assigning vacancies, representing 50% of the final admissions result.
The score obtained in the interview will be associated with a rating used in the vacancy assignment process.
Each interview will last up to 45 minutes and may be conducted in person or online—the latter in the case of families residing abroad or when determined by the College. Both formats are equally valid.
Applicants Who Become Part of the Santiago College Community
To allocate available spaces among applicants who meet Santiago College’s admission criteria, the School will give priority to applicants with siblings currently enrolled at Santiago College. Among new families, and under similar conditions, preference will be given to children of alumni. In doing so, the School will also consider information regarding the entire pool of applicants participating in the admission process.
Gender balance will be considered when assigning available spaces, allowing for an approximate difference of up to 12%.
Results
Depending on the applicant’s availability, the admission process takes approximately four weeks.
Results will be communicated via email and posted on the admissions notice board located outside the Administration Building.
Waiting List
If the number of available spaces is lower than the number of applicants, the formal application process will be used as the criterion for priority and ranking, as previously indicated.
Being placed on the Waiting List does not imply any enrollment commitment on the part of the School toward the applicants on it; it only keeps open the possibility of admission should spaces become available. It is the sole responsibility of the parent or guardian of a student on the Waiting List to secure their child’s enrollment for the upcoming school year at another educational institution.
Application Process Year 2025 Kindergarten onwards – Closed (click here)
Application Process Year 2024 – Kindergarten onwards (published 29-9-2023) (CLOSED)
Application Process Year 2024 – Kindergarten onwards (published 1-8-2023)
Application Process Year 2023 – Kindergarten onwards
As stated in our mission and reflected in our institutional values, our school is nurtured from cultural diversity. We receive applications from abroad, regardless of the applicant’s nationality and creed.
Applications from Chilean or foreign students who live abroad are received throughout the year.
When the admission form is not available in our website, the family must get in touch with the Admission Office at admiss@scollege.cl - telephone 56-2-27338911.
It should be noted that a student’s admission will depend on the existence of a vacancy at the time of his/her arrival in Chile and the results the applicant obtains in his/her admission exams. The school cannot guarantee vacancies for applicants who arrive from abroad once the regular admission processes have ended.
The school does not take admission exams to applicants during the summer holidays (January and February).
Steps to follow:
Note: For applicants to First Grade up, it is recommendable that Chilean children or children of Chilean father or mother bring their child’s last school year report legalized by the Chilean Consulate of the country where the child studied before returning to Chile. Likewise, foreign applicants coming from countries with treaties or conventions with Chile (Andrés Bello Convention or bilateral conventions) must present school documents that have been duly legalized by the Chilean Consulate. These documents must be presented at the Ministry of Education of Chile.
Community Handbook (see document)
Institutional Educational Project (see document)
