SCHOOLS COSTA BLANCA

SCHOOLS ON THE COSTA BLANCA

At Altea Moraira Villas, we are aware that moving to Spain is not just about finding and acquiring a new home, especially for families with children. Since most of us in the office have children ourselves, we understand that finding a good school for your children is as important as finding the right home, as the education of our children is essential and something we care about.

As one of the go-to Dutch real estate agents in Altea, on the Northern Costa Blanca, we go far beyond just selling properties, because we believe that guiding our clients through every step of moving to Spain is important. We will never sell a property and disappear, because that's not how you support an international client, so let's start this guide on schools on the Costa Blanca and the education system in Spain.

DOES SPAIN HAVE A GOOD EDUCATION SYSTEM?

This question is very common among people looking for the right school or wanting to make the right decision for their children.

There is no "yes or no" answer because it's very subjective, and everyone can have their own opinion, but according to the European Commission, Spain is currently ranked in the top 11 education systems.

I personally studied in Spain my entire life, and in recent years, Spain's education system has greatly improved in terms of quality of education, innovation, infrastructure, and even the curriculum to adapt to Spanish and foreign students who wish to continue their studies abroad.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE SPANISH EDUCATION SYSTEM?

In Spain, the education system is fully managed by each autonomous region and offers a wide range of high-quality public and private schools.

Education in Spain is free for all children between 6 and 16 years old, although education is not compulsory once your children turn 16, the age at which they decide whether to continue studying (Bachillerato "2 years"), pursue vocational training, or enter the workforce.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT SCHOOL IN SPAIN?

It is very important to keep in mind the region to which you plan to move, because, as mentioned earlier, autonomous regions have full control, which means there are differences in educational procedures, school hours, and application periods.

In this case, and for this guide, we will focus on the Costa Blanca, which belongs to the Valencian Community, so the Valencian regional government determines the rules.

In Spain, we have 3 types of schools: public schools, private schools, and semi-private schools (concertado) subsidized by the government but privately managed.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when looking for the right school on the Costa Blanca:

Spanish (Castellano) is the language of instruction in Spain, but depending on the region, there are additional official languages. On the Costa Blanca, this would be the Valencian language (Valenciano), as we are part of the Valencian Community. This means that learning Valencian in school is mandatory, and even some subjects such as history and natural sciences are taught in this language. Try to make a wishlist of your expectations before you start searching. Write down everything from the curriculum to the language, to your children's preferences in terms of extracurricular activities. Then, compile your list of schools, arrange a visit to each of them, and be sure to ask all your questions, such as taught subjects, class sizes, special induction classes for foreign children, school hours, etc. Keep in mind that the initial application process usually takes place in May on the Costa Blanca. You can submit an application outside this period, but your options may be very limited. Also, be aware that you may encounter a waiting list, so you need to check and follow the application deadlines. If your intention is to attend a public school and your Spanish is not proficient enough, it is highly recommended to bring a Spanish-speaking friend to translate, as it may be difficult to find an English-speaking administrator or secretary at most public schools. To see the list of schools in your area, you can consult the official website of education in Valencia (Guía de Centros Docentes), where you can find all relevant information about public schools. For private schools, typically each school has its website. HOW IS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IN SPAIN? The first and most important question is usually whether education is free in Spain, and as mentioned in this guide, education is free, and all children of compulsory education have a guaranteed place in a public school. Being registered at the town hall (Ayuntamiento) with a "Padron" is sufficient for enrollment.

Education in Spain is compulsory for all children between 6 – 16 years old and is divided into primary and secondary school. Primary school (primaria) spans from 6 – 12 years, and secondary school (secundaria / ESO) spans from 12 to 16 years.

Upon completing secondary school at age 16, there are a few options:

Bachillerato: Bachillerato is considered the upper secondary education and consists of an additional 2 years, which (if successful) concludes at age 18. Bachillerato, followed by an entrance exam, grants direct access to university, or you can proceed directly to "grado-superior," which I will explain next. Grado Medio: Grado Medio is considered vocational training, typically intended for individuals with a very specific and clear idea of what they want to learn, as this is often much more practical than university, which is more theoretical. Grado Medio also lasts 2 years, but once completed, it does not grant significant access to anything, as you must follow this with another 2 years of "grado-superior," the higher level of vocational training. Upon completing the 4-year vocational training, you can work or still choose to attend university, where you gain direct access to subjects studied in your vocational training. Work: Full-time work at age 16 is not very common in Spain, but it is a valid option since it is no longer mandatory to study once you are 16 years old. WHAT LANGUAGES ARE TAUGHT IN SPANISH SCHOOLS? As discussed earlier, education falls under the autonomy of regions, so we must consider co-official languages such as Valencian in the Valencia area, Catalan in Catalonia, Gallego in Galicia, or Basque in the Basque Country.

The Costa Blanca belongs to the Valencia region, which means that in all public schools, Valencian is compulsory. However, don't stress too much because many schools on the Costa Blanca offer adjustment classes for foreign students.

