Colegio Peterson

Educational Philosophy

Peterson Schools' foundational academic philosophy is to promote "the skills, habits and knowledge needed to be successful in a multicultural and secular environment," with special emphasis on mastering information technology. This mission statement, published on the school's official website, encapsulates nearly six decades of educational evolution since the school's founding in 1965.

Bilingual by Design

Unlike many international schools that prioritize a single language of instruction, Peterson runs a strict 50% English / 50% Spanish curriculum from Pre-K through Grade 12. This is not simply an add-on language programme — academic subjects are split equally between both languages throughout the school day. This design reflects the school's commitment to producing graduates who are genuinely bilingual and bicultural, equipped to navigate both Mexican society and international environments.

Montessori Roots

Peterson was founded as Mexico's first English-language Montessori school. While the formal Montessori methodology is most visible in the early years (Pre-K and Kindergarten), its influence permeates the school's broader philosophy: children should feel respected, loved, and intrinsically motivated to learn. The primary school transitions to a constructivist pedagogical model, emphasizing student-led inquiry and collaborative learning before students progress to the more structured Cambridge IGCSE and IB Diploma frameworks in secondary school.

Core Values

The school articulates six core values — Creativity, Curiosity, Honesty, Loyalty, Respect, and Responsibility — that guide student development across all campuses and grade levels. These values are embedded in daily school life, extracurricular activities, and the broader community ethos.

Vision for Empowered Learners

Peterson's official vision statement — "To be an empowered, self directed, personalized educational environment" — signals a commitment to individual agency in learning. This is reflected in the school's use of international assessments such as NWEA MAP to personalize instruction and track growth, as well as its diverse range of extracurricular clubs and elective subjects that allow students to pursue their individual passions.

Technology Integration

The school places particular emphasis on information technology literacy, offering dedicated Robotics Labs, Makerspaces, IDEA Labs, and audio production booths at its Cuajimalpa campus. This investment in STEM infrastructure signals that technology is not merely an elective enrichment but a core competency the school expects graduates to possess.

A Founding Vision

In 1965, Dr. Marvin and Leni Peterson established their school in Mexico City with a simple but ambitious goal: to create a second-home environment for children that would stimulate curiosity, intellect, and strong values. The founding couple believed that children should feel genuinely respected and loved at school — a philosophy drawn directly from the Montessori tradition.

At its inception, Peterson Schools became Mexico's first English-language Montessori institution, a landmark achievement that established its reputation as an innovative force in Mexican private education. The school operated as a non-profit private institution from the outset, reflecting the founders' commitment to educational mission over profit.

Growth and Expansion

Over subsequent decades, Peterson Schools grew from a single Montessori programme into a full K–12 institution spanning multiple campuses across Mexico City:

• Cuajimalpa Campus — The flagship campus offering the full Pre-K through Grade 12 programme, including IGCSE and IB Diploma
• Lomas Campus — Serving infant and kindergarten students (ages 2–6) in the prestigious Lomas de Chapultepec neighbourhood
• Pedregal Preschool (Paseo) — A dedicated early years campus for children aged 4–6 in Jardines del Pedregal
• Pedregal Elementary — A dedicated primary school campus for Grades 1–6 in the same neighbourhood

By the time of the most recent published data, the school community had grown to approximately 2,529 students across all campuses.

International Accreditation Milestones

A major milestone in the school's history was the introduction of the IB Diploma Programme, with the first cohort sitting examinations in 2004. This positioned Peterson among Mexico's leading internationally accredited secondary schools. The school subsequently obtained accreditation from:

• SAIS (Southern Association of Independent Schools) / Cognia — US-based quality accreditation
• Cambridge International — For the IGCSE programme in grades 9–10
• IB World School — DP authorization

The school is also a member of NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools), ASOMEX, and IEPRM, cementing its standing in both Mexican and international educational networks.

Leadership Continuity

Mr. Kenneth A. Peterson has served as Director General since 1994, providing over three decades of institutional continuity and strategic direction that has guided the school's growth and international development.

Secondary Academic Structure

Peterson Schools operates a clearly defined international academic pathway in secondary school that aligns with global university admissions standards. The structure is designed as a deliberate progression:

Grades 9–10: Cambridge IGCSE

Students in grades 9 and 10 follow the University of Cambridge IGCSE programme, offering a broad range of subjects including Computer Science, Design Technology, Global Perspectives, and World History. The IGCSE curriculum builds academic rigour, subject-specific skills, and international recognition that prepares students directly for the demands of the IB Diploma.

Grades 11–12: IB Diploma Programme

All students in grades 11 and 12 pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP), a two-year pre-university curriculum recognized by universities across the world. This is a school-wide commitment — not a selective track — meaning the entire upper secondary cohort is enrolled in the full DP.

Results: Class of 2025

The Class of 2025 achieved a DP pass rate of 77.35%, which the school notes exceeds the international average. Additionally:

• 9.4% of graduates received scholarships to university
• 11.3% of graduates secured places at universities abroad

While specific university destinations are not publicly listed, the school highlights that its graduates are accepted at universities globally.

