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American School of Bilbao

Spain, Bilbao

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €6,820 - 14,520
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 356
Type Co-educational
Opened 1967
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish, French, Bengali
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Languages, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional, Academic and Intellectual
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

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.

Soparda Bidea, 10, 48640 Berango, Bizkaia, Spain

The Essentials

American School of Bilbao has 356 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
Address: Soparda Bidea 10, 48640 Berango, Bizkaia, Spain.

Stages
PK-12; Early Years (Preschool from age 2), Primary Years Programme (3-11), Middle Years Programme (11-16), Diploma Programme (16-18).

Type
Private, non-profit international school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
The majority of students come from the local area; 29 nationalities are represented on campus; about 20% of students are international.

Country affiliation
Affiliated with the United States through the Office of Overseas Schools of the U.S. State Department.

Bus service
ASB offers a school bus service covering the key areas of Bilbao and surrounding areas.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The school provides a daily on-campus dining service with meals cooked each day at the school using fresh ingredients. Menus follow nutritional guidelines and are tailored to different age groups. Special dietary requirements and food allergies are accommodated upon request and coordinated directly with families.

Governance and Ownership
The American School of Bilbao is a civil nonprofit association. Governance bodies are the General Assembly and the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the school and consists of nine unpaid members with authority and legal responsibility; it governs in accordance with the Policy Manual and accrediting principles of ECIS and NEASC.
Fees

Annual tuition at American School of Bilbao ranges from EUR 6,820 to EUR 14,520 for 2026/27.

Pre‑registration fee

- EUR 300 pre‑registration fee for all new admission applications. If the student is admitted, this amount is deducted from the Registration (Entrance) Fee. If the student is admitted but the applicant rejects the enrolment, the pre‑registration fee becomes nonrefundable. If the student is not admitted, the pre‑registration fee is refunded (in February or upon completion of enrolment).

Registration / Entrance Fee (Social Fund Contribution)

- New families pay a one‑off, nonrefundable Entrance Fee as a Social Fund contribution, split into two nonrefundable payments: an initial EUR 1,500 due in April and the balance due in May (the pre‑registration fee is deducted if applicable).

- Entrance Fee amounts by entry grade:
- Entry to Preschool – Grade 5 (PYP 5): EUR 3,350 per student.
- Entry to Grade 6 (MYP 1) – Grade 10 (MYP 5): EUR 4,500 per student.
- Entry to Grade 11 – Grade 12 (IBDP 1 & 2): EUR 6,000 per student.

- Entrance Fee sibling discounts (applied to the Entrance Fee): 15% discount for the 3rd simultaneous child, 20% for the 4th, and 25% for the 5th and successive children (when the children belong to the same family unit).

Annual tuition fees by year group (published amounts)

- Preschool: EUR 6,820 per year.
- Nursery: EUR 7,546 per year.
- Pre‑Kinder: EUR 7,546 per year.
- Kindergarten: EUR 7,546 per year.
- Grade 1: EUR 8,352 per year.
- Grade 2: EUR 8,794 per year.
- Grades 3–7: EUR 9,510 per year.
- Grade 8: EUR 9,849 per year.
- Grades 9–10: EUR 10,402 per year.
- Grades 11–12 (continuing ASB students): EUR 11,409 per year.
- Grades 11–12 (new students entering the programme): EUR 14,520 per year.

Tuition discounts

- Tuition sibling discounts: when three children from the same family are enrolled simultaneously, the third child receives a 20% discount on tuition; when four or more children are enrolled simultaneously, the fourth and successive children receive a 25% discount on tuition.

Supplies and incidental charges

- Supplies (books and materials) charge: EUR 267 billed in September.
- Additional early‑years replacement charge: Preschool extra EUR 32; other Early Years (rest of Kinder) EUR 11 at start of school year to cover water clothing and sleeping bag replacement.

Optional services and other fees

- Bus service (annual rates by route):
- Getxo: EUR 1,424 per year.
- Castro: EUR 1,595 per year.
- Laukiz: EUR 1,595 per year.
- Bilbao: EUR 1,575 per year.
- Lunch service: EUR 1,215 per year (optional).
- Student support services (additional language or support classes):
- Support Fees (Type 3): 1 weekly period EUR 78 per month; 2 weekly periods EUR 156 per month; 3 weekly periods EUR 234 per month.
- Extra language fee (students requiring additional language support, 2 weekly periods): EUR 1,958 per year.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Tuition, bus and lunch services are annual fees. The school issues these amounts in ten monthly instalments, billed from September through June inclusive (grade 12 included).

- Single annual payment option: the annual tuition may be paid in one single payment; a 1.25% discount on the annual tuition is applied for families who choose this option, provided the school is notified before July 15th and the single payment is billed in the last week of August.

- Enrollment reservation charge for currently enrolled students: a EUR 500 reservation fee is charged between February and March as a prepayment for the following academic year; this amount is deducted from the September invoice as a pre‑payment. This reservation fee is subject to the Policy Manual provisions referenced in the published schedule.

