We warmly welcome you to the 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.
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.
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
• 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
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.
Kindergarten 0 7° grade 2
1° grade 0 8° grade 10
2° grade 0 9° grade 2
3° grade 6 10° garde *0
4° grade 4 11° grade medio *0
5° grade 4 12° grade *0
6° grade 4
*Last updated May 2026
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)
Taking responsibility for our learning and our actions.
Embracing the joy of living.
Showing kindness to ourselves, others, and the environment.
