What Expat Parents Need to Know About Spanish Education

The Spanish education system may differ significantly from educational models in other countries. For expat families, having a basic idea of the dynamics will permit you to be comfortable when choosing a school as well as assisting your child in adapting to the new system and controlling expectations.

Educational Structure Overview

Key Educational Stages

Preschool and Early Childhood Education

• Ages 0-6: Optional but widely utilized
• Divided into two cycles: 0-3 years and 3-6 years
• Year distinction starts with I for Infantil, although commonly you will still hear or see P for Parvulario (loosely translated to Kindergarten).
• The number with each year means the age the children turn in that year. (I.e. I-2 means the year the students turn 2 during the calendar year, NOT the school year).
• Focuses on social and emotional development
• Many public and private options available in major cities

Compulsory Education

• Primary Education: Ages 6-12 (6 academic years)
• Secondary Education: Ages 12-16 (4 academic years)
• Education is free in public schools and mandatory during these stages: this is important to know ahead of time, as for some residence permits, you are required to prove that your children are attending school during these years!

Language Considerations

Linguistic Diversity

Spanish public schools typically use Spanish (Castilian) as the primary language. However, in regions like Catalonia, Basque Country, and Galicia, regional languages are also used in instruction:

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• Catalonia: Catalan and Spanish
• Basque Country: Basque and Spanish
• Galicia: Galician and Spanish

Support for Non-Spanish Speaking Students

• Many schools offer Spanish language support programs, or the other local language if applicable
• Specialized integration classes for international students, especially at private or semi-private schools
• Some international schools provide bilingual or English-language instruction

School Types for Expat Families

Public Schools (Colegios Públicos)

• Free education
• You will be expected to pay for supplies, insurance, and activities such as field trips
• Cost of lunch will be calculated based on the family income
• Locally funded
• Typically follow regional curriculum
• Best for full cultural and linguistic immersion

Private Schools (Colegios Privados)

• Tuition-based
• More flexible curriculum
• Usually include English at earlier ages as well as more instruction hours per week
• Often offer international baccalaureate programs
• Some specialize in international student education

Concertado Schools

• Partially state-funded private schools
• Blend of public funding and private management
• Often provide high-quality education at lower costs than fully private institutions

Academic Calendar

• School year typically runs from September to June.
• Three semesters broken not by weeks, but where the main holidays fall (September to Christmas, New Years until Easter, Easter until Sant Joan (mid-summer on June 20)
• Holiday breaks align with traditional Spanish cultural and religious observances (two weeks at Christmas, one week at Easter, along with normal holidays and several additional school holidays determined by each school)
• Summer break is approximately two and a half to three months long

Key Recommendations for Expat Families

1. Check out the details on the school registration process.
2. Research local school districts before relocation
3. Consider language preparation courses for children to ease integration at school and with classmates
4. Visit potential schools in advance (private schools especially may offer video tours)
5. Understand documentation requirements for student enrollment
6. Be prepared for potential cultural adjustment periods

Additional Considerations

• School uniforms are not mandatory in most public schools, but are more common in religious semi-private schools.
• Extracurricular activities are common and encouraged at both lunchtime (2 hour lunch break) and after school.
• Parent involvement is valued in the Spanish educational system, via the AFA (Asociación de Familias de Alumnos; similar to the PTA (Parent-Teacher Association).
• The ages for each school year are not aligned with the school year, but rather the birth year. This means, as an example, that some children may still be 2 when starting preschool at I-3, whereas classmates will start turning 4 shortly afterwards. I always have found this so confusing…how can a child born on December 31 turning, let’s say 3, is in the same grade as a classmate born on January 1 but turning 4?!? This happens at any cutoff anywhere, but I find it easier knowing all the children start at the same age and then turn the same age during the academic year.

And so on…

Despite living here, I did not learn this until going through the school registration process personally and I still have to take a step back and do the math sometimes.

Practical Enrollment Tips

Required Documentation

• Passport
• Residence permit
• Proof of address (city hall registration)
• Birth certificate (apostilled and translated to Spanish or the local language)
• Proof of change of residence to the city, new district, etc. For new arrivals, this will be demonstrated through the city hall registration)
• Previous academic records
• Medical vaccination records

Enrollment Periods

• Primary enrollment typically occurs in February-March with results issued in June.
• Late enrollments possible but may have limited school options, depending on the availability

Conclusion

When traveling and moving abroad with children, you always need to dedicate extra time to planning, and selecting a school is no different. Each region offers unique educational experiences, and expat families will find a range of options to support their children’s academic and cultural development.

Families are encouraged to connect with local expat communities, school administrators, and educational consultants to gain comprehensive insights specific to their chosen region in Spain.