Relocation to Bogota, Colegio Nueva Granada

mariaaa says on Dec 28, 2004, 11:44:

Hello,
The Colegio Nueva Granada is a well respected school. I am from New York City and just have moved here to Bogota two weeks ago. I was also apprehensive about Colombia. I am still apphrensive but it is getting easier. Just getting familiar with the surroundings and knowing that Bogota is just another city. Same wonderful things to see and same problems big cities have. I hope that this helps...

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alexyy9 says on Dec 28, 2004, 13:03:

welcome... hello...

I know you don't want to hear this - but moving to a new place is ALWAYS difficult...you will do fine. Using the website as a way to meet other people can be helpful. I have heard of that school too, and heard that it is very good. Congratulations...I will be moving to Bogota in 6 months, I live in NYC too. I am nervous, but I have the benefit of someone I know there, and he has friends, etc. I just need to find a job teaching, I teach art/photography. I would love to know how your experience in getting a job went if you can spare the time...Best of Luck!!!!!!

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Lisa says on Dec 29, 2004, 08:23:

Your teaching specialties are a bit limited, but you could still probably find something fairly easily. Would you be willing to teach English?
I got most of my information from a friend who had taught in an American school in Colombia. From her advice I went to tieonline.com and joyjobs.com. Both have lots of info for what to do and what not to do. I posted a resume on one and have been responding to job postings. On the other I had them create a website for me. From there I looked at all the schools in the countries I would potentially want to go to and I emailed them a letter and my website. I had several that were interested immediately. Some never respeonded, but if that happens, DON'T get discouraged.
Try those websites and see if they help!

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Irothko says on Jan 1, 2005, 12:32:

NG Info NG is a fine school. I have had 2 colleagues teach there. Students are smart and the school is well funded. Because the students tend to be from the highest stratas of Colombian/international society, they tend to be spoiled. This can make life difficult for teachers. Just lay low, do your work, and you will do fine.

As far as Bogotá, I agree with what others have said. It is a big city with big city problems but big city culture too. You will have a great time.

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londonoernesto says on Jan 2, 2005, 19:35:

i'm an alumn Hi Lisa,

I graduated from CNG in 1999.

It's a fun place. Bogotá is a fantastic city going through one of its best periods in recent history.

I have mixed feelings about CNG. I spent 12 years of my life there --how could i not? The students, by and large, are spoiled and have big egos. But you'll run into nice, smart kids, too. Even the assholes are interesting, if you look at it as an educational opportunity.

The school sits on top of a mountain which has a breathtaking view of the city. I miss the view and the mountains so much... (I live in Dallas now)

If you want to get in touch with me drop me a line or give me a call and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have and or put you in touch with a good friend of mine who works there.

Ernesto. londonoernesto at yahoo.com 469-977-3656

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Chaparral63 says on Mar 29, 2005, 12:37:

From another CNG former student I see from Ernesto's comments that things haven't changed. When I attended CNG in 1975 to 1978, I found it to be populated by spoiled-rotten, snobbish, and generally disagreeable kids from Bogota's upper-crust, sprinkled with more down-to-earth US embassy and US corporate executives' kids. Like Ernesto, I also have mixed feelings about the school, and when the chips are down I'd probably send my kids there. The reason I would do it is that CNG is an excellent school (as it should be, since it's probably the most expensive school in Colombia), and I'd want my kids to receive their education in English if they were living in Bogota (while here in Fairfax, VA I have my daughter enrolled in a Spanish-immersion K-12 curriculum).
From a teacher's point of view, I would think CNG is a pretty good assignment. The kids may be disagreeable little snobs, but they're well behaved and are all (certainly all the Colombian kids) on a college track which means that they take school seriously.
I do remember that my soccer coach told me that the American teachers get paid a whole lot more than he or the rest of the Colombian teachers, so I'd keep that in mind for whatever it's worth (as in don't bring up the subject of compensation).

So that's my qualified recommendation for CNG. As for the country itself, you'd be hard pressed to find a better one in which to live and enjoy life. My dad and all the gringos I've ever met who lived there fell completely in love with Colombia.

