Cultural Insight

School life in Spanish-speaking countries:

In Spanish-speaking countries, school life is very different from that in
North American English-speaking countries. Schools in Spanish-
speaking countries require students to wear uniforms, and teachers
usually lecture more than having students participate in the
classroom. Also, children in Spanish-speaking countries go to school
more often than those in North - American English-speaking
countries. For example, children in Spain attend school for 190 days,
while in the United States, the school year lasts for 180 days or
longer. School days in Spanish-speaking countries also last longer
than those in other countries, with students usually having at least 6-7
periods a day, which is common in the United States.

State and Private Schools:

Spain has privately-owned and state schools. Some of the private
schools are funded by the state (concertados). Fees in these schools
are generally lower than in other private schools. State school
education is free, although in some autonomous regions books and
materials must be paid for. Once a child enters primary school
(primaria), vouchers (bonos) may be available to help pay for books.

The School System:

Spanish Guarderia Escuela Primaria ESO Universidad

Infantil

English Nursery Pre- Primary Secondary Higher

school school school school education

Ages Age 0-3 Age 3-6 Age 6- Age 12-16 From 16

12
 Primary education (educación primaria):
Compulsory primary education begins at the age of six and lasts for
six years. There are three two-year cycles. The first cycle (primer
ciclo) is for children from age six to eight years of age. During these
two years the child is assessed every term and parents are issued
with a report. At the end of this cycle a child may need to repeat a
year if they have not reached the education level needed to carry on
to the next cycle.

The second cycle (segundo ciclo) is for children aged eight to ten
years.

The third cycle (tercer ciclo) is for ten to twelve year olds and serves
to prepare them for secondary education. A child may be asked to
repeat a year if they have not reached the education level needed to
carry on to the next cycle.

Children are graded in the following manner:

Insuficiente (IN) - Insufficient

Suficiente (SU) - Sufficient
Bien (BI) - Good
Notable (NT) - Very good
Sobresaliente (SB) – Outstanding

The School Day:

Primary schools
The school day in most primary schools in Spain is from 09:00-12:00
and 15:00-17:00 (2:00-5:00). There is a two-and-a-half to three-hour
break in the middle of the day for lunch and a siesta. The midday
meal, la comida (as it is called in Spain), is the largest meal of the
day. It is definitely a large meal, usually served with multiple
courses. Traditionally, many children go home during this break and
eat lunch with their families. However, children of working parents
may stay and have lunch at school if it is available.

Schools hours do vary; in large cities the break is shorter and the day
usually runs from 09:00-14:00 (9:00-2:00). Some schools offer the
option for students to arrive earlier, to have breakfast and lunch at the
school and to undertake an extra-curricular activity in the afternoon.

Times may vary in September and June when schools are only
operational for half of the day, from 09:00-13:00 (9:00-1:00).

Secondary schools
The school day at secondary schools is normally longer than at
primary schools, running from 08:30-15:00 (8:30-3:00) or 09:00-15:00
(9:00-3:00), but as with primary schools times may vary greatly from
place to place.

The School Year:

The academic year in Spain runs from mid-September to mid-June
and is made up of three terms, each approximately eleven weeks in
duration.

The first term runs from September to December with a two week
break (vacaciones escolares) for the Christmas holidays. The spring
term starts after the January 6 festival of Epiphany and runs until
Easter (either March or April) with an Easter/Spring break of two
weeks. The third term finishes mid-June for the summer holidays
which last 10 to 11 weeks.

Schools are also closed on public holidays if they fall within the term
time and local religious days and fiestas (holidays vary between the
communities).
School holiday dates are published by the schools and local
communities.

After school hours:

Smaller towns rarely have after-school clubs or activities since
the children are usually supervised after school by a family
member if the parent works. Larger cities may have school
programs for students before and after school.

Transportation:
Private and state schools often provide a school bus service to
and from local towns. The service is usually very low priced, or
free for anyone living over 3.5 Km from the school.

Summer school:
During the summer holidays, the summer schools are
operated either by independent clubs or the town hall. Costs
and activities vary, although the schools that are run by the
town hall are usually cheaper.