It started with a handful of families who refused to compromise on their children's education. Since 1967, that decision has grown into something remarkable - a school that nurtures curious, principled, and globally minded citizens in the heart of the Basque Country.
In 1967, a small group of international families in Bilbao faced a common challenge: where to educate their children in English. Rather than wait for a solution, they created one - founding ASB in the coastal town of Berango. To this day, ASB remains a parent-owned, non-profit, independent school where every decision is made with one question in mind: what is best for our children?
The American School of Bilbao provides an English-based education that inspires students to develop an open-minded and respectful attitude as global citizens. In this nurturing and diverse community, we encourage students to reach their fullest potential, and become life-long learners in a caring and safe environment.
Empower students to become lifelong learners and critical thinkers who make a positive contribution to society.
Giving back to others and to our community - learning that what we share matters more than what we keep.
Finding new ways to learn, think, and solve problems - embracing the idea that innovation is born from curiosity.
Working together across cultures and perspectives - because the best ideas emerge when diverse minds connect.
Always striving to be better - as students, as teachers, and as a school.
We combine the IB curriculum with a distinctly American approach: critical thinking, active participation, student autonomy, and inquiry-based learning. Students are not passive recipients - they are the protagonists of their own education.
ASB is governed by families and led by educators. Our leadership team combines decades of international teaching experience with a deep commitment to our community - and to knowing every child by name.
ASB's strategic direction is set by a Board of Trustees - current parents who volunteer their expertise to ensure the school's mission endures and who shape its future.
As we look ahead, our focus is clear: strengthening our academic program, deepening our community, and expanding the international partnerships that give our students a truly global perspective - staying true to the principle that started it all in 1967.
Visit our campus, meet our teachers, and see what makes our community special. We'd love to welcome your family.