Education is mandatory in Spain from the age of 6 to 16.
Schools in Costa del Sol:
A. International Schools
a. They are the most popular schools for foreigners. In some schools, the education is only in English, others 50% in English and 50% in Spanish.
b. Most international schools are members of the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS). British schools usually follow the UK educational program and have a small number of students per class with a pleasant atmosphere. All international schools have their own fees.
B. The Spanish Schools
a. The Spanish public education is open to all EU citizens from preschool to the age of 18. Education is free. Fees are charged only for textbooks and extracurricular activities.
The Spanish educational system
· Pre-school education (0-6 years) “Educación Infantíl”.
This is a good way to integrate the child in Spanish society. Pre-school education consists of a three-year phase of 0-3 years and 3-6. Children 3 to 6 years old in have the option of attending the Pre-school stage (“Infantíl” or popularly known as “Preescolar”), which is non-compulsory and free for all students. There are also a number of fee-paying private kindergartens.
· Primary School (“Educación Primaria”) six years of schooling – 6 to 12 years of age.
· Lower Secondary Education (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria – ESO) at the age of 12 to 16 years.
· Spanish Baccalaureate (Bachillerato) two years of schooling – 16 to 18 years of age.
Training for university
· Vocational education – special education and practice, preparing students directly to a particular job.
Middle Grade Training Cycles “Ciclo Fromativo de Grado medio”: Bachillerato is not required.
Superior-level Training Cycles “Ciclo Formativo de Grado Superior”: Bachillerato required or entrance exam.
After completion of the Superior-level Training Cycle, students are entitled to direct entrance to several related University degrees.
· Higher education
Studying in a Spanish University
There are good and prestigious Universities in Málaga, Córdoba, Granada, Seville, Madrid, Barcelona etc. where all careers can be studied.
The Universities regulate access to their own degrees and they fix the academic fees. They can also offer unofficial postgraduate degrees.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS – COSTA DEL SOL
There are around 20 private international schools on the Costa del Sol. While a large proportion (around two-thirds) are British, there are also Finnish, French, German, Norwegian and Swedish schools and many teach children throughout their schooling from 3-18 years.
BILINGUAL NURSERY SCHOOLS
ARROYO DE LA MIEL
Peter Pan Nursery
C/ El Olivar 5, Arroyo de la Miel (Benalmádena).
Tel: (+34)92562103, (+34)952562103
Also now at MARBELLA;
C/Los Naranjos s/n, Urb. Linda Vista, San Pedro de Alcántara, 29670 Marbella.
Tel.:(+34)952782051, (+34) 952 782 051.
Bilingual education: 0 – 3 years. Also offering after school activities club, excursions and baby-sitting service.
BENALMÁDENA PUEBLO
Costa Kinder Care
(Next to the Buddhist Stupa), Benalmádena Pueblo.
Tel: (+34)952448007; (+34)952448007.
Bilingual education: 0 – 6 years. Also offers after school activities/homework club and language classes for adults.
MARBELLA
St. Javier’s International School.
Tel: (+34)952823457, (+34)952823457.
Email: schoolstjavier@wanadoo.es
Bilingual education: 1 – 7 years. Optional after school classes and night time babysitting service.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
ESTEPONA
The International School Estepona
Centro Commercial La Zarza Camino de Cortes, Urbanisation El Paraíso, Estepona.
Tel: (+34)952884789, (+34)952884789.
Bilingual: 2-12 years.
MARBELLA
Swan’s International Primary School
Urb. El Capricho, Marbella.
Tel: (+34)952773248, (+34)952773248.
3 – 11 years.
Swan’s have recently opened a secondary school – see relevant section for details.
SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA
Calpe School
C/. Los Eucaliptos 60, Urb. Linda Vista Baja, San Pedro de Alcántara.
Tel: (+34)952786029, (+34)952786029.
Bilingual: 3 – 9 years.
Saint George’s School
Urb. Cortijo Blanco s/n, 29670, San Pedro de Alcántara.
Tel: (+34)952786606, (+34)952786606.
2 – 8 years.
COMBINED PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS
BENALMÁDENA
Benalmádena International College
C/. Catamarán s/n, Urb. Nueva Torrequebrada, Benalmádena Costa.
Tel: (+34)952561666, (+34)952561666.
3 – 14 years. In addition to the usual curriculum, BIC also offers vocational studies for less-academic students.
