Craighouse School

Santiago, Chile

About Craighouse School: Craighouse is a bilingual, co-educational school with Chilean and British traditions. It offers preschool, primary and secondary education for over 1,900 students. The school is a full IB Continuum School.


Check out the school’s website for further information and details.

ITF Review
(Based on Independent Research)

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

More research needed – it’s been a little challenging finding out current and detailed info about this school. While it offers tuition for kids, a housing benefit and other strong benefits the bilingual element could be off-putting for families, especially with older kids.

Overall compensation package rating

Decent for the region with savings possible (though Latin America generally does offer lower savings potential than other destinations). Benefits are strong and family oriented.

Tuition benefits

100% discount for teacher’s kids is included in the package.

Housing

A generous monthly housing allowance is provided for staff.

Flights

Like many other schools in Latin America, flights are offered at the beginning and end of contract (not annually).

Healthcare

The package includes private healthcare for teachers and their dependents.

Adjustment for kids

The school is large and class sizes are relatively small. The school has a reputation for being a welcoming, family friendly environment, but kids with little or no basic Spanish could struggle to adjust until they learn.

Average class sizes

The school classes average 20 students, though post 16 classes are lower (around 10 per class).

Teaching experience required

You’ll need at least two years teaching experience to apply to this school, along with relevant teaching qualifications/certifications.

Curriculum

British international school offering PYP, MYP and DP.

Retirement/pension benefits

A private pension scheme is included as part of your teaching package.

School history & stability

The school was initially established in 1961 and is recognised by the Chilean Ministry of Education. It’s a founding member of the Association of British Schools of Chile and a member of the Latin American Head’s Conference.

Craighouse School – Additional Benefits

  • Relocation allowance (start and end of contract)
  • Payscale based on experience
  • Language lesson allowance
  • Laptop allowance
  • Life insurance

What Teachers are Saying Online About Craighouse School

Although they try hard, the school isn’t an international school – it’s a national Chilean school for the rich.

EX TEACHER, CRAIGHOUSE

The Chilean Ministry of Education makes it challenging for the school to stay true to the methodology needed for the IB.

EX TEACHER, CRAIGHOUSE SCHOOL

The school isn’t bilingual as it claims, and international kids will struggle.

EX TEACHER, CRAIGHOUSE
Chilean flag flying high in the sky against a cloudy background.
Cordillera de los Andes in Santiago, Chile - a sight you can visit if you're working at Craighouse School in Santiago
View of Santiago (Chile) skyline framed by the mountains at sunset

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Fair – Santiago is considered to be one of the safest major cities in Latin America. Most families feel comfortable but like all big cities crime can happen, so use common sense precautions. Over the last few years political demonstrations have occurred, so it’s best to steer clear of large gatherings.
  • Adaptability: Positive – Many Chileans in Santiago speak at least some English, especially in professional or expat-oriented circles, but like anywhere in South America Spanish is essential for daily life. The culture is warm and family-oriented, but navigating bureaucracy, healthcare systems, and public services will need some patience!
  • Cost of Living: Moderate – Daily expenses like groceries, dining, and transport are generally affordable compared to Western cities. But like other areas in Latin America, imported goods and living in expat areas can push your costs up.

General Overview for Teaching Families

Craighouse School is a large, well-established international school in Santiago, Chile. It’s been operating under its current structure since 1996, and is home to over 1,900 students from preschool through secondary. There are around 200 teachers on staff and the school offers the full International Baccalaureate continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) along with elements of the British and Chilean systems. Instruction is bilingual, with English as the main teaching language and Spanish integrated across the curriculum – which may make it a little more challenging from native English speakers with no Spanish. But the school does offer a language allowance.

The campus is located in Lo Barnechea, spans 24 hectares and includes over 29,000 m² of purpose-built facilities. Teachers benefit from modern classrooms, dedicated science and performing arts spaces, and extensive sports grounds including rugby and hockey fields, volleyball courts, and an athletics track. The school is also a member of Round Square, the Association of British Schools in Chile (ABSCH), and the Latin American Heads Conference (LAHC).

Craighouse is an academically selective school and aims to develop well-rounded students within a values-driven, Christian-affiliated environment. It has a reputation for being a welcoming, family-oriented, and internationally minded school (just bear in mind that based on our research the majority of students are Chilean, like many schools in Chile).

The teaching package is competitive for Chile, with excellent teacher benefits. Along with full tuition coverage for dependent children you can expect a relocation allowances, biennial flights and a housing allowance. PD is encouraged and funded, and teachers often report a collaborative working environment (especially amongst the local Chilean staff).

Do you currently teach at Craighouse School? If so we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch to tell us about your experience or fill out our teacher survey!

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