Secondary education in Spain for international students
By right, Spain is included in the list of TOP-3 countries in terms of the number of staying foreign students. So, in the territory of Barcelona, Alicante, Madrid, there are ranking international private schools, the main features of which are a high educational standard and a low price for secondary education. In addition, due to the wonderful climate and the friendly attitude of local residents to foreign students, several million tourists and students decide on a visit and study in Spain on an annual basis.
Thus, the top American and British boarding schools in Spain, the walls of which are taught in English, are the most popular and in demand among foreign students. At the same time, Spanish is studied at an advanced level. In order to freely enter an elite school in Spain, it will be useful to take effective summer courses in language school in Spain. After being studied in school, graduates know Spanish at an intermediate level, which is sufficient for unhindered admission to ranking Spanish universities .
As for the educational program of the best boarding schools in Spain, emphasis is placed on the successful enrollment of graduates in ranking universities in Spain, the UK, the USA, etc. The secondary educational program provides for the teaching of mathematics, foreign languages, humanitarian and natural sciences, history, as well as social disciplines. Classes are held in small classrooms, which provides an individual approach to each student. In addition, it is planned to practice the acquired knowledge in practice.
Comprehensive and harmonious development of students is achieved through sports and team games. In particular, it is planned to conduct classes in such sports as:
- football
- basketball
- volleybal
- tennis
- swimming
- chess.
Brief information on the educational system of Spain for foreign students
Upon reaching 6 years, the child begins the stage of obtaining the leading compulsory secondary education in Spain. At the same time, the predominant number of Spanish parents decide to send their children when they are three years old. The main plus of such early education is due to the preparation for the school within the walls of a prestigious Spanish school, where the student will continue to study. Thus, they get acquainted with the school, the established requirements and rules, features and other students. Note that when a child reaches three years old, children are admitted to ranking kindergartens in Spain.
Below is the structure of the education system in Spain
Student age | Education stage | Studying duration | Mandatory or not |
3 to 5 years | Kindergarten | 3 courses | Not |
6 to 11 years old | Primary School | 6 courses | Yes |
12 years | 1st school | 1 course | Yes |
13 years old | 2nd school | 1 course | Yes |
14 years old | 3rd school | 1 course | Yes |
15 years | 4th school | 1 course | Yes |
From 16 to 18 years | The final stage of secondary education Bachillerato | 2 courses | No, however, in the case of admission to the university, passing this stage is required |
It is worth noting that when switching to 4 years of study in a secondary school in Spain, the educational program is divided into three areas, namely:
- Science
- Social and humanitarian
- Artistic.
So, for three years, before entering a ranking Spanish university, or a year before a vocational school, teaching is conducted, within which attention is paid to those disciplines that require knowledge to obtain a university or professional education.
To be enrolled in a ranking university in Spain, the following conditions are required, namely:
- Certificate of complete secondary education
- Passing a single entrance exam selectividad.
Prestigious schools in Spain for international students
It is worth starting with the fact that the leading Spanish schools are divided into three types:
- State
- Semi-private
- Private
If we consider private schools in Spain, then they have a high level of prestige, and teaching is carried out on a fee basis. Please note that the status of private schools is assigned in Spain to educational institutions with a non-Spanish educational system, that is, teaching is carried out in accordance with a special methodology, in particular, this is Montessori.
For advanced semi-private schools, they are former private schools run by Catholic communities. Thus, as part of its development, Spain was a religious country, on the territory of which over 50% of the population, whose birthday falls on 60-70 years of the 20th century, studied at schools, within the walls of which teachers were nuns and monks. In 1985, a reform was carried out under which all schools in Spain acquire semi-private status. Thus, Spanish schools were transferred to full state funding, while for semi-private schools, a requirement was made regarding the formation of a secular-type educational process in accordance with the adopted laws on education.
At the moment, the discipline of religion in the walls of the leading semi-private schools in Spain is taught without fail to children who have reached three years of age, on average, classes are 2 hours per week. At the same time, in the leading public schools in Spain, the subject of religion is studied on an optional basis. Teachers who are ordinary secular teachers are involved in teaching, while members of school management boards are participants in the religious order to which the school belongs.
How much does it cost to get secondary education in Spain for foreign students?
Obtaining a Spanish leading primary and secondary education is free in public and semi-private schools. At the same time, in semi-private schools in Spain, a monthly volunteer fee is provided, while the state does not fully cover the costs of educational services. Also note that within the walls of prestigious semi-private schools, studying in the last two pre-university years is paid in nature.
You can enroll in an elite private school in Spain after reaching the age of three.
So, on average, the cost of eduaction throughout the year in the best private schools in Spain varies from 22,800 to 25,575 €.
With regard to enrollment in semi-private and public schools in Spain, places are allocated by contacting the city authorities on a competitive basis. So, upon admission, attention is drawn to registration, the presence of brothers or sisters who are studying at this school. Applications are due in March, with publication of the final lists in June.
Developed programs of the best high schools in Spain for foreign students.
In Spain, schools with a joint educational format are successfully functioning.
The following are the proposed educational programs of the leading schools in Spain:
- Summer camp
- Preparatory program
- High School for teens 11 to 14 years old
- High school for teens from 14 to 16 years old
- Undergraduate El Bachillerato Unificado y Polivalente for students from 16 to 18
- British A-level program for foreign students from 16 to 18 years old.