Are there free reinforcement programmes (programa PROA) for my child?

Terms used

• PROA+ — PROA+ is a state-funded programme, run by the regions, that gives free academic reinforcement to pupils in schools with many disadvantaged pupils.
• Concertados — Concertados are privately run schools that receive public funding and are free or low-cost for families.
• Orientación — The orientación is the school's guidance team, which assesses pupils' learning needs and advises teachers and families.
• Jefatura de estudios — The jefatura de estudios is the school's head of studies, who organises timetables, groups and academic support.
• Consejería de educación — The consejería de educación is the regional government's education department.

Key rules

• Applying: Families normally do not apply for PROA+ themselves: the school's tutor or guidance team proposes the pupil and the family gives consent.
• Cost: The programme is publicly funded, so there is no charge to families.
• Criteria: There is no national income or grade limit; each region and school sets its own criteria.
• Newcomer classes: Newcomer Spanish classes and PROA+ are different, and your child can use both.

Yes, free reinforcement exists, but through the school

PROA+ is a state-funded programme, run by each region, that gives extra academic support to pupils in publicly funded schools (public and concertados) with many disadvantaged pupils. It costs families nothing. You usually cannot sign up on your own. The school proposes your child and you agree.

What it offers

Support depends on the school, but it often includes:

• Small-group or in-class reinforcement.
• After-school help with homework (acompañamiento).
• Study techniques.
• Language support.
• Mentoring.
• Activities that involve families and the community.

Sessions can take place during school hours or after them. Ask the school which applies.

Who can get a place

There is no national income or grade limit. Each region sets its own criteria, and each school decides which pupils to propose.

• Schools are chosen by the region. Typical reasons are a high share of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, immigrant families or ethnic minorities, and low results.
• Pupils are chosen by the school. Typical cases are a learning delay, a risk of falling behind or leaving school, a late arrival in the Spanish system, or gaps in Spanish.

If your child's school does not take part, it cannot offer the programme. Ask the school directly.

How to get your child considered

The tutor or the guidance team (orientación) identifies pupils who need help and proposes them. The school then informs you, and you give your consent. Groups usually start at the beginning of the school year, or when a need is noticed during the year.

You can speed this up. Ask the tutor or the head of studies (jefatura de estudios) to consider your child. Describe any delay or language gap you have seen at home. The checklist below gives the steps in order. Timing and procedure differ by region and school.

It is not the same as newcomer Spanish classes

Newcomer language classes are a regional measure for recently arrived pupils. Examples are aulas de enlace in Madrid, ATAL in Andalucía and aulas de acollida in Catalonia. They teach Spanish, usually for a limited period and during school hours. PROA+ is broader reinforcement for pupils in disadvantaged schools. Your child can use one or both, and they often work well together.

Names change by region

Each region runs its own version, so the name differs. You may see PROA+ itself, Programas de Refuerzo in Andalucía (PROA Andalucía), Programa de Acompañamiento, or Plan de Éxito Educativo in Catalonia. To find your region's scheme, search your regional education department (consejería de educación) website for "PROA+", or ask the head of studies or the guidance counsellor.

Checklist

• Ask the tutor or head of studies (jefatura de estudios) whether your child's school takes part in PROA+.

• Tell the tutor or guidance team (orientación) about any learning delay or language gap you have noticed.

• Give your consent when the school informs you that it proposes your child.

• Ask which groups your child will join and when they take place, in or outside school hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is PROA+ the same as the newcomer Spanish classes at my child's school?

No, PROA+ is different from newcomer Spanish classes such as aulas de enlace in Madrid, ATAL in Andalucía or aulas de acollida in Catalonia. Those classes teach Spanish to recently arrived pupils, usually for a limited time during school hours. PROA+ is a wider reinforcement programme, and a child can use one or both.

Does every school offer PROA+?

No, PROA+ runs only in publicly funded schools that the region selects, usually those with many disadvantaged pupils. Both public and concertado schools (privately run but publicly funded) can take part.

What is the PROA+ programme called in my region?

The name varies by region: it is Programas de Refuerzo (PROA Andalucía) in Andalucía, and Plan de Éxito Educativo or similar in Catalonia. To find yours, search your regional education department (consejería de educación) website for 'PROA+'. You can also ask the school's guidance counsellor.

Is there a national income or grade limit to get a place in PROA+?

No, there is no single national threshold for pupils in PROA+. Each region sets its own detailed criteria, and the school picks pupils who are behind or at risk of falling behind. Learning difficulties, late arrival in the school system and language gaps are typical reasons to be chosen.