Gimnasio del Norte School

What Gimnasio del Norte School does

Gimnasio del Norte School is a private nonprofit bilingual international school in Bogotá, Colombia, operated by Fundación Escuela de Formación Avanzada (Fundefa). Founded in 1977, it serves local Colombian families and international families with education from preschool (age 3) through the IB Diploma and 11th grade. The school has been an International Baccalaureate Organization member since 1993 and offers the Primary Years Programme (PEP), Middle Years Programme (PAI), and Diploma Programme (PD); the supplied material describes it as the only school in Colombia with the full IB continuum.

Academic delivery is bilingual Spanish-English, with native English-speaking teachers, reported C1/C2 English proficiency at graduation, class caps of 18 in preschool, 22 in primary, and 25 in secondary, and reported IB Diploma attainment above 80%. The single-level campus exceeds 120,000 m2 and includes gardens, eight soccer fields, three covered coliseums, more than 60 sports venues, a library, cafeteria, nursing and counseling services, transportation, and arts programs. Technology includes four fixed technology rooms, two mobile computer classrooms, classroom screens, physics and chemistry interactive whiteboards, Phidias, Katu, Follett Destiny, OnTrack, and Bookcreator; GN 94.5 radio, Hello News, the MADD Show, and the symphony orchestra extend communications and extracurricular programming.

The business model is primarily recurring tuition and registration fees from enrolled students, while tuition is not publicly disclosed. A COP 200,000 admissions application fee, yearbooks priced from COP 90,000 to COP 160,000, and branded merchandise provide one-time ancillary revenue. The school uses a dedicated admissions department and a five-stage direct process—campus visit, application payment, interviews and assessments, principal meeting, and enrollment—supported by its website, WhatsApp, virtual tours, social media, school radio, and the online CGN store.

Name

Gimnasio del Norte School

Legal name

Fundación Escuela de Formación Avanzada - Fundefa / Colegio Gimnasio del Norte

Website

https://gimnasiodelnorte.edu.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Gimnasio del Norte School is a private nonprofit bilingual school in Bogotá serving local and international families from preschool through high school with an IB continuum, sports, arts, and digital family services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Bilingual International Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

International Curriculum Early Learning Academies (e.g., IB Early Years) (EDACADAK), English Learner (EL/ESL/ELL) & Bilingual Education Programs (EDAJAGAB)

Keywords

• Bilingual K-12 education
• International Baccalaureate programs
• Private school Colombia
• Preschool through diploma
• IB World School continuum

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá, Cundinamarca

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Registration Fees: School tuition revenue from enrolled students across preschool through 11th grade
2. Admissions Form: One-time admissions application fee of $200,000 COP for enrollment process
3. School Yearbooks (Anuarios): Sale of school yearbooks (Anuarios PROM) for various graduating classes. Prices range from $90,000 to $160,000 COP depending on year and edition.
4. Merchandising: Sale of branded merchandise including pins (Pin bus at $20,000 COP) and other school memorabilia through the CGN Store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Gimnasio del Norte School is a private bilingual international school in Bogotá, Colombia, delivering preschool through 11th grade education under its "Aprender a Vivir" philosophy. The school is an authorized IB World School Continuum operating all three International Baccalaureate programs (Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma) since 1993, with over 80% of students obtaining the IB Diploma and graduates achieving C1/C2 English proficiency. Its offering extends beyond academics to include symphonic orchestra, school radio GN 94.5, MADD Show performances, US-imported school buses with real-time tracking, professional nursing and counseling, and over 35 extracurricular activities on a 120,000 m² campus.

Product overview

Gimnasio del Norte School offers a comprehensive educational ecosystem centered on its IB-aligned 'Aprender a Vivir' philosophy. The portfolio includes Phidias and Katu digital platforms for school management and communication, GN 94.5 Radio for communication skills development, the Hello News newspaper, the MADD Show performing arts program, and a Symphony Orchestra. Supporting services include the Tienda CGN e-commerce store, Biblioteca Germán Arciniegas with digital resources, school transportation with real-time tracking, and cafeteria services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GN 94.5: School radio station (Emisora Escolar GN 94.5), a communication platform for student broadcasting activities.
• MADD Show

