Schooling in Catalonia: French and local schools

Catalonia offers an educational system characterized by a policy of linguistic immersion in Catalan and a decentralized organization under the authority of the Generalitat. For families planning a move, using a real estate agency in Empuriabrava facilitates the search for housing while allowing them to better understand the options available for their children between local schools and French establishments.

Overview of the Catalan educational system

Catalonia has an autonomous educational system that reflects its regional identity while fitting into the Spanish national framework. Since the transfer of educational competencies to the Generalitat of Catalonia in the 1980s, the region has developed a school model that places Catalan at the center of education while ensuring a complete and diversified training.

Compulsory schooling from 6 to 16 years old

As in all of Spain, compulsory schooling in Catalonia runs from 6 to 16 years old, covering primary education (Educació Primària) and the first cycle of secondary education (ESO). However, the region stands out for particularly high pre-school enrollment rates: 95% of children aged 3 to 5 attend nursery school, a figure above the Spanish average.

Trilingualism in Catalonia

Catalonia stands out for its ambitious linguistic policy. Since 1983, Catalan schools apply an immersion system where Catalan occupies at least half of the school time. Spanish (Castilian) and foreign languages share the rest of the program.

Many establishments offer reinforced programs in foreign languages (English, French, or German), allowing students to reach high levels of proficiency from secondary school. For overseas families settling in Empuriabrava or Roses, some schools even offer partial teaching in French.

Types of schools: public, concertados, and private in Catalonia

When considering settling in Empuriabrava, Roses, or on the Costa Brava with children, understanding the schooling options becomes a priority. Catalonia offers three distinct types of establishments:

Public schools

Public schools (colegios públicos) accommodate the majority of Catalan students today. These establishments, fully funded by the Catalan State, guarantee totally free education for all residents, regardless of nationality. This covers classes and textbooks up to the age of 16.

Semi-private schools

The colegios concertados (semi-private schools) represent about a quarter of the Catalan student body. These schools benefit from mixed funding: the Catalan State pays teachers’ salaries, while families contribute financially for complementary services. They attract many expatriate families from Empuriabrava or Roses as they often offer special educational projects.

Private schools

Only a handful of Catalan students attend non-subsidized private schools. These institutions, completely financially independent, offer personalized programs and high-end infrastructure (smaller class sizes, reinforced multilingual programs, sports facilities).

French and international schools in Catalonia

In addition to local Catalan establishments, the region hosts several francophone and international institutions. Catalonia has four French schools recognized by the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE), rigorously following the French National Education programs. Among them, the Lycée français de Barcelone, founded in 1924, is the largest.

For families looking for an English-speaking curriculum, institutions like the American School of Barcelona prepare for the International Baccalaureate (IB), highly valued worldwide.

Registration and administrative procedures

When we assist families settling in Empuriabrava or finding real estate properties in Roses, school orientation is a major concern. Understanding the registration process averts administrative setbacks.

Essential documents

Before any step, certain documents are required: the NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) and the municipal padrón certificate proving residence. Parents must also provide translated medical records, previous report cards, proof of address, and the family record book.

The points system

In Spain, public education enrollment follows a points system (“baremo“) based on several criteria:

Catalan particularities

For non-Catalan speaking children, the “Aula d’Acollida” (Welcome Classroom) offers an intensive language reception program enabling progressive immersion in Catalan, easing the transition for expat children.