Schooling in Spain: Your Children's Education Options
For expats coming to live in Spain, one of the biggest decisions they'll make is where to send their kids-- to a public state school, or an International school. For younger children the decision is simpler, as primary schools all over Europe are comparable. It's for older children that the decision becomes especially difficult, as where they attend school will have a significant effect on their future.

International Schools in Spain


The Good Things: For many expats moving to Spain with children --especially older ones-- an International School seems like the best choice. One of the main reasons for this is the curriculum. International schools in Spain are all private, and many of them follow a UK curriculum, including UK exam courses, such as GCSE's and A-Levels. In addition, the top Spanish International schools also offer the International Baccalaureate program, as well as the local secondary school qualifications, called the Bachillerato. This is a great advantage for those looking to enroll their children in a school which will allow them to attend university in other parts of the world, as students attending International schools can often receive both local and international titles upon graduation.

Another great benefit of International schools in Spain is the environment. Many Spanish British or International Schools offer a bi-lingual study program, accepting both Spanish and foreign pupils. This gives students a chance to integrate into the culture and learn the language (though, of course, not to the extent that they would with state schools). These types of International schools give students a chance to become fully and fluently bilingual.

In addition to a superior curriculum, International schools also provide what most consider a better learning environment. They generally have smaller classes, and a newer, more relax approach to teaching. Children who attend International schools are exposed to people from all of the world, and the curriculum and extracurricular activities generally include a depth of language and art, sports, and optional academic subjects that can't be found in Spanish state schools.

The Bad Things: While International schools have a lot to offer, there are also some downsides. One of these is the cost. In Spain, the tuition of independently-run International schools ranges from an average of 3,000 - 4,000€ per year for nursery or primary school, and up to 8,000-10,000€ per year for secondary and boarding schools. In general, tuition doesn't include books, materials, extracurricular activities, transport, etc. So while private school tuition isn't as expensive in Spain as it is in other parts of Europe, it can still add up, making cost a hefty consideration.

Another downside to sending your children to an International school is that they will find integration more difficult. With so many other children with similar backgrounds who speak the same language, many International school students find themselves in a cultural vacuum when it comes to Spanish language and culture.

Spanish State Schools


State Schools in Spain can also be a good option for some families. While older children with limited Spanish generally have a difficult time adjusting, younger children can thrive in state schools.

The Good Things: One of the best things about sending your child to a state-run school in Spain is, clearly, the cost. With the exception of books, state schools are free to attend for children from age five all the way up to college-age, with a small fee for children under five. There are also a greater variety of state schools, which is a huge benefit if you find yourself living in a rural or non-touristy area, where International schools are in short supply.

Attending a Spanish state school can also help your children to integrate with the country, the culture, and especially the language. It is theorized that children aged nine and below can easily pick up Spanish in a year or less, simply by socializing and talking with Spanish people. This process will be significantly speeded up in a state school (though it is important to provide children over four with Spanish lessons, as well). Also, because of a resolution passed by Prime Minister Zapatero in 2006, more and more state schools are offering an English-Spanish bilingual curriculum. As of today, there are about 1,000 state-run schools in Spain teaching a bilingual program.

The Bad Things: While younger children will generally do well in a state school in Spain, older children really tend to struggle. Especially for children approaching secondary school age, a Spanish tutor will often be a necessity. Tutors generally charge anywhere from 8 - 20€ per hour-- an extra consideration to make when calculating your children's schooling costs.

Another shortcoming of the Spanish education system is its methods. Many criticize the Spanish system as being stiff and old-fashioned, forcing children to learn lessons by rote instead of by more modern, intuitive means. While the Spanish system is improving, the quality of the education your child receives may not be as high as with a British or other International school.

A Quick Overview of the Spanish School System


The Spanish education system is constantly improving, and more and more Spanish children are staying in school longer. In Spain, compulsory education starts at age six and ends at age sixteen, and over 90% of Spanish children attend a state nursery school starting at age three to four. About 55% of students in Spain stay in secondary school full-time until they reach age 18. Total, about 30% of Spanish students go on to university after completing their secondary education.