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News 2 > Global Schools Prize - Finalists > Juan de Lanuza School – Spain

Colegio Juan de Lanuza – Spain

Founded in 1978 as a non-profit family cooperative in Zaragoza, Spain, Colegio Juan de Lanuza has evolved from a traditional school into a nationally recognised leader in "humanised technology" education. Serving 627 students aged 1–18 with 67 staff, this private, secular, multilingual school delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme and has built a pioneering vertical Computer Science curriculum spanning ages 3–18, launched in 2013, through which nearly 6,000 students have been educated.

The school's philosophy centres on technology serving human judgement, wellbeing, inclusion, and the common good rather than replacing them. This vision is anchored in four pillars: a vertical CS curriculum progressing from early exploration to cybersecurity and AI; a thriving MakerSpace (created in 2018) equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, Arduino, and Micro:bit; purpose-driven projects addressing real-world challenges; and deep family integration through initiatives like "Robotics with Families," which has helped over 150 families close the digital divide.

Major recognitions and achievements include:

  • Mentes AMI 2025 Award for digital competence development
  • SIMO Educación 2025 Award for "Technology with Meaning"
  • RetoTech 2024 National Innovation Award for an AI waste-classification project
  • Google Reference School and Arduino Certified Education Centre status
  • One of Spain's few Google Certified Innovators on staff
  • 100% university entrance pass rate in 2024, ranked #1 in Aragón among 127 schools
  • Consistently among Spain's top 100 schools (El Mundo ranking)
  • Winners in 6 of 7 categories at the 2024 Aragón Informatics Olympiad
  • 2025 Olympiad: 9 of 11 winners were girls — a landmark equity achievement
  • National runner-up in the Spanish Women's Algorithmics Olympiad
  • Finalists across all four regional Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology Olympiads

The school's commitment to equity is transformative. MakerSpace participation has grown from just 2 students in 2018 to 92 weekly users in 2025, with 55% female participation — reversing traditional STEM gender gaps. The entire teaching staff is trained in neurodiversity support using Universal Design for Learning principles.

Juan de Lanuza's influence extends globally. A staff member serves on the European Commission's expert group defining high-quality informatics guidelines for the EU. The school is a Spanish ambassador for EU Code Week, coordinates Erasmus+ projects on climate change through robotics, and maintains a Chair in Innovation with the University of Zaragoza. Through the +STEAM Aragón agreement with regional business leaders, student projects directly address industrial needs.

Standout projects include Servet X (a high-altitude pollution sensor), Remind Link (an Alzheimer's assistance app), Smart Honeycomb (low-cost infant monitoring), and the "Ethical Museum of the Future", where students debate transhumanism and AI limits.

If awarded the Prize, the school would establish the Institute for Humanised Technology — a Lanuza Open Lab for co-creation with families and industry, a Zaragoza Humane Tech Living Lab, and an Academy of Humanist Technology with free replicable "playbooks" to democratise their model globally. Their story proves STEM excellence and humanity are not opposites but partners.

Address

Office 605 Albert House
256-260 Old Street
London
EC1V 9DD
United Kingdom

Varkey Foundation Registered Charity Number 1145119


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