Recently, I’ve seen many discussions on forums about applying to schools for children, especially international schools. It seems there’s a lack of clear information and a lot of conflicting advice. Since my eldest child just went through the entire application and interview process last year and successfully received an offer, I decided to organize and share our interview experience. I hope it can be a useful reference for other parents.
The Parent Interview
This part felt more like a mutual get-to-know-you conversation. The school wants to understand our views on education, and it’s also a chance for us to see if the school’s philosophy aligns with ours. The admissions officers are generally very friendly, so there’s no need to be too nervous—just treat it like a chat. Common questions fall into these categories:
- Family Background & Educational Philosophy: Why did you choose Spain? Why did you choose our school? What are your expectations for your child’s future? What do you believe is the most important aspect of family education?
- Understanding of Your Child: How would you describe your child’s personality? Does he/she have any special hobbies or interests? What do they usually like to do at home? What are your child’s strengths and weaknesses?
- Interaction & Support: How would you handle it if your child encounters difficulties at school? What kind of support do you hope to receive from the school? How would you like to get involved in the school’s community activities?
They want to see that parents have a thorough understanding of their child and have given thought to their education. Most importantly, the family’s educational values should be broadly consistent with the school’s philosophy. Demonstrating a positive and cooperative attitude is key.
The Student Interview
For students, the process varies greatly depending on their age. My child was at the primary school level, so the interview was more of a ‘play-based’ observation. For older students applying to higher grades, the assessment is much more academic, depending on the Spanish international school curricula.
Younger Children
This is mostly about playing with a teacher. Through games, they observe the child’s basic cognitive abilities, behavior, and social skills. For example, they might build with blocks or draw together. The teacher will interact with the child in simple English, asking things like, “What’s your name?” or “What’s your favorite color?” The main goal is to see if the child can understand simple instructions, is willing to interact with the teacher and other children, and knows how to share toys. There’s generally no pressure to give a ‘correct’ answer.
Older Children
In addition to basic conversation, some academic assessments are introduced. The interview becomes more structured. From what we gathered at the time, it typically looks like this:
| Assessment Module | Key Components |
|---|
| English Proficiency | Reading a short passage and answering questions, or writing a few sentences based on a picture. |
| Math & Logic | Some age-appropriate logic or calculation problems, which are usually not too difficult. |
| Oral Communication | The teacher will have a more in-depth conversation with the child, discussing topics like their favorite book or what they did during the holidays. |
| Group Activity | Sometimes, applicants may be asked to join a trial class or a group project with current students to observe their collaboration skills. |
Finally, I want to say that throughout the interview process, what schools value most is whether a child is happy, confident, and curious. Academic ability is important, but the ability to adapt to a new environment and a positive attitude towards learning are what they truly want to see. So, parents should relax, and let your children relax too. Just let them be their natural, authentic selves. Wishing all your kids success in getting into their dream schools!
