I’ve been looking into schools for my child recently, focusing on private and semi-private (concertado) schools here in Madrid. After some research, I’ve realized that the daily schedule at Spanish private schools is vastly different from our experience back home. I wanted to start a thread to share my findings with fellow parents, and I welcome any additions or corrections.
School Start and End Times
The biggest difference is the school hours. Most private schools start at 9:00 AM and finish around 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM. For those of us accustomed to arriving at school much earlier, this feels like a luxury. However, this also means that for working parents, the morning drop-off can be a bit tight. Fortunately, many schools offer an ‘early bird’ service, allowing you to drop off your child as early as 7:30 or 8:00 AM, where they are supervised by a teacher. This, of course, comes at an extra cost.
The Long Lunch and Siesta Break
The importance of lunch is deeply ingrained in Spanish culture, and schools are no exception. There’s usually a long two-hour break for lunch and rest, typically from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. During this time, children eat in the school cafeteria and then have a rest period or participate in light activities. The cafeteria fee is an additional expense, but the food quality is generally good, with balanced nutrition. This long break is a key feature and an integral part of Spanish private school curriculums. While some parents choose to have their children go home for lunch, it can be quite a hassle if you don’t live nearby, so most families opt for school meals.
Curriculum and Extracurricular Activities
In terms of curriculum, besides core subjects like Spanish, Math, and Science, English language education is highly prioritized, with many schools offering bilingual instruction. There are also ample class hours dedicated to sports, art, and music. After school, a wide variety of extracurricular activities are available, ranging from soccer, basketball, and tennis to drama, painting, and musical instruments. These activities, which require separate payment, are the primary way for children to develop their hobbies. I’ve put together a table of common extracurricular activities and their approximate costs, which are a great supplement to the main Spanish private school courses, for your reference:
| Activity Type | Approx. Monthly Fee (€) |
|---|
| Soccer/Basketball | 30 - 50 |
| Swimming/Tennis | 40 - 70 |
| Musical Instruments | 50 - 80 |
| Robotics/Coding | 60 - 100 |
A day at a Spanish private school feels more well-paced and balanced, with a good integration of academics, sports, and personal interests. Of course, the tuition fees are a significant investment. I’m curious to hear everyone’s thoughts on choosing between public and private schools. Or if there are parents in other cities, are the school situations similar there? Feel free to join the discussion!