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ElisabethJ says on Apr 2, 2005, 17:54:

teaching in Bogota Hi All,
I am planning on moving to Bogota in June, as I am getting married in December to a Colombian. I am a certified bilingaul teacher in the United States, and have heaps of experience. I would love to find a job in Bogota. What would you recommend is the best way to begin from here. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Liz

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pegwin says on May 24, 2005, 04:40:

CNG If you want to leave your email I can contact you - I teach at CNG and have for 3 years and I can answer any questions you may have.

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Eva says on Jul 10, 2005, 17:59:

cng Hi, curious to know if teachers receive free or discounted tuition for their children attending CNG. Will be moving to Bgta next year and looking at CNG as a possiblity for my 6 and 4 year old.

Also have you heard of either Colegio Mount Vernon or Los Nogales as schools with an english curriculum that my little gringos would be happy in?
Thanks

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jarhead says on Jul 11, 2005, 15:31:

CNG I just moved down to Bogota about a year ago, I have a 5 year old and a 2 year old, I am very interested in sending my oldest child to this school and would like to find different opinions about this school, some say it is great, others say it sucks etc, opinions and different points of view would be greatly appreciated.

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other2 says on Aug 10, 2005, 09:32:

I am a student at colegio nueva granada right now and I have to say that I love it. Obviously, as well as any other school, you will meet people who have big ego's and are snobby, etc. It's all about knowing who you are and who you want to hangout with; there are also amazing, inteligent people there.
It offers lots of opportunities for everybodies different interests. I would recommend it anytime.

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maog says on Sep 13, 2005, 14:43:

CNG Excellent school. I had the opportunity to study at this prestigious school. Excellent facilities, enviroment and people. Your going to love your job!!

Good Luck!!

Mauricio

KUNGFUMAO

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jack smith 2 says on Sep 14, 2005, 18:06:

Compensation? Are the teachers paid well at this school?

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shazam says on Oct 4, 2005, 06:32:

CNG-salaries/compensation CNG has a high reputation within colombia and the international school community. as far as schools go in colombia, they pay VERY well. however they only higher import teachers who have education degrees and certification. teachers are allowed at least one, but i think up to two children free tuition (i don't have kids so i'm not sure). They offer lots of professional development for staff and seem to be expecting more from staff...no more than any other US/Canadian/European school, but more than they've been used to apparently.

The kids and parents are the financial elite of the country. There's a general feeling of ENTITLEMENT and SUPERIORITY that they carry which is seen more with middle and high school students as their adolescence magnifies their insecurities so they then overcompensate. They can be holy terrors to work with. But at the moment I've got a gem of a class this year. Last year was wonderful and next year seems the same. However the one after that is living up to their reputation.

Parents are for the most part incredibly pleasant and friendly, however it's not always sincere. They'll turn on you if it's their child needing to be disciplined. We also have lots of US embassy and foreign business and diplomat children. The more they've travelled, the more plesant they are to work with.

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cngstudent says on Oct 4, 2005, 20:18:

CNG I happen to disagree with many of the people who have spoken of CNG as being a brat-filled campus. I am a CNG student, a senior, and am actively involved in many of the school's activities.

Like every other school, it has the couple idiots who belive themselves superior because of their financial standing. However, a great portion of the students have the money and don't worry about it. In most part, they are simple, kind students who DO make part of the elite, but who have a very interesting view on the world because of the opportunities they have had.

Most foreign teachers, also, enjoy their stay in Colombia. The quality of life is amazing, as many comment, and that's the reason why most foreign teachers remain in school for several years. They get a different perspective on Latin America.

The academic level of the school is often a matter of debate. I'm going to give you the "inside story". If you want to be a great student (In the 85-100 GPA range)you're going to have to work really hard. The school offers an excelent AP program, and challenges students who are willing to take intelectual challenge. However, if a students decides to be bad, they can pull of a 60-70 without any work, staying in the "normal" classes.

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cngstudent says on Oct 4, 2005, 20:20:

Contact Colegio Nueva Granada (you can find phones at www.cng.edu). It's THE best bilingual school in the nation.

