Best International Schools and Bilingual Schools in San Sebastian
Summary: If you''re moving to San Sebastian with kids, choosing a school if often your first decisions and impacts where you''ll live. Here are some popular bilingual and international schools in San Sebastian
San Sebastian, also known as Donostia, is a picturesque coastal city in the Basque Country of Spain. While it may not boast the same number of international or bilingual schools as some of the larger Spanish cities, there are still several reputable options for expat families to consider. Among the most popular are the British School of San Sebastian and the Deutsche Schule San Alberto Magno, both of which offer international curricula and cater to the diverse needs of expat children. Here is a list of some of the international and bilingual schools within a short drive from San Sebastian that expat parents might find suitable for their children.
British School of San Sebastian
Grades: Nursery to Year 13
Location(s): Aiete, San Sebastian
Website: www.britishschoolofsansebastian.com
The British School of San Sebastian offers a British curriculum and is known for its high academic standards and a strong focus on the personal development of each student. With a range of extracurricular activities and modern facilities, it provides a well-rounded education for children from nursery through to A-levels.
Deutsche Schule San Alberto Magno
Grades: Preschool to Secondary
Location(s): Antiguo, San Sebastian
Website: www.ds-sansebastian.com
Deutsche Schule San Alberto Magno offers a German-Spanish bilingual education and follows the German curriculum. It is an excellent choice for families seeking a multicultural environment, and it also prepares students for the German Abitur as well as the Spanish university entrance exams.
École Française de Saint-Sébastien
Grades: Preschool to Secondary
Location(s): Amara, San Sebastian
Website: www.ecolefrancaisedesaintsebastien.com
The École Française de Saint-Sébastien provides a French curriculum and is part of the AEFE network of French schools abroad. It offers a bilingual French-Spanish education and is recognized for its strong language programs and cultural activities.
Munabe International School
Grades: Preschool to Secondary
Location(s): Loiu, Bizkaia (approximately 40 minutes from San Sebastian)
Website: www.munabe.com
Munabe International School, while a bit further away, offers a bilingual education with a strong emphasis on personal values and academic excellence. The school follows the Spanish curriculum along with English language immersion and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) for older students.
Ayalde International School
Grades: Preschool to Secondary
Location(s): Mungia, Bizkaia (approximately 40 minutes from San Sebastian)
Website: www.ayalde.com
Ayalde International School is another option for families willing to commute a little further. It provides a bilingual Spanish-English education with a Catholic ethos. The school offers the Spanish curriculum alongside a strong English program and a variety of extracurricular activities.
St. Patrick's English School
Grades: Preschool to Primary
Location(s): Lasarte-Oria, Gipuzkoa (approximately 15 minutes from San Sebastian)
Website: www.stpatricksenglishschool.com
St. Patrick's English School caters to younger students, offering a bilingual English-Spanish education with a focus on early childhood development. The school's curriculum is designed to foster a love of learning and bilingual competence from an early age.
La Salle San Luis
Grades: Preschool to Secondary
Location(s): Zarautz, Gipuzkoa (approximately 20 minutes from San Sebastian)
Website: www.lasallezarautz.eus
La Salle San Luis is a bilingual school offering education from preschool to secondary level. It follows the Spanish curriculum and incorporates English language learning across all subjects. The school is known for its innovative teaching methods and commitment to student-centered learning.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- 7 Tips for Living in San Sebastian
- Pros & Cons of Living in San Sebastian
- Cost of Living in San Sebastian
- Health Care in San Sebastian
- The Essential Guide to San Sebastian
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Spain
- Best Places to Live in Spain
- Real Estate in Spain
- 7 Important Tips about Healthcare
- Pros and Cons of Living in Spain 2024
- 2024 Guide to Moving to Spain