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SIS is authorised as an IB World School; is fully accredited by CIS and NEASC; is inspected and authorised as a British international school through NABSS and the British Council in Spain; and is approved annually as a convalidated school through the Spanish authorities. This provides independent, external validation of the quality of education at SIS. It also allows us to offer a wide range of accredited International, British, American and Spanish programmes to our increasingly diverse student population.

IB World School

In December 1999, the school was inspected by the International Baccalaureate (IB) and was authorised in August 2000 to offer the IB Diploma. The school was granted IB diploma authorisation for a further five years following the IB five-year review in June 2005.

In October 2005, SIS became fully authorised IB Primary Years Programme (IBPYP) school and now offers this exciting international curriculum throughout the primary school. In August 2009, the school became an all-through IB school, following full authorisation of our IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a recognized leader in the field of international education, encouraging students to be active learners, well-rounded individuals and engaged world citizens.

• The Primary Years Programme (PYP) for pupils aged 3 to 12 focuses on the development of the whole child in the classroom and in the world outside.
• The Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students aged 11 to 16 provides a framework of academic challenge and life skills through embracing and transcending traditional school subjects.
• The Diploma Programme for students aged 16 to 19 is a demanding two-year curriculum that meets the needs of highly motivated students, and leads to a qualification that is recognized by leading universities around the world.

Each programme includes a curriculum and pedagogy, student assessment appropriate to the age range, professional development for teachers and a process of school authorization and evaluation. 
www.ibo.org

Accreditation by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)

In May 2005, the school had a pre-accreditation visit from the Council of International Schools (CIS). Following a very good report from CIS, the school embarked on a full self-evaluation process in June 2005. To validate that self-evaluation, in October 2006, we had our joint accreditation team visit from CIS, and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Following that visit, SIS was awarded full accreditation, confirming the school as a high quality international school

Council of International Schools (CIS)

CIS is a not-for-profit association of schools and post-secondary institutions working collaboratively for the continuous improvement of international education.
www.cois.org

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is USA's oldest accrediting association whose mission is the establishment and maintenance of high standards for all levels of education, from pre-K to the doctoral level.

NEASC serves more than 2,000 public and independent schools, colleges and universities in the six states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont and nearly 150 American/international schools in more than sixty nations worldwide.
www.neasc.org

National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS)

SIS has been a member of the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) for 27 years. In May 2005, we were inspected by NABSS and granted a further six-year extension of our full authorisation as a British school in Spain. This inspection process is approved by the British Council and is fully recognised by the Spanish authorities.

NABSS was founded in 1978 to promote, uphold and defend British education in Spain. One of its most important functions is to maintain contacts with the British Council, the cultural arm of the British Embassy, and with the Spanish Educational authorities in order to satisfy the requirements of Spanish legislation referring to foreign schools in Spain.

Those schools which are full members of the Association have been authorised to impart a British education in Spain.
www.nabss.org

European Council of International Schools (ECIS)

SIS is a member of the European Council for International Schools (ECIS).

ECIS schools are committed to the promotion of an international outlook amongst all members of their communities. Their staff and students are characterized by knowledge of, and respect for, the beliefs and values of their own and other cultures and by the willingness to acknowledge the existence and necessity of a range of perspectives. ECIS members and affiliate members serve and support member schools through an ongoing process of professional renewal characterized and facilitated by networking, research, sharing and collegiality.
www.ecis.org

Spanish authorisation and convalidation

SIS is authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (MEC), under ministerial Order 2/9/83, to offer a convalidated programme of Spanish Lengua and Sociales (LOGSE) to Spanish students from Year 2 to Year 13.

For those wishing to go to Spanish universities, SIS also offers a programme of preparation for the Spanish university entrance examinations. This programme commences in Year 8 and provides extra lesson through to Year 13. The situation regarding entrance to Spanish universities is due to change. SIS continues to monitor the changes and continues to prepare students for entrance to Spanish universities.

Asociación de Centros Autónomos de Enseñanza Privada

SIS is a member of the Spanish association of independent private schools, Asociación de Centros Autónomos de Enseñanza Privada, (ACADE).

ACADE was formed in 1978 as an independent body to support and promote private education in Spain.
www.acade.es