Tenerife School Model Successfully Balances Academics and Elite Athletics

Balancing academic success with high-level sports is a major challenge in the Spanish education system. However, the IES Benito Pérez Armas in Santa Cruz de Tenerife has developed a successful model that takes the burden of scheduling off families, helping to prevent young athletes from dropping out of school.

The school’s Athlete Support Program (PAD) has been running since 2001 and has helped over 180 students. Instead of sticking to a rigid curriculum, the program integrates physical training directly into the school day. This makes life easier for students and allows teachers to monitor both their academic progress and their health and sports ethics. The system is flexible: the school uses its own specialized teachers for some subjects, while coordinating with outside coaches for others under faculty supervision.

The program has grown significantly over the years. While it originally focused only on elite athletes, it now supports students starting in their first year of secondary school (ESO), helping those with athletic potential develop their skills early on. By the fourth year, students are required to be affiliated with a sports club. Through partnerships with local federations and organizations, the school provides access to a wide range of facilities, including gyms, courts, swimming pools, and beach volleyball areas.

Beyond the numbers, the program’s real value lies in the community it creates. By bringing together students who share the same demanding lifestyle, the school reduces the isolation often felt by young athletes in traditional classrooms. In a system where students are often forced to choose between their studies and their sport, this Tenerife institute serves as a model for how schools can use resources and institutional support to ensure every student receives a well-rounded education.