I haven’t been in Northern Spain for long, and lately, I’ve been busy looking at schools for my child, which has been quite overwhelming. I believe many parents, like me, are still figuring out the education system here, especially the international schools. I’ve spent a lot of time researching various resources and rankings, and today I’m sharing the information I’ve gathered. I hope it can help other families with the same needs, and we can all discuss and add to it!
Many people might think that the best international schools are concentrated in Madrid and Barcelona, but Northern Spain also has many hidden gems. I’ve mainly focused on the regions of the Basque Country, Cantabria, and Asturias. The living environment here is truly wonderful—quiet and safe.
Noteworthy International Schools in the North
I mainly referred to the rankings from Forbes and El Mundo, combined with information from school websites and reviews from local parents, to compile this list of frequently asked-about schools. Rankings fluctuate every year, so this is just a reference. The most important thing is to visit the schools in person and get a feel for them!
American School of Bilbao
This is a very well-known school located in the suburbs of Bilbao, with a beautiful campus. It offers an American curriculum from preschool to high school, leading to an American High School Diploma and the IB Diploma. From what I’ve seen, their university placement record is excellent, with many graduates going to top universities in the US and the UK. The downside is that the tuition is not cheap, and admission is said to be competitive, requiring applications to be submitted well in advance.
St. George’s School
This is another famous British school in the Basque Country, offering IGCSE and A-Level courses. The school is large with modern facilities. According to their website, they emphasize small class sizes and personalized development. Friends with children attending the school have given feedback that it’s academically rigorous and the teachers are very responsible. If you prefer the British education system, this one is worth a closer look, although you should be aware of the tuition fees for international schools in the north.
Overview of Other Schools
Besides the two mentioned above, there are other good options in the north, such as Colegio Internacional de Santander in Santander and Colegio Inglés de Asturias in Gijón. To make comparison easier, I’ve created a simple table:
| School Name | City | Main Curriculum | Features |
|---|
| American School of Bilbao | Bilbao | American + IBDP | High university acceptance rate, beautiful campus |
| St. George’s School | Leioa | British | Authentic British education, academically rigorous |
| Colegio Internacional de Santander | Santander | Spanish + IBDP | Bilingual education, IB program |
| Colegio Inglés de Asturias | Gijón | British + Spanish | Long history, strong sports programs |
Choosing a school is a huge undertaking, and you shouldn’t rely solely on rankings. Every family’s needs are different, and so is every child’s personality. The best approach is to shortlist a few target schools, schedule a visit, and bring your child along to experience the campus atmosphere. I hope this information is helpful, and I welcome anyone with more knowledge to add or make corrections!
