| Spanish schools teach their pupils in Spanish, and those | | | | disadvantages to this type of system. |
| wishing for the lessons to be taught in English will have | | | | Prior to attending any school in Spain, students must go |
| to seek out what is known as an international school. | | | | through an interview process. Any student coming into |
| These international schools, and there are quite a few, | | | | the country is going to be required to show proof of |
| are designed to mimic for the most part American | | | | numerous things, including their previous educational |
| schools for Americans and other English speaking | | | | experience. All of the preparations for entering a |
| students. | | | | Spanish school from outside the country should be |
| Compulsory age for beginning school in Spain is six | | | | taken care of prior to arrival to avoid unnecessary and |
| years old. A primary school is dedicated to the | | | | costly delays. Parents will have to prove residency, |
| education of all students for the initial eight years. At | | | | previous education, immunizations, identification, and |
| the age of fourteen, students either enroll in a | | | | provide a photograph of the child for school |
| secondary education school or move on to trade | | | | identification passes. |
| school. This is determined by the students' grades | | | | School schedules vary greatly. They can range |
| throughout their primary education. Students who have | | | | anywhere from a typical American school day with |
| completed the initial eight years of their education | | | | classes beginning between 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning |
| receive a certificate much like what Americans would | | | | and concluding around 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon. |
| call a high school diploma. | | | | Other schools allow a two hour lunch with the option |
| In the secondary years, academic students continue | | | | of returning home for this break but may run as late |
| their education in the formal setting that can be | | | | as 5:00 in the evening. Parents interested in sending |
| equated to American High Schools while the trade | | | | their child to a Spanish school should double check the |
| inclined students learn skill sets that are more | | | | schedule before committing to any school. American |
| appropriately termed as a Vo-tech school in the United | | | | children may have a difficult time adjusting to the |
| States. There are distinct advantages and | | | | extended schedules of some schools. |