Having recently moved to Spain and with my child about to start primary school, I’ve been overwhelmed researching international schools here. I’m sure many parents share my confusion: Is there an official ranking for international primary schools in Spain? Which ones are the best?
After looking into it, I’ve found that unlike the common practice in some countries of frequently publishing ‘Top 100 Primary School’ lists, Spain, and Europe in general, rarely have official, definitive rankings specifically for primary schools. Most so-called ‘rankings’ are actually lists published by educational media or consulting firms. For example, the El Mundo newspaper releases an annual ‘100 Best Schools in Spain’ list, but it’s a broad ranking that includes private and semi-private (concertado) schools, with international schools being just one part of it.
Ranking Reference Criteria
Although there’s no single official ranking, we can still evaluate a school’s quality based on several criteria. The Spanish edition of Forbes magazine, for example, also has its own list, and its selection criteria usually cover many aspects beyond just academic performance. When choosing a Spanish international primary school, you can use these standards to ‘score’ your preferred options:
- Curriculum: Is it a British, American, or IB curriculum? What are the IB program’s pass rate and average scores? While the curriculum is a primary concern, other factors like the Spanish school uniform policy can also influence a family’s decision.
- Faculty Quality: What are the teachers’ nationalities, qualifications, and teaching experience? What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
- Facilities: What are the campus environment, labs, library, and sports facilities like?
- University Placements: Which universities do graduates attend? What is the matriculation rate to top-tier universities worldwide?
- Language Environment: What is the level of immersion in English? How are Spanish and Catalan language classes structured?
Major Ranking Lists for Reference
As mentioned, you shouldn’t blindly follow these lists, but they can be a useful starting point. Here are a few reputable international schools that frequently appear on lists from El Mundo or Forbes, primarily in the Madrid and Barcelona areas, to give you a general idea.
| School Name | City | Main Curriculum |
|---|
| The English Montessori School | Madrid | British Curriculum |
| Benjamin Franklin International School | Barcelona | American, IBDP |
| King’s College, The British School of Madrid | Madrid | British Curriculum |
| American School of Barcelona | Barcelona | American, IBDP |
Rankings should only be used as an initial screening tool. For primary-aged children, factors like the school’s atmosphere, the level of care from teachers, its ability to spark a child’s interest in learning, and the associated [international school fees] are likely more important than a cold, impersonal ranking. The best approach is to attend a school’s Open Day, talk with the principal and teachers, and get a feel for the place yourself. I hope everyone finds the perfect school for their child!
