Just finished enrolling my little one in primary school, and what a ‘sweet battle’ it was! I’ve noticed many friends on the forums asking about schooling for their kids, so I decided to share our family’s experience and some tips on applying to international schools. I hope this helps!
Why Choose an International School?
After moving to Spain, getting our child into school was our top priority. We looked into three options: public, private, and international schools. Public schools are free and offer a great way to integrate into the local culture, but the language barrier can be a significant challenge for a child who has just arrived. Private schools are moderately priced, but most still primarily teach in Spanish. Considering we might move to another country in the future and wanted to ensure curricular continuity, we ultimately focused on international schools in Spain. For families who need it, there are even options for [primary school boarding in Spain]. International schools primarily teach in English, their curricula are internationally recognized, and they offer a competitive advantage for future university applications.
Which Curriculum to Choose?
The main curricula offered by international schools in Spain are the British, American, and IB (International Baccalaureate) systems. We spent a lot of time researching them, so here’s a simple comparison to help you out:
| Curriculum | Key Features | Best Suited For |
|---|
| British Curriculum | Rigorous and academic-focused. Students specialize in 3-4 strong subjects during their senior years (A-Levels). | Ideal for students with clear academic goals who wish to delve deep into specific fields at [international schools in Spain]. It provides an advantage for applying to universities in the UK and the Commonwealth. |
| American Curriculum | Flexible curriculum that encourages students to explore their interests, with a strong emphasis on critical thinking and creativity. | Well-suited for students seeking a well-rounded education with a wide range of course options. It’s advantageous for US university applications. |
| IB Curriculum | Comprehensive and balanced, covering both arts and sciences. It’s demanding and requires strong all-around abilities. It has the highest global recognition. | Best for academically strong, self-motivated students. It is highly regarded by top universities worldwide. |
Our child is quite outgoing and loves to explore, so we ultimately chose an IB school. We felt the IB philosophy, with its focus on inquiry-based learning and developing a global perspective, aligned well with our expectations. Of course, there’s no single “best” option; the key is to find what suits your child.
Application Process and Required Documents
The application process is generally quite similar across schools: Online Application Submission -> Application Fee Payment -> Document Submission -> Student Interview/Assessment -> Parent Interview -> Awaiting Admission Offer. We started preparing a full year in advance, and I can’t stress enough how competitive spots at popular schools can be!
The typically required documents include:
- Child’s birth certificate
- Copies of passport/residency card
- Vaccination records
- School reports/transcripts from the past one to two years
- The school’s completed application form
Don’t be too nervous about the interview. For younger primary school students, it’s often more like a play session with a teacher. The main goal is to assess the child’s English communication skills, behavior, and basic cognitive abilities. The parent interview is usually a conversation about your family’s educational philosophy to see if it aligns with the school’s values.
Lastly, a word on tuition: it is a significant expense. Fees vary widely by city and school, ranging from €7,000-€8,000 to over €20,000 per year. On top of that, you have to account for registration fees, uniforms, lunches, school buses, and other miscellaneous costs. Therefore, your budget is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a school. I hope our experience provides a useful reference, and I wish everyone’s children success in getting into their dream school!
