INS Jaume Vicens Vives

"INS Jaume Vicens Vives is a state secondary school situated in the vibrant Catalan city of Girona, in northeastern Spain."

Serving students between the ages of 12 and 18, the school combines the rigour of internationally recognised academic programmes with the accessible, community-rooted ethos of the Spanish public education system. For families relocating to the Girona area, it represents a genuinely distinctive option: a state school with genuine international credentials, offered without the tuition costs typically associated with private international education. The school's history stretches back to 1999, and it carries a particularly notable distinction within the Catalan educational landscape — it was the first state secondary school in Catalonia to offer the International Baccalaureate. This pioneering role speaks to an institutional culture that has long embraced academic ambition and global perspectives, even within the framework of publicly funded education. That legacy continues to shape the school's identity today. Academically, INS Jaume Vicens Vives follows the Spanish national curriculum through its secondary years, offering the ESO programme for students aged 12 to 16, followed by the LOE Baccalaureate for those aged 16 to 18. Alongside these Spanish qualifications, the school offers the IB Diploma Programme, giving older students the opportunity to pursue one of the most widely respected pre-university qualifications in the world. The IB Diploma is recognised by universities across Europe, North America, and beyond, making it a particularly attractive pathway for internationally mobile families who may be uncertain about where their children will eventually apply for higher education. The school's language of instruction reflects its Catalan context. As is standard in Catalonia's public school system, Catalan serves as the primary language of instruction, with Spanish also present as part of the curriculum. Families arriving from outside Spain should be aware of this linguistic environment, though the presence of the IB Diploma Programme means that English plays a meaningful role in the academic life of senior students pursuing that qualification. For children joining at younger ages, immersion in Catalan and Spanish can offer a genuinely enriching multilingual experience, particularly given the region's rich cultural and linguistic heritage. Girona itself is a compelling setting for family life. A mid-sized city with a beautifully preserved medieval centre, excellent transport links to Barcelona, and a high quality of life, it has become increasingly attractive to international professionals, digital nomads, and expatriate families in recent years. The school's location within this city means students benefit from a real sense of place and community, rather than the sometimes insular atmosphere of standalone international campuses. With a student body of around 900 pupils, INS Jaume Vicens Vives is large enough to offer a broad range of academic and social opportunities, yet retains the cohesion of a school where students and staff genuinely know one another. For families seeking an academically serious, internationally oriented education within the Spanish state system — and at no tuition cost — this school deserves serious consideration.