20 best public schools in Spain: requirements

Structure of the educational system

The education system in Spain consists of preschool, primary, secondary and higher education.

Early childhood education, which is not considered compulsory in Spain, consists of two stages:

Child rearing and development from one to three years.
Preschool education from four to six years.

Primary education lasts six years and is divided into three stages. Children who have reached the age of six go to school. Education is in the national language and consists of basic subjects such as mathematics, literature, foreign language, physical education, etc. In the autonomous regions, where a second official language is approved, it is included in the general education program. There is also instruction in social and natural sciences. In the final cycle of primary education, at the request of children and parents, the list of disciplines is supplemented by another foreign language and religious studies.

The next stage of education takes place in secondary school. It, in turn, offers a two-stage model for children aged 12 to 16 years and older.

The first level still teaches basic subjects and its completion is confirmed by a certificate. With this document it is possible to continue education in the chosen profile in high school or vocational schools.

The school provides the necessary preparation for admission to higher education. The results of the school leaving examination are the basis for admission to an institution of higher education.

Types of schools in Spain

In Spain there are public, semi-public and private schools.

Education in public schools in Spain is free, but it is the responsibility of the parents to provide textbooks for the children. Generally, classes in these schools are overcrowded and discipline leaves much to be desired. To enroll in a public school, you must provide a local registration.

Semi-public schools differ from the former in the sources of funding; in part, these functions are assumed by the local government or the Catholic Church. However, this does not affect the structure of the educational process and the educational system. The Church does not impose faith, so the number of hours of religious instruction does not depend on the type of school. The only difference is the number of foreign languages available for study.

Private schools differ significantly from public and semi-state schools. As a rule, education in these schools is based on foreign educational programs with the study of some compulsory subjects in Spain. The most popular are English and American schools, which issue diplomas of international level.

How to enroll

Children are assigned according to their place of residence and the workload of one or other institutions. Therefore, it is better to worry about education in advance, at the latest in March (six months before the start of the school year). Starting in March, schools hold open days, which can last until May. It is recommended that you visit several nearby schools, tour the building, see the cafeteria, extra classes, etc.

Spain has a high standard of living, so the "competition" for a place in an educational institution increases every year. Many institutions are overcrowded and the administration does not always have the opportunity to take an extra class.

Have your documents ready:

Two photographs.
Registration of residence in Spain (obtainable at the Public Health Office - City Hall)
The copy of passports for parents and child.
Copy of the child's birth certificate.
Copy of the NIE of the parents
Vaccination calendar certified by the Spanish pediatrician.

Best public schools in Barcelona

1. Auró School

The Auró School is a public school of infant and primary education located in Barcelona.

This school in Barcelona is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, and follows an educational model based on active methodologies / innovation, being its vehicular language Catalan.

Among its services, the Auró public school has extended morning and afternoon hours, canteen, AMPA and extracurricular activities.

2. Pere Vila School

Pere Vila School is a public kindergarten and primary school located in Passeig de Lluís Companys 18, Barcelona.

This school in Barcelona is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, and it follows a generic educational model, with Catalan as its vehicular language.

Among its services, the Pere Vila public school has extended morning and afternoon hours, canteen, AMPA and extracurricular activities.

3. Els Llorers School

Els Llorers School is a public kindergarten and primary school located at Carrer d'Aragó 121, Barcelona.

Among its services, the public school Els Llorers has extended morning and afternoon hours, canteen, AMPA and extracurricular activities.

4. Orlandai School

The Orlandai School is a public kindergarten and primary school located at Carrer de Domínguez i Miralles 1, Barcelona.

This school in Barcelona is secular and coeducational. It is in the price range of less than 100€, and it follows a generic educational model, with Catalan as its vehicular language.

Among its services, the Orlandai public school has extended morning hours, dining room, AMPA and extracurricular activities.

5. Joan Miró School

The Joan Miró School is a public kindergarten and primary school located at Carrer de la Diputació 21, Barcelona.

This school in Barcelona is secular and coeducational. It is in the price range of less than 100€, and it follows a generic educational model, with Catalan as its vehicular language.

Among its services, the public school Joan Miró has extended morning hours, canteen, AMPA and extracurricular activities.

Best public schools in Madrid

1. Antonio Machado School

Colegio Antonio Machado is a public kindergarten and primary school located in Calle Ignacio González Serrano 15, Collado Villalba.

This school in Collado Villalba is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, and it follows a generic educational model, with Spanish as its vehicular language.

Among its services, the Antonio Machado public school has extended morning and afternoon hours, dining room, infirmary, AMPA and extracurricular activities.

2. Miguel De Cervantes School

The Colegio Miguel De Cervantes is a public school of infant, primary and secondary education located in Avenida Villaviciosa s/n, Alcorcón.

This school in Alcorcón is secular and coeducational. It is in the price range of less than 100€, and its vehicular language is Spanish.

