International Schools
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS – COSTA DEL SOL
The Costa del Sol equates to a superior quality of life: a privileged climate, sun, sea, outdoor living, gastronomy, unique residential areas and excellent educational opportunities for the children of the residents.
One of the most cosmopolitan lifestyles in Europe, and the schools reflect this cultural melting pot. As a result, families have a wide range of educational options, including a long list of international schools on the Costa del Sol.
As well boasting among the cheapest public education in Europe, Spain also has more international schools than most other European countries.
Don’t be fooled however – competition for school places can still be surprisingly high, especially in expat ‘hotspots’ like Malaga and Marbella. It’s always a good idea to apply early and organize all the documentation you’ll need as soon as you can.
To help you, we have listed all the international schools on Costa del Sol together with their URL’s to enable you direct contact with each one.
Alborán School
The Marbella East area has a wide range of schools. Another of the most prominent is Alborán School (Colegio Alborán), with a curriculum covering the entire educational cycle.
The Alborán School methodology combines the traditional magisterial method (the teacher explains the lesson to the students) with the most innovative and participatory ones. Examples of the latter are: the “cooperative learning” system, with techniques such as “Research Group” or “I help you, you help me”; “Learning by Playing” or “Gamification” (use of games in usually formal contexts); or “Learning by Teaching” (in which students have to learn and then teach what they know).
Colegio Alborán attaches great importance to new technologies. Thus, the school has launched a project to implement the teaching of computer programming, robotics and 3-D design. The project will be implemented at all levels, from elementary to high school, adapting it to each of the stages.
In terms of languages, the Alborán school is strongly committed to English as an essential tool to access the labour market. The school prepares its students to pass the various Cambridge ESOL Examinations. At the end of the course, the exams are carried out in the centre itself, by Cambridge ESOL Examinations teachers who come to the school and give the certificates
Website: www.colegioalboran.es
Aloha College Marbella
Aloha College is another of the international schools in Marbella with a great prestige and tradition. Open since 1982 and located in Nueva Andalucía, next to the famous Aloha Golf Club, it offers a British-style education to students of all stages. The Aloha College Marbella curriculum simultaneously provides training in the Spanish language and culture, which enables students to certify their education both in the United Kingdom and in Spain.
Students start in Primary following a very comprehensive program, based on the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). After completing their secondary education, most finish their school curricula at the centre, with the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and from there a large number go on to join some of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Aloha College Marbella boasts an educational centre of 30,000 m2, which allows ample space for each of the groups of students. Having small classes is a priority, to maximize a personalized attention to students, a hallmark of this teaching centre. Aloha International College welcomes students of more than 50 nationalities.
Atalaya International School
Atalaya International School is located in the municipality of Estepona, but right on the border with Marbella (next to Guadalmina area). Its location is therefore very convenient for students who reside in Marbella, especially on the Golden Mile, Puerto Banús, Nueva Andalucía or San Pedro de Alcántara.
Atalaya International School includes all stages of education: infant, primary, compulsory secondary, baccalaureate and International Baccalaureate (IB). It also offers preparation courses for the University Entrance Exams (PAU). It is a bilingual English / Spanish school, although its program also includes the teaching of other languages, such as French and German.
Atalaya International School boasts a complete sports club, with facilities such as a soccer field and basketball courts. In addition to these sports, students can practice volleyball, karate, yoga and other specialties.
The wide range of extracurricular activities at Atalaya School includes possibilities for all tastes: music, cooking, creative writing …
Website: www.colegioatalaya.es/en/atalaya-international-school
Atlas American School
Atlas American School is a college-preparatory school that offers the U.S. school curriculum and promotes superior academic achievement, mastery of skills and content, and fosters moral citizenship, preparing students to further their education either in Spain or abroad. Atlas School will be the first school with an American curriculum located on the Costa del Sol, offering all levels of education from 3 to 18 years old.
