Elementary schools in costa mesa: Uh oh. We’re very sorry.

Arts

Newport- Mesa schools are divided into 4 zones. These zones are based upon the four comprehensive high schools that our middle and elementary schools feed into. There are arts opportunities at every site for every child.

For more information about visual and performing arts programs available to your child, please visit the individual school’s website. 

National Portfolio Day

Students will receive one-on-one feedback regarding their art portfolios in preparation for college admissions. On November 20, students will ride from Costa Mesa High School to the Glendale Civic Auditorium to meet with college and career professionals for an event that brings them the tools to showcase their work.

Thank you to Keli Marchbank for organizing this wonderful trip! 

Performing Arts has Begun!

The performing arts season has begun with our Fall Dance production “Dedicated.” These student choreographed dances amazed the audience in the Costa Mesa Performing Arts Center on September 22 and 23. Not only is it an amazing feat to perform in the 5th week of the school year but to have such creative energy at the beginning of the year is astounding.

Thank you Cynthia Kaska for your hard work!

NMUSD Arts Calendar

Arts Programs

Elementary:

Every Elementary School school offers music instruction and has opportunities to join Band, Chorus and Orchestra. 

Secondary:

Our middle and high school programs offer a variety of arts programs in Theater, Visual Art, Dance, and Music.

Visual Art showcases student work from Ceramics to Digital Photography. The educators in Visual Art showcase the excellence of student work at the yearly NMUSD Art Showcase hosted at Orange Coast College.

Our Dance department collaborate  and create many opportunities for our Dance students to perform in front of their peers and to utilize their skills philanthropically.

Our Theater department produce performances that allow every student to shine. The quality of our theater programs have a reputation of the highest caliber and have been recognized throughout the county.

Our Music department performs for many events throughout the community in addition to performing in front of their peers at concerts, sporting events, festivals and competitions. 

Arts Commission

The NMUSD Arts Commission is a collaboration of educators, staff, school board members, and arts community  partners dedicated to the enhance of our arts community within the cities of Costa Mesa and Newport Beach.

This community group are integral to enhancing our opportunities to every student in our district. This group provides after school programs, field trips, and opportunities to enhance their development with many of our arts partners.

Arts Advocates may contact Tamara Fairbanks at tfairbanks@nmusd. us for more details.

Costa Mesa, CA Elementary Schools

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2. California Elementary Schools
3. Costa Mesa, CA Elementary Schools

Map of Costa Mesa, CA with School District Boundaries

School	Type	Students	Student to Teacher Ratio	Free or Reduced Lunch	School District
Access County Community	Public	2,576	22.1	80%
Adams Elementary	Public	423	20.1	81%
California Elementary	Public	411	26. 5	44%
Christ Lutheran School	Private	176	15.0
Christian Montessori School-costa Mesa	Private	109	12.0
College Park Elementary	Public	563	23.5	86%
Everett A. Rea Elementary	Public	492	22.4	94%
Heinz Kaiser Elementary	Public	707	28.3	32%
Killybrooke Elementary	Public	419	24.6	68%
Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana	Public	144	13. 5	61%
Mariners Christian School	Private	668	15.0
Maude B. Davis Elementary	Public	572	27.9	23%
Montessori Harbor Mesa School	Private	36	12.0
Occs:chep/pchs	Public	1,095	50. 0	22%
Orange County Special Education	Public	408	8.2	15%
Page Private School	Private	140	8.0
Page Private School – Newport Mesa	Private	138	8.0
Paularino Elementary	Public	441	20. 0	72%
Pomona Elementary	Public	508	25.4	91%
Saniku East West Language School	Private	179	18.0
Sonora Elementary	Public	501	23.9	77%
St Joachim Elementary School	Private	297	19. 0
St John The Baptist Catholic School	Private	543	21.0
The Waldorf School Of Orange County	Private	362	9.0
Victoria Elementary	Public	363	21.4	65%
Whittier Elementary	Public	718	26. 1	94%
Wilson Elementary	Public	477	20.7	93%
Woodland Child Devt Center	Private	166	21.0
Woodland Elementary	Public	536	23.3	26%
Download this data as an Excel or CSV Spreadsheet

