One of the most important decisions you need to make when you relocate to the Costa del Sol (or even before you decide where to live), is where to send your children to school.
Your Children’s education is one of, if not the most, important factor when making the choice to move somewhere to live; so take your time to find the right place for them. The Costa del Sol has a great selection of both International schools and state run schools so what ever your decision is, you can be assured that your children will benefit form a very good education.
When choosing, consider your child's age. State school lessons are taught in Castilian Spanish or the local dialect, and small children thrown 'in at the deep end' adapt more easily than those of secondary school age. In popular expat areas, other English-speaking children in class may help translate.
International schools in Spain
International schools involve fees whereas state schools are free from age 5. Most follow a UK syllabus, up to GCSEs and A/S levels, where state schools offer the 'bachillerato' diploma. For entry it is usually necessary to show exam results, a report from the previous school, birth certificate, medical and vaccination certificates.
Check our blog for descriptions of the schools: International Schools on the Costa del Sol
We have listed below some of the best International and Private schools on the Costa del Sol
Schools in the Marbella Area
Aloha College
Urb. El Angel,
Nueva Andalucía,
29660, Marbella,
Málaga,
Spain
Tel: (+34) 95 281 4133 Fax:(+34) 95 281 2729
Email: aloha@aloha-college.com
Web site: http://www.aloha-college.com
Calpe College International School
Ctra de Cádiz, Km 171,
Apartado 2000,
29670 San Pedro Alcántara,
Málaga
Tel: (+34) 952 781479 Fax: (+34) 952 789416
Email: info@calpecollegeschool.com
Web site: http://www.calpecollegeschool.com
Les Roches-Marbella Hotel Management School.
Urb Lomas de Rio Verde,
Nueva Andalucia,
Marbella
Tel: (+34) 952 764 437
Email: admission@lesroches.es
Website: www.lesroches.es
Laude San Pedro International College
Urb. Nueva Alcántara Calle "G",
San Pedro de Alcántara
29670, Málaga
Tel: (+34) 952 799 900
Email: info@laudesanpedro.com
Web site: www.laudesanpedro.com
Swans International Primary School
Urb. El Capricho s/n,
29600 Marbella,
Malaga
Tel: (+34) 952 773248 Fax: (+34) 952 776431
Email: info@swansschool.net
Web site: http://www.swansschool.net
The English International College
Urb Ricmar,
Carretera Cadiz
Málaga Km 189.5,
29600, Marbella,
Spain
Tel: (+34) 95 283 1058 Fax: (+34) 95 283 8992
Email: dirstudies@eic.edu
Web site: www.eic.edu
Colegio Alemán Juan Hoffman – Elviria
Plaza de Alemania, s/n Next to la Mairena in Elviria
Tlf: 952 831 417
Email: sekretariat@dsmalaga.com
Web: www.deutsche-schule-malaga.com
Svenska Skolan
”Casa de los ninos”
c/o Centro Forestal Sueco,
Ctra. N-340, km 176,
Urb.Rio Verde,
29600 Marbella,
Málaga
Tel: (+34) 952 927 282
Email: helena@svenskaskolanmarbella.com
Web: www.svenskaskolanmarbella.com
Schools on the New Golden Mile Area
Mayfair Academy
Centro Commercial Costasol LC 31,
Bel-Air,
Estepona,
Malaga 29680,
Spain
Tel: (+34) 952 784 923 Fax:(+34) 952 789381
Email: info@mayfairacademy.com
Web site: http://www.mayfairacademy.com
International School Estepona
Tel: (+34) 654 065 248 or 645 515 891
Email: info@marbellaschool.com
Website: www.marbellaschool.com
Sotogrande International School
Apartado 15, 11310,
Sotogrande,
Provincia de Cadiz,
Spain
Tel: (+34) 956 795902 Fax:(+34) 956 794816
Email: info@sis.ac
Web site: http://www.sis.ac
Schools on the rest of the Costa del Sol
Benalmadena International College
C/Catarmaran s/n,
Nueva Torrequebrada,
29630 Benalmadena Costa
Tel/Fax: (+34) 952 561666 (+34) 952 561666
Email: info@bic-benal.com
Web site: http://www.bic-benal.com
St. Anthony’s College
Apartado de Correos 119,
29640 Fuengirola,
Malaga
Tel: (+34) 952 473166 Fax: (+34) 952 462021
Email: info@stanthonyscollege.com
Web site: http://www.stanthonyscollege.com
Sunland International School
Cartera Cartama-Pizarra
Nueva Aljaima
Cartama Estacion
Malaga, 29580,
Spain
Tel: (+34) 902 502 250 Fax: (+34) 952 230 112
Email: admin@sunland-int.com
Web site: http://www.sunland-int.com
Sunny View School
c/- Teruel 32
Cerro del Toril
29620, Torremolinos
Spain
Tel: (+34) 952 383164 Fax: (+34) 952 372695
Email: sunny@acade.es
Web site: http://www.nabss.org/sunny.htm
Private Spanish Schools
Colegio San José
Urb. Guadalmina,
29678 Marbella
Málaga
Tlf: 952 883 858
Fax: 952 882 637
Email: info@colegiosanjose.net
Web: www.colegiosanjose.net
Colegio San José
La Cala
29680 Estepona
Málaga
Tlf: 952 800 148
Fax: 952 801 810
Email: info@colegiosanjose.net
Web: www.colegiosanjose.net
Colegio Alborán
Urb. Ricmar,s/n
Carretera Cádiz- Málaga, Km. 183,3
Marbella
Tlf.: 952 839 645
Fax: 952 83 96 46
Email: info@colegioalboran.org
Web: www.colegioalboran.org
Colegio Ecos Las Chapas
Urb. Elviria, s/n
29600 Las Chapas,
Marbella, Málaga
Tlf.: 952 834 864
Fax: 952 834 678
Email: secretaria.ecos@atendis.com
Web: www.ecos.attendis.es
Colegio La Latina
Urb. El Mirador, 70
Marbella, Málaga
Tlf.: 952 770 352
Web: www.colegiolalatina.com
Email: apa@colegiolalatina.com
Additional School advice
If your children don't speak English as their first language then a wide range of Cambridge English examinations are open to them in their schools or privately. Make use of the dynamic Marbella Cambridge group offering teaching and examinations from the Cambridge Examinations Board.
Nursery education is of a high standard and often council-run. Opening times are 0800-1730 and the cost is reasonable.
To enrol, firstly ensure your child is on the local town hall register ('padron') and therefore within the catchment area. After that you will require: 2 photos, medical/vaccination certificates, copy of entry on town hall padron, child's passport, birth certificate, copy of mother's passport, marriage certificate and social security card
Infant/Primary schools are for ages 3 to14. No uniform, teachers called by first names, open 0900-1700 with a 2-3 hour break in the middle