A look at the education system in Andorra

If you are considering moving to the Principality with your family, you’re probably wondering what education is like in Andorra. In the following article we reveal everything you need to know before taking the step of settling in the country. It is essential that you know everything about this complex educational system which, despite its complexity, is of high quality for all school years, as well as quite flexible and varied.

The evolution of education in Andorra

When it comes to education in Andorra, the first thing you have to know is that the country has three different educational systems: the French system, the Spanish system and the Andorran educational system. Many experts also include the English system, which comes from the British College of Andorra, a private school.

At the beginning of the 20th century the Andorran educational system was very different from the one we know. Thanks to the application of multiple reforms, the first non-denominational and congregational schools appeared, which were not only Spanish but became dependent on the Spanish government starting in 1930. However , as the Principality has always been open to immigrants, the education system in Andorra fell short. This is how the first French schools began to open, regulated in 1982 through the Decree on schools and the Lyceum of the French Co-Prince in the Principality.

In 1972, the authorities detected that it was necessary to preserve the identity and peculiarities of Andorra in education. This is how an Andorran training program was launched that sought to teach Catalan, history, geography and the institutions of the Principality. 10 years later, the Andorran educational system was consolidated through the Escola Andorrana. In later years, a reform was carried out in the Andorran educational programs, which included French and Spanish schools.

The colleges and schools in Andorra have evolved considerably in recent years. You will be surprised to know that today there is an association, Zebra4, which is dedicated to serving gifted children or those with extraordinary talents.

What is education like in Andorra?

Although the educational systems of the Principality are different, they share some characteristics:

• The powers of the educational systems are centralized in the Andorran Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports.
• The systems are governed by the qualified education law, published in BOPA 51 (1993), as well as by the law of organization of the Andorran educational system, promulgated in BOPA 48 (1994).
• There are agreements with Spain, France and Portugal.
• Primary education and secondary education are mandatory. They range from 6 to 16 years old.
• Maternal education (at age 3) is voluntary. Also included in voluntary education are baccalaureate and vocational training, as well as university education (post-compulsory).
• Regulated education includes kindergarten, primary and secondary education, high school, vocational training and university education.
• With the exception of private centers, Andorran educational systems are free.
• The government of the Principality provides school transportation.
• Skiing is a mandatory activity during primary school. It is known as “school ski” and falls under the physical education section.

Education in Andorra: the Spanish system

The Spanish system depends on theSpanish Ministry of Education and has been represented, since 1993, by the Spanish Ministry of Education in Andorra. This body is attached to the Embassy of Spain, with Technical Advice and is located in the capital of the Principality. This education system in Andorra seeks to promote the Spanish language, culture, history and geography.

Although education is in Catalan, which is the official language of the Principality, Spanish is a vehicular language in education. Some of the Spanish schools in Andorra are:

• María Moliner, which includes kindergarten and primary education, as well as the Spanish institute for secondary education and baccalaureate. This school is subsidized by the Spanish government and is secular.
• Ágora International School Andorra. It is a private school, attached to the Spanish system, but with an international focus.
• The Mare Janer, Sant Ermengol and Sagrada Familia schools are denominational schools and receive subsidies from the government of Andorra.

Andorran educational system

It has many similarities with the Spanish system, but it focuses on promoting the culture and other knowledge of the Principality. The powers of education in Andorra, as far as this system is concerned, fall to the Andorran Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, with three secretaries of State. In addition, it is managed by the Consell de les Escoles.

This system is based on the rights, freedoms and principles included in the country’s constitution. In addition, it is possible to find a school for each of the parishes of the Principality (when it comes to maternal education and primary education). When it comes to secondary education, we find the Encamp, Ordino and Santa Coloma schools. In high school, Andorra la Vella.

Characteristics of the French educational system

The French educational system responds to an agreement signed between the government of the Principality of Andorra and that of the French Republic, in matters of education. This educational model:

• It is financed and subsidized entirely by the French government.
• Depends on the French authorities in matters of education.
• The curriculum of subjects is French.
• Teaching is done in French, which is also a vehicular language.
• The French educational system comprisestwo maternal and elementary education centers (Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany). It also includes seven primary schools and the Lycée Comte de Foix.