Schools in Spain >> How to choose the best education for your child

There are many things to get right when considering your move to Spain. If you have a family, none is more important than choosing the best school for your child. This guide is part of our Education in Spain series. It can be read standalone or in conjunction with the other guides, especially Education in Spain >> An Easy Introduction for Expat Families.

When moving to Spain, it is highly recommended to consult and/or enlist the services of professional experts. One thing we know is that no one person can know everything about all aspects! In this case, we offer a School Search Service that you may find useful.

The Spanish Education System

The Spanish education system provides free and fee-based schooling of generally high quality. School attendance is compulsory for children between the ages of six and 16, with a focus on equity, inclusiveness, and individual attention for educational achievement. The system is decentralized, with the 17 Spanish autonomous communities managing and delivering education alongside national education policy.

Structure

The Spanish education system is structured into four stages:

Educational Stage	Age Range
Early Childhood (Educación Infantil) (not compulsory)	0-3(1st Cycle)
	3-6 (2nd Cycle)
Primary (Primaria)(compulsory)	6-12
Secondary (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO))(compulsory)	12-16
Upper Secondary (Bachillerato and Formación Profesional)	16-18

In the first stage, nursery and preschool education attendance is optional. The primary and secondary phases are compulsory. The system includes both public and private schools, with some private schools receiving public funding (concertados schools).

Choosing the Best School in Spain

Characteristics of Top Performing Schools

Several factors characterize top-performing schools in Spain. Most, but not all, are private institutions equipped with better resources and facilities.

Many top schools offer bilingual education in English and other major languages, which helps students prepare for international education. This is complemented by international curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), British, or American curricula.

They tend to focus on individualized learning and student development. These schools typically have state-of-the-art technology and well-equipped libraries and sports facilities.

Top schools often have experienced and qualified teachers and a wide range of extracurricular activities. This fosters a strong sense of community, with students from diverse backgrounds learning and growing together.

Characteristics of Top Performing Schools in Spain	Private Education
	Bilingual Education
	International Curriculum
	Personalized Education
	High-Quality Facilities
	Experienced Staff
	Many Extracurricular Activities
	Strong Community

Public vs. Private Schools: What Expat Parents Need to Know

Public (state) schools are generally free to attend, while international schools require tuition fees.

Around a third of children in Spain attend private or semi-private schools (concertadas). Many expat families choose to send their children to private schools to ensure a smoother transition from their native country and better language support. Having said that, figures show the majority of expats send their children to public schools. This allows children to integrate fully into local life and become fluent in Spanish.

Your decision depends on factors like your length of stay in Spain, the ages of your children, and your priorities regarding learning, language, and integration. So, let’s examine the pros and cons of public and private schools.

Language and Integration into Spanish Life

Public schools are a great option if you plan to stay in Spain for the long term. Your child will learn Spanish and integrate with the local culture and community— arguably quicker than you! If the school is in a region with a co-language (for example, Valenciano), they will also learn this language.

However, this can be challenging for children (especially older ones) who are not fluent in Spanish and have difficulty adapting to a different curriculum. Here, private schools provide more flexibility by eliminating the language barrier with classes in your native language and allowing your child to continue their current curriculum. Private (especially international) schools often have a diverse student body and can provide a more cosmopolitan environment. However, they do not necessarily offer the same level of integration into your local community.

Curriculum

Unsurprisingly, public schools follow the Spanish national curriculum. Private, and especially international schools, offer a variety of curricula.

Facilities and Resources

Here, money talks. Public schools typically have limited resources and facilities compared to their private counterparts, which benefit from private funding.

Higher Education Opportunities

Broadly speaking, public schools prepare students for Spanish national qualifications and the Bachillerato, leading to study at Spanish universities. Private schools steer their students to international qualifications like the IB, which increases their chances of higher education opportunities across Europe and the US.

Teaching Staff and Class Sizes

Public schools typically have Spanish-speaking teachers, while private schools often have teachers from various nationalities, including native English speakers. As is usual with public versus private schools, public school class sizes tend to be larger (around 30 to private school class sizes of 20-24).

Overall, with exceptions, private schools in Spain tend to outperform public schools in academic performance. However, many excellent and well-regarded public schools also provide high-quality education.

