Colegio Nido de Aguilas

An American Curriculum with Global Reach

At the heart of Nido de Aguilas' academic identity is a full American liberal arts, college-preparatory curriculum delivered entirely in English. This American framework provides the scaffolding for how students progress from Pre-K through Grade 12, with grade-level structures, course expectations, and assessment philosophies that mirror leading US independent schools.

Simultaneously, Nido has built a complete IB continuum across all three programmes:

• Primary Years Programme (PYP) — Early Years through Grade 5
• Middle Years Programme (MYP) — Grades 6 through 10
• IB Diploma Programme (DP) — Grades 11 and 12

This combination gives students the structured progression of an American curriculum enriched by the internationally recognised inquiry and conceptual frameworks of the IB.

IB Diploma Results

Nido's IB Diploma results reflect a consistently strong performance:

• Class of 2023: Average score of 33 (global average ~30), with 99 candidates
• Class of 2024: Average score of 32, with 92% of candidates earning the full IB Diploma and a remarkable 73% earning the Bilingual Diploma — awarded to students who complete diploma requirements in two languages

The bilingual diploma rate of 73% is particularly noteworthy and reflects the school's deep commitment to bilingual education, with Spanish taught as a compulsory second language to all students from the primary years.

University Outcomes

Graduates are accepted at leading institutions across the globe. In the Class of 2023 (125 graduates):

• 54 students enrolled in US universities
• 16 students enrolled in Canadian universities
• 23 students enrolled in European universities (Spain, Netherlands, France, Italy)
• Named institutions included Princeton University, Duke University, Columbia University, University of Toronto, and King's College London

In the Class of 2024 (109 graduates):

• 35 students enrolled in US universities
• 35 students enrolled in European universities
• 9 students enrolled in Canadian universities
• 7 students enrolled in Australian universities
• Columbia University, UCLA, and Babson College among named destinations

The 7:1 Ratio Advantage

Underpinning these outcomes is Nido's headline 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio, backed by a teaching staff of approximately 240 educators. This ratio — extraordinarily low for a school of 1,625 students — enables differentiated instruction, close faculty mentorship, and the kind of personalised college counselling that produces strong university placement outcomes year after year.

Origins and Growth

Colegio Nido de Aguilas — literally 'Eagles' Nest' — was established in 1934 in Santiago, Chile, to serve the growing expatriate and diplomatic community that had settled in the Chilean capital. In its early decades, the school functioned primarily as a resource for English-speaking families working in Chile who needed an American-style education for their children.

Over the subsequent nine decades, Nido transformed from a modest community school into one of the most recognised international schools in South America. Today it enrolls approximately 1,625 students spanning Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, drawn from more than 50 countries and representing a remarkable 50/50 split between Chilean nationals and international students.

Becoming an IB World School

A defining milestone came in 1982, when Nido was authorised to offer the IB Diploma Programme (DP) — among the earliest such authorisations in South America. The school subsequently expanded its IB offerings to include the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Middle Years Programme (MYP), creating a seamless IB continuum from the earliest years of education all the way through to university entrance.

This full IB continuum reflects the school's commitment to internationally recognised, inquiry-based learning, and places Nido among a select group of schools globally that offer all three IB programmes.

Accreditation and Recognition

Nido holds dual accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) — one of the most prestigious regional accreditation bodies in the United States — and from the Chilean Ministry of Education. This dual recognition underscores the school's commitment to meeting both international and local educational standards, giving graduates qualifications recognised worldwide.

The Campus Today

The school's 130-acre campus in Lo Barnechea, a foothills suburb of Santiago with views of the Andes, has expanded steadily to reflect the school's growing ambitions. Modern additions include a 735-seat Fine Arts Center, two MakerLabs, a state-of-the-art Aquatics Center with a 25-metre competition pool, a full-size gymnasium, all-weather athletics track, two sports fields, and an Outdoor Education Center — facilities more commonly associated with elite boarding schools than day schools.

Continuity of Mission

Throughout its history, Nido has maintained a core identity as an English-medium, American-curriculum school that is deeply embedded in the Santiago community. The school's exceptional student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1, its vibrant extracurricular programme, and its strong university placement record — with virtually 100% of graduates accepted to university annually — are the direct fruits of decades of institutional investment and community commitment.

A Campus Built for Discovery

Nido de Aguilas occupies a remarkable 130-acre campus in Lo Barnechea, a residential suburb in the foothills of the Andes Mountains on the eastern edge of Santiago. The natural setting — surrounded by mountains and open space — gives the school an atmosphere quite unlike most urban international schools, and has shaped a campus culture that values both intellectual rigour and outdoor exploration.

Academic Facilities

The campus's academic infrastructure is extensive:

• Library and Media Center — a dedicated research and reading hub
• Science Laboratories — fully equipped for IB-level experimental sciences
• Computer Laboratories — technology-enabled learning spaces
• Two MakerLabs — innovation and design-thinking spaces equipped with digital fabrication tools
• Counseling and College Admissions Offices — dedicated spaces for student wellbeing and university guidance

Arts Facilities

The centrepiece of Nido's arts provision is its Fine Arts Center, which houses:

• A 735-seat professional theatre — one of the largest school theatres in South America
• Music rooms and performance studios
• Visual arts and ceramics workshops
• Dance studios

This facility enables full-scale theatrical productions, orchestra performances, and large community events.

