Educational project

English at Saint Gabriel's

At Saint Gabriel’s, English is one of the pillars of our Educational Project. We firmly believe in its power as a universal language. Through our bilingual English program, which begins in Pre-Kinder, students not only master the language but also develop critical thinking skills, intercultural understanding, and effective communication skills.

Whether through games, reading, literary analysis, debates, or language immersion activities, students are prepared to excel in diverse academic and professional environments. We have a committed and experienced teaching team to achieve this.

One of our educational objectives is to ensure that each student achieves fluency and confidence in English, developing the skills and competencies necessary to excel in an increasingly globalized society. To measure these competencies, our students’ studies are accredited by two international instances:

INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITATIONS

PET exam

The PET exam is administered in 8th grade and measures our students’ level of English proficiency. It’s a great opportunity for each student to identify their strengths and weaknesses and continue to improve upon them. The PET exam is administered by the University of Cambridge. Our school has been recognized as an accredited center by that university, so our students take the exam on school premises, without having to attend other educational institutions.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The IB Program is an international certification program headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, recognized by several universities worldwide. Students must voluntarily apply for the Diploma program offered at the Senior School. To pass the IB Diploma program, students must complete the program, complete the internal assessments, and sit the respective exams—three at the Higher Level and three at the Intermediate Level. They must also write an extended essay on a topic of personal interest and meet the requirements of CAS (the Creativity, Action, and Service program).

To access all the information regarding the IB program at Saint Gabriel’s School, we invite you to review the following link.

“When I was approached about choosing the IB program, it seemed like a good idea because I wasn't sure what my strengths and weaknesses were. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to study a humanities or a science program, so the IB allowed me to learn more deeply about both areas than the standard curriculum. This helped me focus on the humanities and improve my analytical, writing, and reading comprehension skills, among others. Currently, in Law at the University of Chile, this has been a key topic, given that I move faster with the course load and find it easier to complete exams on time. Additionally, the baccalaureate program has a structure that forces students to be organized, which teaches them to fulfill their obligations but also make time for other personal interests.”

Nicole WhippleInternational Baccalaureate Diploma Program student

“When I compare the IB with my university life, I can say they are quite similar. This is because the IB essentially teaches you how to organize your time so you can meet each requirement; that is, to intelligently divide the amount of time you dedicate to assignments versus the time you dedicate to other activities of your own enjoyment. Learning to be organized has been a great benefit for me, since the demands one faces at university are greater, and organization is fundamental.”

Vicente CabreraInternational Baccalaureate Diploma Program student

“When I decided to embark on the IB, I was crystal clear that it would be a new and complex challenge, as I would have greater responsibilities, would directly make decisions about the courses or topics of the assignments I was required to complete, and would be held to much higher standards than my other classmates. However, it is for this very reason that today I am grateful for having chosen to pursue a bachelor's degree, as so far all the difficulties I experienced in junior and senior year have transformed into benefits that have allowed me to adapt to the university requirements, such as acquiring a very powerful work pace, the ability to organize myself much better, read long texts, write essays correctly, and so on. I am confident that in the future all the knowledge I learned in these two years of the IB will help me achieve my goals and objectives.”

Alejandra ZuvicInternational Baccalaureate Diploma Program student

“I value and appreciate the level of rigor of the IB (which my son Luis Alejandro experienced during the last two years of his schooling) and the commitment of the teachers at Saint Gabriel's. There were times when fatigue and discouragement were evident, but thanks to the perseverance and support of all those who shared the experience, this challenge was successfully overcome, which has undoubtedly left valuable marks for the rest of his life. Doors have been opened and paths cleared… such as his first formal job (under contract), which required knowledge of English; the complete exemption from leveling in math and English at university; improved study methods, which makes the "hit" of university entrance a little easier. And there will be many others to come in which the difference between having taken the IB program or not will continue to be noticeable. I once again thank all the teachers at Saint Gabriel's School, not only for what they teach in the IB program, but also everyone involved in the educational process: from Pre-kindergarten through 4th grade. For future generations, I believe this will be the message that best informs their path: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right." (Henry Ford)

Luis GonzálezProxy