By Sally Underwood • 24 January 2022 • 16:21
20 of the best international schools in Spain
Offering up a pick of the best international schools across Spain for everything from academic prowess to sports facilities, and extra-curricular activities, this guide will help you find just the right school for your child.
But first up, a quick guide to Spain’s own education system.
Using the Baccalaureate system, Spain´s schools normally take children from five, attending Infantil school before moving to Educacion Primaria and Educacion Secundaria, and the Bachillerato.
Instead of the GCSEs, AS Levels and A Levels offered in the UK, from 15 students in Spain begin studying for the Baccalaureate- a pre-university qualification which sees pupils study for two years.
Graded from 0 to 10, rather than the A* to U grading system used in the UK, the Baccalaureate is Spain´s answer to A Levels.
While many parents will choose the Baccalaureate for their children, others will prefer the prestige of UK qualifications.
This is where an international school can be the right choice, generally offering both the International Baccalaureate and GCSESs, AS and A Levels.
Teaching is often in English with access to an impressive selection of school facilities and extra-curricular activities, making international schools an attractive option for many parents moving to Spain.
Now you know why an international school might be the right place for your child, which one do you pick?
Our top pick 1. Benalmadena International College The Benalmadena International College is a modern British school located on the Costa del Sol with more than 300 students and 33 different nationalities. Dynamic, vibrant and relentlessly dedicated to educational excellence, The Benalmadena International College is a modern-day school with fantastic facilities, set in 1,700 sqm of grounds in an idyllic yet convenient location only 300 m from the beach. They offer the British Curriculum to children and young adults from two to eighteen years old from more than 30 countries. The school has recently been inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate and is one of only 15 schools in Spain to be fully accredited with British School Status. Address: Nueva Torrequebrada, C. Catamaran, 29630 Benalmadena, Malaga Contact: For more information, click here Fees: Contact the schools for more information about how much it costs to attend Benalmadena International College Sponsored
Our top pick
The Benalmadena International College is a modern British school located on the Costa del Sol with more than 300 students and 33 different nationalities.
Dynamic, vibrant and relentlessly dedicated to educational excellence, The Benalmadena International College is a modern-day school with fantastic facilities, set in 1,700 sqm of grounds in an idyllic yet convenient location only 300 m from the beach.
They offer the British Curriculum to children and young adults from two to eighteen years old from more than 30 countries. The school has recently been inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate and is one of only 15 schools in Spain to be fully accredited with British School Status.
Address: Nueva Torrequebrada, C. Catamaran, 29630 Benalmadena, Malaga
Contact: For more information, click here
Fees: Contact the schools for more information about how much it costs to attend Benalmadena International College
Our top pick 2. Swedish School Marbella Founded in 2003, the Swedish School Marbella offers Swedish-speaking children the excellent education that they would receive in their native Scandanavian country. Certified by the Swedish National Agency for Education, all of the teachers here gained their qualifications in Sweden and provide a responsible, flexible and creative environment for children to flourish personally and in their education. With the advantage of small classes creating a harmonious atmosphere that enables each child to receive the best possible education; this also provides children with a safe and productive space where excellent one-on-one guidance can be accessed. At the Swedish school in Marbella, every child is treated as unique, making them feel seen, heard and accepted for who they are. The school offers the Swedish curriculum from preschool (3-5 years) through to elementary year F6 (6-12 years). Pupils aged between the ages of 13 to 18 receive a different type of education through 2 virtual schools based in Stockholm, providing online education for years 7 – 9 and years 10 – 12. With full-time teacher support and guidance, pupils take part in the excellent online studies provided by the Swedish curriculum in a social and engaging school environment. They also benefit from all of the perks of the school including healthy, home-cooked lunches, school trips and physical education. As well as promoting good health through their nutritious meals that are very popular with the students, the physical education provided benefits from the school´s wonderful garden, 25 metre swimming pool, artificial turf for football and access to large play areas with climbing trees and sandbox. The school is also close to a large park and within walking distance of the beach. Located in a beautiful natural area in Marbella near Puerto Banús, The Swedish School offers the best start in education and personal growth. Fees and information: Click here Website: Click here Telephone: +34 952 868 252 Email: [email protected] Sponsored
Founded in 2003, the Swedish School Marbella offers Swedish-speaking children the excellent education that they would receive in their native Scandanavian country. Certified by the Swedish National Agency for Education, all of the teachers here gained their qualifications in Sweden and provide a responsible, flexible and creative environment for children to flourish personally and in their education.
