Founded in 1941, Colegio San Bartolomé La Merced is a private, Catholic, bilingual, and co-educational school in Bogotá, Colombia. Affiliated with the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), it's fondly known as "San Bartolo." The school's campus sits within the traditional La Merced neighborhood in downtown Bogotá.
As a member of UNCOLI (Association of International Schools of Bogota), ACODESI (Association of Jesuit Schools in Colombia), and FLACSI (Latin American Federation of the Society of Jesus), San Bartolomé La Merced is part of a network of high-quality educational institutions. The school offers the Cambridge international curriculum, providing students with a globally recognized education that prepares them for university and beyond.
Renowned for its academic excellence, San Bartolomé La Merced is considered one of Colombia's most prestigious schools. Its curriculum emphasizes a humanistic and social approach to education, fostering well-rounded individuals with a strong sense of leadership and social responsibility. Since its founding, it has consistently ranked among the top high schools in the nation.[1]
San Bartolo graduates have gone on to achieve remarkable success in diverse fields. Many have reached prominent positions in Colombian politics and business, including former ministers, congressmen, Bogotá city mayors, and ambassadors. Others have become entrepreneurs, scientists, journalists, academics, and artists, leaving their mark on Colombian society.[2]
In addition to its strong academic program, San Bartolomé La Merced offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, clubs, and societies. The school's emphasis on community service and social responsibility has also contributed to its reputation as an emblematic institution in Colombia.
ASIA Bartolina is the alumni association of San Bartolomé La Merced, a private foundation dedicated to leading philanthropic initiatives, organizing business leadership forums, hosting sports tournaments, and fostering social connections among its members.
History and Traditions
Origins and Development:
In the 1930s, political pressure from the Colombian government regarding the management of the National School of San Bartolomé (now Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé) presented financial challenges for the Society of Jesus. To ensure educational continuity, the Jesuits initiated the construction of a new school on La Merced farm in 1941. This marked the birth of Colegio San Bartolomé La Merced.
Transformation and Modernization:
From its founding until 1997, Colegio San Bartolomé La Merced operated as an all-boys boarding school. Recognizing the evolving needs of education, the school embarked on a modernization process. This included transitioning to a co-educational and bilingual model, reflecting a more inclusive and globally oriented approach.
Academics
Colegio San Bartolomé La Merced offers a comprehensive education spanning pre-school, preparatory, secondary, and high school levels within its single campus. The school's all-year programs provide a solid foundation in liberal arts while also offering a variety of elective courses to cater to students' interests.
To enhance global perspectives and language skills, Colegio San Bartolomé La Merced offers a bilingual education, primarily focusing on Spanish and English. The school emphasizes the development of strong communication skills in both languages, integrating them throughout the curriculum to ensure students are proficient and comfortable using both. The school collaborates with select institutions worldwide to offer English as a Second Language and summer school programs overseas. These programs provide students with immersive language learning experiences in countries such as the United States, Canada, England, and New Zealand.
Notable alumni
This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. Please improve this article by removing names that do not have independent reliable sources showing they merit inclusion in this article AND are alumni, or by incorporating the relevant publications into the body of the article through appropriate citations.(April 2021)
Adolfo Carvajal Quelquejeu, politician
Enrique Luque Carulla, entrepreneur, former owner of the Colombian supermarket chain, Carulla
