Expat parents enrolling their children in schools in Spain for the first time are often surprised at how different things can be compared to back home. The culture shock is real — not just for parents, but for children too. That’s exactly what I want to explore today. Being prepared is half the battle, so let’s dive in.
If you’re looking for a more detailed guide to the Spanish education system, the Madrid Education Guide explains everything you need to know about schools in Madrid — including how to navigate the different school application processes (even late applications) and a breakdown of bilingual programmes offered at state, semi-private, and private schools.
Cutoff Age in Admissions
Unlike in many other countries, Spanish schools base admissions strictly on the child’s year of birth. This means all children born in the same year are placed in the same year group (Jan–Dec). Great news for those born early in the year, not so much for children born towards the end of the year (I speak from experience — my three babies know this well!).
Depending on where you’re from, this can cause headaches for children born Sep–Dec. Spanish schools tend to follow this rule rigidly, which sometimes means international students with basic Spanish are placed in a higher grade to comply. Once, a Spanish public school offered one of my clients the option to move down a grade due to language needs — but this family declined as it would complicate things upon returning to the US.
Schools can review placements after the year starts, but by then, friendships and routines are set, making a change less appealing. Honestly, I think factors like Spanish level, maturity, and size should matter too — not just birth date. I could write a whole book on this topic.
International schools generally offer more flexibility and consider each child individually.
Shorter Days for Younger Kids
The idea of shorter school days doesn’t really exist in Spain. Timetables vary, but most children are at school from 9:00–16:00/17:00. Concertado schools often have the longest days. If you want a shorter day, look for a public school with a “jornada continua” schedule (9:00–14:00).
Handwriting for Primary School Children
Spanish schools favour cursive writing for younger children. I always advise my clients with primary-aged children to practise cursive before school starts. By 4th or 5th grade, they switch to print handwriting.
Packed Lunches
Packed lunches? Rarely a thing here. Lunch is a big deal in Spain and a proper three-course affair (starter, main course, dessert, plus bread). Parents pay extra for this service, and prices vary. Most schools don’t allow packed lunches — partly due to allergies, partly because lunch is a revenue stream. Some children go home for lunch, but most stay at school and then head out to the playground or an extracurricular activity (for an extra fee).
School Uniforms
Public schools rarely require uniforms. Where they do exist, they’re usually optional. Concertado schools almost always have uniforms, available through the school or a specific store. Private schools vary. International schools, such as British schools in Madrid, usually require uniforms.
SEN Support in Schools in Spain
Support for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) exists but could be far better. Public and concertado schools have “centros preferentes” for students with hearing difficulties, motor challenges, autism, and more. These places are limited, and demand is high.
Private and international schools offer alternatives, but in my experience, many international schools in Madrid are slow to accept children with SEN — a challenge for expat parents whose children do not speak Spanish.
Homework
Spanish schools tend to give a lot of homework, especially from 3rd grade onwards. Given the already long school day, it can seem a lot. Children tend to go to bed later than in other countries to fit everything in — school, homework, and extracurricular activities.
How to Address Your Child’s Teacher
In Spanish schools, most children address teachers by their first name — a laid-back approach believed to encourage equality. Forget Mr./Mrs./Ms, although British schools still use these titles.
Additional Spanish Language Support
Support varies by school. Some public and concertado schools are more accommodating for children with little Spanish, often providing smaller group sessions or “aula de enlace” for older students. Places here are limited. Many private schools offer an EAL (English as Additional Language) programme for extra fees.
Spanish Immersion in Bilingual Schools
Many schools oversell their English teaching. In public and concertado bilingual schools, English makes up about 30% of the timetable. Private bilingual schools often offer a 50/50 split and employ English-speaking teachers.
Third and Fourth Languages
Parents often wonder if their child can skip learning a third language. The answer is usually no. In Spanish schools, students start a third language in 7th grade (1º ESO), and all must study it.
School Age in Spain
Education is compulsory from ages 6–16, though most children start at age three. Nursery and preschool are optional and competitive. Primary education lasts ages 6–12, secondary from 12–16, and Bachillerato or Formación Profesional covers the final two years (optional).
Y colorín colorado, este cuento se ha acabado! This saying is used in schools and means “the story is over.” I’ve highlighted some of the biggest surprises for families relocating to Spain, as shared by my clients worldwide. If you have your own experiences, I’d love to hear them. The more prepared families are, the smoother the adaptation to Spanish schools will be.
Planning a move to Madrid and unsure where to start with schools?
There are different ways to get started, depending on whether you’re looking for information, personalised guidance, or full school search support.
Moving to Madrid with children is a big undertaking. Getting the school sorted early makes everything else fall into place a little more easily. If you’d like a second opinion — or a first one — I’m here. Book your free call
I’m Sinéad Galvin, founder of Steps into Spain, a boutique education consultancy dedicated to helping families find the right school in Madrid. With more than 20 years living here and over 150 school visits, I combine personal insight with first-hand knowledge of the system.
