Choosing a school abroad

Start with your family's timeline

The most important question is rarely pedagogical but practical: how long will you stay? A family here for one or two years has very different needs from a family moving permanently. The shorter the stay, the more continuity with the Swedish system matters – the child is going back to a Swedish class, often mid-stage. The longer the stay, the more it matters that the child also puts down local roots, with Spanish as a real everyday language.

The next question is the child's age. Younger children change environment and language more easily. For a pupil in secondary school or sixth form, grades, eligibility and the study plan weigh far heavier, and the choice should be made with the paperwork in front of you.

Swedish school

A Swedish curriculum, teaching in Swedish and a school culture the family recognises. That makes returning to Sweden predictable and keeps Swedish alive as a language of learning, not only a home language. With us it is combined with extended Spanish and English, so the child still gains the languages the area calls for. The trade-off is that the school is smaller than a large international campus and therefore offers a narrower range of options.

International school

Teaching in English, often following a British curriculum or the IB, with a very mixed student body. A good fit for families who move between countries or aim at universities abroad. What is often underestimated is how quickly Swedish loses ground when it is only spoken at home, and that returning to Swedish schooling may require catching up. Costs vary widely, and the largest schools have long waiting lists in some year groups.

Spanish school

A state or private Spanish school gives the fastest route into the language and the local community, and is usually the least expensive option. It also asks the most of the child at the start, especially for older pupils with no Spanish. For families moving permanently and expecting a Spanish upper secondary path, it is often the most logical choice.

Common misunderstandings

• "The child will pick up the language in a year anyway." True for everyday speech, but academic language – the kind you write exams in – takes considerably longer.
• "We can change schools whenever we like." Places in some year groups are limited, and mid-year moves are rarely simple.
• "Supplementary Swedish is enough." It is good support, but it does not match the Swedish subject taught in a Swedish school.

Questions to bring to every school visit

• Which curriculum is followed, and who reviews the quality?
• How large are the classes, and what is the staff-to-pupil ratio?
• Which language is used in lessons, and which during breaks?
• What support exists for pupils who need more help?
• What is included in the fee, and what costs come on top?
• How does the school view a return to the home country's system?
• What activities are offered after the school day?

Making the decision

Visit several schools, ideally on an ordinary school day. Talk to families already there, not only to the school. Factor in travel time – an extra half hour in the car each morning shapes the whole family's week. And involve your child in the conversation, especially from the middle years upwards.

Want to see how we work? Read about the school, our grade levels and fees, or book a visit.