Atlas-ASM will focus on an integral teaching. A training that combines the acquisition of curricular content, the development of personal skills of inquiry, reflection and communication, and the development of a personality with a critical spirit, an international mentality and a vocation for leadership and service to the community. To this end, the school will be staffed by a team of renowned American credentialed teachers with a vast international experience, who impart a curriculum that focuses on developing humanities through sport, the arts, drama and music.
Located in the Selwo area, a privileged area in Estepona, Atlas American School meets the demand for international schools on the Costa del Sol, enabling access to university both in Spain and abroad. Pupils at Atlas American School will graduate with an American High School Diploma, equivalent to the Spanish Bachillerato, as it also offers specific preparation for the official Spanish syllabus (Language and Social Studies). In addition, as of the 2022-23 academic year, It will also stand out for offering innovative programmes, such as an intensive French programme from Grade 5; an entrepreneurship programme for students aged 14 to 17; and high-performance sports programmes in golf, tennis
and paddle tennis. All of this will be integrated into the school timetable to guarantee excellence in the education of its pupils.
Website: www.atlas-asm.es
Benalmádena International College
The Benalmádena International College is a modern and dynamic British school located in Nueva Torrequebrada, just between Benalmádena Costa and Fuengirola.
The college has an area of 17,500 square metres and is only 300 metres from the beach.
The school is purpose built and consists of four buildings including Infants, Primary and Secondary.
They currently have over 300 students and 33 different nationalities. The college is well equipped, complete with three Science laboratories, three ICT suites, Library and Sixth Form research area, drama room, and Art studios.
In total 38 classrooms make up the school.
Website: www.bic-benal.com
Calpe School
Also in San Pedro de Alcántara, specifically in the Linda Vista area (very close to the beach), we highlight Calpe School. This is a preschool and primary school, for students from 2 to 11 years old.
The younger children (2 to 5 years) follow the program called the Early Years Foundation Stage. By means of different games (“Happy to Learn” technique), students are introduced in four main areas: Language, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Artistic Expression.
In the following stages, the students follow a very complete program, with specialized teachers. Calpe School places special emphasis on English and mathematics, without forgetting subjects such as history, geography, science, music, French and physical education.
Calpe School utilizes modern equipment to familiarize its students with the use of new technologies. Classes are small, to guarantee a personalized attention to each of the students at this crucial stage
Website: www.calpeschool.com
École Française Internationale
The EFIM is a primary school that follows the highly praised French National Education Programme but does so within an innovative trilingual environment of French, Spanish and English.
This is achieved through an advanced teaching system that enables children to achieve to their best potential without overburdening them.
Naturally, many of the children already enrolled are French speakers coming from France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Morocco and other parts of the Francophone world, but a significant number also come from other parts of Europe, the Middle East and indeed Spain itself.
The French-speaking community in Marbella and surroundings has been growing strongly in recent years, yet the EFIM also caters to those nonFrench parents who would like their children to learn languages at a young age and enjoy learning within one of the most advanced educational systems in Europe. This is true both of the arts and the sciences, all of which are well-facilitated.
Website: www.efimarbella.com
English International College
The English International College is another of the best international private schools in Marbella. Founded in 1978, the English International College Marbella sends sending dozens of students each year to the best universities in the world (including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale).
Its program incorporates elements taken from the best English educational institutions. It is one of the few schools offering specialized education in Computer Science, Music and Physical Education to all students from 3 years of age. These same students also receive training in foreign languages, including Spanish, French and even Mandarin Chinese.
Few students are as familiar with the use of new technologies as those at the English International School of Marbella. Looking to the future, students receive lessons in virtual reality, 3D printers, and artificial intelligence.
Located in Marbella East, in the prestigious Elviria area, the English International College has modern sports facilities that include a swimming pool and soccer and basketball courts.
Website: www.eicmarbella.org
German School of Malaga
The German School of Malaga is located in the municipality of Ojén, 20 minutes by car from Marbella city. The German School of Malaga is an educational center supported by the German State. This means an access to financial aid for the best infrastructure and equipment, and also for maintaining a large staff of teachers. This guarantees small classes and a close teacher-student relationship.
