One problem that many expat parents wrestle with is whether or not to enrol their children in a state versus a private school. As it is illegal in Spain to not have a child between the ages of 6-16 in school, homeschooling is not an option.

State Schools
Private Schools
School Listings

STATE SCHOOLS

While the state school system in Spain has vastly improved, school may still not be up to par with some private institutions. However, that does not mean that they aren’t any good. On the plus side, they are also considerably cheaper than private schools. Parents only have to pay for books (although they might be expensive), or a small yearly fee (Be sure to enquire about this as there are no set prices.)

Another important thing to note is that the schools won’t be bilingual. You child will be completely taught in Spanish with the exception of an English as a second language class a few hours a week.

Within the state school system, since schooling is compulsory, a lot more accommodations are made for non Spanish speakers. Your child will be placed in a special, low enrolment classroom where he or she is then taught Spanish for non-native speakers.

Parents should note that complete immersion may not be for everyone, especially if the child is a lot older. Keeping this in mind, a student will be made to repeat a year of school if they do not pass the standardised tests that are required at the end of every year.

If you do choose to enrol your child in a public school get ready for a long and arduous trip into Spanish bureaucracy. You’ll need to:
- be interviewed by the school
- provide a copy of your child’s convalidation record (The equivalent of an academic transcript). You’ll need to start this process even before you leave your home country. Call your school well in advance to find out exactly what you’ll need because it may differ or change over time.
- take a Spanish proficiency exam to be taken at the provide a birth certificate, passport, immunisation records, proof of residence, and proof of convalidation.
- ensure that your child is enrolled in the right district, close enough to where you live.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

If you decide on a private school, you also have two options. You can opt for a Spanish private school that will follow the Spanish syllabus, or you can send your children to an international school which may follow the British (GCSE, A-levels, etc) or American systems (depending on what system you choose).

Fees at subsidised Spanish schools are around EUR 700 a year, whereas fees at independent foreign schools range from around EUR 4,000 a year to well over EUR 8,000 a year at senior schools. Factor in for uniforms and other hidden fees that pop up, and you’ll end up with quite a bill.

In the Spanish private school system, there have been complaints that the institutions are not as accommodating of non- Spanish speakers. Make sure you ask what provisions are made for the children to learn Spanish.

In international private schools you’ll find a more bilingual education process although the extent to which differs from school to school. One of the major problems of these international schools is that children may miss out on the authentic Spanish experience and may leave without ever fully grasping the language or the culture.

If this is important to you, it is important to research: What languages does the school teach as obligatory or optional subjects? Are intensive English or Spanish lessons provided for children who don’t meet the required standard?

INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SPAIN

Madrid

AMERICAN SCHOOL OF MADRID
www.asmadrid.org/
Address: Apto. 80, 28080 Madrid
Tel (34) 91 740 1900

THE BRITISH COUNCIL SCHOOL
http://www.britishcouncil.org/es/spain.htm/
Prado de Somosaguas,
C/ Solano, 3, 5, 7,
Pozuelo de Alarcón,
28223 Madrid
Telephone +34 91 337 3612
Fax +34 91 337 3634
Email school@britishcouncil.es

EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
http://www.ecaspain.com/eca/
Calle La Manda 47
28816
Camarma de Esteruelas
(Madrid) Spain
Telephone 34 91 886 5003
Fax: 34 91 886 6419

HASTINGS SCHOOL
http://www.hastingsschool.com/
Nursery and Infants School
Pso de la Habana, 204
28036 Madrid
Tel. 91 359 06 21
Fax: 91 359 35 21

 
Junior and Secondary School
C/ Azulinas, 8
28036 Madrid
Tel. 91 359 99 13
Fax. 91 359 35 21

INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE IN SPAIN
http://www.icsmadrid.org/
C/Vereda Norte, 3
28109 La Moraleja,
Madrid
Phone: (34) 91 650 2398
Fax: (34) 91 650 1035
Email admissions@icsmadrid.org

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MADRID
http://www.internationalschoolofmadrid.com
Primary School
Rosa Jardón, 3 28016, Madrid