Products and services

• Primary Years Programme (PEP) IB Primary Years Programme delivered to preschool and primary students as part of the school's K-12 bilingual international curriculum from age 3 onwards.
• Middle Years Programme (PAI) IB Middle Years Programme delivered to middle school students in the Gimnasio del Norte K-12 bilingual international curriculum.
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) IB Diploma Programme delivered to 11th and 12th grade students, with over 80% of students obtaining the IB Diploma each year.
• Bilingual Preschool to 11th Grade Education Comprehensive bilingual (Spanish-English) education from preschool (age 3) through 11th grade delivered under the school's "Aprender a Vivir" philosophy with small class sizes and C1/C2 English proficiency outcomes.
• MADD Show
• Symphony Orchestra Program Orchestral music program enabling students to participate in orchestral performances including the annual MADD Show.
• GN 94.5 School Radio School radio station with professional recording studios, coordinating Radio Escolar, hosting annual 24-hour online radio events with international participation, and operating as the principal headquarters for AIRE's Colombia chapter.
• Hello News School Newspaper
• School Transportation Service
• School Cafeteria/Restaurant
• Biblioteca Germán Arciniegas

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80% of students obtain IB Diploma each year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Biblioteca Luis Ángel ArangominorOthersInterlibrary loan partnership allowing students and staff to access materials from one of Colombia's most important public libraries.
• Red Distrital de Bibliotecas Públicas (Biblored)minorOthersPartnership with Bogotá's public library network for interlibrary loans and resource sharing.
• Universidad JaverianaminorOthersInterlibrary loan partnership with one of Colombia's leading private universities.
• Colegio MarymountminorOthersLibrary knowledge sharing partnership with another prestigious bilingual school in Bogotá.
• Asociación Internacional de Radios Educativas (AIRE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGimnasio del Norte is the principal headquarters for AIRE's Colombia chapter. Organizes the annual Encounter for School Communication bringing together students and teachers from Colombia and internationally.
• US Schools (Sports Exchange)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational exchange program for students in grades 6-9 to participate in sports exchanges in the United States during summer months.
• UK Schools (Language Exchange)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanguage immersion exchange program for students in grades 6-9 to participate in linguistic/cultural exchanges in the United Kingdom during summer months.
• Club EFA DeportesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSports club partnership offering important benefits for Gimnasio del Norte students at their facilities.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Colegio Británico (The British School) Bogotá: British-curriculum bilingual school in Bogotá; competes for premium families seeking international credentials with a comparable emphasis on English proficiency and university placement.
• Colegio Helvetia: Bilingual IB school in Bogotá; directly competes for premium families and international community with comparable IB continuum offerings and similar price positioning.
• Colegio Nueva Granada: Bilingual international school in Bogotá with IB authorization; competes in the same premium family segment as Gimnasio del Norte with comparable academic and extracurricular offerings.
• Colegio Anglo Colombiano: Premium bilingual international school in Bogotá offering IB programs; directly competes with Gimnasio del Norte for the same premium family segment in northern Bogotá with comparable full IB continuum offerings.
• Colegio Rochester: Premium bilingual school in Bogotá with IB programs; a direct peer targeting upper-income Colombian and international families with similar premium positioning.
• Colegio San Jorge de Inglaterra: British-style bilingual school in Bogotá with strong English immersion program; a direct peer in the premium bilingual segment with comparable international orientation.
• Northridge School Bogotá: International bilingual school in Bogotá offering IB programs; competes in the same premium family segment with comparable international curriculum and English immersion model.
• Colegio San Carlos: Long-established bilingual Catholic school in Bogotá with IB programs; competes with Gimnasio del Norte for premium bilingual enrollment and shares the same northern Bogotá catchment.
• Colegio Marymount Bogotá: International Catholic bilingual school in Bogotá with IB programs; named partner of Gimnasio del Norte in library knowledge sharing and directly competes for the same international family segment.
• Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé: Historic Jesuit bilingual school in Bogotá offering IB programs; a direct peer in the premium K-12 bilingual/IB segment targeting families seeking international credentials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ColegioGimnasiodelNorte
• Facebookfacebook.com/colegiogimnasiodelnorte
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colegio-gimnasio-del-norte
• Instagraminstagram.com/gimnasiodelnorte

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gimnasio del Norte School