Among its services, the public school Miguel De Cervantes has extended morning and afternoon hours, dining room, educational psychologist, speech therapist, AMPA and extracurricular activities.

3. Cortes De Cádiz School

Colegio Cortes De Cádiz is a public kindergarten and primary school located in Avenida de Niceto Alcalá Zamora 54, Madrid.

This school in Madrid is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, and follows an educational model based on active methodologies / innovation, with Spanish as its vehicular language.

Among its services, the public school Cortes De Cádiz has extended morning hours, dining room, AMPA and extracurricular activities.

4. Nuestra Señora De Valvanera School

Colegio Nuestra Señora De Valvanera is a public kindergarten and primary school located in Avenida de la Sierra 20, San Sebastián de los Reyes.

This school in San Sebastián de los Reyes is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, and follows a generic educational model, with Spanish as its vehicular language.

Among its services, the public school Nuestra Señora De Valvanera has extended morning hours, dining room and extracurricular activities.

5. Antonio Machado School

Colegio Antonio Machado is a public kindergarten and primary school located at Avenida de los Reyes Católicos 7, Majadahonda.

This school in Majadahonda is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, and follows an educational model based on active methodologies / innovation, with Spanish as its vehicular language.

Among its services, the Antonio Machado public school has extended morning and afternoon hours, dining room, AMPA and extracurricular activities.

Best public schools in Valencia

1. Martínez Valls School

Colegio Martínez Valls is a public kindergarten and primary school located in Carrer de José Iranzo 52, Ontinyent.

This school in Ontinyent is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, its language level is bilingual, being Spanish and Valencian the vehicular languages.

Among its services, the Martínez Valls public school has a dining room and extracurricular activities.

2. El Garbí School

Colegio El Garbí is a public kindergarten and primary school located in Avinguda Poliesportiu, l'Eliana.

This school in l'Eliana is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, its language level is bilingual, being its vehicular languages Spanish and Valencian.

Among its services, the public school El Garbí has a dining room and extracurricular activities.

3. La Fila School

Colegio La Fila is a public kindergarten and primary school located in Calle de los Reyes Católicos, Alfafar.

This school in Alfafar is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, its language level is bilingual, being its vehicular languages Spanish and Valencian.

Among its services, the public school La Fila has school transport, dining room and extracurricular activities.

4. Roís De Corella School

Roís De Corella School is a public kindergarten and primary school located at Carrer Roíc de Corella 1, Gandia.

This school in Gandia is secular and co-educational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, its language level is bilingual, being its vehicular languages Spanish and Valencian.

Among its services, the public school Roís De Corella has school transport, canteen and extracurricular activities.

5. San Onofre School

Colegio San Onofre is a public kindergarten and primary school located at Carrer Trafalgar 36, Quart de Poblet.

This school in Quart de Poblet is secular and co-educational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, its language level is bilingual, being its vehicular languages Spanish and Valencian.

Among its services, the San Onofre public school has a dining room and extracurricular activities.

Best public schools in Alicante

1. Pou De La Muntanya School

Colegio Pou De La Muntanya is a public school of infant and primary education located in Avinguda del Montgó 20, Dénia.

This school in Dénia is secular and co-educational. It is in the price range of less than 100€, its language level is bilingual, being Spanish and Valencian the vehicular languages.

Among its services, the public school Pou De La Muntanya has school transport and canteen.

2. Romualdo Ballester School

The Romualdo Ballester School is a public school of infant and primary education located in Urbanicion Los Altos Sn, Torrevieja.

This school in Torrevieja is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, its language level is bilingual, being its vehicular languages Spanish and Valencian.

Among its services, the Romualdo Ballester public school has school transport and canteen.

3. Ausiàs March School

The Ausiàs March School is a public school of infant and primary education located in Avenida Venezuela 5, Benidorm.

This school in Benidorm is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, it follows an educational model based on personalization, and its language level is bilingual, being Spanish and Valencian the vehicular languages.

Among its services, the Ausiàs March public school has extended morning and afternoon hours, dining room, AMPA and extracurricular activities.

4. Mestre Gaspar López School

The Mestre Gaspar López School is a public school of infant and primary education located in Barca del Bou 3, Benidorm.

This school in Benidorm is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, it follows a generic educational model, and its language level is bilingual, being Spanish and Valencian the vehicular languages.

Among its services, the public school Mestre Gaspar López has school transport, canteen and AMPA.

5. San Nicolás De Bari School

Colegio San Nicolás De Bari is a public kindergarten and primary school located in Calle General Ros de Olano 20, Alicante.

This school in Alicante is secular and coeducational. It is within the price range of less than 100€, it follows a generic educational model, and its language level is bilingual, being Spanish and Valencian the vehicular languages.

Among its services, the San Nicolás De Bari public school has a dining room and extracurricular activities.