Schools

At Santiago College, Middle School rests on two foundations: strong academics and close relationships. As a bilingual IB World School in Lo Barnechea, we combine high academic standards with a warm environment, preparing students for High School at SC and for life beyond. We believe students learn best through their connections with teachers and with one another, and that young people thrive when the adults guiding them bring joy, humor, and clear boundaries. That is why we teach expectations explicitly, recognize students when they meet them, and treat mistakes as chances to learn and repair.

Middle School is a very different world from Primary School. In Primary, students spend most of the day with one classroom teacher. In Middle School, they stay in their classroom while subject specialists come to teach them, and this brings a real increase in responsibility. Students must be ready on time for each class, bring the right materials for each subject rather than relying on supplies kept in the classroom, manage deadlines from several subjects, and adapt to different teachers and routines.

In Middle School, students follow the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which sits between the Primary Years Programme and the Diploma Programme. Student work is assessed against mark bands with numerical values, preparing students for the grades they will receive in High School. To support this transition, our coordinators, homeroom teachers, tutors, counselors, and subject teachers work as one team. Homeroom teachers stay with the same group for two years and are the first point of contact for students and families. Tutors oversee attendance and behavior, and counselors support students’ social and emotional growth. Through a tiered system of support, every student receives what they need, whether that is a new challenge, extra practice, or a closer conversation with a trusted adult.

Peter Barnett / Principal Middle School