International Schools in Spain

There are some 300 international schools in Spain. Like all private schools, they are fee-paying. But some differences set them apart. By definition, they are organized around catering to students from many countries and, as such, offer some distinct advantages for internationally-minded students. 

Advantages of International Schools in Spain for Expat Students

The main advantages of attending an international school revolve around language, curricula, resources, and culture.

Language, Teaching Staff, and Facilities

International schools often have teachers from various nationalities, including native English speakers. This allows teaching in English and other languages, such as French, German, or Italian.

Typically, they have better facilities and resources, which leads to a broader and deeper range of extracurricular activities than other private schools.

Curriculum and International Qualifications

As mentioned, international schools offer a variety of curricula. This allows you to choose the one best suited to your child (in both language and education) and provide them with a globally recognized qualification.

At the same time, they provide a cultural environment aligned with your native country. In such communities, your child will mix with other expats. This is helpful if you have recently arrived in Spain and helps maintain ties with your culture.

Selecting the Right International School

When looking for a place to live, the first consideration is location, location, location. Many of the 300 international schools are located in Madrid, Barcelona, and along the Costas (although there are exceptions). If you are not in the area of your chosen school, you may need to consider boarding options.

Curriculum, Qualifications, and Primary Language

Choose a school that follows a curriculum that aligns with your child’s previous education and your future plans. For example, if you plan to move back to your home country, a school that follows the same curriculum as your home country is probably a good choice.

Ensure the school offers the qualifications your child needs for higher education. Some schools offer multiple types of certificates, so it is essential to research the options.

On language most international schools use English or French as the primary language of instruction. However, some schools offer other languages and/or bilingual programs.

Reputation and Results

Research the school’s reputation by consulting reviews and ratings from organizations like The International Schools Database or take a look at our International Schools in Spain review.

International schools in Spain are accredited by organizations—for example, the Council of British International Schools—ensuring they meet standards for language instruction and support. Make sure your potential school is accredited by a recognized education organization in your home country.

Do not overlook visiting the school — either as part of the school’s outreach or arranged by yourself — to meet the teachers, see the facilities, and get a general feel of the place.

And don’t forget word of mouth. Connect with any parent associations for additional help and advice from both expats and Spanish parents. Speak with your fellow expats, especially those with children at the schools you are considering. They have paid for their insights; you will get a reliable opinion!

Fees and Enrolment

Fees vary significantly depending on the children’s ages, location, school record, and reputation. They can range from around €2,000 to over €20,000 per year.

Admission and Enrolment Procedures

Some schools require academic and/or language testing or personality assessments before registration. Be sure to research and understand the procedures and requirements.

Extracurricular Activities and Facilities

Consider the types of activities and facilities available, such as sports, arts, and language courses, to ensure they align with your child’s interests.

Enrolling in Spanish Schools: Practical Steps

Non-Spanish resident children can attend Spanish public schools without restriction. But it can be a complex process.

Private fee-paying schools have a similar admission process to public schools but with some flexibility in admission requirements along with any particular conditions of their own.

International schools often have a more selective admission process, with requirements such as language proficiency tests and interviews.

Navigating the Admission Process – Public Schools

Before you start, you must be a resident of the area you are applying for. Therefore, it is imperative that you have the certificate of empadronamineto (El Padrón). Once you have that done, the following steps will tell you the documentation you need and what you need to do to register your child for a public school in Spain.

1. Determine Eligibility

Ensure your child meets the age requirements for the school and education stage:

• Educación Infantil (second cycle) – Between three and six years old
• Primaria education – Between six and 12 years old 
• Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) – At least 12-years old 
• Bachillerato or Formación Profesional education – At least 16-years old 

2. Choose the Right School

You can see the public schools in your area by looking at your local council’s (ayuntamiento) website. Ayuntamientos play a large role in public education, so it’s worth researching the education section carefully.

In addition to public school listings with links to the schools, you will find information on school year dates, admission processes (and key dates), and necessary documents.

3. Gather Required Documents

As you would expect, you need several documents to support your child’s application.