The school is also recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education and therefore all its degrees are automatically validated.
The German School of Malaga has a long history, of more than a century. Founded in 1898, it had to be closed due to the Second World War.
Later it was reopened, in 1966, already in its current location.
Since then, the development of the school has been spectacular. In fact, it was the first German school abroad to receive the highest educational distinction in Germany, as “College of Excellence”.
Website: www.dsmalaga.com
Las Chapas/ECOS Schools
Chapas is a bilingual centre authorised by the Junta de Andalucía for Pre-school, Primary and Secondary stages besides being an official Examination Centre for Trinity College and Cambridge University. In the school years 2013/2014 it was elected the 15th best school in Spain, for its internationality, according to EF-Education First.
The male school Ecos, is located for boys in Primary, Secondary and Baccalaureate also located in Marbella.
The school offers their students a wide variety of extracurricular activities: foreign languages, music, theatre, dance, new technologies, and sports… The majority of these activities take place during the afternoon break before the last two hours of school. They are all taught by experts in the different areas who permanently follow the students and reflect it on a monthly evaluation of the progress, which is handed-out to the family.
They provide each student with a quality education, to look after all the individual dimensions from the Christian perception of life; help parents perform their role as main educators of their children; and promote the pedagogical innovation and investigation in profit of the whole educational sector.
Laude San Pedro International School
Located in Nueva Alcántara (on the sea side of San Pedro de Alcántara), Laude San Pedro is one of the most prestigious international private schools in Marbella. It includes the British national curriculum (the International Curriculum for Primary Education, the GCSE and A-Level exams) and the Spanish curriculum (ESO and Selectividad).
Laude San Pedro International School has a detailed curricular policy, in which it differentiates the academic learning, the acquisition of values and off-classroom activities. The effectiveness of the Laude San Pedro school system is demonstrated in the UK GCSE and A-Level examinations, as well as in the Spanish “Selectividad”: the results of its students are above the national average in both countries.
Laude San Pedro school also offers a wide program of extracurricular activities, including football, basketball, tennis, karate, fencing, gymnastics, artistic dance, chess, robotics, electronics, cooking…
Website: www.laudesanpedro.com
San José de Guadalmina
Colegio San José de Guadalmina is one of the best international schools in Marbella. Proof of this is its inclusion in the prestigious Forbes list of the 50 best private schools in Spain. Colegio San José has another center in the city of Estepona. Courses cover all educational levels.
San Jose International Private School provides bilingual education in English and Spanish. In addition, their students receive excellent teaching in French and German, including targeted preparation for the DELF exams of the Francophone Union and the Goethe-Institut.
Colegio San José had to embrace new technology. Their method program called STREAMING (Science, Technology, Broadcasting and Multimedia, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) is a good example.
Student football school and music school
The athletic facilities of the San Jose school stand out among all educational centers. These include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts. The school has its own football school and different categories of teams that compete in local tournaments. Also worth mentioning: the prestigious Music Vocational Academy, where students receive their music training.
Website: www.colegiosanjose.net
Sotogrande International School
Sotogrande International School is an International Baccalaureate day and boarding school with over 40 nationalities, offering the Primary Years Programme (3-11), the Middle Years Programme (12-16) and the Diploma (16-18), plus outstanding language and learning support.
Through their personalised approach to learning the students are encouraged to open their hearts and minds to the joy of learning, to discover their strengths, identify their passions and develop outstanding learning skills.
SIS places great emphasis on technology to support learning and is proud to be named as an Apple Distinguished School. The Apple Distinguished School designation is reserved for schools that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision of exemplary learning environments.
This school aims to prepare students for effective participation and success in the 21st century by integrating technology and learning, providing access for all children to laptops, i-Pads and desktop computers and ensuring students have access to online learning resources both at home and at school.
Website: www.sis.ac
St. Anthony’s College
St. Anthony’s College, a co-educational British school, founded in 1968, making this the oldest British school on the coast! Offering the British National Curriculum, as well as Spanish ESO and Bachillerato to students aged three to eighteen, this college has a variety of nationalities and cultures.