With the advantage of small classes creating a harmonious atmosphere that enables each child to receive the best possible education; this also provides children with a safe and productive space where excellent one-on-one guidance can be accessed. At the Swedish school in Marbella, every child is treated as unique, making them feel seen, heard and accepted for who they are.
The school offers the Swedish curriculum from preschool (3-5 years) through to elementary year F6 (6-12 years). Pupils aged between the ages of 13 to 18 receive a different type of education through 2 virtual schools based in Stockholm, providing online education for years 7 – 9 and years 10 – 12. With full-time teacher support and guidance, pupils take part in the excellent online studies provided by the Swedish curriculum in a social and engaging school environment. They also benefit from all of the perks of the school including healthy, home-cooked lunches, school trips and physical education.
As well as promoting good health through their nutritious meals that are very popular with the students, the physical education provided benefits from the school´s wonderful garden, 25 metre swimming pool, artificial turf for football and access to large play areas with climbing trees and sandbox. The school is also close to a large park and within walking distance of the beach.
Located in a beautiful natural area in Marbella near Puerto Banús, The Swedish School offers the best start in education and personal growth.
Fees and information: Click here
Website: Click here
Telephone: +34 952 868 252
Email: [email protected]
Our top pick 3. International School Estepona A British School in Spain following The British National Curriculum to ensure a transition to and from any other British cchool, whether in the UK or overseas, the school was founded in 2004. Address: The International School Estepona, La Zarza Shopping Center, Calle Azahar 12, Urbanization El Paraiso, Estepona 29688 Contact: For more information, click here Fees: The International School Estepona costs from €1,465 a term Sponsored
A British School in Spain following The British National Curriculum to ensure a transition to and from any other British cchool, whether in the UK or overseas, the school was founded in 2004.
Address: The International School Estepona, La Zarza Shopping Center, Calle Azahar 12, Urbanization El Paraiso, Estepona 29688
Fees: The International School Estepona costs from €1,465 a term
Sotogrande International School (SIS) is a day and boarding school, which follows the IB program from 3-18 years. It has 1000 children from more than 45 countries.
Address: Av. de la Reserva, 11310 Sotogrande, Cadiz
Fees: Contact the school for more information about how much it costs to attend Sotogrande International School
Mayfair Academy was founded in 1997 and continues to be a family-run school with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. While they have adapted to the rapid changes of a complex society, they also bear in mind their values and the main reason for their being – educating children in the fullest sense of the word.
Address: Address: Avda de las Golondrinas 16, 29288, Estepona
Contact: +34 952 88 88 94
Fees: For more information about the fees at Mayfair International Academy, click here
Our top pick 6. Elian’s British School La Nucia Elian’s British School La Nucia is a British school for pupils from 1 to 18 years old. Their aim is excellence in English for all their pupils. This objective is linked with a desire to foster their self-confidence, their individual talents and their ability to work together within an international environment. They encourage them to develop as honest, responsible and happy individuals, with the tools they need to succeed anywhere in the world. At Elian’s British School La Nucía they teach their pupils the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure their interest in learning continues throughout their lives. On their learning journey, their students cultivate self-confidence, enabling them to discover their own talents. They aim to guide them to explore new technologies as part of their environment, without ignoring their emotional needs. They do everything we can to help them become people of integrity: creative, reflective and aware of what they can contribute to the community. Address: Avinguda el Copet, 5, 03530 La Nucia, Alicante Contact: 966 877 055 or click here Fees: Contact the school for more information about how much it costs to attend Elian’s British School Sponsored
Elian’s British School La Nucia is a British school for pupils from 1 to 18 years old.
Their aim is excellence in English for all their pupils. This objective is linked with a desire to foster their self-confidence, their individual talents and their ability to work together within an international environment. They encourage them to develop as honest, responsible and happy individuals, with the tools they need to succeed anywhere in the world.
At Elian’s British School La Nucía they teach their pupils the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure their interest in learning continues throughout their lives.
On their learning journey, their students cultivate self-confidence, enabling them to discover their own talents. They aim to guide them to explore new technologies as part of their environment, without ignoring their emotional needs. They do everything we can to help them become people of integrity: creative, reflective and aware of what they can contribute to the community.
