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Spain, Bilbao
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ASB offers the International Baccalaureate Continuum from Early Years to Grade 12 and is the only IB Continuum school in Northern Spain. The pathway includes Early Years (from age 2), Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme, with English as the main language of instruction and language support in Middle School through differentiated pathways. Admissions are evaluated holistically, considering academic background, English proficiency, and readiness for an international curriculum. The order of preference for limited placement prioritizes siblings of current ASB students or exceptional students with an average of at least 85% in the previous two years, returning ASB students, children of ex-alumni, native English speakers, students' academic level, students who have attended accredited schools, and parents with work transfers, followed by the date of application. For pre-school admissions, priority goes to siblings of current ASB students, ex-ASB families, and the application date; staff children have priority according to policy. The Admissions process consists of two tracks: applicants with children at ASB and applicants without children at ASB. The steps include submitting required documents, an admissions assessment and interview, possible ESL/SSL or psychological assessments, and a final recommendation by the Principal and Admissions Committee. Admission is confirmed on or before February 1, with provisional admission letters issued along with placement details and fees; final confirmation occurs within 15 working days after signing documentation and paying the initial fee. If places are not available, qualified candidates remain on a waiting list and are considered if a place opens, following the established admission criteria and preferences. Fees for 2025-2026 are downloadable, and 2026-2027 fees will be updated."
Waitlisted applicants: The school may wait-list an admission application for the February or May process if a place becomes available. In grades with a waiting list, parents will be informed and any pending documents and required fees must be provided prior to consideration of the wait-listed application. If placement becomes available, the same criteria will be followed as in the order of preference for admissions among the wait-listed pool."
The American School of Bilbao is a private, nonprofit international school for ages 2 to 18 in Bilbao, Spain. It offers IB programs (PYP, MYP, DP) and Cambridge IGCSE, taught in English with an international focus. The Diploma Programme runs over two years for ages 16–18 and leads to a bilingual IB Diploma homologated by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The Primary Years Programme is part of PK-12 learning, and the school is preparing for MYP verification to complete the IB continuum. The curriculum also leads to the American High School credential in addition to the IB Diploma. NEASC and CIS accreditation has been held since 1985. After-school Activities (ASA) run October–May on campus, with English as the primary language and activities in Sustainability, Innovation, and leadership; notable programs include Model United Nations and DECA.
