The Spanish educational system

You are looking for the house of your dreams in Spain. You can already visualize yourself enjoying the good weather, leisure time, nature, or working on that project you so desire under a magnificent blue sky next to the sea.

And suddenly you say, “Yes, that would be perfect. But what about my school-aged children?”

Currently, the educational systems of the European Union are striving to minimize differences between countries, aiming for students’ grades to be as versatile as possible within the E.U.

Basic schooling in Spain lasts for ten years, from ages six to sixteen, after which students are legally allowed to enter the job market.

These ten years are divided into compulsory primary school and compulsory secondary school. Every child, regardless of nationality, has access to public education. The process for reserving a place in a public school varies by autonomous community.

The following documentation is required:

• Original and photocopies of the national ID card (DNI), passport, or an equivalent document belonging to the student’s parent or legal guardians. A census certificate (Certificado de empadronamiento) for the family unit at the family address.
• If the student will attend school based on a work address, provide a document accrediting the employment relationship and address of the work center of one parent or legal guardian.
• Original and photocopy of the family book (Libro de Familia), passport, or an equivalent document showing the student’s parentage and date of birth.
• If the student is coming from another part of the Spanish educational system, a document accrediting the last educational center and course attended will be required. If the student has never been part of the Spanish educational system, they will be enrolled according to their age.

Public school in Spain is free for all students. However, parents must cover the cost of materials, books, uniforms, and other school supplies.

Foreign students are accepted, and those who have not mastered Spanish will be assigned a support tutor during the school period.

Extracurricular activities are offered at very reduced rates.

Primary education covers ages six to twelve.

Secondary education consists of four years divided into two phases, lasting until the student reaches sixteen. Upon completion, students receive a certificate (Certificado de Salida) allowing them to either pursue high school (Bachillerato) or enter a professional job training center.

High school (Bachillerato) provides specialized education over two years in arts, health sciences, social sciences, technological sciences, or humanities. Successful students obtain their high school certificate (Certificado de Bachiller) and can prepare for university entrance exams.

Some parents prefer private education, even though private schools follow the same curriculum as public schools.

This preference can be due to the religious affiliation of the school, alignment with the parents’ faith, or the desire for bilingual education, which is increasingly common in public schools as well.

Private schools often follow educational systems from the parents' country of origin. Throughout Spain, you can find French lycées, English schools, German schools, and more.

Others choose private education due to the prestige, reputation, or specific programs offered.

Key points:

• The average cost of private education is €500 per student per month, depending on the city, educational system, prestige, and number of family members studying at the same center.
• Extracurricular activities are more varied and advanced, including options like tennis, theater, cooking, and swimming.
• Private education can be beneficial for students planning to pursue higher education abroad, as many bilingual centers offer the necessary certificates.

Private schools have their own criteria for accepting students, but generally, these include:

• Parental interview.
• Review of the student’s academic record.
• Language proficiency test for the non-Spanish language taught.
• A deposit, which may or may not be refundable.
• Required documentation as specified by the school.
• Preference for students with siblings already attending or if the parents are alumni.
• Letters of recommendation or references.

It is recommended to apply several months to a year in advance.

Conclusions

Spain offers a variety of educational centers, including public schools (secular and government-funded), charter schools (private but government-subsidized), and private schools (financed by parents). This diversity ensures that all needs and budgets can be met.