Spain's Christian Schools Take Steps Toward a National Federation

Oct 22, 2026

Evangelical Christian schools in Spain are preparing to take a significant step together. At the 5th Forum on Christ-Centred Education, held in Barcelona on 30–31 October 2026, educators will be presented with a project to form a national federation of Protestant Christian schools.

The forum is hosted by Synergy International Christian School in Barcelona. ACSI Europe is contributing speakers and workshop leaders to the program.

Until now, the schools have been linked mainly by informal friendship. Synergy's director, David Philbrick, described the network to the Spanish outlet Protestante Digital as "a fraternal relationship between individuals and different organisations." The forum aims to move beyond that toward a shared structure. Philbrick says the federation will be open to every Protestant Christian school project in Spain that wishes to join.

The federation session is scheduled for Saturday 31 October, led by Óscar Mesanza and Ruth Álvarez. It will include a presentation, open discussion, questions and a symbolic commitment ceremony. Organisers describe it as a participatory presentation of the project rather than the federation's formal constitution.

A growing network

The forum's organisers currently count 19 Christ-centred school projects across 14 Spanish provinces. Nine are already operating and together serve more than 627 students; the rest are in development or still being explored. Among the organising bodies is Christian Schools in Spain, an association set up to encourage the founding of such schools.

The momentum mirrors wider evangelical growth in Spain, where the number of churches and places of worship has risen steadily in recent years.

The host school shows both the challenges and the possibilities. Synergy first opened in 2015 but had to close after the 2018–19 school year because it did not yet have authorisation from the Catalan regional government. After several years of administrative work and building renovations, it received approval and reopened in February 2022. Today it operates as an authorised American private school, accredited by two North American associations (ACSI and MSA), with around 155 students from age three through to the end of secondary school.

Why "Christ-centred"?

Philbrick explains that the term reflects a conviction that education falls short when it fails to acknowledge the Creator and to organise knowledge around Him. In his view, a central goal of schooling is wisdom: not simply gathering information, which is now available instantly, but integrating what is learned into everyday life.

In a Christ-centred school, he says, every teacher and staff member can point students to God in all aspects of school life. That includes how people live together, the school's policies, practices, and the way each subject is taught.

Fruit in students and families

Synergy was founded to offer families an education consistent with their beliefs within Spain's legal framework, to address concerns about existing options, and to share the Gospel with students. Philbrick says the school has seen all of these goals realised and more, especially in the lives of students formed in an environment that puts God at the centre.

Families have benefited too, finding a partner in raising their children according to shared convictions. As an American school, Synergy also draws evangelical families and US families serving in missions and ministry. Some of them have chosen to live in the area specifically because of the school, seeing it as a safe place for their children that frees them to focus on their work.

The forum programme and ACSI Europe's role

The forum is built around three themes: starting new Christ-centred schools (from vision to a viable project, including legislation, permits and real case studies); funding and sustainability (partnerships between schools, churches and Christian businesses, fundraising, scholarships and shared funding models); and the founding of the federation.

On Friday 30 October, participants will spend the morning at Synergy to observe its teaching approach and school culture and talk with staff. Philbrick notes that many people in Spain have never had the chance to visit a Christ-centred school. In the afternoon, Paul Madsen, Associate Director of ACSI Europe, will speak on the vision, mission and leadership of a Christ-centred school, followed by a panel discussion.

On Saturday 31 October, Jorge Pastor will address the church's role in launching and supporting a school, and Carol Paige of ACSI Europe will also speak. The afternoon offers five parallel workshops led by speakers from ACSI Europe, ORUef, ICAA and the law firm Muñoz-Caballero Abogados. After the federation session, David Philbrick will give the closing talk before a time of prayer.

The forum and network are open to churches, businesses, educators and anyone interested in Christian education in Spain. Registration and details are available on the forum website.

Adapted from reporting by Daniel Hofkamp in Protestante Digital, 21 October 2026.