Colegio Olinca is an established bilingual school within the Mexico City international schools market with a long international record. Founded in 1973 by María Teresa Compeán Palacios, it became the first school in Mexico to join the International Baccalaureate in 1980 and has run IB programmes ever since. It is bilingual in Spanish and English to grade five and trilingual with French from grade six.
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At a glance
Curriculum and academics
Olinca combines the Mexican curriculum with a strong international programme, teaching in Spanish and English to grade five and adding French from grade six to become trilingual. At the senior stage it offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma, a pathway it pioneered in Mexico in 1980 when it became the country's first IB school. The model blends the SEP requirements with IB and the school's own approach.
The school runs from preschool to high school and is part of the Cognita group of international schools. Families weighing a bilingual route with an IB finish against other options can read our bilingual guide for how the choices compare.
Weighing Colegio Olinca against another school?
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Colegio Olinca fees
Colegio Olinca does not publish a single headline fee we could verify, so we describe its band rather than quote a number. As an established bilingual school with an IB Diploma pathway, it sits in the upper middle tier of our Mexico City international school fees guide, below the most expensive premium international schools.
Beyond tuition, budget for enrolment, uniform, device programmes and the IB examination entries in the Diploma years. Use our tools to set it against other bilingual and international options rather than judging on tuition alone.
Admissions
The school admits for an August start on the Mexican calendar, with preschool and the early years the natural entry points. Families are usually asked for recent reports and an assessment to confirm the right year group and language level, particularly for entry into the bilingual and trilingual stages.
Entry into the senior years aiming at the IB Diploma is more selective and benefits from a strong academic record. Families relocating outside the usual cycle should contact a campus directly to check availability.
Location and who goes there
Olinca runs two campuses in the south and south west of the city, Altavista in Álvaro Obregón and Periférico in Coyoacán, the latter close to the university city of UNAM. Both sit within reach of the southern districts where many academic and international families live.
The community mixes Mexican families seeking an international finish with internationally mobile households who value the IB pathway. For the wider landscape of curricula and neighbourhoods, see the Mexico City city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for this school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended Colegio Olinca, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better information.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Colegio Olinca fees?
The school does not publish a single fee we could verify. As an established bilingual school with an IB Diploma pathway it sits in the upper middle tier of the Mexico City market. Confirm the current schedule with the school.
What curriculum does Colegio Olinca follow?
It teaches a bilingual Spanish and English programme that becomes trilingual with French from grade six, alongside the Mexican curriculum, and offers the IB Diploma at the senior stage.
Is Colegio Olinca an IB school?
Yes. Olinca was the first school in Mexico to join the International Baccalaureate, in 1980, and has run IB programmes ever since.
Where is Colegio Olinca located?
It has two campuses, Altavista in Álvaro Obregón and Periférico in Coyoacán, in the south and south west of Mexico City.
When do Colegio Olinca applications open?
The school admits for an August start, with the early years the natural entry point. Senior entry aiming at the IB Diploma is more selective.
