Comparison of Primary School in USA and Spain

First, let me start by saying that we have a limited source of data for this post. It is just our opinion and Comparison of the 1 Primary School we attended in the USA and the 1 Primary School we are attending in Spain.  This is by no means meant to generalize for a country or even a city/district.

Spain education system compared to US. School in Spain - education options for expats. Differences and similarities between schools in Spain and the United States. Read more on WagonersAbroad.com

These are just the things we have personally experienced or observed in our own little Wagoner Bubble, with the Spain education system compared to US!  🙂

If you are living or have lived in Spain with kids in public school, please share your observations as well.

Update October 2022:  We moved to Spain in August of 2012 and at the time our kids were in 3rd and 5th grades.  They remained in the public school system until they both graduated from high school and went to universy.   Though there are many differences between primary school and high school in Spain, we didn’t add it to this post. 

Instead, we have provided our knowledge of the Spanish education system, including private and international schooling options,  in our ebook about Education in Spain. 

Read our post on Schools In Spain – Options For Education, with the addition of our search for universities.

Spain education system compared to US. School in Spain - education options for expats. Differences and similarities between schools in Spain and the United States. Read more on WagonersAbroad.com

Here is a basic comparison chart of Education in Spain vs USA

  • Cafeteria
    US – Located in school and kids can buy lunch.
    Spain – Kids bring their own snack, no cafeteria.
  • Daily Agenda
    US – Weekly newsletter from the teacher with upcoming activities and homework assignments for the week. Teachers are open to email communications with parents.
    Spain – An agenda/book for the entire school calendar with all holidays and breaks outlined, as well as each trimester and exam scores. Each day the kids write down their homework assignments in the book. This is also the means for parents/teachers to communicate.
  • Daily Class Schedule
    US – The same subjects each day with rotating electives/specials (Music, PE, Spanish, Science, Technology, and Art)
    Spain – Each day has different subjects, but it is the same on a weekly schedule. There is an exam for each subject every 18 school days.
  • Homework
    US – Monday – Thursday ~ 20-30 min
    Spain – Monday – Friday 1-2 hrs. Each day and over weekends and holidays too.
  • Hours
    US – 8:30 – 3:00 with Lunch
    Spain – 9:00 – 2:00 with 30 min snack/recess. (depending on the region, some are 8:30 – 5:00 with siesta)
  • Recess
    US – Teachers monitor kids on the playground.
    Spain – Teachers are on the playground with kids; they gather together, talk/text on phones and have smoking breaks near the school gate.
  • Religion
    US – Not taught in public schools.
    Spain – Taught in public school, with an choice of various religions and an option for the child to attend an alternative topic.
  • Resources (Parental)
    US
    – There appears to be much more parental involvement in the running of ancillary school functions (teacher/office assistants, PTA, etc.).
    Spain – While there is a PTA in Spain (it’s called AMPA in several areas), there appears to be less effort in bringing in new parents, fewer sponsored activities, much less in the way of fund-raising.
  • Resources (School)
    US – More school-sponsored activities, curricula, and equipment.
    Spain – Depending on the type of school there are often fewer activities and classes. School infrastructure is more dated. Class environments are more barren (lack of posters, in-class activity stations, etc.). Lack of heating and air conditioning.
  • School Bus
    US
    – Typical yellow school bus in any state. Bus can be the main standard, plus carpool and walking/biking.
    Spain – More of a greyhound type bus is used, with a sign in the front window “school bus”. A majority of the kids live in the catchment area and walk or bike to school.

Spanish school classroom

This is an example of a primary school in Spain, in our town of Almuñécar (on the coast of Granada). 

Click here to open the video in youtube.

 

What do you think about the comparison of primary schools in USA and Spain?

There are also several similarities between Spanish vs American schools.  For example; there are separate classrooms per grade, with a teacher instructing.  The school day usually consists of various subjects, with breaks or recess.  When it comes to numbers, well they are still numbers.  We will say the long division in Spain is done a little differently from what we were used to in the US, but it is still division.

How do we keep the kids up with English and USA topics for school?

For the first few years, we purchased the brain quest workbooks by grade.  These are absolutely amazing and full of entertaining worksheets.  We had a tradition to tear out the pages when they were completed and reviewed.  This way the book would become smaller as we continued and they could see their progress.

Of course we held off on these initially, as immersing into the Spanish public school was enough.  We treated these as summer or travel workbooks.  They were perfect to take along on trips.

More Wagoners Abroad posts on our experience with Education in Spain

Homeschooling in Spain – This is what we know…

Do you want to know more about the Education System in Spain?

If you are looking for more in-depth information on the education system in Spain vs USA, we have more information available for you. We cover the different types of schooling options in Spain for primary, public schools, private schools and more. 

Check out our Education in Spain ebook, where we explain all of the education options from preschool through high school. 
Read more about the book here

Education-In-Spain

More info on getting your Spain Non-Lucrative Visa Here

Alan has written a very thorough e-book, Live in Spain, which walks you, step by step, through the entire process of the non-lucrative visa requirements and the Spain retirement visa requirements.

It is full of tips and tools to help you and a matrix with spells out the special things for each Spanish consulate in the USA.  It also provides you with a checklist to make sure all of the organization and timing of documents in on target. 

We have helped hundreds of families, couples and singles successfully move to Spain! 

Do you want to live or retire in Spain?  If you are an American or Canadian, or even just an English speaking resident of a non-European Union (E.U.) country and want a long term visa in Spain, then Live In Spain is what you need. This is the book that will help turn that dream into a reality. Read WagonersAbroad.com If you're interested in applying for either a Retirement or Non-Lucrative Visa, you're going to want Live In Spain. Read more on WagonersAbroad.com
If you are moving to Spain from the US or just about any other country, this will help you with your residency paperwork, setting up banks, utilities & services. Save you money on ATM's, transfers and cars. Read more on WagonersAbroad.com

We also have a book to help you prepare for your move and getting settled once you arrive!  Getting Settled In Spain

Some other articles that may be of help to you.

Move to Spain Consulting

If you want a quick answer or someone to speak with, we also offer consulting.  Check out our Spain non lucrative visa consulting page now, for our latest offers!

Move to Spain Relocation Services

From relocation planning and visa application to residency and getting settled, we offer our expertise and knowledgeable advice.  We can help you with your move to Spain with children or without.  We also offer bespoke services for your move to Costa Tropical.  Click here tor read more about our Moving to Spain services.

WAGONERS ABROAD PUBLICATIONS – click here

Live In Spain – Spain Visa Requirements | Driving In Spain | Getting Settled in Spain | Residency/Visa Renewal | Education In Spain | Almuñécar Walking Guides

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close