Southern Spain, specifically the province of Málaga on the Costa del Sol, is more than just a resort region where everything is conducive to a pleasant vacation or a carefree life in a beautiful and safe location. It's also home to some of the best international private schools in Spain, where your child can receive a high-quality secondary education in two languages.
Several such schools are located in Marbella and its surrounding areas.
Of course, private schools require tuition (unlike public schools, which are free in Spain).
There are official school rankings, as in other countries. According to these rankings, the best local schools in Marbella are: Colegio Alboran, Aloha College, Colegio San Jose, Las Chapas, Swans International Primary School, English International College, and Laude International College San Pedro in San Pedro Alcántara.
Tuition fees vary among schools and, according to recent data, are quite high. This pricing approach is determined by numerous factors, including the child's age. The most expensive period is the Bachelor's degree, for any of the programs offered, as it is a two-year university preparation course (for children aged 16 to 18). The cost of one year of a Bachelor's degree can be more expensive than a course at a private university, for example, in Madrid.
Below is brief information on each school and its contact information.
COLEGIO ALBORÁN
Founded in 1985, it is a secular private college that covers all stages of the Spanish educational system: preschool, primary, compulsory secondary, and the Baccalaureate.
In addition to the standard curriculum, it offers an extensive complementary program, providing excellent opportunities for each child's individual development. Children are provided with high-quality meals, psychological services, and transportation. Particularly noteworthy is the constant contact and interaction between teachers and students' families.
Contact:
Urb. Ricmar, s/n 29604
Marbella (Málaga)
Phone.: 952839645
Fax: 952839646
ALOHA COLLEGE
Aloha College is an independent, full-cycle college for ages 3 to 18, founded in 1982 as a non-profit organization. It educates children from nearly 40 countries. It is located in the Nueva Andalucía district, a few kilometers from Marbella. All college revenues go toward improving educational conditions.
Many college graduates have gone on to study at Harvard, Oxford, Princeton, Cambridge, and other prestigious universities worldwide. Education is bilingual and based on the British and Spanish national systems, with French and German also offered.
In secondary school, the emphasis is on preparing for IGCSE and university entrance exams. Aloha College graduates have a nearly 100% guarantee of passing the IB and Selectividad tests, which are required for admission to universities in Spain and around the world.
The college boasts several science laboratories, a music school, a library, a design studio with a photo lab, and a new sports field with artificial turf. The internet is widely used, and preparatory students are provided with laptops. There's a dedicated computer design department with two modern classrooms, a local school network, and on-site transportation. The cafeteria offers a good menu.
Contacts:
Urb. El Angel, Nueva Andalucía, 29660, Marbella, Málaga, Spain
Phone: (+34) 95 281 4133 ; Fax:(+34) 95 281 2729
COLEGIO SAN JOSÉ
Program offered: from kindergarten to high school. Preparation for exams at Trinity College London.
The school, among other facilities, has a football pitch, a swimming pool, various science laboratories, and computer rooms.
San José College is located in Estepona and San Pedro de Alcántara (Marbella). It is a private, bilingual educational institution.
Contact information:
Colegio San José — Marbella
Urb. Guadalmina, 29678 Marbella
Phone: 952 883 858
Colegio San José – Estepona
La Cala, 29680 Estepona
Phone: 952 800 148
COLEGIO LAS CHAPAS
Founded in 1980 in Marbella, Las Chapas College is one of the schools in the educational network of the same name, which is characterized by unique pedagogical methods (Proyecto Principe and Attendis iPad Project). Las Chapas is also a bilingual college, ranked among the top 15 schools in Spain in 2013/2014.
Las Chapas also includes a special school for boys, Ecos, in Marbella, offering primary, secondary, and baccalaureate education.
Please note: This is a Catholic college run by Opus Dei, so the curriculum contains a significant religious component.
