Valencia Learning Design | Design Thinking & Social-Emotional Education Spain

Valencia

LEARNING DESIGN

Learning

That Reflects the Real

World

At ACIL Valencia, we redesigned school to match how people learn through curiosity, teamwork, and real connection. Our model combines Social Emotional Learning, personalized AI powered learning guided by licensed educators, and the Design Thinking process. It is a human centered approach that helps students grow for real life, not only for exams.

And It Works

Personalized AI powered Learning

ACIL students learn more and grow faster when they are not limited by a one size fits all classroom for 6 hours.

Students Rank in the Top 20 worldwide.

83% of our students perform above the international average in MAP testing, confirming that personalized learning leads to academic excellence.

Deeper Understanding

Through advanced technology and mastery based learning, ACIL students gain deeper understanding and retain material longer.

Kids Love School

Manage and Reduce Your Debt Effectively

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

The Heart of Everything We Do

Core Skills

We believe students learn best when they feel safe, seen, and supported. That’s why we begin each day with Morning Brew - a 30-minute community circle where students check in, set personal goals, and participate in meaningful activities that build emotional awareness, empathy, and connection with peers.

From learning how to name complex emotions to building deep trust in group discussions, SEL is not a side subject - it’s the foundation of our learning community.

More Than Just Book Smarts

At ACIL, we know that success isn't just about acing exams - it’s about thriving in the real world. That’s why we go beyond textbooks and test scores to equip students with the life skills they actually need. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is woven into everything we do, ensuring our students develop emotional intelligence, relational skills, and critical thinking. Whether they’re tackling a group project, leading a team, or navigating life’s inevitable curveballs, ACIL students are prepared to face challenges with confidence.

Built on the Best Research

Our Social-Emotional Learning approach isn’t just a trend - it’s backed by some of the brightest minds in education. Developed at Stanford d.school and incubated at Stanford’s Institute of Design, our method is rooted in cutting-edge research. ACIL continues to work with Stanford affiliates to refine and enhance our approach, ensuring that our students benefit from the latest innovations in human-centered learning.

Purpose, Belonging, and Future-Ready Skills

What sets ACIL apart? We don’t just teach; we inspire. Our approach fosters a deep sense of purpose and belonging, making students feel seen, heard, and valued. By integrating Social-Emotional Learning with our forward-thinking curriculum, we empower students to connect with others, lead with empathy, and embrace challenges with resilience.

Design Thinking

Curiosity Leads the Way

Our students don’t memorize answers. They ask questions, explore real-world challenges, and take ownership of their learning. The Design Thinking Process gives them a clear path to turn curiosity into action.

At ACIL, inquiry leads to real action.

Our students:

Launched a clothes upcycling initiative, ending with a public fashion show
Created a recycling campaign that extended into other Valencia schools
Performed improv theatre in public parks, bringing laughter and social commentary to the streets
And developed many more bold, community-centered projects

When students are trusted to lead, they rise with purpose, passion, and impact.

It’s a 6-step creative problem-solving cycle that empowers students to:

Empathize with real people
Define meaningful problems
Ideate bold solutions
Prototype real products/projects
Test and improve based on feedback
Launch. Make an Impact

Empathize. Start with People
Students explore real, human-centered issues through fieldwork, interviews, observations, and surveys. They gain a deep understanding of people and emotions behind the problem.

Define. Frame the Challenge
They analyze findings and identify a clear, meaningful problem to solve. This sets direction for the project.

Ideate. Think Big
Students brainstorm bold ideas, using creative thinking tools and teamwork to generate possibilities.

Prototype. Bring Ideas to Life
They build tangible versions of their best ideas: campaigns, apps, events, installations, or performances.

Test. Learn from Feedback
Students share prototypes with peers, facilitators, or community members, then refine based on real input.

Launch. Make an Impact
They present final products to a public audience: publishing books, creating campaigns, painting murals, or staging performances.

At ACIL, students do more than create PowerPoint slides.
They turn ideas into real action and build the skills they need to create meaningful change.

Field Experiences

Academics matter. Students receive clear tools for mastery in every core subject, backed by research on effective learning.

At ACIL, learning also moves beyond the classroom. Every Wednesday, students take part in real life experiences in culinary arts, DJ live sets, music production, contemporary art, and many many more. They work with experts and practice skills they can use right away.

We collaborate with leading organizations that train professionals and issue certifications. These experts teach our students directly. Your child earns high school credits while learning from the same people who shape their industries.