Listed below are all public and private grade schools located in Costa Mesa, California. Click on the public or private elementary school to view that specific school’s details

If you are looking to move to Costa Mesa, CA consider which grade school your children would attend.
Be sure to use the data below to make sure you are relocating to an area with the best possible schools before you look into
national moving companies, cross country moving companies, interstate moving companies,
or long distance movers. Also be sure to check Costa Mesa, CA job listings if you still need a job in the area.

Click here to download this data

Number of Schools

Number of Schools in Nearby Cities

Number of Schools in Costa Mesa Compared Statewide

Costa Mesa has 29 school(s)

Number of Schools

	114. 61538461538
	36.807692307692
Costa Mesa	28.730769230769
	23.538461538462
	18.846153846154
	16.307692307692
	15
	13.615384615385
	12.307692307692
	11.192307692308
	9.6538461538462
	8.3076923076923
	7.3846153846154
	6.5
	6
	5. 0769230769231
	4.7692307692308
	4
	4
	3
	3
	2.5
	2
	2
	2
	2
	1.6923076923077
	1
	1
	1
	1
	1
	1
	1
	1
	1
	1
	1
	1
	1

Student Enrollment

Student Enrollment in Nearby Cities

Number of Students in Costa Mesa Compared Statewide

Costa Mesa has 14168 students(s)

Number of Schools

	56033. 692307692
	18919.269230769
Costa Mesa	13649.538461538
	11128.538461538
	9173.6153846154
	8225.5
	7172.6923076923
	6348.6923076923
	5607.1538461538
	4820.7307692308
	4145.5769230769
	3662.9230769231
	3156.1153846154
	2715.2692307692
	2427. 3846153846
	2101.6923076923
	1857.1153846154
	1609.5384615385
	1431.2692307692
	1221.4230769231
	1081.8461538462
	928.96153846154
	749.73076923077
	646.84615384615
	540.38461538462
	464.19230769231
	405.84615384615
	350.61538461538
	297. 07692307692
	256.07692307692
	212.73076923077
	180.07692307692
	148.61538461538
	117.92307692308
	93.153846153846
	74.115384615385
	52.807692307692
	35.307692307692
	18.807692307692

Student Teacher Ratio

Student Teacher Ratio in Nearby Cities

Student Teacher Ratio in Nearby Cities

Costa Mesa	22. 8
Corona Del Mar	23.6
Newport Beach	24.9
Huntington Beach	26.1
Fountain Valley	26.5
Irvine	28.7

Student Teacher Ratio in Costa Mesa Compared Statewide

Costa Mesa has a 22.8 student teacher ratio

Student Teacher Ratio in Costa Mesa Compared Statewide

	5.3192307692308
	9.2961538461538
	12
	14.130769230769
	15.669230769231
	16. 911538461538
	16.930769230769
	17.842307692308
	18.580769230769
	19.234615384615
	19.75
	20.123076923077
	20.615384615385
	20.919230769231
	21.261538461538
	21.569230769231
	21.796153846154
	22.073076923077
	22.276923076923
	22. 546153846154
Costa Mesa	22.769230769231
	22.992307692308
	23.146153846154
	23.273076923077
	23.426923076923
	23.607692307692
	23.765384615385
	23.961538461538
	24.15
	24.411538461538
	24.611538461538
	24.880769230769
	25.061538461538
	25. 223076923077
	25.453846153846
	25.784615384615
	26.169230769231
	26.615384615385
	27.130769230769
	28.092307692308

Free and Reduced Lunch Percentage

Free and Reduced Lunch Percentage in Nearby Cities

Free and Reduced Lunch Percentage in Nearby Cities

Corona Del Mar	0.1021
Irvine	0.1173
Newport Beach	0.1213
Huntington Beach	0. 2365
Fountain Valley	0.2849
Costa Mesa	0.5111