St Anthony’s College takes great pride in knowing the importance of educating the individual. The teachers take personal interest in the wellbeing of each individual student. Teachers not only teach the syllabus but educate students about current affairs and broadening their learning experience.
Every student at St Anthony’s College is part of a tutor group and has a tutor who will make sure all the day-to-day issues are dealt with. The safety and happiness of each individual student is a priority at St Anthony’s College.
This school offers a friendly and welcoming environment to all its students who flourish as individuals within its accommodating structure. Year 11 students achieve high grades in their GCSE’s and our Year 13 students are accepted at many of the top universities.
Website: www.stanthonyscollege.com
Sunny View School
Sunny View School is the leading British school on the Costa del Sol. Established over 40 years ago, theye welcome students of all nationalities from 3 years to 18 years of age.
Our programmes of study are based on the English national curriculum and taught by a team of qualified, experienced and inspiring UK-trained teaching staff. They aim to provide the best of British education to our students, with a strong emphasis on academic success.
When they leave us, many of whom achieve excellent examination results, the majority embark on higher education in the UK and beyond. They offer an exciting range of intellectual, creative and physical learning opportunities while encouraging the development of individual passions and skills.
Website: www.sunnyviewschool.com
Svenska Skolan Marbella
Svenska Skolan Marbella is a small committed school for Swedish-speaking children in Marbella, on the Costa del sol in Spain. They started in September 2003 with 15 students.
Currently, about 200 children go to this school. The school carries preschool (3-5 years) and primary school year F-6 according to the Swedish curriculum. The school also offers studies via Sofia Diastans for years 7-9.
They have 25 high school students who study with us with the support of trained teachers as tutors throughout the school day. They are approved by the Swedish National Agency for Education and hold all the necessary Spanish permits to run school activities.
Website: www.svenskaskolanmarbella.com
Swan International School
Swan International School Founded in 1971, Swan International School is one of the most traditional international private schools in Marbella.
Swan International School has two teaching centers: a primary school located in the urbanization of El Capricho (just outside the urban area of Marbella, in the prestigious Golden Mile); and a secondary school in Sierra Blanca, the most unique Marbella One of the urbanizations of luxury villas, located at the foot of the mountain bordering the city.
Combining the best school programmes in the UK with Singapore’s avant-garde education system, Swan International School is admired by professionals for its excellence. The language teaching system deserves special mention. In addition to more traditional languages such as English, French, Spanish and German, Chinese and Arabic are also included.
Spaniards and native speakers of Spanish also follow the Spanish system (EP and ESO). High school graduates (12 and 3 years) complete the International Baccalaureate.
Swan International School offers excellent sports facilities including football and basketball courts and a wide range of extra-curricular activities including cooking, painting, music and a variety of sports.
Website: www.swansschoolinternational.es
The American College mARBELLA
The American College in Spain (ACS) is the first North American High School & University in Andalusia. Located in Marbella, The American College in Spain offers a fully curriculum based on the U.S. education system.
Students can begin in Spain their 4 years High School and then continue with their first 2 years of University studies by completing their general education courses required by all U.S. universities.
Upon completion of those 2 years of college, students receive the “Associate of Arts Degree” from Broward College, which is recognized and accepted worldwide.
Website: www.americancollegespain.com
The British International School Marbella
Its new campus is located in the exclusive area of Nagüeles, on the Golden Mile, with a privileged location offering views of the sea and La Concha Mountain.
The educational philosophy of the British International School of Marbella is based on personalized teaching. Small classes allow teachers to monitor students individually and pay attention to their particular needs.
The educational program of this school is based on the English National Curriculum (ENC), enriched over more than a decade with the experience of the global network of schools that are part of the British Schools Foundation.
The modern facilities of the British International School of Marbella include a large sports field, a 25-meter heated swimming pool, an auditorium with a capacity for 400 people, a music school, an art studio, a large library, laboratories and specialized classrooms.
Website: www.bsm.org.es