Montessori Gran Bilbao International School

The school is located on Artxandamendi Road 1 (Monte Artxanda), 48150 Sondika, Bizkaia. It is next to the Funicular and 3 minutes from the centre of Bilbao. The surroundings include parks, a skating rink and a sports centre with a swimming pool. The location provides quick access to Bilbao by funicular.

Children from 3 to 12 years old.

The school is an American foreign educational center with an international Montessori curriculum. It operates in a multilingual environment.

United States

The school follows the International Montessori Curriculum and American educational standards, and incorporates Basque Country Curriculum subjects including Spanish Language and Literature and Basque Language and Literature. Education is provided for Casa de Niños (3-6) and Elementary (6-12), using Montessori materials across sensorial, mathematical, linguistic and cultural learning. Language learning uses the One Person One Language (OPOL) approach: English is the main language of teaching and is delivered through total immersion, while Spanish and Basque are integrated daily and taught through everyday activities. Additional language support is provided for students who arrive with limited proficiency.

Learning is monitored continuously and assessed without exams. Methods include self-observation, work portfolios, project presentations, and meetings with families, with progress tracked in Transparent Classroom and supported by a mentoring system.

Montessori Gran Bilbao offers education that emphasizes autonomy, critical thinking and experience-based learning within a multilingual environment and contact with nature. Emotional education is integral, and a prepared environment with reduced ratios supports meaningful learning at each child's own pace. Non-Violent Communication and positive discipline strategies help children resolve conflicts through dialogue, empathy and mutual respect, with guides mediating when needed to foster self-regulation and peaceful problem solving. A Mentoring system provides close, individualized support tailored to each child's social and emotional development. Learning is assessed through continuous observation and a mentoring approach, prioritizing academic, social and emotional development over exams.

Montessori Gran Bilbao follows the International Montessori Curriculum and American educational standards. English is the main language of instruction, and the center provides language adaptation for students who do not yet master English, Spanish or Basque. Individualized language support helps students gradually acquire the necessary language skills. The school has a highly trained teaching team with expertise in English, Spanish and Basque to support a multilingual learning environment. If a child arrives without an adequate level in the languages of instruction, linguistic progress depends on exposure and learning pace, and individualized support is provided to facilitate integration.

English is the main language of teaching and communication at Montessori Gran Bilbao. The school follows the OPOL (One Person, One Language) method to introduce English, Spanish and Basque, ensuring constant and structured exposure to each language. English is used in most presentations to create a multilingual environment where children acquire the language spontaneously. A highly trained teaching team provides expertise in English, Spanish and Basque to support language development. If a child arrives without a sufficient level in the languages of instruction, individualized language support is provided to facilitate integration, with progress depending on exposure and learning pace.

Emotional education is a cornerstone of the program, promoting social and emotional development. Non-Violent Communication and positive discipline strategies help children resolve conflicts through dialogue, empathy and mutual respect. Guides intervene as mediators to encourage self-regulation and peaceful problem solving. A Mentoring system provides close, individualized support tailored to each child's social and emotional needs. Progress is tracked through continuous observation and mentoring, prioritizing social and emotional development alongside academics rather than exams.

Guides accompany children and prepared environments reinforce safety and well-being of the child at school, with ongoing communication with families to reinforce safety and well-being. Non-violent communication and positive discipline contribute to a safe, respectful school culture. We observe and share information with families to reinforce the safety and well-being of the child at school. The Student Family Association (AFA) provides a forum for safeguarding the educational community and supporting student celebrations.

Admission process at Montessori Gran Bilbao consists of five steps: 1. Explore information about the school, its Montessori approach, and its educational model; 2) complete the online application on the Transparent Classroom platform (applications are free); 3) request an in-person appointment to tour the facilities and have questions answered by the team; 4) undergo an evaluation and, if needed, an additional interview or rehearsal session; 5) pay the registration fee to secure the place once admission is approved. Limited seating means seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis due to the small-group focus; if no spots are available, joining the waiting list is possible. Course-long admission is available as applications are accepted throughout the year if there is availability. In addition, fees related to enrollment are published: €330 for enrollment of children aged 3–6, €660 for enrollment of children aged 6–12, and a €330 annual place reservation. There are also ongoing tuition structures and discounts, including a 10% sibling discount for a second child enrolled simultaneously and various early-payment discounts on annual tuition.

Waiting list is available if there are no available spots; course-long admission is possible as applications are accepted throughout the year if space exists.