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Montessori Gran Bilbao International School

Spain, Bilbao

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €6,930 - 8,281
Ages 3 - 12 years
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish
Strengths Outdoor Education, Languages, Sport
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

Montessori Gran Bilbao International School is an American foreign educational center offering an international Montessori curriculum for children aged 1 to 12. The school serves Casa de Niños (3-6) and Elementary (6-12) students, teaching with Montessori materials across sensorial, mathematical, linguistic and cultural learning. The language model is One Person One Language: English is the main language of instruction delivered through total immersion, while Spanish and Basque are integrated daily and taught through everyday activities; additional language support is provided for those arriving with limited proficiency. The curriculum combines the International Montessori framework with American standards and Basque Country subjects, including Spanish and Basque Language and Literature. Facilities include a location on Monte Artxanda beside Funicular, with outdoor courtyards, a vegetable garden, a library and access to the Artxanda sports centre and parks. Extracurriculars feature music, painting, gardening and sports; learning emphasizes autonomy, collaboration and multilingualism in a nature-connected environment.

Artxandamendi Bidea, 1, Bizkaia, Spain

The Essentials

Montessori Gran Bilbao International School has instruction in English.

Location
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.

Stages
Children from 3 to 12 years old.

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

Country affiliation
United States
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is an American foreign educational center with an international Montessori curriculum and is accredited as an American foreign center.
Fees

Annual tuition at Montessori Gran Bilbao International School ranges from EUR 6,930 to EUR 8,281 for 2026/27.

Registration / Application Fees
- Enrollment (ages 3–6): EUR 330.
- Enrollment (ages 6–12): EUR 660.
- Annual place reservation: EUR 330. The reservation fee is paid in January and is deducted from the October fee for the following academic year.

Tuition fees by year group (academic year running July 2025 to June 2026)
- Children's House (ages 3–6):
- Annual payment: EUR 5,460.30 per year.
- 11-installment option: EUR 496.40 per month.
- 10-installment option: EUR 546.00 per month.
- Lunch (annual): EUR 1,139.60 (EUR 113.90/month).
- Notes: Prices above apply for payments during September; fees for July and August are EUR 248.20 for regular hours and EUR 260.05 for part‑time hours. Lunch and extended hours are charged from September through June.

- Primary (ages 6–12):
- Annual payment: EUR 6,811.20 per year.
- 11-installment option: EUR 619.20 per month.
- 10-installment option: EUR 681.12 per month.
- Lunch (annual): EUR 1,139.60 (EUR 113.90/month).
- Additional expenses may arise during the school year for extra activities (swimming pool, sports center use, field trips, transportation) and membership of the student family association (AFA) may carry a specific fee.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Available payment modes listed: annual payment, 11 monthly installments, or 10 monthly installments (payment months vary by option as indicated above).
- Reservation fee is paid in January and deducted from the October fee for the following academic year.
- Discounts for early annual payment: 10% discount if annual payment is made before February 25 of the previous academic year (limited to a maximum of 5 families per year). A 5% discount applies for annual payments made before June 23 for the following academic year. A 3% discount applies to annual course payments (timing and conditions as stated by the school). Accumulated discounts (early payment plus sibling discount) cannot exceed 15% in total.

Refunds and withdrawals
- Annual payments will only be refunded if the right of cancellation is exercised within the days following payment (refunds for annual payments are subject to that cancellation period). For other withdrawal and refund conditions, refer to the school's financial regulations.

Sibling discount
- A 10% discount applies to the tuition fees of the second sibling or older when siblings are enrolled simultaneously. This sibling discount applies to tuition only and does not apply to dining services, extended hours, or extras. Accumulated discounts are capped at 15%.

Boarding fees
- No boarding program or boarding fees are listed for this school; boarding is not applicable.

Other costs and optional fees
- Lunch: EUR 1,139.60 per year (EUR 113.90/month) for both Children's House and Primary.
- Extra activities and services (examples): fees may apply for swimming pool use, sports center use, field trips, transportation, and AFA membership.
- Fees for July and August (summer attendance): EUR 248.20 for regular hours and EUR 260.05 for part‑time hours.
- Uniforms and other specific material or supply costs are not itemized in the published fee schedule; extra curricular or activity-specific costs may be billed separately.

Fee payment options
- Annual payments are required to be made by bank transfer.
- Other payment methods for non-annual payments are not specified in the published fee schedule; consult the school's financial regulations for accepted payment methods for installment and other charges.

Effective period
- These fees apply for the school year from July 2025 through June 2026.

