10 tips (and a reflection) for choosing your children's school

BarcelonaChoosing the school where children will begin their educational stage is a decision that requires careful consideration. They will spend a large part of their childhood at school and it will also be there where, in addition to the education they will receive, they will begin their socialisation process. It is a time when families must live in a positive way, but also be properly informed in order to make the decision. In any case, Núria Pedrós, a doctor in pedagogy and member of the Network of Experts of the Official College of Pedagogy of Catalonia, assures that the ideal school does not exist. "We will not find an ideal model that perfectly fits all our needs, interests and values. However, to choose a school, we must think, measure, plan and work. It is a vital decision, because it will affect the child's life."

This year, The registration period for the 2025-2026 academic year will be from March 12 to 26 for early childhood education and primary education; and from March 14 to 26 for compulsory secondary education. If you are still in the decision-making process, we offer you some recommendations to take into account.

Proximity is an important aspect to take into account if it helps to avoid children having to travel long distances every day to go to and from school. It also helps families to balance their work and family life. "It also makes it easier to have more quality time with our children, especially if we take into account that their education does not end within the four walls of the school, but continues in the neighbourhood, in the square, in the street... Having a school nearby facilitates all these connections," says Lidón Gasull, director of the Associacions Federades de Famílies de Alumnes de Catalunya.

"If we have been happy and the nursery has met all our expectations, we can ask them which school follows their line, values and way of doing things," recommends Núria Pedrós, a doctor in pedagogy and member of the Network of Experts of the Official College of Pedagogy of Catalonia. Taking into account the opinion of other people is important, she says, especially if they are teachers or pedagogues.

Escola Nova 21, the Montessori method, systemic education... There are many educational methods to consider when choosing a school, but Pedrós recommends not focusing on just one in particular and not having prejudices towards others. For this reason, he believes that it is essential to gather as much information as possible about the centre where we would like the children to study: visit the school, look at the communication it establishes through social networks or meetings, ask the teachers... "And pay attention to everything it offers to the students, but also to the families."

It is common for many families to visit more than one school before making a decision. Padrós recommends taking notes to remember each aspect that has caught their attention during each visit in order to take it into account later. "Going to these sessions, if there are more parents visiting, will also give us an idea of which families want to access it. It is important to talk to them to find out if they share the same concerns, the type of teaching and pedagogical line, the values that they want their child to receive. In this sense, you have to consider the types of families with which their children will interact." After all, open doors also serve to let what you knew from a distance enter through the eyes, through the impressions and sensations awakened by that environment where the children will spend several years.

"There is no need to be prejudiced about any type of school. There will be families who will choose a public school and others a private one, for example. In the latter case, there are many religious schools and perhaps their ideology is very important to them and they will prefer it. In the same way, other families will do so who want their children to be educated in one." It is only necessary to consider what each type of centre offers and whether it coherently fits with what families are looking for.

"Our criteria when choosing a school was that it should be public and local. We live in a highly complex neighbourhood with a lot of immigration and that made us doubt, but, as they told us at the centre on the open day, any public school we choose will be of quality. And the truth is that we are very happy," he recalls. His daughter, Nora, started I3 last year at a school in the Carmel neighbourhood of Barcelona. "It is true that there is a certain complexity at school, but we already had it at nursery school and we believe that it will also enrich us."

Lidón Gasull recalls that educational centres are the only spaces left of forced socialisation. "We have the possibility of living and socialising with people and families who are different and that is a wealth for our children, because they are educated in a real context. There will not be a great difference between the coexistence and socialisation they have had at school and what they later encounter in society," he emphasises.

"We now think that I3 is the most important, and it is, but we must consider that this child will grow up. So we have to know what kind of school we want: do we want a school that ends in sixth grade? Or a school that also teaches compulsory secondary education or high school?" Pedrós also recommends reflecting on this aspect and assessing whether or not you want your children to have the option of several pedagogical models in several schools.

According to Gasull, families should bear in mind that the best educational project will always be the one that best adapts to the needs of the child at any given time. "Public education guarantees inclusion, but this does not only mean thinking about responding to those children who may have a specific need, but rather adapting to the needs of each child." In the case of Núria and Miquel Àngel, their initial choice was a public and local school. But their daughters are twins and they had to take other parameters into account. "We ruled out single-line schools, as well as those that separated twin siblings and did not consider mixing classes at any educational stage." In accordance with their preferences, they opted for a center that offered them the flexibility to mix classes and students, as well as interlevel activities with other courses.

The Department of Education and Vocational Training also recommends taking this aspect into account: focusing on open spaces, ensuring that schools have classrooms with natural light and good ventilation that become spaces that generate knowledge, that enhance student learning, as well as access to multipurpose, accessible, communal or pleasant spaces.

Pedrós reminds us that the choice of the school must be made by the family together, because it is an important decision. "They have to be in agreement and when they have decided, they must fully trust that the chosen school will be the best for their family model." And it is very important that families get involved in the day-to-day running of the school. "They must be concerned about being able to get involved to the extent of their possibilities in the day-to-day educational life, in the AFA, and participate in the life of the center," recommends Gasull.

You can change schools

"When we make a choice, we may make a mistake. In any case, we will rarely make a mistake, because considering all the aspects we have discussed and others that may arise requires effort and taking it very seriously. But something may happen that we had no control over that makes our child have to change schools," says Pedrós. In this case, he recommends starting the process again: getting well informed and knowing exactly what each family is looking for. "The child's age will be different and other things can be considered because we will also have more experience."