Spanish School Curriculum: Complete Guide

Understanding the Spanish school curriculum helps you know what your child will learn and how they'll be assessed. This guide covers all education stages.

Primary School Curriculum

Primaria (Ages 6-12) subjects:

• Core subjects:
  • Lengua Castellana (Spanish Language): Reading, writing, grammar
  • Matemáticas (Mathematics): Arithmetic, geometry, problem-solving
  • Ciencias Naturales (Natural Sciences): Biology, physics, environment
  • Ciencias Sociales (Social Sciences): History, geography, citizenship
• Additional subjects:
  • Primera Lengua Extranjera (First Foreign Language): Usually English
  • Educación Física (Physical Education)
  • Educación Artística (Arts): Music and visual arts
  • Valores/Religión (Values/Religion): Optional
• Regional language (in some regions):
  • Catalan in Catalonia
  • Basque in Basque Country
  • Galician in Galicia
  • Valencian in Valencia

Secondary School Curriculum

ESO (Ages 12-16) subjects:

• Compulsory subjects:
  • Spanish Language and Literature
  • First Foreign Language (English)
  • Mathematics
  • Geography and History
  • Physical Education
  • Biology and Geology (years 1 & 3)
  • Physics and Chemistry (years 2 & 4)
• Optional subjects (choose 1-2):
  • Second Foreign Language (French, German)
  • Music
  • Visual Arts
  • Technology
  • Economics

Bachillerato (Ages 16-18) tracks:

• Sciences: Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
• Humanities: History, Philosophy, Literature
• Social Sciences: Economics, Business, Geography
• Arts: Visual Arts, Music, Design

Grading System

Spanish grading scale:

• Primaria (Primary):
  • Insuficiente (IN): Insufficient (0-4.9)
  • Suficiente (SU): Sufficient (5-5.9)
  • Bien (BI): Good (6-6.9)
  • Notable (NT): Notable (7-8.9)
  • Sobresaliente (SB): Outstanding (9-10)
• ESO and Bachillerato:
  • Same scale (0-10)
  • 5 is passing grade
  • Must pass all subjects to progress
• Report cards:
  • 3 terms per year
  • December, March, June
  • Final grade is average of 3 terms

Exams and Assessments

Assessment methods:

• Continuous assessment:
  • Homework assignments
  • Class participation
  • Projects and presentations
  • Regular quizzes
• Exams:
  • Mid-term exams (parciales)
  • End-of-term exams (finales)
  • Usually written, some oral
• Major exams:
  • End of ESO: No national exam (abolished 2016)
  • Selectividad/EBAU: University entrance exam after Bachillerato
    • 2 days of exams
    • 6-8 subjects tested
    • Score out of 14 (10 general + 4 specific)
    • Determines university admission

Language Learning

Language instruction:

• Spanish:
  • Main language of instruction
  • Daily Spanish language classes
  • Focus on grammar, literature, writing
• English:
  • Starts in Primaria (age 6)
  • 3-4 hours per week
  • Some schools offer bilingual programs (50% classes in English)
• Regional languages:
  • Mandatory in some regions
  • Used as language of instruction
  • Separate language classes
• Second foreign language:
  • Optional from ESO (age 12)
  • Usually French or German
  • 2-3 hours per week

Homework and Study Load

Expected homework:

• Primaria (Primary):
  • Years 1-2: 15-30 minutes/day
  • Years 3-4: 30-45 minutes/day
  • Years 5-6: 45-60 minutes/day
• ESO (Secondary):
  • Years 1-2: 1-1.5 hours/day
  • Years 3-4: 1.5-2 hours/day
• Bachillerato (High School):
  • 2-3 hours/day
  • More before exams

School day:

• Typical schedule: 9am - 2pm or 5pm
  • Jornada continua: 9am-2pm (no lunch break, popular in many regions)
  • Jornada partida: 9am-12:30pm, 3pm-5pm (with lunch break)
• Lunch: Optional school lunch (comedor) or go home
• After-school activities: Sports, music, languages (extraescolares)