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shazam says on Nov 4, 2005, 08:10:

THE best school CNG is THE most EXPENSIVE school in Colombia. As for the best...not really. It's a very good school, but San Carlos consistently has higher math and science scores than CNG and students at both Colegio Bolivar in Cali and Colegio Armenia in La Guajira have better spoken English hands down by the time they graduate. They use English more on campus than CNG does these days.

As well, most foreign teachers might enjoy their stay in COLOMBIA, but CNG in the last 6 or 7 years has developed a negative repuation among the international teaching community for irregularities and non-standard practice in its dealings with present and previous staff. At the end of the '02-03 school year, the entire foreign hire English department was replaced, the following year several teachers left in protest to the firings of other teachers based on planted rumors by a local teacher. Year after year, departing teachers report never receiving their deposits back, nor even word of how it was spent. Worse, many local hire teachers are in constant fear for their jobs and they tend to get fired at the drop of a hat.

All schools have their problems, CNG is not an exception. It is a very good school and probably one of the better schools to work at in Bogota, but I wouldn't say in ALL of Colombia. If you chose to work at CNG...make sure you have a life OUTSIDE of it so as not to get tangled in it's web of gossip, back stabbing and politics.

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quiet philanthropist says on Dec 3, 2005, 13:18:

I LOVE IT but... I'm a student at CNG and have been for 12 years. The truth is I've loved the experience, and, even though it might be the longevity, I wouldn't transfer to any school. Even though some kids are spoiled, I can assure that most kids get along extremely with most teachers. I don't think that the problem this school has is the students or the teachers. The administration is kind of sketchy. No one knows what they really do or why they need so many people to do it (You can't begin to imagine the amount of people who work in it). I do advise teaching there for a great experience if nothing else, and I agree to get a life outside to avout the gossip web because it's a pretty vicious one.

Tuition is free for two of your children if you're on staff.

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Eva says on Feb 24, 2006, 02:43:

hiring at cng Hi Shazam:
I wanted to be sure what you said in a previous post: CNG only hires certified accredited teachers? I'm looking to teach down there (moving this summer with family) but have a MA in business, no formal teaching experience. What about native english speakers? do bilingual schools have any use for this or does it really matter. thanks!!!

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Eva says on Feb 24, 2006, 02:44:

hiring at cng Hi Shazam:
I wanted to be sure what you said in a previous post: CNG only hires certified accredited teachers? I'm looking to teach down there (moving this summer with family) but have a MA in business, no formal teaching experience. What about native english speakers? do bilingual schools have any use for this or does it really matter. thanks!!!

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Lisa says on Feb 26, 2006, 18:55:

CNG hires only accredited teachers. They do not need to make exceptions--there are a lot of people wanting to teach there.
This year the director was only looking for about 8 postions to fill in the entire school.
Sorry, being a native English speaker won't do it at this school!

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ThatCrazyDogLady says on May 18, 2006, 21:14:

Relocating to Bogota, schools, and dogs We are most likely moving to Bogota this summer as well. Our daughter would be in 10th grade at CNG. Great hearing all the input above. It sounds like any other international school with an American curriculum. Our daughter's been at Singapore American School, Pasir Ridge International School in Balikpapan, Indonesia, Jakarta International School in Jakarta, Indonesia, and currently is finishing up 9th grade at The International School of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

International schools do have lots of elite snobbish kids, but remember, they are expat kids and we make our kids what they are. If we've let them be raised by the maids and drivers then of course they will feel they are superior. But, those that stay active and involved in their kids lives have found that altho' their kids may be spoiled as to not keeping their rooms neat and tidy (Why bother when the maid will come along and do it later!), they are still good kids and want to do well in school.

I'm excited for our daughter to have an opportunity to finish her high school years in a completely new environment and culture. She's been studying Spanish in school this year (accidentally got put in an International Baccalaureate 11th grade beginning Spanish class) and has developed a keen interest in becoming fluent in the language. This would be a wonderful opportunity for her.

