Having recently moved to Spain, I’ve been deep in the process of choosing a school for my kids, and it’s been quite overwhelming. The different international curricula, like IB, A-Level, and AP, were particularly confusing at first. After spending a lot of time researching school materials and talking to other experienced parents, I’ve finally started to make sense of it all. I’m sharing what I’ve learned in this post and would love for other neighbors with experience to join the discussion and add their insights!
First, let’s break down what these main international curricula are
Simply put, these are all internationally recognized high school curriculum systems. Completing them allows students to apply to universities worldwide, including local universities in Spain. However, their course structures, educational philosophies, and assessment methods differ significantly. I’ve created a simple table for a quick comparison:
| Curriculum | Full Name | Educational Focus | Best Suited For |
|---|
| IBDP | International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme | Holistic development, balancing arts and sciences, emphasizes inquiry and critical thinking | Well-rounded students who are not heavily skewed towards one subject and are highly self-disciplined |
| A-Level | General Certificate of Education Advanced Level | Specialization, allowing students to focus on 3-4 subjects they are good at and interested in | Students with clear goals and obvious strengths in certain subjects who wish to delve deeply into their chosen fields, a path offered by many [Spanish international schools] |
| AP | Advanced Placement | University-level preparatory courses, allowing students to take college-level classes in high school | High-achieving students who are academically advanced and wish to challenge themselves with university-level coursework early |
In Spain, schools offering the IB curriculum are the most numerous and are the first choice for many parents. The IB emphasizes a holistic education; in addition to academic subjects in its international school curricula, it also requires students to complete CAS activities, which seems beneficial for a child’s overall development. However, I’ve heard the IB workload is immense and not suitable for every child. In contrast, A-Level is more like a specialized track system, allowing children to concentrate on a few subjects they enjoy, making it easier to achieve high grades. It holds a particular advantage for applying to universities in the UK or other Commonwealth countries.
As for so-called ‘rankings,’ there isn’t really an official, absolute list. The rankings discussed in our parent circles are more about comparing graduates’ average IB scores or the number of offers from Oxbridge or Ivy League universities. For instance, King’s College in Madrid, and The British School of Barcelona and Benjamin Franklin International School in Barcelona are widely recognized as top-tier schools with outstanding academic results. But choosing a school isn’t just about scores. The school’s location, facilities, campus culture, and even tuition fees are all factors to consider. The most crucial thing is to see if the international school curricula and the school’s philosophy are a good fit for your child. I hope this information helps those of you who are currently weighing your options!
