The school
All of our exchange students attend public schools and enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as their Spanish classmates.
InterKultur Student Exchange is responsible for enrollment at the schools before the start of the stay. However, the exchange students themselves have to pay for all additional school costs at the school, such as textbooks, sports clothing and food. The exchange students must also have their own money in case school trips or excursions are carried out as part of the lessons.
Visiting a semi-private (“Colegio concertado“) or private Spanish school is also possible (see “semi-private or private schools” below).
Concerted and private – Semi-private – and private schools
Upon request, we offer our exchange students the opportunity to attend a semi-private or private school. InterKultur Student Exchange also looks for and organizes the enrollment of students at these schools. However, any associated costs, particularly school fees, must be borne by the student themselves.
Semi-private and private schools differ from public schools in that teachers and school staff care more deeply about students. The teachers maintain more contact with the students and therefore the interaction is much more personal. This type of school is also more flexible and offers more options, for example when it comes to special certificates or taking specific subjects during your stay. In such cases, we recommend attending such a school.
Frequently asked questions about SCHOOL and SCHOOL SYSTEM
The following questions and answers are most frequently repeated:
Can I get grades in Spain?
Yes, you will receive grades and are required to do all of the exams.
How is the school year divided in Spain?
The academic year in Spain is divided into three terms, trimesters or “Evaluaciones” At the end of each term, students receive grades that build upon each other. In the last trimester you will receive your final grade.
For example, if you fail mathematics in the first term but get a better grade in the 2nd and 3rd terms, you will have passed the entire school year in mathematics.
Are all schools public or private?
There are public, semi-private and private schools in Spain. Semi-private school (“Concerted schools”) are supported by the state. School fees only apply to semi-private and private schools. Private schools are mostly religious or international schools.
When does the school year start and end?
The school year begins, depending on the region, around the first or second week of September and ends in mid-June.
What are the lesson times?
The school day begins between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and ends between 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Private schools usually start at 9 a.m. and teach until 5 p.m. in the afternoon. A school lesson lasts between 55 and 60 minutes and in state schools there is usually a long break of 30 minutes.
How much school fees do I have to pay?
There are no school fees at a public school, you just sometimes have to buy your own textbooks. The school fees at a semi-private school can vary between €50-200 per month; at private schools, the school fees are significantly higher (€500-1000 per month). At private schools, it should also be noted that a uniform is often worn and lunch is eaten in the canteen. They are also often outside the city, which is why most of these schools have private school buses. All costs incurred by a private school would have to be borne by the student themselves (school/materials, books, uniforms, canteen and bus costs).
Is there lunch at school?
School meals are normally only available at private schools. In public schools, students usually eat at home after school.
Particularities of Escuela e Instituto – school and high school
- It's on first name terms! Teachers are usually called by their first names.
- The marks are essentially based on the exams and, in contrast to many other countries, the grading scale goes from 0 (very poor) to 10 (excellent). A “5” corresponds to a “Satisfactory”, the minimum for passing a subject.
- Active participation teaching is not something to be taken for granted. On the contrary.