Compare our High School Abroad programs in Spain

A High School Abroad program in Spain allows an international student to attend a Spanish- or English-speaking secondary school while living with a host family or in a boarding school for a short stay, trimester, semester, or academic year. Spanish, also known as Castilian, is spoken across Spain. Several regions also have their own co-official languages, including Catalan, Galician, and Basque. We place our students in areas where Castilian is used in schools. 

Explore the main differences between our programs, including the teaching language, accommodation, location, and duration.

Find the right High School program in Spain

Before choosing, consider what your school year abroad could look like:

• School type: a public school, a subsidized semi-private school (concertada), or a private school?
• Accommodation: a Spanish host family, a boarding school, or a boarding school with a host family option?
• Setting: a small village, a coastal town, or a big city? 
• Language of study: Spanish, English (British curriculum), or a bilingual IB program?
• Length of stay: from a 4-week immersion to a trimester, a semester, or a full academic year

Our tips: 

• ​If your priority is learning Spanish and living like a local teenager, a host family program is the natural choice.
• If you want to keep following a British or IB curriculum while discovering Spain, an international boarding school in Andalusia lets you study in English alongside Spanish and international classmates.

Not sure which one suits you? Nacel will help you pick, and you can experience Spanish culture from the inside, not as a tourist.

​School year abroad in Spain : Free Parents and Student Consultation​

Study abroad in a Spanish high school

Types of High Schools in Spain:

• Public schools: No tuition fees. Co-educational and no uniform. 
• Subsidized semi-private schools ("concertadas"): These schools are subsidized by the government and parents' monthly fees. A uniform is sometimes required. 
  
• Private schools: tuition fees are required. Uniform required. 

School calendar and schedule: 

• ​The Spanish school year generally starts in mid‐September and finishes in the 3rd week of June. This also applies to an exchange student in Spain.
• The school year is divided into 3 terms (no semester organization). There are usually 2 1/2 weeks of vacation for Christmas and New Year's, and 8-10 days for the Easter break. 
• Classes begin between 8 and 9 am and end around 5 pm with a break of 1-2 hours for lunch, or by 3 pm, with a 20-30 minute break at 11.30 am. From Monday to Friday.

School grade placement:

• ​10th grade (4º of ESO) is the last mandatory year and students graduate at that time with a Secondary Education Certificate.
  
• Grades 11 and 12 (1º and 2º of Bachillerato) are dedicated to the preparation of the Bachillerato.
  

Subjects: 

• ​Students may study up to 10‐12 subjects per week.
  
• For your 11th and 12th grade, Spanish students have to choose a specific “stream”, among Humanities, Science and Technology, Social Science, and sometimes Arts; there are also 4‐5 core common subjects for all students.
  
• As a student on an exchange program in Spain, you attend the same classes as any other Spanish student. Students in Spanish high schools usually remain in the same classroom the whole day, and teachers rotate. 
  

Assessments and school reports: 

• Students study hard to attend examinations at the end of each term. Final exams take place in June.
• An official transcript may be awarded at the end of the study experience for students who complete an academic year in Spain. This allows you to earn credits from your high school study abroad experience in Spain.

Extracurricular activities

• ​Afternoons are dedicated to extracurricular activities, sports, and homework. Your student exchange in Spain is not just about studying! :-)
• You can do extracurricular activities after school, on afternoons or weekends, usually outside of school campuses. This allows you to meet Spanish teens outside of your school and practice your Spanish in a relaxed and fun environment. 

Exchange program dates: 

• High School Trimester in Spain: mid-September to mid-December or mid-January to mid-April
• High School Semester in Spain: mid-September to January or mid-January to the 3rd week of June
• High School Year in Spain: mid-September to the 3rd week of June
  

Prepare yourself for this exchange experience: we are here to inform you, advise you, guide you, and answer all questions you may have about the school year abroad in Spain!

Learn more about Spanish grades and grade reports​

Cultural Insight : Get used to Spanish meals and mealtime

Our Spanish host families host exchange students because they are interested in the experience and wish to share their everyday life, culture, and language with a student coming from abroad. The families get a stipend from the program to help them cover extra costs such as food or energy costs.

Spanish meals and mealtimes can sometimes be very surprising for our exchange students in Spain. 

Breakfast or “desayuno” in Spanish tends to be a light meal. Spanish people eat toast with olive oil, tomato, or tuna, and drink a glass of orange juice, as well as a coffee. Some people would rather have breakfast at 10 am in a nearby coffee shop near their workplace. 

Lunch or “almuerzo” is very important for Spaniards. They have lunch rather late compared to other countries, usually between 2 and 4 pm! As a student, you may have lunch at home or bring a takeaway lunch to school. In the summer, this lunchtime may be followed by the siesta!

Dinner or “cena” is a rather lighter meal for Spaniards, and they may have dinner as late as 9 or even 10 pm! 

It may be challenging at first for you to get accustomed to these specific Spanish mealtimes, but do not worry; you will get used to it and enjoy it! 

Read more about Spanish meals in a host family in Spain. . 

Cultural Insight: Host family life in Spain

Living with a host family gives you a chance to discover Spain through everyday life. You’ll practice Spanish over meals, get to know local customs, and share a home with people whose routines may be different from yours.

Family life often includes more than the people you live with. Grandparents, cousins, and other relatives may visit regularly or meet for Sunday lunch and special occasions. These gatherings can help you feel part of the family and give you more opportunities to speak Spanish.

During the week, your hosts may have busy schedules. Parents often work outside the home and might return in the early evening. You’ll be expected to keep your room tidy and help with everyday tasks. If you’re unsure what to do, just ask.

Your home will depend on where your family lives. In a city, you may stay in an apartment and share a bedroom with a host sibling. In a smaller town or village, your family may have a house with more outdoor space.

It’s also common for young adults to continue living with their parents while studying or working.

Mealtimes are a good opportunity to spend time together. If everyone is out during the day, dinner may be when you catch up, share stories, and talk about tomorrow’s plans. Meals may also be later than you’re used to, so allow yourself time to adjust.

Weekends vary from one household to another. Your hosts might visit relatives, enjoy sports, or take you out somewhere nearby. They may also prefer a quiet weekend at home. You’ll join their normal family life, so don’t expect an organized outing every week.

Every host family has its own habits. Take an interest, try unfamiliar dishes, and join in with daily life. Small moments, like helping prepare dinner or chatting after school, can be the start of a close relationship.