Mackay School
Updated July 2026
IB PYP
The Mackay School is a bilingual, independent school located in Reñaca, Viña del Mar, offering a British-inspired education with a strong emphasis on character development. It is the only school in the Valparaíso Region to offer the full continuum of the three International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The school is guided by the motto "Vincit qui se Vincit" (He conquers who conquers himself), emphasizing the development of character, self-discipline, and the ability to overcome personal weaknesses. It aims to provide an "all-rounder" education that fosters honour, honesty, loyalty, responsibility, and teamwork. The institution promotes an international mindset and a commitment to integral formation, encouraging students to think for themselves and discover logical reasoning.
Programmes
The school offers a bilingual curriculum with an English immersion programme starting in Play Group and continuing through Junior School. It is an IB World School, providing the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the IB Diploma Programme. Students also have the opportunity to certify their English language proficiency through Cambridge Assessment and Trinity College London exams.
Student support
Learning support
The school operates a dedicated unit comprising psychologists, psychopedagogues, and vocational guidance counsellors to support students from Play Group to Cuarto Medio. This team coordinates formative programmes covering areas such as affective and sexual education, prevention of substance abuse, school coexistence, and citizenship training. The unit's fundamental objective is to support the personal, social, emotional, and academic development of all students.
Frequently asked questions(6)
- What curriculum does Mackay School offer?
- Mackay School offers IB PYP, IB MYP and IB Diploma.
- What ages does Mackay School teach?
- Mackay School enrolls students aged 3 to 18.
- Is Mackay School a day or boarding school?
- Mackay School is a day school.
- What accreditations does Mackay School hold?
- Mackay School holds accreditations including IB.
- Is Mackay School co-educational?
- Mackay School is a boys school.
- Where is Mackay School located?
- Mackay School is an international school in Vina del Mar, Chile.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
The school manages admissions for students from Play Group (age 3) through to I Medio, with specific vacancy numbers published for each level. The selection process evaluates a candidate's ability to benefit from the school's academic and social environment, which includes an immersion programme in the English language. Interested families must complete an online application form and provide all required documentation to proceed.
Calendar
The academic year typically begins in early March, marked by a traditional opening assembly. The school provides information regarding external processes, such as the university admission calendar for the Council of Rectors.
Facilities
About the campus
Located in Reñaca, Viña del Mar, the campus spans over 22,000 square metres and includes specialized areas for Junior and Senior schools. The facilities feature an auditorium, a resource centre (library), and extensive sports grounds, including rugby pitches at the school and additional facilities in Mantagua. The school also maintains a virtual classroom platform to support its educational programmes.
Co-curriculars
Sport is a fundamental pillar of the school's educational project, with rugby serving as the principal sport alongside football, tennis, and cricket. Students also participate in a variety of activities including English debate tournaments, business management expos, and vocational orientation fairs. Additionally, the school promotes community service and personal development through the CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) programme.
- Gregor PolsonHeadmaster
Gregor Polson serves as the Headmaster of The Mackay School, having officially assumed his duties in August 2018. He leads the school's academic and community initiatives, including presiding over assemblies and overseeing the school's educational direction.
Carolina KlennerHead of Welfare & SupportCarolina Klenner is the Head of Welfare & Support. She focuses on the holistic development of students through academic, formative, and extracurricular activities, collaborating with parents to support the daily life of the school.
Christian VergaraHead of Senior Academics School MYP CoordinatorChristian Vergara serves as the Head of Senior Academics and MYP Coordinator. His role focuses on developing well-rounded students equipped with 21st-century skills, overseeing the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme objectives within the senior school.
Silvio BermúdezDiploma CoordinatorSilvio Bermúdez is the Diploma Coordinator. He oversees the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, which prepares students for higher education and professional life by focusing on physical, intellectual, emotional, and ethical development.
- Evangelina Di GirolamoHead Junior Academics and PYP Coordinator
Evangelina Di Girolamo is the Head of Junior Academics and PYP Coordinator. She emphasizes the English immersion program from Play Group to Fifth Grade and focuses on literature and mathematics methodologies to establish a foundation for bilingualism.
Rodrigo BoyeHead of Sports Department / Sport CoordinatorRodrigo Boye is the Head of Sports Department and Sport Coordinator. He emphasizes the role of sports in the school's educational project, focusing on values such as honor, honesty, responsibility, and teamwork to foster an "all-rounder" formation and fair play.
Paulina IriarteCommunity Extension CoordinatorPaulina Iriarte is the Community Extension Coordinator. Her role involves fostering the school's spirit, maintaining traditions, strengthening community ties, and managing the student admission process.