Lately, my spouse and I have been stressing over our child’s educational path, and the conversation always comes back to ‘should we go for an international school?’ Some friends around me praise international schools to the skies, mentioning the great environment, abundant resources, and clear university admission pathways. Others say it’s just paying for a social network and that academically, they aren’t necessarily stronger than good public or private schools. So, I wanted to start this thread to have a serious discussion with everyone: when it comes to Spanish international schools, are their academic results actually any good?
How Should We Evaluate International School Performance?
First, we need to be clear that evaluating ‘good performance’ isn’t just about looking at grades. The core strength of international schools lies in their curriculum systems, like the most common ones: the IB and the British A-Level. These systems focus more on developing students’ well-rounded skills, critical thinking, and research abilities, rather than just on test-taking. Many parents value how these systems prepare children to be more competitive in global university applications. For example, the maximum score for the IB is 45. Scoring 38 or above basically makes you a top student, and it’s a solid ticket to applying to top-tier universities.
Curriculum System Comparison
Different international schools use different curriculum systems. Here’s a simple comparison of some common ones to help understand how they each define ‘academic performance’:
| Curriculum System | Assessment Focus | Suitable For |
|---|
| IBDP | Holistic abilities, essay writing, social activities | Well-rounded students with strong comprehensive abilities |
| A-Level | Subject depth, specialized knowledge | Students who excel in specific subjects or have a strong interest in a particular field |
| AP | University-level courses, can earn college credit | High-achieving students aiming for US universities |
As you can see from the table, A-Levels allow students to focus on 3-4 subjects they excel at, making it easier to achieve high scores. The IB, on the other hand, requires a balance of arts and sciences, demanding more from students in terms of overall abilities. While the average IB scores might not look as ‘impressive’ at first glance, the qualification is highly valued. Therefore, you can’t simply use one standard to measure all international schools.
Personally, I feel that if the family budget allows and you want your child to have more diverse university options, an international school is a good choice. Of course, this involves understanding details like how to check international school results and what the academic requirements of international schools are. Its ‘good results’ are more reflected in its educational model, international perspective, and university admission pathways. But if you’re only chasing impressive grades on paper, you might be disappointed, because that’s not the essence of international education. Moreover, regardless of the [Spanish international school rankings], don’t ever think that getting into an international school is a safe bet. The academic pressure is just as intense as in regular schools, if not more so. What does everyone think? Friends with experience, please feel free to share your own kids’ situations!
