Colegio Helvetia

What Colegio Helvetia does

Colegio Helvetia is a private, co-educational, non-denominational K-12 school in Bogotá, Colombia, founded in 1949 and operated by the non-profit civil association Asociación Escolar Helvetia. It serves approximately 600 students across four developmental cycles (Grupo de Juegos through Bachillerato/Ciclo III, ages 3–18) drawn from Swiss-Colombian families and Colombian families seeking international education. The school delivers instruction in four languages—Spanish, German, French, and English—following the Swiss pedagogical model, and is one of 17 Swiss schools worldwide with Matura oversight directly supervised by the Canton of Bern.

The core academic product spans four instructional cycles and culminates in a dual diploma: the Colombian Bachillerato Académico and the optional Swiss Matura. The Matura pathway grants direct access to Swiss and European universities without entrance exams and provides preferential admission at top Colombian universities (Universidad de los Andes, Universidad del Rosario, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana). Differentiated enrichment programs include the European Linguistic Stay (10th-grade immersion with host families in Switzerland, France, and Germany), SUISSEMUN (Model United Nations), Semana Económica (WIWAG business simulation in cooperation with the Ernst Schmidheiny Foundation and the University of St. Gallen), Semana Verde (outdoor experiential learning), and a student wellbeing ecosystem (psychology, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, inclusive education, peer mediation). The school operates a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio through a team-teaching model and uses Phidias as its student information and admissions platform alongside Microsoft 365 for institutional collaboration.

Colegio Helvetia generates revenue primarily through recurring tuition payments under Calendar B (August–June academic year), supplemented by a one-time admissions processing fee of 286,000 COP and semiannual extracurricular activity fees. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer via online applications, campus visits scheduled through WhatsApp or email, and an interview-based admissions process. The campus (Calle 128 # 71A – 91, Bogotá) was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural de Carácter Nacional (National Cultural Heritage site) in 1992. Operating costs are funded entirely through tuition and program fees, with no disclosed external funding, venture investment, or public ownership; the institution operates under Colombia's Special Tax Regime as a non-profit.

Name

Colegio Helvetia

Legal name

Asociación Escolar Helvetia

Website

https://helvetia.edu.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Colegio Helvetia is a private, non-profit K-12 multilingual school in Bogotá, Colombia, serving Swiss-Colombian and Colombian families through four-language immersion (Spanish, German, French, English) under the Swiss pedagogical model, culminating in a dual Colombian-Swiss Matura diploma.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private K-12 International Education

NAICS

Language Schools (61163), Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Language Immersion & Bilingual Private Schools (EDAJABAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bilingual & Language-Immersion Early Learning Academies (EDACADAG)

Keywords

• Multilingual education
• Private K-12 school
• Swiss Matura program
• International education
• Language immersion

Headquarters

HQ city

Bogotá

HQ country

Colombia

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: The school generates revenue primarily through tuition payments, which fund the educational programs, facilities, and operations. The academic calendar runs from August to June (Calendar B).
2. Admissions Processing Fee: One-time fee of $286,000 COP charged to process enrollment applications, covering administrative costs of the admissions evaluation.
3. Extracurricular Activities: Additional revenue from optional extracurricular programs including sports, arts, sciences, and other enrichment activities offered each semester.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Colegio Helvetia is a private, co-educational, non-confessional K-12 school in Bogotá, Colombia, offering instruction in four languages (Spanish, German, French, and English) following the Swiss educational model. Its core product is a comprehensive multilingual academic program spanning four developmental cycles (Grupo de Juegos through Bachillerato/Ciclo III), culminating in a dual diploma: the Colombian Bachillerato Académico and the optional Swiss Matura supervised by the Canton of Bern. The school also delivers a portfolio of enrichment programs including the European Linguistic Stay, SUISSEMUN Model United Nations, Semana Económica (WIWAG® business simulation), and Semana Verde (outdoor education).

