expat parents considering moving to Andorra understandably want to know “what are Andorran schools like?”
For starters, Andorra boasts a 100 percent literacy rate, school is free, and students end up speaking multiple languages.
Schooling in this tiny principality is not as simple as the tax system in Andorra. It’s not that the process is difficult, but that you’re spoiled for choice given the small size and population of this country.
In this article we will look at a brief history of the Andorran school system, explain the different “subsystems” and discuss some important things to consider before enrolling your child in any of the schools.
Brief history of the Andorran education system
Andorra was officially founded as a “co-principality” in 1278, when the Bishop of Urgell (Spain) and the King of France had equal authority over the country.
Around 1880, some parishes in Andorra began paying teachers to educate their community in Catholic schools.
Due to the clear influence of Spain and France in controlling Andorra, Spanish and French schools were opened in Andorra. Because these school systems operated side by side, they were each governed by their own countries.
These two education systems continue to operate in Andorra today, but no longer separately. A pan-Andorran school system, administered by Andorra, was created in 1982, creating a third school system within the country’s borders.
In 1988, the first universities were opened, with priority given to nursing and computer science.
In 1993, the Andorran Parliament passed the Qualifications Education Act , which, most importantly, states:
“Everyone has the right to receive a basic education that will enable him to develop his personality, develop as a citizen and participate in the development of the country.”
In 2003, the distribution by school system was as follows:
- Spanish system: 36%
- French system: 35%
- Andorran system: 29%
In 2016, the total number of students in Andorra was 11,018, with the distribution changing to:
- Andorran system: 39%
- French system: 33%
- Spanish system: 28%
What you need to know about the Andorran school system
School in Andorra is free: citizen or resident children have free access to any of the country’s public schools for both primary and secondary education.
You can choose between three different public education systems: Andorran, French and Spanish.
Primary and secondary school in Andorra is compulsory: between the ages of 6 and 16, all children living in Andorra must attend school.
Homeschooling is prohibited: For some passive residents who want to travel regularly with their children, homeschooling or “worldschooling” is currently not possible for children living in Andorra.
There are two private schools in Andorra . If free options aren’t right for you, we’ll discuss them below.
Expect your child to eventually become multilingual : even if your child is at a UK college and only learns English and Catalan at school, they will likely pick up Spanish or French very easily, given their prevalence in the country.
With that out of the way, let’s dive into individual school systems.
Public school system in Andorra
Expats who have no family or connections to France or Spain and who do not send their child to private school tend to choose Andorra’s public education system.
Main language: Catalan.
Additional languages: French, English, Spanish.
School locations: Andorra la Vella , Canillo , Encamp , Escaldes , Pas de la Casa , La Massana , Ordino , Sant Julia de Lória.
Maternal education
Age: 3–6 years (optional).
Languages: Catalan only (3–4 years), Catalan and French (4–6 years).
Andorran primary school
Ages: 6–11 years
Curriculum: Mathematics, Languages, Social Studies, Science, Technology, Physical Education and Music.
Languages: Catalan and French (6–8 years), Catalan, English and French (8–10 years), Catalan, English. , French and Spanish (10-12 years)
Secondary education
Age: 12-16
Curriculum: Mathematics, Physical Education, Social Sciences, Humanities, Technology, Art, Music, Nature and Physical Sciences, Physical Education, Language and Literature.
Languages: Catalan, English, French, Spanish.
Secondary education: International Baccalaureate
Age: 16-18 years (optional).
The curriculum specializes in: arts and communications, languages and humanities, science and technology, social sciences and economics.
Languages: Catalan, English, French, Spanish.
Historically, those who wanted their children to graduate from university abroad chose the French system due to the easier transition, but this is about to change. Beginning in 2019, Andorran senior high school students will be given the opportunity to choose between pursuing a diploma or a professional International Baccalaureate program .
This is a huge plus for Andorran schools as they prepare children for life in an increasingly connected and globalized world; especially the one that many immigrant children are exposed to. It also provides better integration for families moving to Andorra or planning to leave in the future.
French public schools in Andorra
Main language: French.
Additional languages: Catalan, English.
School locations: Andorra la Vella , Canillo , Encamp , Escaldes, Pas de la Casa , La Massana , Ordino , Sant Julia de Lória.
Although the French education system is no longer the dominant education system in Andorra, it remains very popular. Many French expats want their children to continue learning a curriculum they are familiar with, while some English-speaking expats appreciate a focus on language, which they find valuable.
Spanish public education system in Andorra
Main languages: Spanish and Catalan.
Additional languages: English, French.
Location of schools: There are several schools in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany.
In recent years, enrollment in the Spanish system has dropped significantly in favor of the Andorran system, with about 28% of the country’s students attending these schools.
Some schools in the Spanish system are Catholic and are funded by the Andorran government. In this case, the main language is Catalan. Otherwise, a mixture of Spanish and Catalan is used.
Private schools in Andorra
For those who do not wish to enroll their child in one of the public schools, two private schools are currently available.
Andorran English School
Main language: English.
Additional language: Catalan.
School location: Andorra la Vella.
Tuition fee: from 9,850 euros per year.
Students aged 3 to 18 can attend the British College of Andorra . The college teaches the British National Curriculum and is run by part of the British College Gawa team.
It appears that the intention is to become a fully International Baccalaureate school.
Situated on the site of a former hostel on Calle La Comella in Andorra la Vella, it is a quiet idyll for children, although not particularly central or potentially ‘interesting’ to drive in winter. Don’t forget to take into account the bus service!
International School Agora Andorra
Primary language: Spanish
Additional languages: Catalan, English, French
School location: L’Aldosa, La Massana
Tuition fees: from 7,450 euros per year
Agora International, formerly known as “Col·legi del Pirineu”, is a private school located in La Massana, with a boarding school for children from 9 to 18 years of age.
Although the main language at Agora International School is Spanish, they claim to be a “quad-lingual education” with students from a wide range of nationalities.
University of Andorra
Although many Andorran students choose to leave the country for further studies, there is a local option – the Universitat d’Andorra , or “UdA”.
Founded in 1997, UdA offers courses mainly in medicine, education, computer science and business.
Sports and ski school
With skiing having such a strong impact on the tourism industry in Andorra, it is not surprising that skiing is a component of the curriculum of all Andorran schools. Although compulsory ski school in Andorra is short, some parents choose to enroll their children in a more advanced ski school.
Although skiing is widely practiced, other more traditional sports such as football, basketball and tennis are also part of the curriculum.
Since outdoor recreation is a key part of life in Andorra, other less traditional sports such as mountain biking, hiking and horse riding are offered as extracurricular activities. In a small country you are spoiled for choice!
Schools in Andorra
Free schooling, multiple languages, multiple education systems, 100% literacy rate and the value of outdoor living. There is a lot to love about Andorran schools.
If you’re thinking about living in Andorra, you don’t have to worry about going to school. Your biggest challenge will be choosing which of the many great options is best for your child!