Admission

Admission Process and Criteria for Pre-Kindergarten 2027

General Admission Criteria

The application and admission process for the Pre-Kindergarten level consists of several stages:

• Calls for applications (published on scollege.cl – Admissions)
• Application submission and payment
• Delivery of information to parents
• Applicant evaluation
• Parent interviews
• Notification of results
• Enrollment confirmation

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:

• Siblings of students currently enrolled at Santiago College, from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12.
• Among new families with similar results, children of alumni will be given priority.
• Gender balance will be considered when allocating vacancies, allowing for an approximate margin of difference of up to 12%.

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 21^st

Application Requirements

• Applicants must meet the age requirement for entry to Pre-Kindergarten or the first transition level (Exempt Decree No. 1126 of 2017): minimum age of 4 years old by March 31 of the corresponding school year.
• Parents/guardians must complete the electronic application form available during the defined application period.
• A birth certificate (original digital copy issued by the Civil Registry) must be uploaded electronically. For foreign applicants, a copy of the National ID Card or Passport must be provided to verify the official name and date of birth of the applicant.
• Application fee: UF 2. The fee can be paid through WebPay (via the online form) or in person at the school (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., during the application period). This fee is non-refundable once the application is validated.
• Parents/guardians must sign a “Declaración” document acknowledging that they have been informed by the School about the various stages and characteristics of the process. This document will be sent via DocuSign at the end of the online application period. Signing this document is required to validate the application and proceed with the admission process.

In compliance with Article 24 of Law 20.422, the School will make the necessary adjustments to ensure equal opportunities for applicants with disabilities, as stated previously.

Information Session for New Families

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.

• Applicants and parents will be invited to a group guided visit to tour the campus.
• Applicants will participate in a group maturity evaluation conducted by a multidisciplinary team composed of teachers, psychologists, and educational psychologists. The evaluation will be conducted in English or Spanish.
• Groups of 16 children will participate in a social–emotional observation through play, followed by smaller groups of 8 for more focused observation in areas such as language, logical and verbal reasoning, and general development.
• Duration: approximately 50 minutes.
• This is not a diagnostic or academic knowledge test.
• The evaluation aims to determine whether the applicant has the maturity required to enter Pre-Kindergarten. No special preparation is needed.
• This evaluation represents 50% of the final admission result.

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).

Admission Interviews for New Families

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.

Applicants Who Become Part of the Santiago College Community

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%.

Results Notification

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.

Enrollment Confirmation

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.

Waiting List

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)

Application process Prekinder 2024

Application Process Pre-Kinder 2024 Exclusively for applicants with siblings enrolled in Santiago College PK-4EM

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 special 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.

Kindergarten 0     7° básico 1
1° básico 0            8° básico 10
2° básico 0           1° medio 3
3° básico 7           2° medio *0
4° básico 0          3° medio *0
5° básico 4          4° medio *0
6° básico 0
*Actualización noviembre 2025

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.

Students seeking to rejoin Santiago College after a period of absence will have priority over other applicants, once they have passed the corresponding admissions examinations.

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:

• All application requirements described must be fulfilled according to the level the student is applying to.
• The school documents required may be copies of originals (without authentication) for the purposes of the application.
• The Admission Office must be contacted some weeks before arriving in Chile in order to inquire about the situation of vacancies.

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)

Community Handbook (see document)

Document – Institutional Educational Project

Document – Community Handbook (RIE) 2022