Sports and Wellness

Athletics at Nido benefit from exceptional facilities:

• Aquatics Center — a state-of-the-art indoor heated swimming complex featuring a 25-metre, 6-lane competition pool and a 10-metre learner pool
• Gymnasium — a full-size indoor arena equivalent to two basketball courts
• Fitness/Weight Training Center — a dedicated strength and conditioning space
• Two outdoor sports fields — for soccer, field hockey, and other team sports
• All-weather athletics track — for track and field events
• Outdoor Education Center — supporting trekking, adventure activities, and environmental education

Student Life Spaces

• Two cafeterias providing daily meal service to the school community
• Nursing/First Aid Center — an on-campus health centre
• Multiple playground areas for younger students
• Grade-level buildings ensuring age-appropriate learning environments

The combination of natural setting, comprehensive facilities, and a community of students and staff from 50+ countries creates a campus atmosphere that is simultaneously cosmopolitan and grounded — a rare quality that distinguishes Nido from most international schools in Latin America.

The 50/50 Community

One of Nido de Aguilas' most distinctive features is the composition of its student body. With approximately 1,625 students drawn from more than 50 countries, the school achieves a near-perfect balance: roughly 50% Chilean nationals and 50% international students — of whom approximately 16% are American and 34% represent other nationalities.

This balance is not accidental. It reflects a deliberate institutional philosophy of building a community where neither Chilean culture nor any single expatriate culture dominates, but where both thrive in dialogue with each other. The result is a school that is simultaneously deeply rooted in Chilean society and genuinely international in outlook.

Bilingualism as a Cultural Value

The clearest expression of this bicultural identity is Nido's commitment to bilingual education. All academic instruction is delivered in English, but Spanish is compulsory for all students from the early primary years onward. This bilingual model produces graduates with genuine academic fluency in two major world languages.

The evidence is striking: in the Class of 2024, 73% of IB Diploma candidates earned the Bilingual Diploma — indicating they completed IB requirements in both English and Spanish. This is an exceptionally high bilingual diploma rate by global standards and speaks to the depth of the school's Spanish-language programme.

A Multigenerational Community

Many families at Nido are long-standing members of the school community, with siblings and even multiple generations having attended. The school's admissions criteria explicitly recognise sibling relationships as a priority factor, and the school's 90-year history means that some current parents were themselves Nido students.

Service and Global Citizenship

The diverse community expresses itself through an unusually rich service culture. Student-led clubs include:

• Habitat for Humanity — community construction volunteering
• Comida Solidaria — food charity initiatives
• Hogar Santa Catalina — volunteering at children's homes
• Heart for Venezuela — charity support for Venezuelan migrants
• Reforestemos Patagonia — environmental reforestation
• International Relief Club — global humanitarian support
• Global Issues Network — research and action on international challenges

This breadth of service engagement reflects a community that takes its global citizenship seriously — not as a curriculum requirement but as a genuine expression of shared values.

A Competitive and Multi-Dimensional Process

Admission to Nido de Aguilas is genuinely competitive. The school employs a holistic, multi-stage evaluation process administered by the Admissions Committee, which weighs academic ability, English proficiency, character, and family alignment with the school's values.

The admissions process typically involves:

• Document review — academic transcripts, attendance records, and teacher recommendations
• Written entrance examination — age-appropriate tests covering mathematics and English (and other subjects for older applicants)
• Personal interview — with a school counsellor, for students and/or parents
• Language proficiency assessment — to determine readiness for English-medium instruction

English as the Non-Negotiable

Because all academic instruction is delivered in English, English proficiency is a central admissions criterion from Grade 2 onward. The school is explicit that it requires prerequisite levels of English proficiency for applicants joining the middle and upper school. Younger children applying to Early Years may enter with limited English if they show strong learning readiness, as English acquisition support is available.

For families where English is not the home language, the school offers EAL (English as an Additional Language) support, though the expectation is that students will develop full academic English fluency over time.

Priority Criteria

Nido's admissions policy includes a formal prioritisation framework. Priority is given to:

• Siblings of current Nido students
• Children of alumni (legacy families)
• Children of faculty and staff
• Families with strong historical ties to Nido
• American passport holders (reflecting the school's founding mission)

This prioritisation framework means that popular entry points — particularly Kindergarten and Grade 6 — can be highly competitive for families without an existing connection to the school.

Financial Aid and Accessibility

Recognising that its fees place it among Chile's most expensive schools, Nido operates a need-based Financial Aid Programme that can cover up to 50% of tuition (average award: approximately 25%). Families applying for aid submit financial documentation alongside their admissions application, and awards are reviewed annually. Financial aid can also be applied toward the incorporation (enrollment) fee in some cases.

The school does not publish an acceptance rate, and application volumes are not disclosed. However, the multi-stage process, English proficiency requirements, and priority framework collectively indicate a selective institution where families are advised to apply early and to all applicable priority categories.