Secondary School
Serrano Galvache, 13, 28033, Madrid
Tel.: (34) 91 302 3080
(34) 91 302 4473
Fax: (34) 91.302.66.53
Email: ismadrid@terra.es

RUNNYMEDE COLLEGE (primary and secondary school)
http://www.runnymede-college.com/
Calle Salvia 30
28109 La Moraleja
Madrid
Voice: (+34) 916 508 302
Email: office@runnymede-college.com

Barcelona

KENSINGTON SCHOOL
http://www.kensingtonschoolbcn.com
Carrer dels Cavallers, 31-33 Pedralbes. 08034 Barcelona
Tel: 93 203 54 57 - 93 204 15 79
Fax:  93 280 50 67
Email: info@kensingtonschoolbcn.com

THE ANGLO-AMERICAN SCHOOL
http://www.britishschoolbarcelona.com/
Calle Ginesta, 26
08860 Castelldefels,
Barcelona, Spain.
Tel: 93 665 15 84
Fax: 93 664 14 44
Email: info@britishschoolbarcelona.com

AMERICAN SCHOOL OF BARCELONA
http://www.a-s-b.com
C/ Jaume Balmes 7
08950 Esplugues De Llobregat, Spain
Tel: 34 934 733 430

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
http://www.bfischool.org/
Martorell i Peña, 9 - 08017
 Barcelona, Spain –
Tel: 34 93 434 23 80

OAK HOUSE SCHOOL
http://www.oakhouse.es
Sant Pere Claver 12-18
08017 Barcelona
Tel: (+34) 932.524.020 / (+34) 932.524.021
Fax: (+34) 932.524.022
Email: sec@oakhouseschool.com

Others

THE QUEEN’S COLLEGE
Juan de Saridakis 64,
Palma de Mallorca
Phone. 971 401 011
Fax: 971 400 513

CAXTON COLLEGE
http://www.caxtoncollege.com/
Autovía del Mediterráneo, salida 1B
Carretera de Barcelona, s/n
46530 Puçol (Valencia)
Phone: 96 142 4500
Fax : 96 142 09 30

AMERICAN SCHOOL OF BILBAO
http://www.asob.es
ES - 48080402, Soparda Bidea 10, 48640 Berango, Vizcaya
Tel: (+34) 94 668 0860/61
Fax: (+34) 94 668 0452
Email: asb@asb.sarenet.es

BALEARES INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
http://www.balearesint.net/
Calle Cabo Mateu Coch, 17
07015 San Agustin,
Palma de Mallorca,
Tel: (34) 971 40 31 61
Fax: (34) 971 70 03 19
Email: office@bis-int.org

BELLVER INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
http://www.bellvercollege.com/
Calle Jose Costa Ferrer Nº5 
Marivent 07015
Palma de Mallorca
Telephone: 971401679
Fax: 971401762
info@bellvercollege.com

AMERICAN SCHOOL OF LAS PALMAS
http://www.aslp.org/
Carretera de los Hoyos, km 1.7
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Telephone: 928 430 023
Email: info@staff.aslp.org

BRITISH SCHOOL OF GRAN CANARIA
http://bs-gc.net
Crta. Tafira a Marzagán s/n,
El Sabinal,
35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Tel: (34) 928 351167
Fax: (34) 928 351065

South
Calle Mar de Azor 3, El Hornillo,
35100 San Bartolomé de Tirajana,
Gran Canaria.
Tel: (34) 928 142494

ELIAN'S
http://www.elians.com/
Avda Dr. Peset, 4
La Eliana, Valencia
Tel: 962 740 272
Fax: 962 744 150
Email: info@elians.com

NEWTON COLLEGE
http://www.newton.edu.pe/
Av. Ricardo Elías Aparicio 240. La Molina
Phone: (511) 479-0460
Fax: (511) 479-0430
E-mail: college@newton.edu.pe

SHORELESS LAKE SCHOOL
http://www.slsonline.org/
Apdo. 239
30850 Totana, Murcia
Tel.: 34 968 424386
Fax: 34 968 424902
Email: info@slsonline.org

Kejan Haynes / Expatica