Free and Reduced Lunch Percentage in Costa Mesa Compared Statewide

Costa Mesa has a 51.1% Free and Reduced Lunch Percentage

Free and Reduced Lunch Percentage in Costa Mesa Compared Statewide

	0
	0.0049423076923077
	0.0371
	0.070673076923077
	0.11679230769231
	0.15481538461538
	0.19687692307692
	0. 23603461538462
	0.26387692307692
	0.26634615384615
	0.29616153846154
	0.32947307692308
	0.36295769230769
	0.39680384615385
	0.41481153846154
	0.44008846153846
	0.47161153846154
	0.49371923076923
Costa Mesa	0.51694230769231
	0.53858076923077
	0. 56063846153846
	0.58344615384615
	0.60374230769231
	0.62438461538462
	0.64141923076923
	0.65931923076923
	0.67897307692308
	0.70025384615385
	0.71828461538462
	0.73646153846154
	0.75525769230769
	0.77410384615385
	0.79251153846154
	0. 81056153846154
	0.82905769230769
	0.85038076923077
	0.8707
	0.89268846153846
	0.91735769230769
	0.93875384615385

Other Nearby Cities

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Schools in Costa Blanca

Created: 05. 08.2020, 06.19

Updated: 31.10.2022, 08.34

One of the most important things to do in finding the right school for your entire family is to move to another country questions. From this article, you will get an overview of the education system in Spain and the best schools on the Costa Blanca. If your children are already schoolchildren and you decide to move to Spain for permanent residence, we hope that our section will be useful to you.

Does Spain have a good education system?

Yes, we can say that Spain has a good education system, managed by the autonomous regions. The country has a wide selection of public and private schools of good quality. Education in Spain is compulsory and free for all children between the ages of 6 and 16. For children aged 16 to 18, education is voluntary and not compulsory. This can be either the last stage of secondary full education – Bachillerato high school (Bachillerato), or courses of secondary vocational education.

In this article we will look at general information about private and international schools on the Costa Blanca and in the Alicante area.

What is important to consider when looking for a school in Spain?

First of all, please be aware that depending on the region where you plan to move, there may be some differences in the procedure for training, school hours and application deadlines. In the case of the Costa Blanca, since it is part of Valencia, the rules are set by the government of the Autonomous Community of Valencia.

Basically, there are 3 types of schools in Spain: public, private and semi-private schools (Concertado), i.e. private schools that receive partial subsidies from the state.

Some things to keep in mind when looking for a school on the Costa Blanca:

– In Spain the main language of instruction is Spanish (Castellano), but in many autonomous communities an official local language is also used. On the Costa Blanca, which is part of the Valencian Community, Valencian is one of the official languages. This means that the study of the Valencian language is compulsory and some lessons in schools, such as history, science, etc., are taught in this language. But in the neighboring city of Murcia, the situation is different: there will be no teaching in Valencian here, since Spanish is the only official language in this autonomous region.
– Before starting your search, make a list of your expectations – curriculum, language, your children’s preferences for extracurricular activities (sports, arts, science, etc.) – and prepare a short list of schools. Visit the schools on your list for details such as subjects taught, class size, special transition programs for new students, class hours, etc.
– If you have already selected multiple schools, please note that in this region, usually the first applications for enrollment are submitted in May. You can apply at other times, but the number of places and schools may be limited. At most well-known colleges, especially public or semi-public (concerto), you may encounter a waiting list. That’s why it’s important to keep track of the application date.
– If you are planning to enroll your child in a public school, it is best if you come to the first school inspection with someone who speaks good Spanish. This will allow you to better get up to speed and find out all the details. In most public schools, it can be difficult to find academic staff who speak fluent English.
– If you choose a public school, please note that public school enrollment is based on your residential address: you will be assigned to the nearest school in your area.
– To find out the list of schools in your area of ​​residence, you can go to the official website of the educational centers of Valencia (Guía de Centros Docentes). On their page, you can find information about the schools, the levels they offer, extracurricular activities, languages, etc.
– If you’re thinking of a private school, you can also check the schools’ websites to find out more about the admission process and fees.