Documents Required to Apply for Public School in Spain	Proof residence (El Padrón)	A must-have document
	Your child’s birth certificate or passport
	Your child’s birth certificate or passport	If they require one
	Your child’s visa
	Medical certificate	If not in Spanish, this must be officially translated
	Two passport-size photographs of your child

4. Submit Applications

This is the first of the two main elements of the process, the second being enrolment (see below). You must submit your application during the enrolment window, which varies in different regions but is generally a specific period between February and April (although it is the first week of June in my area). You can complete the form online and submit applications electronically via your ayuntamiento website.

The form usually allows you to choose multiple schools. It is recommended that you add your second and third choices, as it is possible that you won’t get your first-choice school.

5. Follow Up

Provisional List
Now that you have applied, you must wait until the provisional list of admitted students is published. This takes around a month on average. If your child’s name is not on the list of any of your chosen schools, you can contact the local Comisión de Escolarización, usually through your ayuntamiento. They can provide guidance on what to do next and help resolve any issues.

Final List
If your child’s name is not on the provisional list, it does not necessarily mean they will not be selected. The final list follows the provisional list. You can appeal the decision if your child’s name is not on the final list. This may involve providing additional information or documentation.

6. Enrolment

This is the second of the two main steps. Once your child is admitted, you finalize enrolment by visiting the school and completing the necessary paperwork. Act quickly. You may only have a few days to complete it. In my area, after the Final List is published, you have four days to enroll online. After this, you have to go to the school in person within three days.

7. Confirmation

Once the enrollment process is complete, you will receive confirmation of your child’s enrollment.

Ongoing – School Communication

Once you have enrolled your child, maintain communication with the school. This being Spain, things can change without notice. You wouldn’t want your child to turn up on the second day of term!

Important note: The admission criteria and process will vary by autonomous community. They may also change from one year to the next. Check with your local education department for your area’s current and specific requirements.

Additional Requirements and Differences for Private Schools

Admission Requirements

Private schools may have their own admission rules and requirements, such as interviews, knowledge and language tests, and assessment of academic records.

Application and Enrolment Periods

Private schools may differ from public schools. For instance, if your arrival date means your child misses the public school enrolment window, you can consider enrolling them in a private school until the next public enrolment window opens.

Integration and Support in School

Language Integration

Most schools will offer support to pupils who have a low level of Spanish when they join. Pupils receive several hours a week of individualized or small group instruction to improve their Spanish. At the same time, this helps with integration into the local community and culture. However, the quality and effectiveness of these programs can vary across regions and schools.

Some international schools offer bilingual programs, teaching in both English and Spanish. This helps expat students learn Spanish while continuing their studies. Private and international schools can also provide language clubs.

Extracurricular and Support Services

As you would expect, all schools offer extracurricular activities like sports, music, and various clubs. Private and international schools usually offer a broader range of activities, including subjects such as robotics. They may also offer more opportunities for leadership and community service.

Support in Private and International Schools in Spain

These schools can offer additional support by aligning the curriculum with the pupil’s home country to ensure continuity in education and a smoother transition. They also tend to employ teachers experienced in working with expat students, who provide focused support and guidance.

Recommendations and Resources

Best Schools in Spain in Expat Locations

Public Schools

Spain has approximately 18,000 public schools. Split across the educational stages:

• Educación Primaria: 10-11,000 schools
• Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO): 4- 5,000
• Bachillerato: 2-3,000

Research your local area to find the best schools available for your child. School Finder Spain is an excellent place to start.

Private Schools

Roughly two-thirds of Spain’s top private and international schools are located in areas where many expats live. Here is a selection by region:

Andalucía
Type	School	Location
International	Colegio Internacional San Francisco de Paula	Sevilla
	Colegio Inglés San Patricio	Málaga
	Colegio Highlands Sevilla	Sevilla
	Colegio Internacional Torrequebrada	Benalmádena
	Colegio El Centro Inglés	El Puerto de Santa María
	Aloha College	Marbella
Private	Colegio El Romeral	Málaga
	Colegio Cerrado de Calderón	Málaga
	Colegio Alminar	Dos Hermanas
	Colegio Salliver	Fuengirola
	Colegio Ahlzahir	Córdoba
	Colegio Atalaya	Estepona
	Colegio San Estanislao de Kostka	Málaga
	Colegio Ecos	Marbella
	Colegio Novaschool Añoreta	Rincón de la Victoria
	Colegio La Luna	Mairena del Aljarafe
	Colegio de Fomento Tabladilla	Sevilla
	Colegio La Presentación	Granada
	Colegio Maristas San Fernando	Sevilla
	Colegio Mulhacén	Granada