National Honor Society

Peterson is one of a small number of Mexican schools to have established a National Honor Society (NHS) chapter, open to students in grades 10–12 who meet rigorous standards for scholarship, service, leadership, and strength of character. This adds a distinctive layer of academic and community recognition to the school's culture.

Assessment Philosophy

The school uses internationally benchmarked tools including NWEA MAP assessments alongside internal evaluations to monitor student progress and personalize instruction. This data-informed approach to teaching reflects the school's emphasis on mastering both content knowledge and learning habits.

Visual and Performing Arts

Alongside STEM and humanities, Peterson maintains a robust arts programme as part of its holistic curriculum. Extracurricular offerings include photography, choral glee club, percussion, violin and cello ensembles, guitar, theatre, and visual arts — ensuring that creativity (one of the school's six core values) is actively nurtured alongside academic achievement.

A Multi-Campus Model

Peterson Schools operates four distinct campuses across Mexico City, each tailored to a specific age group and educational stage. This distributed model allows the school to create age-appropriate environments while maintaining a unified community identity.

Cuajimalpa — The Flagship Campus

Located at Camino Andador Huizachito 80 in Cuajimalpa (postal code 05530, CDMX), this is the school's main campus serving students from Pre-K through Grade 12. Its facilities are the most extensive of the four campuses and include:

• Olympic Gymnasium — Large apparatus gym for gymnastics and physical education
• Weight Training Room — Dedicated strength and conditioning facility
• Indoor Multi-Purpose Court — For basketball, volleyball, and other indoor sports
• Outdoor Basketball and Soccer Courts — Including natural grass football pitch
• Science Laboratories — Multiple equipped labs for secondary science
• Robotics Laboratory — Dedicated space for STEM and coding
• Makerspace — Workshop for design, fabrication, and creative technology projects
• IDEA Lab — Creative learning and innovation centre
• Hydroponic Garden — Rooftop vertical garden for science and environmental education
• Library — Full school library with resources for all grade levels
• Cafeteria / Dining Hall — School-run food service
• Art Room / Music Room — Dedicated spaces for visual arts and music instruction
• Audio Recording Booth — For music production and media projects

Lomas Campus

Situated at Monte Himalaya 615 in Lomas de Chapultepec (11000 CDMX), this campus serves infant and kindergarten students aged 2–6. It features outdoor play areas, a soccer court, a rooftop hydroponic garden, a library, art room, music room, and science lab.

Pedregal Preschool (Paseo Campus)

Located at Av. Paseo del Pedregal 1201 in Jardines del Pedregal (01900 CDMX), this campus serves children aged 4–6. It features an indoor pool, large garden areas, a soccer pitch, and playgrounds.

Pedregal Elementary Campus

At Rocío 142 in Jardines del Pedregal (01900 CDMX), this campus serves primary students in grades 1–6 with facilities including a soccer pitch, gymnasium, computer room, library, music room, and art room.

School Transport

The school operates a bus service with multiple routes across Mexico City. For the Cuajimalpa campus, annual transport fees range from MXN 33,000 to 39,900 per student (with sibling discounts applied for the second and third child on the same route).

Extracurricular Life

Peterson Schools offers a rich extracurricular programme across all four campuses, reflecting the school's belief that learning extends beyond the classroom. Activities span sports, performing arts, academic enrichment, student leadership, and community service.

Sports

The school's sports offering includes Soccer, Basketball, Taekwondo, Mini Tennis, Swimming, Yoga, Ballet, and Weight Training. The Legends Cup, a community sports tournament held annually at the Cuajimalpa campus (most recently May 24–25, 2025), is one of the flagship school events that brings together students, families, and the wider Peterson community in a spirit of healthy competition.

Performing and Visual Arts

Arts are central to Peterson's identity. The school offers a Choral Glee Club, Percussion Ensemble, Violin Ensemble, Cello Ensemble, Guitar Club, Photography Club, Art Club, Theatre Club, and Drawing/Plasticine workshops for younger students. A highlight of the school calendar is the major musical production — in 2026 the school will present The Lion King at Teatro Telcel Plaza Carso to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Academic Clubs

High School students can join Debate Club, Reading Club, Business Club, Chess Club, Science Club, and QTSA (a club focused on social issues and diversity). The school has established one of Mexico's few National Honor Society chapters, recognising students who demonstrate scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Community Service and Leadership

The Activism Club, Community Service Programs, Student Council, and Leadership Training Programs reflect Peterson's commitment to developing socially responsible graduates. The school's Viking identity — embodied in the annual Viking Run charity marathon at Bosque de Chapultepec — unites the school community in fundraising and physical wellness.

Support Programmes

For students who need additional academic support, the school operates the PIA (Programa de Inclusión y Apoyo) — a formal differentiated learning programme, as well as Homework Help, English Language Club, Writing Workshops, and Public Speaking Conferences. This ensures that Peterson's demanding bilingual and IB curriculum is accessible to a wide range of learners.