How is the Public School System in Spain?

One of the main questions is ” Is education free in Spain? ” Yes, education in Spain is free. Spanish law provides that all children of compulsory education age are guaranteed a place in a public school. To enroll, you just need to register at the city hall ( ayuntamiento ) with your registration – “ Padron ”.

What languages ​​are taught in Spain?

Beyond Spanish ( Castellano ), which is the official and compulsory language of instruction in public schools in Spain, in some areas the official language of the region will also be taught in schools. For example, in Valencia – Valencian, in Catalonia – Catalan, in Galicia – Galician, and in the Basque country – Basque.

Because the Costa Blanca is in the Valencia region, your child will need to learn Valencian along with Spanish in Costa Blanca public schools. The Valencian language is gaining in importance in public schools. But do not worry: in many centers, students are helped with adaptation.

When deciding whether to enroll a child in a public or private school in Spain, it is important to consider a number of factors. Most important, along with your level of desire to integrate into local life, is your child’s age. If your child is in elementary school or younger, it is recommended that you enroll in a public school for a quicker and better adjustment to local life. The older the age, the more difficult it is to start a new curriculum in a new language. Thus, consider your child’s age and his level of Spanish.

As a general rule, schools offer education from 3 years (Infantil) to completion of compulsory secondary school (ESO).

Where are the Best International Schools on the Costa Blanca?

The Costa Blanca has a large selection of international schools, most of them are taught according to the British education system, Spanish is an additional lesson. The best schools are those that are members of organizations such as NABBS (National Association of British Schools in Spain) or COBISEC (Council of British Independent Schools in the European Community).

International schools are a good option for a smooth transition of children. You can find information about international schools at your country’s consulates in Spain.

How much does it cost to study at an International School on the Costa Blanca?

Tuition fees for international schools can range from 2,000 to 10,000 euros per year. Generally, this amount does not include the cost of office supplies, meals, field trips, transportation, and extracurricular activities. And this means that for additional related costs you need to lay in another 800 to 1000 euros per year.

List of Schools on the Costa Blanca

Here is a list of some of the famous international schools on the Costa Blanca (Alicante) and Costa Calida (Murcia):

• King’s College – British School Alicante Alicante is a British school designed for children aged 3 years (preschool level) to 18 years old (secondary education). The school follows the British National Curriculum and the Spanish Curriculum with bilingual instruction in English and Spanish.
  • King’s College, La Torre Golf Resort – British School of Murcia

  The school offers the British Curriculum for students aged 18 months (preschool) to 18 years (Year 13 – 13th grade). Thanks to an adapted Spanish program, students are also preparing for admission to Spanish universities. The campus is about half an hour from the center of Murcia, 10 minutes from San Javier and 25 minutes from Cartagena.

  • Laude Newton College

  Established in 1991 and located in Elche, Alicante, this school offers education from an early age to the Spanish Baccalaureate level (secondary comprehensive education). In pre-school and primary education, it corresponds to the British curriculum, at the secondary level and in the bachelor’s degree it corresponds to the requirements of the Spanish education system. Thanks to Valencian at an early age and German by the sixth grade of primary school, children will receive a multilingual education.

  • Lady Elizabeth School

  Primary and secondary schools are located on the same campus in the city of Benitachell in Alicante, a beautiful area on the Costa Blanca. Founded in 1987, the school offers graduates English and Spanish programs for admission to universities in the UK, Spain and other European countries.

  • International College Xabia International School

  XIS accepts students from preschool to sixth grade and follows the British and Spanish curricula. The college currently has two buildings, one for elementary and one for high school. A new high school campus is coming soon and is under construction in Javea (Xabia).