I too, hope to become involved in the school or another international school in Bogota, as I have kept my teaching credential from the U.S. active through the years that we've been away from the States. I've heard that this might be difficulty tho', as it'll be my husband with the work permit. He's checking out the possibilities of ways around that right now. If anyone knows of any ways, would appreciate hearing about it! :-)

Biggest change for us will be living in an apartment with our 2 golden retrievers. But after spending over 8 years in Muslim countries with them, I'm sure we can handle most anything at this time!

Love this website and reading all the info' and knowledge all of you are willing to share. Thanks!

That Crazy Dog Lady (Eve)

That Crazy Dog Lady (Eve)

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Mr. Hollywood says on May 21, 2006, 21:26:

Just an observation Nueva Granada is a very elite and very "international" school, but you should understand that the vast majority of students there are Colombian. They're upper class kids including those of ex-presidents, cabinent ministers, generals, industrial tycoons, etc.

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ThatCrazyDogLady says on May 21, 2006, 22:47:

CNG and moving to Bogota! I realize and understand that CNG would have lots of upperclass Colombian kids. Really no different from many International Schools. My daughter's current school, here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has about 30% Korean! Jakarta International School had a large percentage of Koreans and upperclass Indonesian kids. As long as the learning takes place, the school wants the learning to take place, and the kids want to learn, there's nothing wrong with a school being elitist. Keeps everyone on their toes! Every school will have their share of problems and depending on how the administration handles these problems, can be good or not so good. My husband's been to the school and was impressed. I've already been contacted by the Admissions Director and was impressed with the content of their forms, so we can only hope that all goes smoothly. And yes, that means we've found out that we are moving to Bogota for sure!!!!! It's going to be a very hectic summer!!!!!

That Crazy Dog Lady (Eve)

That Crazy Dog Lady (Eve)

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bogotabrian says on Dec 11, 2006, 07:46:

Colegio Nueva Granada Hello everyone,

I am looking to teach English and/or mathematics at CNG. I have an engineering degree plus 10 years of technical/business experience in Silicon Valley and Southern California. I am also currently enrolled in a TEFL program here in Bogota with a Visa.

I was thinking CNG because I am living close to the school. Any advice or suggestions?

Thanks all,

Brian

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Cerealkiller says on Dec 11, 2006, 11:52:

I attended CNG during my elementary school, and I would have to agree with Shazam, eventhough it is considered the most expensive school in the country it is by no means the best one. There are a few other internationally accredited schools which hire foreign teachers maybe looking into them would be helpful.
Colegio Anglo Colombiano (Id say this is one of the best best schools in Bogota), English School, Colegio San Carlos (they score very high in Maths) and Saint George's School. Good Luck

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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bogotabrian says on Dec 12, 2006, 05:54:

Thank you so much CK... I`ll check them out!! Now you can solve all my problems if you show me a good cheap laundry mat near Zona Rosa!! LOL

BB

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juanalejo says on Dec 12, 2006, 06:03:

Colegio Gran Bretaña is the school with the highest number of expat kids in Colombia as well as the highest number of foreign professors. Give them a try.

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Cerealkiller says on Dec 13, 2006, 15:00:

Well Brian, this is your lucky day, there is one on Calle 7ma con 82nd...Ill find out about it for you though.

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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ignacio says on Dec 13, 2006, 17:24:

Bogota International Schools I appreciate the recent comments on CNG and am curious if anyone has additional insight regarding CNG's academics for middle and lower school as well as that of Anglo Colombiano. I keep hearing negative soties regarding CNG's upper school and "elitism", but not much on academics. Any information on other international schools would be most welcome as I will have three kids in school in Bogota next year.

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juanalejo says on Dec 13, 2006, 18:11:

Anglo I would tend to think (opinion) that Anglo is a better school than CNG, but then again it has less movement of kids year by year. CNG does have a considerable number of kids who enter the school every year and I know for a fact that grades do not count much in terms of admission, the school is forced to recieve certain number of kids from the American Embassy regardless which will undoubtedly lower the quality of the education.

Anglo does not play by those rules, if a kid does not comply with minimum requirements it will not be accepted, hence a better quality of education. On the downside kids are not as used to accept newer kids into groups of friends which may be more difficult on kids which might be a little on the shy side.

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