The school, whose primary language of instruction is English, is college preparatory, with almost 99% of the graduates continuing onto higher education in Colombia and abroad.

Located on a thirty-five acre campus at the foothills of the Andes, Colegio Bolivar consists of ten classroom blocks, a science building, a library/media center, an auditorium, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, a cafeteria, an administration area, several athletic fields, and a great deal of open space.

In 1944, Gladys Bryson, a foreign resident of Cali and educator by profession, converted a room of her home in the San Fernando neighborhood into a classroom.

In 1963, with a total of 600 students and under the direction of Mr. Dale Swall, the school moved to Pance, where it is still located today, and six blocks for classrooms and basic general services were constructed.

In this time of flared pants, head scarves, and ankle socks, the John Lee Gymnasium was built in 1972, which was initially thought to be used as a cafeteria.

In the same year the library was begun in the G block where they were currently teaching the 5th grade and had the History, English and Ethics classes for secondary students.

In 1992 the current parking lot and library were built and in 1994 the Science Building, which consists of the Biology, Chemistry and Physics labs, was inaugurated.

In this decade many improvements were made such as the Music Room for pre-primary, bathrooms at the soccer field, drinking fountains and an ecological park next to the river.

[citation needed] Colegio Bolívar is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Colombian Ministry of Education.

While all students have at least one hour of Spanish language study daily, virtually all other academic classes are taught in English.

Traditionally, some 20-30% of the graduates attend universities in the United States where they matriculate as any North American would, with none of the special requirements of the average foreign student.

It also offers the Advanced Placement program, which is a set of rigorous, college-level courses that prepare a student for future studies.

Additionally, the school allows students to take AP courses not offered in-site through the online platform K-12 international.

Seniors at Colegio Bolívar are required to take the ICFES (the comprehensive university entrance examination), given by the Colombian Ministry of Education each April.

Colegio Bolivar's average test results have consistently placed in the first decile (categoría Muy Superior), which is the highest category.