{"id":3566,"date":"2023-02-28T13:28:31","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T12:28:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stepsintospain.es\/?p=3566"},"modified":"2026-07-10T12:43:32","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T10:43:32","slug":"what-makes-a-school-truly-international","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stepsintospain.es\/es\/what-makes-a-school-truly-international\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes a School International? A Parent\u2019s Guide with Steps into Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s undoubtedly more to what makes a school international than simply having the word <\/span>\u201cinternational\u201d<\/span><\/i> in its name. At <\/span>Steps into Spain<\/a><\/span>,<\/span> we regularly guide families through the process of understanding what a <\/span>truly<\/span><\/i> international education means \u2014 and how to identify schools that genuinely deliver it.<\/span><\/p>\n

An international school educates pupils from various nations and ethnic backgrounds, offering a multicultural education that prepares students for success in a diverse and interconnected world.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the International School Consultancy (ISC), international schools now make up around 18% of all schools in Europe. In Spain alone, as of 2021, there are approximately 220 international schools \u2014 with many concentrated in Madrid. But are all these schools truly international, or is \u201cinternational\u201d sometimes just a marketing term used to attract affluent local and international families?<\/span><\/p>\n

Key Criteria: What Makes a School International<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The criteria for defining an international school can vary between organizations and countries. However, some essential characteristics include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Diversity of Students<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

A genuine international school welcomes a diverse student body representing multiple countries and cultures, with a healthy mix of local and international students.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many expat families in Spain are surprised to discover how low the international percentage can actually be. Having visited almost all the <\/span>international schools in Madrid, I\u2019ve seen proportions ranging from around 35% to as little as 4%.<\/span><\/p>\n

British schools in Spain are particularly popular among Spanish families seeking bilingual education or an English-language curriculum with a global focus. According to the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS), there are currently 57 British schools nationwide and about 17 in Madrid. These schools typically follow the British national curriculum and offer qualifications such as IGCSEs, A-Levels, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Multilingualism<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

Many international schools in Spain offer bilingual or multilingual programs. However, the Spanish education system mandates a minimum of 225 hours of Spanish instruction per academic year \u2014 which can be challenging for international students without prior Spanish experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some schools offer robust language support, but others do not, instead catering primarily to Spanish families and marketing themselves as \u201cinternational.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before enrolling your child, <\/span>always ask for written confirmation of the language support offered:<\/span><\/p>\n