Cataluña
Type	School	Location
International	St. Peter’s School	Barcelona
	Benjamin Franklin International School	Barcelona
	The British School of Barcelona	Barcelona
	Oak House School	Barcelona
	St. Peter’s School	Barcelona
	American School of Barcelona	Barcelona
	Ágora Sant Cugat International School	Barcelona
	Lycée Français de Barcelone	Barcelona
	Hamelin-Laie International School	Montgat
	La Miranda	Barcelona

Madrid
Type	School	Location
International	Colegio Internacional SEK-El Castillo	Villanueva de la Cañada
	Runnymede College	Madrid
	International College Spain	Alcobendas
	AlcKing’ss	Madrid
	The British Council School	Madrid
	American School of Madrid	Madrid
	Hastings School	Madrid
	Colegio Internacional J.H. Newman	Madrid
Private	Colegio San Patricio	Madrid
	Colegio Nuestra Señora del Recuerdo	Madrid
	Colegio Estudio	Madrid
	Colegio Santa María del Pilar	Madrid
	Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola	Torrelodones
	Colegio Brains	Madrid
	Colegio El Valle	Madrid
	Colegio Santa María de los Rosales	Madrid
	Colegio Retamar	Pozuelo de Alarcón
	Colegio Mirabal	Boadilla del Monte
	Colegio Fomento El Prado	Madrid
	Colegio Los Sauces	Madrid

Valencia
Type	School	Location
International	Colegio Internacional Levante	Valencia
	Caxton College	Valencia
	El Plantío International School of Valencia	Valencia
	British School of Valencia	Valencia
	Cambridge House Community College	Valencia
	Iale International School	L’Eliana
	Newton College	Elche
	El Limonar International School Villamartín	Alicante
	Colegio Laude Newton College	Elche
	King’s College Alicante	Alicante
	Lycée Français d’Alicante	Alicante
	Laude The Lady Elizabeth School	Benitachell
Private	Colegio Mas Camarena	Valencia
	Colegio Inmaculado Corazón de María	Valencia
	Colegio Santa Ana	Valencia
	Colegio Esclavas del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús	Valencia
	Colegio Santa María del Carmen	Alicante
	Colegio Inmaculada Jesuitas	Alicante
	Colegio Aitana	Elche
	Colegio San Agustín	Alicante

Please take a look at our International Schools in Spain directory for more information.

Community and Parental Involvement

Wherever you educate your child, involvement with their education and school is vital. Arguably, this importance is higher when moving your child from your home country to Spain.

Most public and concertado schools in Spain run parent-teacher associations known as Asociación de Madres y Padres de Alumnos (AMPA). AMPAs inform and advise you about your child’s education and promote your involvement in school governance. They foster relationships within the educational community, conduct educational activities, and generally reinforce the school’s values and objectives. As a positive spin-off, the AMPA also connects you with other parents, which can widen your social network.

When looking at schools, check to see if they have an AMPA. It is not unusual for schools to charge a small annual membership fee to join an AMPA. But the benefits far outweigh the cost — from discounts on school trips to a better educational experience for your child.

Private schools also operate AMPAs but can also opt to communicate directly with parents. If your child’s school does not have an AMPA, you can stay involved by participating in school communications (for example, WhatsApp groups). I would also consider volunteering for school activities and events, participating in school governance where possible, and meeting and speaking with other parents.

Conclusion

Choosing the best school in Spain is a crucial decision for expat families. There is a reasonably wide and good choice in Spain. Your final decision comes down to your approach to education, lifestyle choice, and finances.

Factors such as curriculum, location, language support, and extracurricular activities come into play. More specific ones to you will also arise. If you take away one piece of advice, it’s to be as involved as possible with the school you choose — both during and after your selection process.

By following this guide, you, as an expat parent, can make an informed decision about your child’s education. This will give yo

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