Address: Avinguda el Copet, 5, 03530 La Nucia, Alicante
Contact: 966 877 055 or click here
Fees: Contact the school for more information about how much it costs to attend Elian’s British School
Housed in a modern building, King´s College Alicante teaches children from pre-nursery to 18 and has a capacity for more than 1,100 students.
Address: Glorieta del Reino Unido, 5, 03008 Alicante
Fees: King´s College Alicante costs from €1,472 a term
A private mixed-sex school founded in 1985, Casvi International Private School is one of the best in Spain.
Address: Avenida de Castilla 27, Villaviciosa de Odon, Madrid
Fees: Contact the school for more information on how much it costs to attend Casvi International Private Eurocolegio
A British school with a superb location in La Moraleja, on a hill overlooking Alcobendas, with impressive views of the Guadarrama Mountains, its classrooms cater for more than 630 children between the ages of 2 and 16.
Address: Calle de la Salvia, 36, La Moraleja, Madrid, 28109
Fees: King’s College School, The British School of Madrid (La Moraleja) costs from €2,303 a term
King’s Infant School is a British school located in the Chamartin neighbourhood in Madrid.
It offers facilities for children between the ages of 20 months and 7 years and has a capacity for more than 200 students.
Address: Prieto Ureña, 9 – E, 28016 Madrid
Fees: King’s Infant School, The British School of Madrid (Chamartin) costs from €2,303 a term
The only school in Madrid to offer the three prestigious IB programmes in English, the International College Spain provides students with an impressive academic curriculum.
Address: Calle Vereda Norte 3, La Moraleja, 28109, Alcobendas, Madrid, 28109
Fees: International College Spain costs from €3,280 a term
Located in Madrid city, since 1971 the International School of Madrid has been offering a quality British education to children aged 2 to 18 from all over the world.
Address: Calle Rosa Jardon, 28016, Madrid
Fees: The International School of Madrid costs from €1,700 a term
SEK-El Castillo was founded in 1972, and offers international teaching.
Address: Urb. Villafranca Del Castillo. Castle of Manzanares, S/NVillanueva de la Cañada, 28692
Fees: Contact the school for more about how much it costs to attend SEK El Castillo International School Madrid
This school in Boadilla del Monte opened its doors in 1982 and is co-educational.
Address: Calle Monte Almenara, s/n, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Madrid
Fees: Contact the school for more about how much it costs to attend Mirabal International School
St. Peter’s School Barcelona is a private international school where students from 12 months to 18 years old are offered skills in science, technology, humanities, design and communications.
Address: Carrer d’Eduard Toldra, 18, 08034 Barcelona
Fees: St Peter´s School Barcelona costs from €7,500 a year
Offering an American curriculum from Nursery to Grade 10 and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program in Grades 11 and 12, this school has more than 50 different nationalities.
Address: Carrer de Martorell i Peña, 9, 08017 Barcelona
Fees: Benjamin Franklin International School (BFIS) costs from €11,750 a year
Taking children from 12 months to 18, the school offers both the international Baccalaureate and UK qualifications.
Address: Avinguda del Pla del Vinyet, 110, 08172 Sant Cugat del Valles, Barcelona
Fees: The European International School of Barcelona costs from €4,300 a year
St. Paul’s School is situated in Avenida Pearson, in the exclusive neighborhood of Pedralbes on the north side of Barcelona, a privileged location at the foot of the National Park of Collserola.
Address: Avenida Pearson, 39-45, 08034, Barcelona
Fees: Contact the schools for more information about how much it costs to attend St Paul´s School
Offering education from ages 0 to 18 years of age, this school teaches the International Baccalaureate from 3 to 18 and is one of the best international schools in Spain.
Address: Rua Illa de Arousa 4, Boavista. To Caeira, Poio, 36005 Pontevedra, Galicia
Fees: Contact the school for more information about how much it costs to attendSEK International School Atlantico
Chester College International School (CCIS), founded in 1985, is a private, independent and coeducational day and boarding school offering an American curriculum.
Address: Travesia de Montouto, 2, Teo, Santiago de Compostela, CP: 15894
Fees: Contact the school for more information about how much it costs to attend Chester College International School
Choosing the right school for your child can be difficult, but our guide to the best international schools in Spain will help you to find the best place for your child.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article, do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories and remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Share this story
Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox!
By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you don’t already have one. Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices.
Sally Underwood is a former aide to several former cabinet members and now contributes her views on Parliament’s ever-changing shape in her column for the Euro Weekly News.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Download our media pack in either English or Spanish.