Boarding fees

- No boarding programme is listed in the published fee schedule; boarding is not applicable.

Refund information (published items)

- Pre‑registration fee: refundable if the student is not admitted (refund issued in February or upon completion of enrolment). If the student is admitted but the applicant rejects the place, the pre‑registration fee becomes nonrefundable.

- Entrance Fee payments are stated as nonrefundable (the Entrance Fee is described as a nonrefundable contribution made in two payments).

- The published fee schedule does not provide further detail on refunds for tuition, optional services or reservation fees beyond the points above; specific refund procedures and any additional conditions are governed by the school's Policy Manual.

Payment methods and options (what is published)

- The published schedule specifies the billing frequency (ten monthly instalments or one annual payment with a 1.25% discount) and the timing/deadlines for choosing the single‑payment option. The published fee schedule does not list the specific accepted payment instruments (for example, bank transfer, direct debit or credit card) or the school's bank details. For contact and administrative queries the school publishes an email address and telephone number for the administration.

Calculated instalment equivalents (inference based on published annual amounts)

- The school publishes annual tuition amounts and the billing frequency (10 monthly instalments). The following per‑installment and illustrative per‑term equivalents are calculated from the published annual tuition (these equivalents are arithmetic conversions, not separately published fees):
- Monthly instalment (10 payments) = Annual tuition ÷ 10.
- Example (illustrative only): Grade 9–10 annual tuition EUR 10,402 → EUR 1,040.20 per monthly instalment (10 instalments). EUR 10,402 ÷ 10 = EUR 1,040.20.

Summary note about published coverage

- The published 2025–2026 fee schedule provides detailed amounts for pre‑registration, Entrance Fees, annual tuition by grade, supplies, bus and lunch services, student support fees, sibling discounts, billing frequency (10 instalments) and the single‑payment discount. The published schedule does not list specific payment instruments (bank account details, accepted card payments or direct debit arrangements) nor extended refund procedures beyond the items noted above.
Academics

American School of Bilbao teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
PK-12 private, non-profit international school in Bilbao. The curriculum is taught in English and has an international focus, leading to the American High School diploma and the IB Diploma. The Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) are offered; the school is preparing for Middle Years Programme (MYP) verification to complete the IB continuum. The Diploma Programme is a two-year program for ages 16–18, requiring six subjects and core components (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, Creativity, Activity and Service), with a pathway to university and employment. Upon graduation, students obtain a bilingual IB Diploma, and the IB Diploma is homologated by the Spanish Ministry of Education, so students do not need to sit for Spanish PAU/Selectividad. The course of study, marking and reporting procedures facilitate transfer to other international or English-language schools and prepare students for higher education in both host-country and English-language settings.

Exam Results
IB Diploma Programme Results 2024: 100% Pass Rate. The Class of 2024 met the rigorous requirements to be awarded the IB Diploma in May 2024, with an average score of 34 points. 17% of students scored above 40 points; the maximum score achieved was 44 out of 45; the school has achieved above the world average for nine consecutive years; 50% of the subjects achieved averages at least 25% above the world average.

Higher Education Progression
ASB graduates pursue higher education at universities worldwide, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Spain. Recent current acceptances include Georgetown University, George Washington University, Georgia Tech, UCLA, University of Toronto, Cambridge University, King's College London, University of Manchester, Universidad de Navarra, and Esade, among others.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Mission provides an English-based education that inspires students to develop an open-minded and respectful attitude as global citizens in a nurturing and safe environment. The Beliefs state that intellectual, social, physical and emotional development are equally important. The MYP aims to develop active, lifelong learners who can empathize with others and pursue lives of purpose and meaning. The school seeks intercultural understanding, awareness, tolerance and respect as part of its international identity.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The Admissions Policy states that students with additional needs will be given a mandatory action plan with supports needed for continued enrollment. Parental responsibilities include providing medical reports, psychological evaluations or other documentation to assess needs and ensure equal access.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the main language of instruction at ASB. Language learning is differentiated in Middle School through Language Acquisition and Language and Literature, allowing pathways based on English proficiency. All ASB students are enrolled in Euskera as their additional language.

Mental Wellbeing
ASB provides a nurturing and safe environment. Intellectual, social, physical and emotional development are equally important. Balanced IB learner profile attributes encourage students to look after their mind and body and stay healthy and happy.

Safeguarding
ASB provides a caring, safe environment. The Admissions Policy states that incoming IB students will have a mandatory action plan with supports for continued enrollment for students with additional needs. Parental disclosure of medical and psychological information is requested to assess safety and equal access. The school also maintains a Legal Advice and Privacy Policy.
Parent Experience

History
The American School of Bilbao was founded in 1967 by American and British citizens resident in the Bilbao area, under the auspices of the Office of Overseas Schools of the U.S. State Department. It has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS) since 1985. In 1981, the Spanish Ministry of Education officially recognized the school as a Foreign School in Spain. The school is a civil nonprofit association governed by a nine-member Board of Trustees and a General Assembly. The curriculum is taught in English and leads to the American High School credential and the IB Diploma.