  • Elian’s British School

  The school is located in La Nucia and is a member of the IEP (International Education Partnership – International Education Partnership) – an educational group that owns a number of private schools in Spain. IEP is also a subsidiary of a group of successful schools in Sweden – Internationella Engelska Skolan. From kindergarten to the end of elementary school, the institution follows the British system of education, and then until the completion of secondary education – the Spanish system.

  • El Limonar International School

  ELIS follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales, and also offers university preparation in America and Spain. The school is designed for students aged 3 to 18. Most students are Spanish, but there are also students from over 20 different countries. The school has 2 campuses: one in Villamartin in Alicante, the other in Murcia.

  • Phoenix International School

  Located in San Miguel de Salinas on the Costa Blanca, this international school is suitable for students from Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and surrounding areas. The school adheres to the British curriculum and is designed for students aged 4 to 18 years. Classes are divided into elementary, high school and college. The small family school was formerly known as Mar Azul International School.

  • Sierra Bernia

  This British school was founded in 1973, it is located in Alfaz del Pi near Benidorm. The school offers a British education to pupils of all nationalities aged 3 to 18.

  • Altea International School (AIS)

  AIS is a British International School on the Costa Blanca, founded in 2012 and located near La Nucia. The school follows the principles of the Waldorf-Steiner pedagogy.

  • Scandinavian School Costa Blanca – Skandinaviska Skolan Costa Blanca – Colegio Escandinavo

  Located in Orihuela Costa, Alicante, this private Scandinavian school has Swedish, Norwegian and Finnish students on the Costa Blanca in elementary school from preschool to 6th grade. This is a small school on the Swedish program, but from grade 1, students receive instruction in Spanish and English.

  • Costa Blanca Norwegian School – Den Norske Skole Costa Blanca

  Costa Blanca Norwegian School is located in Alfaz del Pi in Alicante, it was founded in 1972 year. The school offers education for elementary, middle and high school according to the Norwegian curriculum. This is a publicly supported private school approved by the Norwegian authorities.

  • Rojales Norwegian School – Den Norske Skole Rojales

  Rojales Norwegian School offers education from elementary school to the end of high school.

  • French Lycee Alicante – El Liceo Francés – Lycée Français Alicante

  French Lyceum Alicante has been located in El Campello, Alicante for over 50 years. It teaches children from the 1st grade of preschool (akin to a nursery) education (from 3 years old) to the 2nd grade of a secondary full school (17-18 years old). The school offers a multilingual education (trilingual from the age of 3), promoting culture and sports, and is overseen by the Agency for French Teaching Abroad (AEFE).

  Are there private Spanish schools on the Costa Blanca other than international ones?

  In addition to public Spanish schools and international schools that mostly follow the British curriculum, there are also a number of private Spanish schools on the Costa Blanca. These schools offer quality education in two languages. Most of them have a school bus service: children are driven from home to school and back after the school day. In private schools you will have a chance to learn less Valencian if you do not plan to stay on the Costa Blanca for a long time (maximum two years).

  • El Valle College in Alicante – Colegio El Valle Alicante

  The college provides international education for children from 0 to 18 years; he has IB accreditation (International Baccalaureate – International Baccalaureate). This is a bilingual school, where education is conducted in English and Spanish, German is taught as a second foreign language.

  • San Alberto Magno College – Colegio San Alberto Magno

  The school is located in Monforte del Cid in Alicante. It is a private, bilingual English language center offering preschool, primary and secondary education.

  • New Castelar College – New Castelar College

  The school was founded in 2006 and is located in San Pedro del Pinatar, a seaside town in the Autonomous Community of Murcia. This region is also known as the Costa Cálida. The bilingual college follows a Spanish curriculum with 50% English and 50% Spanish classes for students from Kindergarten to Spanish Baccalaureate. Since it belongs to the province of Murcia, teaching here is conducted only in Spanish.