Private schools do not always require Valencian and usually focus more on international languages such as English.

WHAT ARE THE BEST INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ON THE COSTA BLANCA?

You will find many international school options on the Costa Blanca, and the better choices are all schools that are members of organizations such as NABBS (National Association of British Schools in Spain) or COBISEC (the Council of British Independent Schools in the European Community).

WHAT ARE THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL FEES ON THE COSTA BLANCA?

The costs of international schools range from €2,000 to €10,000 per year. Generally, this fee excludes extras such as stationery, lunch, excursions, transportation; which means an additional cost of about €1,000 per year.

This information is very general, and I have not contacted all schools to inquire about their prices, so for those who want to delve deeper, please contact the school you are interested in and ask for all relevant information.

LIST OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS ON THE COSTA BLANCA

Here are some of the most well-known and reputable international schools on the Costa Blanca:

King’s College – The British School of Alicante Located on the outskirts of Alicante, this is a British school designed for children aged 3 to 18 years. The school follows the English national curriculum and the Spanish curriculum with bilingual education in English and Spanish.

Laude Newton College Established in 1991 and located in Elche, Alicante, this school offers education from early years to the Spanish bachillerato level. In early and primary education, it follows the British curriculum, and in secondary education and bachillerato, it meets the requirements of the Spanish education system. With Valencian language in early years and German by the sixth year of primary education, children will have multilingual education.

The Lady Elizabeth School The primary and secondary schools are located on one campus in Benitachell, Alicante, a beautiful area on the Costa Blanca. Established in 1987, the school offers both English and Spanish curricula for graduates to progress to universities in the UK, Spain, and the rest of Europe.

Xabia International College XIC offers students both the British curriculum and the Spanish curriculum. The school is currently divided into two locations, as primary and secondary, and will have a new secondary school campus under construction in Javea (Xabia).

Elian’s British School Located in the town of La Nucia, this school is a member of IEP (International Education Partnership), an educational group that owns several private schools in Spain. IEP is also a subsidiary of a group of successful schools in Sweden; Internationella Engelska Skolan. The English national curriculum is applied from early education to the end of primary education, and the Spanish curriculum leads to the Spanish bachillerato.

El Limonar International School ELIS follows the national curriculum for England and Wales and also offers American and Spanish university preparation. The school caters to students aged 3 to 18 years. The majority of students are Spanish, but there are also some from over 20 different countries. The school has 2 campuses, one in Villamartin, Alicante, and the other in Murcia.

Phoenix International School This international school, located in San Miguel de Salinas on the Costa Blanca, is an option for students from Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, and surrounding areas. It follows the British National Curriculum and caters to students aged 4 to 18 years. It is divided into primary, secondary, and college stages. A small school for families, formerly known as Mar Azul International School.

Sierra Bernia School Established in 1973, this British school in Alfaz del Pi, near Benidorm, offers British education to students of all nationalities aged 3 to 18 years.

Altea International School (AIS) Founded in 2012 and located inland near La Nucia, AIS is a British international school on the Costa Blanca with a Steiner-Waldorf orientation.

Skandinaviska Skolan Costa Blanca – Colegio Escandinavo This private Scandinavian school is located in Orihuela Costa, Alicante, and offers education for primary school from kindergarten to year 6 for Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish students on the Costa Blanca. This is a small school that follows the Swedish curriculum, but students start learning Spanish and English from year 1.

Den Norske Skole Costa Blanca – Costa Blanca Norwegian School The Norwegian school Costa Blanca, located in Alicante, Alfaz del Pi, was established in 1972. The school offers education for primary, secondary, and higher secondary according to the Norwegian curriculum. This is a private school with state support, approved by the Norwegian authorities.

El Liceo Francés – Lycée Français Alicante The French secondary school in Alicante has been located in El Campello for over 50 years, with students from kindergarten (3 years old) to bachillerato (17-18 years old). The school offers multilingual education (trilingual from 3 years) to promote culture and sports.

ARE THERE ALSO SPANISH PRIVATE SCHOOLS ON THE COSTA BLANCA?

In addition to public Spanish schools and international schools that largely follow the British curriculum, there are also several Spanish private schools on the Costa Blanca. These schools offer high-quality bilingual education. Most of them provide a bus service to pick up and drop off children after school. At private schools, you may have the option to study less Valencian if you do not plan to stay on the Costa Blanca for long (up to two years).

Colegio El Valle Alicante This school provides international education from 0 to 18 years and is accredited by the IB (International Baccalaureate) organization. This is a bilingual school that teaches English-Spanish and German as a second foreign language.

Colegio San Alberto Magno Located in Monforte del Cid, Alicante, this is a private school offering bilingual education for kindergarten, primary, and secondary stages.

Schola Europea – European School of Alicante Established in 2002, mainly for European officials from various EU countries. The school has 4 language sections: Spanish, English, French, and German. Students obtain the European Baccalaureate diploma, officially recognized as an entry qualification for universities in all EU member states, after passing the Baccalaureate exams.