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You are here: Home Education Pre-school Applying for schools in Barcelona

06/01/2009Applying for schools in Barcelona

Here’s a brief guide on the easiest way to apply for a school for your child.

Schooling in Spain is free and compulsory for children aged 6-16 years.  

Primary education is the first stage of schooling for children aged 6-12 years and secondary education is the period of schooling from 12-16 years.  

Although many children attend school in Barcelona when they are three years old, it is not compulsory in most parts of Spain. Schooling from 3-6 years is known as infants or parvulario.

The Department of Education of the Generalitat of Cataunya governs the registration process for state schools.

Trying to find a place for your child can seem very much like trying to win a lottery at first as the number of applicants usually outweighs the number of places available at local schools and so a lottery process at the final selection stage in used to determine which children get a place.  

Earlier in the year, School Open Days or Jornades de Portes Obertes are organised by Barcelona public and private schools in order for parents to visit. Most schools will also allow you to organise visits at other times of year.

The first stage of application is the Pre-inscription stage in March or May (for 0-3 years). From this stage a short-list of applicants is compiled and in the case where numbers exceed places, a lottery is drawn.

A final list of pupils is then published and if you wish to accept any place offered to your child, you must then undertake the inscription process. You can improve your initial chances of a successful application by choosing a school according to certain criteria that will put you higher on the priority list.

Selection is first based upon the following points scheme:
40 points: When the child has a sibling at the school or if a parent is employed there.
30 points: When the child’s home address is located close by to the school.
20 points: When a parent’s place of work is located close by to the school.
10 Points: When the child's home address is not in the specific catchment area but is located in the same city district as the school.
10 Points: When a parent is receiving income support (varies by the number of dependants).
10 points: When the child, child's siblings or parents have a certain level of disability.

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