School Search Chile | International & Bilingual Schools in Santiago

Find the right school for your children in Santiago. We guide you through 30+ international schools, handle applications & coordinate interviews. Start 6-12 months early.

Choosing a school in Chile

Santiago has over 30 international and bilingual schools, but the best ones fill up fast. You often need to start the application 4-5 months in advance. Top schools can have waitlists of 6-12 months. Miss the window and your children may have to wait an entire school year to start.

The Chilean school year runs March to December — the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere. If you arrive from Europe or North America, your children will likely redo a semester. This is not necessarily a bad thing: you can use that transition period to give them Spanish lessons at a language school while the admission process runs its course.

When I have expat families in a rush, I often recommend letting the children finish their year in the current country with one parent, while the other starts working in Chile and handles the housing search. This gives enough time for the school admission process and entrance exams.

Find a school for my kids

How I can help

  1. I review your family's needs: curriculum preference (IB, American, British, Chilean), languages, special requirements, budget.
  2. I recommend 3-5 schools that match your criteria and confirm availability.
  3. I assist with the application process: documents, translations, exam scheduling, interview preparation.
  4. I follow up until you have an answer and handle the final enrollment.

For younger children: Hiring a nanny is very common in Chile and can be a practical option. Need Spanish support? I can recommend language programs that offer courses year-round for children and adults.

School Search

How does the service work?

1

First meeting

Phone/video call to define your family criteria and wishes.

2

School options

We explain the options available to your family and recommend schools that suit your needs.

3

Schools applications

We check availability and assist you with the application process.

4

Inscriptions

We follow up until you have received an answer and take care of the final inscription.

Our clients

Airbus
Bank of Korea
Cegelec
FAO
FQM
Novonordisk
Vinci

Any questions?

Find answers here...

Service Overview

What types of schools do you help find in Santiago?

We assist with all types of educational institutions including international schools, bilingual schools, traditional Chilean schools (although we have less demand for these), private schools, and specialty schools for children with specific learning needs. We also help with preschools, daycares, and after-school programs.

How long does the school search process typically take?

The school search process usually takes 4-8 weeks, depending on your requirements and the time of year. Applications for the following school year should ideally begin 6-12 months in advance, especially for popular international schools with limited spots.

Do you help with applications to multiple schools?

Yes, we recommend applying to 3-5 schools to increase your chances of acceptance. We help manage all applications simultaneously, track deadlines, and coordinate interviews and school visits. This approach ensures you have backup options while pursuing your preferred choices.

What information do you need about our children to start the search?

We need information about your children's ages, current grade levels, academic performance, language abilities (Spanish/English), any special needs or learning requirements, extracurricular interests, and your educational philosophy preferences (IB, American, British, Chilean curriculum).

School Requirements and Process

What documents are required for school applications in Chile?

Typical requirements include academic transcripts, birth certificates, passport copies, immunization records, previous school reports, language proficiency assessments, and sometimes psychological evaluations. All foreign documents must be translated and apostilled or legalized.

Do Chilean schools require entrance exams or interviews?

Many private and international schools require entrance exams, especially for older children. Some schools also conduct family interviews. We help prepare your children for these assessments and coach families on interview expectations and cultural considerations.

How does the Chilean school calendar work?

Chilean schools typically run from March to December, with winter holidays in July and summer vacation in January and February. This reverse calendar can affect timing for international transfers, and we help plan transitions to minimize academic disruption.

What if my child doesn't speak Spanish fluently?

Many international schools teach in English or are bilingual. For Spanish-only schools, we can arrange Spanish language tutoring before and during the transition. We also identify schools with strong ESL (Spanish as Second Language) support programs.

Costs and Practical Considerations

What are typical school costs in Santiago?

International schools range from 500-2,000+ USD monthly, while quality private Chilean schools cost 400-800 USD monthly. Costs include tuition, enrollment fees, uniforms, books, and transportation. We provide detailed cost breakdowns for each option.

Do you help with school transportation arrangements?

Yes, we help arrange school transportation including school bus services, or public transport routes. We assess availability, convenience, and cost factors to recommend the best transportation solution for your family's needs and budget.

Can you help if our preferred school is full?

Expat.cl is a relocation agency. We assist with coordination, but ultimately the decision is taken by each school. We can request for your child to be put on waiting lists, as well as identify similar alternatives. Please note though that Expat.cl does not guarantee your child(ren) will be accepted in your preferred school, as the school takes the final decision.

Are you looking for help to find the best school?

Simply send us a quick description telling us more about your children, their age, their current school level, any difficulties they might have...

FIND A SCHOOL FOR MY KIDS
Are you looking for help to find the best school?