Brief note on missing or unspecified items in the published schedule
- A per‑term (e.g., per-semester) breakdown is not separately listed; fees are presented as annual totals and monthly installment options. Boarding is not offered (no boarding fees listed). Payment methods beyond bank transfer for annual payments are not specified. The published refund policy gives a cancellation-window condition for annual payments but does not specify the exact number of days in that window in the fee text.
Academics

Montessori Gran Bilbao International School teaches Montessori Curriculum, American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 12.

Curriculum
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.

Exam Results
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.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
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 as an Additional Language (EAL)
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.

Mental Wellbeing
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.

Safeguarding
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.
Parent Experience

Community
Our community comprises families who believe education goes beyond the classroom and want to actively participate in their children's growth. Family participation in school life reinforces learning and strengthens the bond between children, guides and the community. Active involvement is encouraged through School for Families, Workshops and school events, Community activities, Volunteer groups, and the Student Family Association (AFA). The school is multilingual and in contact with nature, delivering a personalized, respectful and community-based education.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Student Family Association (AFA) is a space for collaboration that contributes to the evolution of the educational community and supports student celebrations. School for Families provides training and meetings where experiences and educational tools are shared to support children's development at home. Workshops and school events provide spaces to strengthen the connection between the educational community and offer joint learning opportunities. Community activities are special celebrations that reinforce the sense of belonging. Volunteer groups offer spaces for families to get involved in school initiatives and collaborative projects. The involvement of families is essential to building a strong community committed to the comprehensive development of children.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is an American foreign educational center offering an international Montessori curriculum. It is located on Monte Artxanda, next to the Funicular, three minutes from the centre of Bilbao. The spaces are designed for each development stage and include outdoor areas such as courtyards, a vegetable garden, a library and community parks, with access to the Artxanda sports centre. Surroundings provide recreational and sports spaces, including parks, a skating rink and a sports centre with a swimming pool.

Sports Facilities
The school provides access to the Artxanda sports centre for athletic activity, and the surrounding area includes parks and a skating rink, with a local sports centre that has a swimming pool.

Academic Facilities
Children's House (3 to 6 years) offers materials for reading, writing, music and expression; the classroom has direct access to the patio, enabling a fluid connection with the outdoors, and the morning work cycle lasts three hours. Workshop 1 (6 to 9 years) emphasizes active learning with a wide range of manipulatives and includes music, painting, gardening and sports in a tri-lingual environment (Basque, English and Spanish). Workshop 2 (9 to 12 years) continues with active exploration, the development of collaborative projects and leadership within the school community.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Music, painting, gardening and sports are part of the program, and there is an on-site vegetable garden. The spaces include outdoor areas and movement-focused activities, with learning on the move in Bilbao's natural spaces.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Autonomy, critical thinking and multilingualism are central to Montessori Gran Bilbao's educational approach. Learning is experience-based in a multilingual environment connected to nature. The morning work cycle consists of three uninterrupted hours of individual or group work. In Workshop 1 (6 to 9 years), children engage in active learning through collaborative projects while developing reading, writing, music, painting, gardening and sports.

Arts & Creative
Music, painting and expression are developed in the Children's House. Personal projects foster creativity as part of daily learning. In Workshop 1 (6 to 9 years), children work on music, painting, gardening and sports within a trilingual environment. The spaces provide access to a patio for outdoor creative activity.

Cultural & Language
Basque, English and Spanish are used in daily activities. The environment is trilingual and fosters reading and language learning. Language learning is integrated into daily routines and project work.

Social & Hobbies
The school emphasizes collaboration and social skills. In Workshop 1, children work collaboratively and cooperatively, which helps develop social skills and conflict-resolution strategies. Non-Violent Communication is applied to manage emotions and relationships. Movement and relationships are central; the workshop environments encourage movement and social interaction.

Leadership & Professional
Workshop 2 represents the transition to adolescence, consolidating autonomy, responsibility and leadership capacity within the school community.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sport is a pillar of development with spaces adapted for movement, coordination and well-being. Outdoor spaces include courtyards, a garden, a library, community parks and access to the Artxanda sports centre. The location combines nature, accessibility and sport to enrich the educational experience.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught include English, Spanish and Basque. English is the main language of instruction; Spanish and Basque are introduced through daily activities and integrated across the curriculum. Individualized language support is provided to help learners acquire the necessary language skills.

Bilingual Teaching
English is the main language of teaching and communication. Language learning follows the OPOL method (One Person, One Language), with guides speaking a specific language to the children. English is used in most presentations, and a multilingual environment develops with Spanish and Basque embedded in daily activities.

Immersion Programs
Learning happens in a natural and immersive environment with total immersion for English. English instruction follows a process of total immersion, while Spanish and Basque are introduced through daily activities, conversations, specific materials and moments of reading and writing in each language.
Admissions

Admissions
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.

Waitlist
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.
School Events
The school has not added events
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