Types of Spanish Schools

Public Schools (Escuelas Públicas):
Funded by the government and free to attend.
Provide education to students from diverse backgrounds.
Follow the national curriculum established by the Ministry of Education.

Private Schools (Escuelas Privadas):
Privately funded and charge tuition fees.
Often offer smaller class sizes and more extracurricular activities.
May follow the national curriculum or an alternative one, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Semi-Private Schools (Colegios Concertados):

Partly funded by the government and partly by tuition fees.
Operate similarly to public schools but may have additional resources and facilities.
Often run by religious organizations but open to students of all backgrounds.

International Schools:
Offer international curriculums, such as the British, American, or IB systems.
Cater to expatriate families and often use English or other languages as the medium of instruction.
Tend to be more expensive but provide a global education experience.

Structure of the Spanish Education System

Infantil (Preschool) – Ages 0-6:
Divided into two cycles: 0-3 years and 3-6 years.
The second cycle (ages 3-6) is free and optional.

Educación Primaria (Primary Education) – Ages 6-12:
Compulsory and free.
Consists of six academic years.
Focuses on basic literacy, numeracy, and social skills.

Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) – Ages 12-16:
Compulsory and free.
Divided into two cycles: 12-14 years and 14-16 years.
Students receive a certificate upon completion, which is necessary for further education or entering the workforce.

Bachillerato (Upper Secondary Education) – Ages 16-18:
Not compulsory.
Prepares students for university or vocational training.
Divided into two academic years and includes various specializations (e.g., sciences, humanities, arts).

Formación Profesional (Vocational Training):
Offered at various levels (basic, intermediate, and advanced).
Provides practical and theoretical training in specific trades or professions.
Can be an alternative to Bachillerato or pursued afterward.

Universidad (University) and Higher Education:
Students typically enter university at age 18 after passing the “Selectividad” exam (university entrance exam).
Offers undergraduate (Grado), postgraduate (Máster), and doctoral (Doctorado) programs.

General Insights

Curriculum:
The Spanish curriculum includes subjects such as Spanish language and literature, mathematics, science, history, geography, physical education,
and foreign languages (commonly English).

Languages:
*In regions with co-official languages (e.g., Catalonia, Basque Country, Galicia), education is often bilingual, incorporating both Spanish and the regional language.

Extracurricular Activities:
Spanish schools offer various extracurricular activities, including sports, music, arts, and clubs, to support holistic development.

Holidays and School Year:
The school year typically runs from September to June, with holidays including Christmas, Easter, and summer break.