Chester College International School

The school is committed to Christian-Catholic, humanistic values, emphasizing respect, cooperation, solidarity, and personal responsibility. It strives to foster a welcoming, family-oriented environment where students are encouraged to be healthy, happy, and motivated to pursue lifelong learning. The educational approach is holistic, balancing academic rigor with the development of character and personal virtues.

The school offers a bilingual English/Spanish curriculum authorized by the Spanish Ministry of Education and accredited by COGNIA. The academic stages include Early Learning (Pre-K to Kindergarten), Primary School (Grades 1-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), and High School (Grades 9-12). The programme integrates US and Spanish systems, allowing for credit transfer and dual qualification, with a strong emphasis on sciences, languages, and critical thinking. Boarding is available for students in Grades 9-12.

Students have a strong track record of success in university entrance examinations, including the Spanish EBAU and US-based SAT and AP exams. Graduates frequently attend universities in Spain, the United States, and the UK, with some securing academic excellence scholarships. Upon completion of Grade 12, students may earn dual qualifications: the US High School Diploma and the Spanish Bachiller.

The school provides personalized attention through small class sizes, which average fewer than 12 students. Individual learning support programmes are available to assist students with language fluency or other academic needs, ensuring that a lack of initial fluency in English or Spanish is not an obstacle to admission.

The school accepts applications throughout the year, provided places are available. The admissions process involves an individual review of the student’s school transcripts and motivations, a meeting with the admissions department, and, for non-native English speakers, an assessment of English proficiency. Families must formally confirm acceptance and pay a deposit to reserve a place.

The school operates during the academic year with daily hours from 09:20 to 16:40, with extracurricular activities extending until 17:40. Additionally, the school hosts linguistic immersion summer camps during the month of July for students aged 4 to 17.

Located on a hilltop in Teo, near Santiago de Compostela, the campus features a 1984 building designed by architect César Portela set within woodland grounds. Facilities include eight classrooms, a central hall, a science laboratory, an art room, a music room, a library, two football fields, a tennis/basketball court, and an outdoor swimming pool. The school also operates its own kitchen to provide daily meals.

The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including music, drama, and sports. Physical education is a daily component of the curriculum, and the school provides opportunities for students to engage in additional language learning, such as German, beyond the core bilingual programme.