  • European School of Alicante – Schola Europea

  Established in 2002, the school is mainly designed to educate children of diplomats and officials from different countries of the European Union. Teaching at the school is conducted in 4 languages: Spanish, English, French and German. After passing the baccalaureate exams, students receive a European baccalaureate diploma, which officially allows them to enter universities in all EU member states.

  Read more about the school system in Spain in our article “Education in Spain”.

  Author

  Aysun TEKSE Director of Marketing

  I was born in Turkey in the city of Balykesir in 1979 and moved to Istanbul …

  90,000 schools in the Kosta-del

  9000 region: 04.08.2020, 13.06.06.06.06

  Updated: 27.10.2022, 12.07

  When the whole family moves abroad, one of the main questions arises – to find a good school for your children. Being close to a suitable school can be one of the main factors when buying a house. We have written this article to give you an overview of the school system in Spain and the best schools on the Costa del Sol.

  Is education in Spain free and compulsory?

  In Spain, for all children between the ages of 6 and 16, education in public schools is compulsory and free. Expats have a good opportunity to find quality schools to study here. From the age of 16-18, education is not compulsory: it can be either the last stage of secondary full education – bachillerato (Bachillerato, Spanish baccalaureate), or courses of secondary vocational education. In this section you will find our tips on how to get started in finding the best school for your child and a little background on the process.

  A few tips before you start looking for the best school for your child:

  • The first application period is usually March, which is when you should apply to the school of your choice.
  • Most of the famous schools, both private and public, there is a waiting list, be prepared for this. When enrolling in a public school, your registration will play a decisive role.
  • To know the status of the selected school and be sure of your choice, you can check the listings on the official website of education in Andalusia. To search for all possible schools in your area, you can enter the name of the place where you plan to move and click the “Search” (Buscar) button. Then, next to the found options, you can see detailed information about the school, what levels it offers, extracurricular activities, teaching languages, etc.
  • As for private schools in Andalusia, they usually have their own websites where you can find out detailed information about admissions and fees.
  • In Spain, if a child fails to pass the exams at the end of the school year, he/she must retake the same class regardless of his/her performance. This is often the case with foreign children as they may need an adjustment period in the first year.

  What is the level of education in public schools in Spain?

  If you are planning to stay in Spain for a long period of time or want to integrate as much as possible into the local realities, public schools are the right option for you. In addition, since there are many foreigners living on the Costa del Sol, schools and the regional administration provide support in the adaptation of new students.

  Enrollment in public schools in Spain is free of charge for all residents and citizens of the EU, it is based on the address of residence, i.e. by prescription. Therefore, before moving, it is good to check the level of schools in the selected area. As a rule, schools offer education from 3 years (preschool level – Infantil) to the end of the basic high school (ESO). For some, primary education (C.E.I.P or Primaria) and compulsory secondary education (I.E.S or ESO) may be separated. It should be noted the good quality of education in these schools. You can also find public schools with a bilingual curriculum, which is usually mentioned in the name of the school.

  Usually the first application period is March, which is when you should apply to the school of your choice. At the end of April, lists are published with blank cells, if any, and student grades. So in May there may be a second chance. To enroll, you first need to register, i.e. register your residential address (Padrón) with the local municipality (Ayuntamiento).

  Spanish (Castellano) is the official and compulsory language of instruction in public schools in Spain, but in some regions it is compulsory to study the official language of the region. Since the Costa del Sol belongs to the autonomous community of Andalusia, the only official language here is Spanish.

  • Where are the best international schools on the Costa del Sol?

  In the Costa del Sol area you will find a wide range of good international schools, from kindergartens to upper secondary schools. In these private schools, teaching is conducted in a foreign language (English, German, French, Swedish or Norwegian), sometimes teaching is conducted in 2 languages. International schools can be a good option for a smooth transition for children.

  Information about international schools can also be obtained from the consulates of your country in Spain.