The British College
C/. Guadalmedina, Urb. Torremuelle, Benalmádena Costa. Tel: (+34) 952 442 215 (+34) 952 442 215 www.thebritishcollege.com Buses from Churriana and Riviera del Sol.
CARTAMA/ PIZARRA
Sunland International School
Ctra. Cártama – Pizarra, Nueva Aljaima, Cártama Estación.
Tel: (+34)902502250, (+34)902502250.
Ages 3-18. Sunland has recently expanded with the introduction of Years 12 and 13 and offers AS and A Level examinations with the Cambridge examination board.
ESTEPONA
Mayfair Academy
C.C. Costa Sol 31, Urb. Bel Air, Estepona.
Tel: (+34)952784923, (+34)952784923.
10 – 18 years.
FUENGIROLA
St Anthony’s College
Camino de Coín, Km. 5.25, Mijas Costa.
Tel: (+34)952473166, (+34)952473166.
www.stanthonyscollege.com
5 – 18 years. Buses from Torreblanca and Fuengirola.
MÁLAGA
St. George’s International School of Málaga
Avda. de la Centaurea 8, Urb. Cerrado de Calderón.
Tel: (+34)952204810, (+34)952204810.
British education from three to 18.
MARBELLA
English International College
Urb. Ricmar s/n, N-340/A7, Km. 189.5, Marbella.
Tel: (+34)952831058, (+34)952831058.
3 – 18 years. Buses from Fuengirola and Marbella.
Swan’s International, Sierra Blanca (Swan’s Secondary School)
C/Lago de los Cisnes s/n, Urb. Sierra Blanca, 29602 Marbella.
Tel. (34)952902755, (34)952902755.
NUEVA ANDALUCÍA
Aloha College
Urb. El Angel, Nueva Andalucía.
Tel: (+34)952814133, (+34)952814133.
www.aloha-college.com 3 – 18 years. Buses from Fuengirola and Puerto Banús.
SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA
Laude San Pedro International College (previously King’s College)
C/. G, Urb. Nueva Alcántara. Tel: (+34) 902 400 028 (+34) 902 400 028 www.laudesanpedro.com 3 – 18 years.
SOTOGRANDE
Sotogrande International School
Apdo. 15, 11310 Sotogrande, San Roque, Cadiz.
Tel: (+34)956795902, (+34)956795902.
www.sis.ac
Buses from Nueva Andalucía; boarding facilities for students over 10 years.
TORREMOLINOS
Sunnyview
C/. Teruel 32, Urb. Cerro del Toril, Torremolinos.
Tel: (+34)952383164, (+34)952383164.
Buses from Torremolinos and Fuengirola.
3-18 years.
OTHER SCHOOLS & COURSES – COSTA DEL SOL
The Marbella Design Academy
All tuition is in English, with courses including Interior architecture, furniture design and graphic design.
Camino Hoyanca, 29110 Monda.
Tel: (+34)952459677, (+34)609594885.
The Tutorial Learning Centre
Tuition in a variety of GCSE and A Level subjects.
N340/A7, Km. 197, Calahonda, Mijas Costa.
Tel: (+34)952838078, (+34)952838078.
info@esfc.eu
Málaga Business College
Provides tuition for the University of London/LSE undergraduate degree in business and diploma for graduates in Management. Melior Building, C/ Palma del Río 19, 29004 Málaga.
Tel: (+34)951164923, (+34)951164923.
FOREIGN PRIVATE SCHOOLS – COSTA DEL SOL
FINNISH
Escuela Finlandesa
C/. José Salik 4, Urb. Los Pacos, Fuengirola.
Tel: (+34)952476193, (+34)952476193.
GERMAN
German College (Colegio Alemán Juan Hoffman)
Urb. Elviria, La Mairena, Plaza de Alemania s/n, Marbella,
Tel: (+34)952831417, (+34)952831417.
www.deutsche-schule-malaga.com
NORWEGIAN
Norwegian School (Colegio Noruego/Den Norske skolen Costa del Sol)
Avenida Cerro Del Viento s/n, Arroyo De La Miel, Benalmádena.
Tel: (+34)952577380, 952577380.
SWEDISH
Swedish School (Colegio Sueco/ Svenska Skolan)
Avda. Acapulco 11, Fuengirola.
Tel: (+34)952475076, 952475076.