Colegio Nueva Granada

Bogotá, Colombia

About Colegio Nueva Granada: Also known as CNG, Colegio Nueva Granada is a private, not for private international day school that provides students K4-12 with an American education.

School Mission: CNG is a learning community committed to serving a diverse student population to prepare responsible global citizens through an accredited US/Colombian college-prep program focused on motivating students to achieve their fullest individual potential for excellence.

Check out the school’s website for more information and job opportunities.

ITF Review
(Based on Independent Research)

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

Recommend – the salary package is generous for experienced teachers and includes a good housing allowance. Just be sure to work out exactly how much you’ll be earning given some pay is in USD and some in pesos. Teachers with more than two kids may be prohibited due to the cap on children’s tuition.

Overall compensation package rating

Salary packages are generous (especially for experienced teachers) with 40% of salary paid in USD. The school also covers all taxes on US dollars earned in Colombia.

Tuition benefits

The school provides tuition benefits for teacher kids at 95% (capped at two children).

Housing

A generous housing allowance is provided as part of the teaching package.

Flights

Annual economy return flights are offered to point of origin (or cash equivalent).

Healthcare

Medical coverage (worldwide) is provided as part of the package (dental is excluded).

Adjustment for kids

The school has over 1,500 students made up of almost 50 different nationalities. Although many are local students with dual passports, so knowing some Spanish will help with the transition.

Average class sizes

The average class size in high school is around 11, with a maximum class size of 23.

Teaching experience required

The school doesn’t recruit teachers without certifications or at least two years teaching experience. The maximum age (for visa purposes) for teachers is 62 years.

Curriculum

American, including the AP program.

Retirement/pension benefits

The school contributes to the Colombian retirement plan.

School history & stability

The school is well established and has a solid history – first opening in 1938.

Colegio Nueva Granada – Additional Benefits

  • Moving allowance
  • Settling in allowance
  • Long term disability coverage
  • Re-signing bonus
  • Private healthcare scheme

What Teachers are Saying Online About Colegio Nueva Granada

The school will tell you that you’ll earn a specific salary but it’s split between payment in USD and pesos. The peso amount isn’t necessarily converted at the market rate – and is taxable. Be aware and ask for a full break down (or work it out yourself) so you know exactly what you’re getting before signing.

CURRENT TEACHER, CNG

Most students are local with very demanding parents. There are some US embassy kids, but not many other international students. It’s more of a bilingual private school, which can be hard for teachers with kids.

EX TEACHER AT COLEGIO NUEVA GRANADA

Overall it isn’t a bad school, but they do certainly use some misdirection when trying to recruit teachers. The staff is knowledgeable and caring, and most parents are supportive of the teachers. Kids are motivated to learn. I loved my time there.

EX TEACHER, CNG
  • Colourful facade with a brown door and blue wall in Bogota - a regular sight if you work at Colegio Nueva Granda in Bogota.
  • Aerial view of colourful houses on a hillside in Bogota - Colombia. What you might see if you work at Colegio Anglo Colombiano in Bogota.
  • Casa Santa Clara in the Colombian mountains

The school is good, and the location makes it easy to enjoy living in Bogotá. How much you save will depend on your lifestyle. If you’re always eating out in the nicer parts of town, then money will go fast. If you can make a budget and stick to living on the pesos, you should be able to save most of your US dollars.

CURRENT TEACHER, CNG

I’ve got a few friends working in CNG. They’re happy with the school and it’s one of the top two packages in Colombia. Location is excellent too – you could live a 5 minute walk from school if you wanted to.

TEACHER, BOGOTA

CNG is a great school to work at. The admin are supportive and the students are respectful. There are a lot teachers breaks during the year and the workplace culture is friendly.

CURRENT TEACHER, CNG

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Fair – Bogotá has areas that are very safe and welcoming for expat families, especially in neighbourhoods like Usaquén, Chicó, Rosales, and Cedritos. Violent crime is less common in expat areas, but always stay alert, especially at night.
  • Adaptability: Moderate – Spanish is essential for daily life. Colombian culture is warm and welcoming, and locals are generally eager to help, even if there’s a language barrier. Adjusting to Bogotá’s high altitude (2,600m), frequent traffic jams, and often slow bureaucracy can be challenging to begin with.
  • Cost of Living: Moderate – Groceries, eating out (locally), and local services are affordable by international standards. Domestic help is also reasonably priced. If you’re after imported goods it can be expensive, as can housing in sought-after expat neighborhoods.

General Overview for Teaching Families

Colegio Nueva Granada (CNG) has a reputation as being one of the most established international schools in Colombia. It dates back to 1938 and is a private, non-profit, co-educational day school offering a U.S.-oriented, college-preparatory program from K4 through Grade 12. The school is accredited by Cognia (AdvancED) and recognised by the Colombian Ministry of Education. Students have the option of both a U.S. high school diploma and the Colombian bachillerato.

CNG describes itself as a “family” community, with two defining phrases: “The CNG Family” and “The CNG Way”– reflecting the warm Colombian culture and the school’s 80+ years of tradition.

The school has a large student body compared to many regional international schools, though from our research the majority of students are local with dual passports. Enrolment is over 1,500 students across all primary and secondary. Instruction is primarily in English, with Spanish, French, and Mandarin also taught. Students have access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

For teachers, contracts are typically two years, running from August to June. The salary range is competitive for the region, with approximately 40% paid in USD and the remainder in local currency. Savings potential is strong, with estimates of around $15,000 per year for singles and up to $35,000 for teaching couples. The package also includes medical insurance with international travel coverage, housing allowance, annual flights, shipping allowance, and a retirement contribution. Teachers with children receive a 95% tuition discount.

For teachers seeking professional development and the chance to work in a supportive, community-focused environment, it’s considered one of the top options in Colombia.

Do you currently teach at CNG? If so we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to share your experience with us!

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