  • How much does it cost to study at the International School on the Costa del Sol?

  The cost of studying at international schools can range from 2,000 to 10,000 euros per year, usually this amount does not include the cost of office supplies, excursions, meals, transport and extracurricular activities. The amount of additional costs is from 800 to 1000 euros per year.

  List of Schools on the Costa del Sol

  Below is a list of some of the well-known international schools on the Costa del Sol:

  • Mayfair International Academy and Marbella, and is available for children aged 3 to 18. Education is conducted according to the international curriculum in accordance with the Cambridge program. Here conditions are created for immersion of the child in the language environment.
    • Estepona International School

    The school is located in Estepona, in the heart of the New Golden Mile on the Costa del Sol. Founded in 2004, the school follows the British curriculum. Education goes from kindergarten (2-3 years) to the end of primary school at the age of 12.

    • NovaSchool Sunland International

    This is a private school in Malaga with a British international curriculum for students aged 3 to 18. The main language of instruction is English, but Spanish is also taught for all ages in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Education. The campus enjoys a beautiful location in the center of the Guadalhorce Valley, just 15 minutes from Málaga city and is well connected by road to the rest of the region.

    • Waldorf-Steiner International School El Farol

    Established in 2009, the school offers education from kindergarten through elementary school. This is a bilingual Spanish-English school located in the center of Malaga.

    • Laude San Pedro International College

    Located in San Pedro de Alcantara, Marbella, the college offers the full British curriculum (International Primary Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels) and the Spanish equivalent (ESO and Bachillerato).

    • Swans International School – Swans International School

    Established in 1971, this school is now a state-of-the-art educational institution in Marbella with students from over thirty nationalities. Children take English and Spanish lessons throughout the school in accordance with the British curriculum, which means that in grades 10 and 11 students take GCSE or IGCSE courses. Three examination boards are used: Cambridge (CIE), AQA and Edexcel.

    • Torrequebrada International College – Colegio Internacional Torrequebrada

    Torrequebrada International College is a bilingual (Spanish and English) private school located in Benalmádena; all levels of education are represented here: pre-school, primary, compulsory secondary and complete secondary (bachelor’s degree). In preschool and primary schools, education is conducted according to the British system, the school is recognized by the British Council. Incomplete and complete secondary education is conducted according to the program approved by the Ministry of Education of Spain and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

    • The British School of Málaga

    The school is located in the center of Malaga and caters for students from 3 to 18 years old. Education is conducted according to the British education system, which is complemented by the study of Spanish.

    • The British College of Benalmádena

    The British College of Benalmádena is located in the quiet urbanization of Torremuel, on the amazing Costa del Sol, and offers education from preschool to high school leading to university. The college is fully recognized by the Ministries of Education of Spain and the UK and is a member of NABSS (National Association of British Schools in Spain). The school follows both the British curriculum and the main sections of the Spanish curriculum. As a result, students receive a British qualification of the International Certificate of Education and a certificate of upper secondary education in Spain.

    • Benalmadena International College

    The school was founded in 1997. It has students from over 25 different nationalities and is taught according to the British curriculum. Suggested levels of education: from pre-school to university.

    • Sunny View School

    Founded over 45 years ago, the school is located in Torremolinos and caters for children aged 3 to 18. The school includes pre-school, primary and secondary complete education. Students follow the UK National Curriculum, including GCSE for 14 to 16 year olds and A-Levels for 16 to 18 year olds.

    • Aloha College

    Located in Nueva Andalucia in Marbella, the school was founded in 1982 and caters for children aged 3 to 18. Education is based on the British curriculum, and Spanish language and culture is also taught so that students can qualify for both the British and Spanish examination systems.

    • St Anthony’s College

    This private school is located in Mijas Costa, Malaga and caters for children from preschool to high school age. It is the oldest British school on the Costa del Sol, founded in 1968 year. The school offers the British National Curriculum as well as the Spanish ESO and Bachillerato for students aged 3 to 18 who come from a variety of nationalities and cultures.