Community
The ASB community offers After School Activities (ASA) that extend and enrich students' interests in both academic and non-academic areas. The ASA program runs eight months, from October through May, with activities delivered on school premises by instructors who teach in English (a few activities may be delivered in Spanish). ASA provides opportunities to develop new skills and language abilities outside standard classes. The PTO represents parents/guardians and teachers, promotes involvement through voluntary committees, raises funds for projects and materials, and fosters communication within the school community.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTO (Parents & Teacher Organization) is a representation structure chosen by the parents/guardians of students in each academic year and the ASB teaching staff. Its objectives are to promote involvement of parents/guardians and teachers through voluntary work in committees. It raises funds for projects, activities and special material resources. It encourages communication between the different members of the educational community to promote understanding and cooperation. It coordinates with teachers, at their request, with the grade representative for the academic year, as well as with parents/guardians of the grade, for activities requiring volunteers through events that are organized. Representation in the PTO is composed of 16 parent representatives for each academic year, from Nursery to Grade 12, and 4 teacher representatives, one for each section: Early Childhood, Lower School, the Middle Years and Upper School.
Facilities

Extra Curricular Facilities
The After School Activities (ASA) program at ASB allows students to extend and enrich their interests in academic and non-academic areas in a fun way. All activities take place on school premises with instructors knowledgeable in their field and hired externally. However, ASB staff are also involved in giving instruction in various activities, with the language of instruction being English; a select few activities may be delivered in Spanish. The ASA program lasts 8 months, beginning in October until the end of May. ASA activities include English, Sustainability, Commitment, and Innovation.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
ASB offers After School Activities (ASA) on campus with instructors both external and ASB staff, taught mainly in English with some activities delivered in Spanish. The ASA program lasts eight months, from October to the end of May. ASA activities include English language development, Sustainability, Commitment to a better world, and Innovation.

Arts & Creative
The school has a Visual Arts program, including opportunities that culminate in events such as the Final Visual Arts Exhibition. This reflects an ongoing commitment to visual arts education and student exhibitions.

Cultural & Language
Model United Nations (MUN) was established in 2014 and invites students to participate in international conferences, such as LMUNA in the Netherlands. DECA develops leadership in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, integrated into classroom instruction and with participation in DECA ICDC. The Journal Club is a student‑run club that creates a school newsletter every trimester.

Social & Hobbies
ASA activities focus on enriching non‑academic interests on campus, with instruction primarily in English and some activities delivered in Spanish. The program highlights English language development, Sustainability, Commitment, and Innovation as core ASA themes.

Community & Service
The Journal Club is a Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) activity. DECA fosters leadership and community engagement through business‑oriented projects and competitions. MUN provides opportunities for international collaboration and service through conference participation.

Leadership & Professional
DECA develops leadership in marketing, finance, hospitality and management, with participation in DECA ICDC. MUN offers leadership experiences through conference work and diplomacy activities. The Stock Market Game (SMG) is a DECA‑linked program that teaches teamwork, research and decision‑making in a simulated business environment.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sustainability is a valued focus within ASA, teaching students to be environmentally aware. ASA emphasizes creating a better and more peaceful world and adapting education to a globalized context.
Languages

Language Provision
ASB uses English as the language of instruction for the IB Diploma Programme (100% English). In the Middle Years Programme, Language and Literature is taught in English and Spanish, and all students study Euskera as an additional language. Depending on MAP results and teacher recommendation, a student may take English as a Language Acquisition instead of Language and Literature.

Bilingual Teaching
ASB provides bilingual language education within the Middle Years Programme (ages 11-16). Language and Literature is taught in English and Spanish, and all students study Euskera as an additional language. Depending on MAP results and teacher recommendation, a student may take English as a Language Acquisition instead of Language and Literature. The Diploma Programme is taught entirely in English.

Immersion Programs
ASB offers English-language immersion through its Summer Programme for learners outside ASB; these courses are designed to learn or reinforce English using ASB's methodology. The Summer Programme includes Cambridge English exam preparation classes (B2 First/PreFirst and C1 Advanced/PreAdvanced). The program emphasizes total immersion in English on campus.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
The American School of Bilbao is an International School serving PK-12, private and non-profit. It was founded in 1967 by American and British citizens, under the auspices of the Office of Overseas Schools of the U.S. State Department. The school has been accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Council of International Schools (CIS) since 1985, and in 1981 it was officially recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education as a Foreign School Located in Spain. The curriculum is international and taught in English, leading to the American High School diploma and the IB Diploma. The school is located in Berango, Bizkaia (Soparda Bidea 10, 48640).
Admissions

Admissions
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."

Waitlist
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."
School Events
The school has not added events
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