Compulsory secondary education in Spain (ESO) covers the period between the ages of 12 and 16 and consists of four academic years. The compulsory school curriculum is designed for students to acquire basic knowledge in the basic areas of science and the arts, as well as to develop and reinforce the habit of study and work, to prepare the student for later stages of education and entry into the labor market, exercise of rights and responsibilities of a citizen.
At this stage, special attention is given to the acquisition and development of basic skills and knowledge. All subjects include time for reading. The subjects studied are: science, physical education, social studies, geography and history, Spanish language and literature (second official language and literature if available), foreign language, mathematics, music, plastic and visual arts, technology, civic education and human rights. education. The last year of this stage allows students to choose additional specialized subjects in order to broaden their professional orientation. During this stage it is possible to study a second foreign language.
The student is promoted to the next subject if he/she fulfills the tasks set in all the subjects taken or fails in no more than two subjects. In case of an unsatisfactory grade in three or more subjects, the student retakes the course. As an exception, a student may be transferred to the next course with three unsatisfactory grades if the teaching staff considers that it is possible for the student to successfully complete the following courses and fill the gaps in the failed subjects, which will ultimately ensure his/her continued success in the learning process.
Programs
Secondary education in Spain is divided into two cycles: from 12 to 14 years old and from 14 to 16 years old. In both cycles there are compulsory basic subjects and complementary subjects. The basic curriculum is usually Spanish language and literature (and language and literature of the autonomous community, if applicable), mathematics, geography, history, foreign language and physical education. Optional subjects include music, technology, a second foreign language and social studies.
At the end of the two-year course, the core curriculum is similar and students must choose several elective courses, which include: science and social studies, music, technology, fine arts, and visual arts. Religious education is not required.
Students are evaluated regularly and may have to repeat a year if they do not reach the expected grade level. High school students may not repeat a course more than twice.
If students complete four years and pass the expected standards, they will receive a Certificate of Secondary Education or Secondary Education Graduate. They can then move on to the next level of upper secondary education to earn a bachelor's degree, which will allow them to go to college or high schools. Less academic students can receive a school certificate (Certificado de Escolaridad / Escolarización).
Compulsory education in Spain ends at the end of ESO. At age 16, students can complete intermediate vocational education (Educación Profesional or Ciclos Formativos), which will focus on a specific job, or stop studying altogether.
How to apply
Spain has many low-budget public schools. However, the standard of living in this country is quite high, which brings here a lot of migrants. Because of this, many free public schools in Spain are overcrowded, so foreign parents will have to "fight" to get their favorite child into a free school.
The following set of documents will be required for your child's school placement:
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Two 3 cm by 4 cm photos.
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Spanish residence permit (obtainable from school authorities, City Hall).
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Copies of parents' and children's passports.
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Child's birth certificate
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Copy of the parents' N.I.E. (Spanish National Identity Card).
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Vaccination calendar certified by a Spanish pediatrician.
All this should be taken to your local educational center along with your wishes regarding the place of study.
If, in all probability, the authorities declare that the nearest school has no vacancies and assign the child to a school several kilometers away from home, you can try private schools. The tuition fee in such institutions starts from several thousand euros per year.
education in Spain due to the climatic characteristics and psychological characteristics of the mentality of the Spaniards, natives who warmly support foreign children, is psychologically more comfortable than in other European countries. The obvious advantage of studying in private English-Spanish schools is the possibility of obtaining British and Spanish education simultaneously, with obtaining the two corresponding certificates, which allows the student to enter any English-speaking university in the world or any Spanish institute of higher education.