    • Deutsche Schule Málaga – German School of Malaga

    The German School of Malaga, located in Marbella, was founded in 1898. It is an independent private school approved by the Spanish Ministry of Education and officially recognized by the Conference of Ministers of Culture and Education of the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK). The school offers bilingual education from kindergarten to high school.

    • Norwegian School – Den Norske Skolen Malaga

    The Norwegian private primary school is located on the Spanish Costa del Sol in the beautiful town of Benalmadena, which is approx. 15 minutes to Malaga, 40 minutes to Marbella.

    • Swedish School – Svenska Skolan Marbella

    Marbella Swedish School is a small school for Swedish-speaking children. The school follows the Swedish curriculum and guidelines from the Swedish National Education Agency. The school was founded in 2003, designed for 200 students. Levels of education: Preschool (at age 3) to F-9 elementary school.

    • Finnish School – Aurinkorannikon Suomalainen Koulu

    This is a private Finnish school located in Fuengirola since 1991. The school consists of preschool, elementary school and high school. Education is conducted according to the national Finnish curriculum with the obligatory study of Spanish in all classes.

    • Lycée Français Málaga

    Established in 1968, the French Lyceum of Malaga offers education from preschool to high school. The Lyceum is part of the worldwide network of the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE). Education is carried out in accordance with the program of French national education, Spanish and Spanish culture are also studied; English comes as a third language.

    • Marbella French School – École Française Internationale Marbella (EFIM)

    EFIM is an elementary school (kindergarten and elementary school) offering an innovative trilingual French-English-Spanish education based on a combination of effective pedagogical methods and in accordance with the program of French national education. From September 2021, French and non-French children aged 3 to 11 will be able to study at EFIM.

    Are there any good private Spanish schools on the Costa del Sol?

    In addition to public and semi-private Spanish schools (Concertado), there are a number of private Spanish schools on the Costa del Sol. These schools offer quality education, like international schools, in a Spanish program in a bilingual environment.

    • Colegio Salliver College

    Founded in 1971 and located in Fuengirola, the college is now one of the top 100 schools in Spain. As one of the best private schools on the Costa del Sol, the college has a pre-school education for children from 0 to 2 years old, pre-school education, primary, secondary education and bachelor’s degree. The official language of the school is Spanish, although in the lower grades and elementary schools half the day is taught in Spanish and half in English.

    • Colegio Alboran College

    This bilingual Spanish-English private school on the Costa del Sol was founded in 1985. The college covers all stages of the current Spanish educational system: pre-school education, primary education, compulsory secondary education and undergraduate studies. The college is located in Marbella, students from Fuengirola to San Pedro de Alcantara study here.

    • Colegio San Jose College

    San José College, located in Estepona and San Pedro de Alcantara (Marbella), is a private secular bilingual institution. It covers all levels of education; pre-school level, elementary school, compulsory secondary school (ESO) and upper secondary school (Bachillerato).

    Read more about the Spanish school system in our article “ Education in Spain” .

    Frequently Asked Questions about Schools on the Costa del Sol

    Q: What is the compulsory education age in Spain?
    A: In Spain, education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 16. It is free in all public schools.

    Q: What are the school hours in the Costa del Sol schools?
    A: In Andalusia, the school day is usually divided into two parts: for example, from 09:00 to 14:00 in the morning and from 16:00 to 18:00 in the evening. The lunch break is usually 2 hours. In some schools, education ends around 2 pm, and the afternoon is devoted to extracurricular activities. In September and June there may be shifts in the schedule.

    Q: Do children wear uniforms in schools in Spain?
    A: School uniforms are generally not compulsory in public schools in Spain. But in private or semi-private schools (concertados), students tend to wear uniforms.

    Q: How is school transportation?
    A: Since public schools enroll children by registration, children must go to the school closest to their home.