An expatriate’s guide to Andorra’s educational system
Andorra Expats | 05.21.2016 | MoraBanc editorial staff
Expatriate parents that have successfully established their family’s Andorran residency may have many questions about the Andorran educational system and how to get their children settled into a new school. As expatriates continue to be drawn to Andorra’s thriving, cosmopolitan and business-oriented environment one may be pleasantly surprised at the panoply of rich educational options that are available to them despite Andorra’s diminutive size.
A breakdown of Andorra’s educational system
1. Primary and secondary school education in Andorra
Firstly, it is important to note that homeschooling is not permitted in Andorra. Schooling is free for all resident children; attending school is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 16. Parents who have recently relocated their family to Andorra can choose between three different public school systems: French, Andorran or Spanish. These three educational systems share the following similarities:
• A very high standard of education with a focus on general subjects such as Math, Science, languages, History, IT and Art
• Primary school: compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 12
• Secondary school: compulsory for children between the ages of 12 and 16
• Upper secondary education: for students between the ages of 16 and 18 who wish to attend university
• Multilingual children: Expatriate children often become competent or fluent in Catalan, Spanish, French and English due to a high exposure to multiple languages offered in their schools
• Focus on sports: sports are an integral part of the Andorran educational system (see second part of this article)
2. Post Baccalaureate educational opportunities in Andorra
A student can pursue graduate and post-graduate degrees once they have successfully attained the Andorran equivalent of the Baccalaureate. Since students that have completed the lower Andorran educational system are fluent in multiple languages they may choose to continue their studies abroad in neighbouring countries. However Andorra has its own highly competitive and well-recognized public University. The University of Andorra offers a wide range of graduate and post-graduate studies as well as online courses available at its Virtual Studies Centre. Due to Andorra’s location, nestled between Southern France and Spain, many of this University’s courses are taught in collaboration with the most prestigious Universities in these two countries.
Andorra has been a member of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) since 2003. This ensures that a higher degree obtained in Andorra will be recognized by the other forty-nine member states. This is a very important factor for multilingual Andorrans searching for employment upon graduation as this degree opens countless options throughout Europe.
The integral part sports and languages play in Andorra’s educational system
Outdoor sports in Andorra’s idyllic setting
Andorra’s prime location in the foothills of the Pyrenees offers breath-taking landscapes which make the ideal setting for outdoor sports. One does not need to wonder why winter sports such as skiing are so popular in Andorra. All schools teach skiing as part of their general curriculum along with a large variety of other indoor and outdoor sports including the following:
• Rugby
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Hiking
• Tennis
• Badminton
• Ping Pong
Andorran schools are not the only institution that places a great importance on sports. Public sports centers and swimming pools can be found in each town along with a government-funded sports complex in Andorre-la-Vieille, Andorra’s capitol. Diverse golf, horseback riding, roller hockey, trekking and other sporting clubs are available and can greatly enrich a student’s after school extracurricular activities. Each city also organizes summer camps, offering a mix of sports and lessons for children staying in the country during the summer.
Andorra’s multilingual and multicultural society
Andorra’s official language is Catalan however most Andorrans also speak Spanish, French and English. The Andorran educational system has taken its country’s geographical location into account. Due to Andorra’s proximity to Spain and France and an increase in English speaking tourists, schools place language instruction at the top of their priorities from a very early age. There is also a school that offers a total immersion bilingual educational program which is taught in Spanish and English. There are more than thirty language schools in Andorra, offering traditional classes as well as private courses which are taught at home with online learning options
Please note that public schools are free for all Andorran residents. If you are planning on moving to Andorra with your family we also provide information for expatriates on how to procure your Andorran residency, including a list of all the documents needed to successfully complete your residency request.
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Information on the processing of personal data
In compliance with Law 15/2003 of 18 December on protection of personal data, the customer authorizes that the applicant’s personal data entered on this form will be incorporated into files owned and managed by MORA BANC GRUP, SA – MORA BANC, SAU (hereafter referred to as “MoraBanc”) to process the requested service and, if necessary, to comply with the contracts finally entered into, and also to ensure correct operational procedures.
The applicant expressly authorises MoraBanc to send him/her commercial and promotional communications for products and services and information on the Bank itself, social or other activities, in hardcopy by post or by electronic means (among others, short messages (SMS) to mobile phones, e-mail, etc.). This consent can always be withdrawn, without retroactive effect.
The fact of filling out this form implies that the applicant acknowledges that the information and personal data provided are true, accurate and correct; otherwise, MoraBanc declines all responsibility for the lack of truthfulness or correctness of the data.
The applicant authorises the data provided to be communicated or shared with third parties forming part of the MoraBanc business group, entities which are primarily active in the financial, insurance and service sectors. The applicant is considered as having been informed of this transfer of information by means of this clause. The applicant accepts that he/she may be sent information on any product or service marketed by these companies.
The data processing manager is MoraBanc. The applicant is hereby informed that the rights of access, rectification, suppression or opposition may be exercised in the terms established in current legislation.
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