Product overview

Colegio Helvetia is a private, coeducational, non-denominational K-12 school in Bogotá, Colombia, founded in 1949 and part of the global network of 17 Swiss schools worldwide. It offers a comprehensive educational program delivered across four developmental cycles (Grupo de Juegos through Bachillerato/Ciclo III), providing instruction in four languages (Spanish, German, French, and English) through a Swiss-pedagogy model. The institution's core product is its multilingual academic program, which culminates in a double diploma (Colombian Bachillerato and optional Swiss Matura). This is supported by a portfolio of enrichment programs including the Estadía Lingüística (European language immersion), SUISSEMUN (Model UN), Semana Económica (business simulation), and Semana Verde (outdoor education). Additional services include a student wellbeing ecosystem with psychology, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and inclusive education; a peer mediation program; a Phidias-based digital platform for admissions and student management; an online store for administrative payments; two library facilities; and community programs run through the Fundación Suizo Colombiana. Extracurricular activities span sports, arts, sciences, and technology, renewed every semester.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Educational Programs (Grupo de Juegos – Bachillerato) Comprehensive K-12 educational program spanning four cycles: Grupo de Juegos (ages 3-4), Ciclo I/kinder (ages 4-8, multigrade), Ciclo II/primary (grades 3-6), and Ciclo III/high school (grades 7-12). Instruction is delivered in Spanish, German, French, and English following the Swiss educational model. The program culminates in a double diploma: the Colombian Bachillerato Académico and the optional Swiss Matura.
• Swiss Matura Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked TOP 25 among best schools by Sanpiens Research
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Canton of Bern (Erziehungsdirektion)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirect oversight of the Swiss Matura program, with Swiss teachers sent to the school and curriculum standards maintained according to Swiss educational requirements. This partnership enables students to earn the Swiss Matura diploma and access European universities directly.
• Swiss Embassy in ColombiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe school was founded with support from the Swiss Embassy and maintains close ties. The Embassy supports the Swiss community in Colombia and educational initiatives through the Fundación Suizo Colombiana.
• Universidad de los AndesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatura holders receive preferential treatment for course equivalency and admission to this prestigious Colombian university, enabling students to seamlessly transition to local higher education.
• Universidad del RosarioflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatura holders receive preferential treatment for course equivalency and admission to this prestigious Colombian university, enabling students to seamlessly transition to local higher education.
• Pontificia Universidad JaverianaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatura holders receive preferential treatment for course equivalency and admission to this prestigious Colombian university, enabling students to seamlessly transition to local higher education.
• Ernst Schmidheiny FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated the WIWAG® business simulation program in cooperation with the University of St. Gallen's Institute of Pedagogy. Supports the Semana Económica program where Swiss economics specialists travel to Colombia to guide students through business simulation exercises.
• UNCOLI (Union of International Colleges)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of international schools in Colombia including Andino, San Bartolomé, Vermont, Campo Alegre, Marymount, Colombo Hebreo, San Jorge, Nueva Granada, and others. Coordinates athletic events and shared educational initiatives.
• Fundación Suizo ColombianacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit foundation founded by the Swiss Embassy during WWII in 1943, supporting educational programs, food, and culture for vulnerable populations in Colombia. Operates the Plan Padrino community service program involving Helvetia students.
• SwissChamminorOthersSwiss Chamber of Commerce in Colombia, providing networking opportunities and supporting Swiss business and educational initiatives in the region.
• Association of Recyclers of Aire UrbanominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with the Plan Padrino program to support environmental education initiatives focused on waste management and recycling culture among students.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Colegio San Jorge: Colegio San Jorge is a Bogotá private K-12 institution with a bilingual and international orientation. It competes with Colegio Helvetia for families seeking a globally oriented curriculum and comprehensive education from early childhood through secondary school.
• Gimnasio Moderno: Gimnasio Moderno is a long-established Bogotá private school serving families seeking rigorous, globally oriented K-12 education. Its premium academic positioning and Bogotá catchment make it a direct local competitor.
• Colegio Andino: Colegio Andino is a Bogotá K-12 school with an international and bilingual orientation. It competes for families prioritizing multilingual education, university preparation, and an international school community.
• Colegio Colombo Hebreo: Colegio Colombo Hebreo is a Bogotá private K-12 school with bilingual and international programming. It is a direct local peer for families seeking an academically rigorous, multicultural school experience.
• Colegio Nueva Granada: Colegio Nueva Granada is a Bogotá private K-12 school with a bilingual and international profile. It is a direct comparison for Colegio Helvetia's full K-12 model, multilingual curriculum, and family admissions motion.
• Colegio Vermont: Colegio Vermont is a Bogotá private school with bilingual and international education offerings. It competes for the same family segment seeking a globally oriented school environment and comprehensive K-12 progression.
• Colegio Tilatá: Colegio Tilatá is a Bogotá private K-12 school with a bilingual and international orientation. It is a relevant local peer because it serves families seeking a globally oriented curriculum, extracurricular development, and a full-school educational journey.
• Colegio San Bartolomé: Colegio San Bartolomé is a Bogotá private K-12 institution with a strong academic and bilingual or international orientation. It is comparable in serving families seeking structured K-12 education with broad postsecondary pathways.

Regional players

• Swiss School of Barcelona: Swiss School of Barcelona is a Swiss international school in Spain with multilingual education and Swiss curriculum credentials. It is a regional peer for Colegio Helvetia because both combine Swiss educational standards, international university access, and globally minded families, but in a different market.
• Swiss School of Madrid: Swiss School of Madrid is an international Swiss school in Spain that follows Swiss educational standards and offers multilingual education and a Swiss Matura pathway. It is a strong category peer because of the shared Swiss curriculum, credential, and international-family model, although it serves a different geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuw4xG7Vw8gkmt6s31WiGXg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ColegioHelvetia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colegiohelvetiabogota
• Instagraminstagram.com/colegiohelvetia
• TikToktiktok.com/@colegiohelvetiaoficial

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Colegio Helvetia