I’ve been looking into schools for my child recently and have done a deep dive into Spain’s international education systems. Besides the well-known British and IB curriculums, I’ve noticed that schools with the AP program are gaining more attention. Since there aren’t many forum discussions on this topic, I thought I’d get the ball rolling and share what I’ve learned. I hope this helps other parents who are also navigating the school selection process.
What is the AP Program?
Simply put, AP stands for Advanced Placement, a program administered by the American College Board. It is not a comprehensive high school curriculum. Instead, it allows high school students to take college-level courses based on their abilities and interests. If they pass the standardized global AP exams at the end of the course, they can demonstrate their academic strengths when applying to U.S. universities. Even better, some universities grant college credit for high AP scores, which can save both time and money—a very attractive feature.
Pros and Cons of the AP Program
Compared to the “all-in-one” nature of the IB program, AP’s greatest strength is its flexibility. Students can choose courses based on their strengths—for instance, a student strong in math can take several science-related APs, while one who excels in humanities can opt for history or literature. This allows them to highlight their talents while keeping the academic pressure relatively manageable. However, the downside is also clear: the curriculum lacks the breadth of the IB, and its approach to developing well-rounded skills and critical thinking may not be as systematic. Therefore, choosing which system is best really depends on the child’s personality and future goals.
Some AP Schools in Spain I’ve Researched
Schools in Spain that offer the AP program are predominantly American international schools. I’ve mainly focused on a few in Madrid and Barcelona and have put together a simple table for your reference. This information is based on what I’ve gathered from school websites and inquiries, so details about AP courses in Spain may change. It’s always best to contact the schools directly for the most up-to-date information.
| School Name | City | Description | Notes |
|---|
| American School of Madrid | Madrid | A well-established American school with a great reputation and top-notch facilities. | Tuition is high, and admission is very competitive. |
| The American School of Barcelona | Barcelona | Also a top American school with a wide selection of AP courses. | Located in the suburbs of Barcelona, so commute needs to be considered. |
| Benjamin Franklin International School | Barcelona | Offers American education from preschool to high school, also provides the IB Diploma option. | Flexible curriculum choices. |
| Aquinas American School | Madrid | A Catholic-affiliated American school with a nice campus environment. | Relatively smaller in size, fostering a closer-knit community. |
Choosing the AP path seems to steer future university applications more towards the US and Canada. Of course, with increasing global recognition, using AP scores to apply to universities in the UK or other European countries is also perfectly viable. It feels like the choice between AP and IB is a decision that requires long-term planning. If anyone has experience or knows about other schools, feel free to share and discuss in the comments below!
