American School of Bilbao

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

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

Private, non-profit international school.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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."

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."