Contact:
Las Chapas School
Urb. Las Chapas, s/n | 29600 Marbella-Málaga
Phone: 952 831616 | Fax: 952 835913
antonia.ncervantes@attendis.
http://www.attendis.com/
ENGLISH INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
A school for children aged 3 to 18. Another prestigious and respected educational institution in Marbella, founded in 1982 as "an educational institution free from any prejudice of a racial, political, or religious nature." It follows the full-cycle British education system. Since 1993, the school has been open to children from Spain. The college's sports facilities include a 25-meter swimming pool, a football pitch, two basketball courts, a volleyball court with a special surface, and diving equipment—the best on the Costa del Sol.
Particular attention is paid to healthy eating: addictive and harmful drinks are prohibited at the school.
Contact information:
Urb. Ricmar, Carretera Cadiz - Málaga Km 189.5, 29600, Marbella, Spain
Phone.: (+34) 95 283 10 58; факс: (+34) 95 283 8992
SWANS SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL
A school for children aged 3 to 12 years with a British education system. One of Marbella's most respected educational institutions, founded in 1971, it combines strict traditions with innovative teaching systems and modern technology. Highly qualified British teachers teach the curriculum. Languages taught include Spanish, French, Arabic, and German.
The school also has one "early" class (after completing it, children move on to one of two "preparatory" classes). The college has two classes for each year of primary school: first level (grades 1-2) and second level (grades 3-6).
Secondary school (grades 7-11) culminates in the official IGCSE exam. The college meets the Spanish requirements for EP (educación primaria – primary school) and ESO (educación secundaria obligatoria – secondary school) for children taught in Spanish. After completing secondary school, students can take a university preparation course. One of the specialties of Swans School's secondary school is Model United Nations.
In 2005, the school acquired a new, purpose-built building.
Contacts:
Urb. El Capricho s/n, 29600 Marbella, Malaga
Phone/fax: (+34) 952 776431
www.swansschool.net
LAUDE SAN PEDRO INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
This British college, part of the Laude network of schools on the Costa del Sol, is part of the Laude network, which is well-established throughout Spain and the UK. Currently, it enrolls over 500 students from 40 countries. Its purpose-built college building is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Among the school's other strengths are its technical equipment and innovative teaching system. This system utilizes a differentiated approach to each student. The school has an original support group, the "Friends of the Laude Association," organized by students' parents. This allows parents to participate in the educational process.
The primary language at the school is English. However, Spanish is also given close attention. Most of the school materials are bilingual.
The school has its own transport service, which runs from Marbella and Estepona. Sports facilities, laboratories, computer labs, and a school cafeteria are also available, as well as a psychology service and a medical office.
In addition to the classroom, students can participate in various extracurricular activities.
Contacts:
Urbanización Nueva Alcántara, Avda. La Coruña, 2 (29670) San Pedro (Málaga)
Phone . (+34) 952 799 900, fax : (+34) 952 799 055
www.laudesanpedro.com
The remaining schools are St. Anthony's College in Mijas, Salliver in Fuengirola, Sunny View School in Torremolinos, and El Romeral and Sierra Blanca schools in Málaga. All but two of these schools are located in the province of Málaga, which is not surprising given the region's large population of high-income foreign residents.
MAYFAIR ACADEMY
Located in San Pedro de Alcántara, this private international school offers primary and secondary education.
Its vision is to develop the cognitive, cultural, moral, spiritual, and physical skills of all students by creating an atmosphere of trust, respect, and support. Particular attention is paid to sports.
For those wishing to pursue higher education, the school offers two university preparation paths. Each student has the opportunity to choose the path that best suits their interests (humanities or physics and mathematics).
There are separate entrances for elementary and high school students, free clubs and activities, an internet cafe, and a private school bus.
Contact information:
Shopping mall Costasol LC 31, Bel-Air, Estepona, Málaga 29680, Spain
Phone: (+34) 952 784923; fax:(+34) 952 78938
mayfair@mayfairacademy.com
www.mayfairacademy.com
ST. ANTHONY’S COLLEGE
The oldest and most prestigious English school on the Costa del Sol, founded in 1968, the college offers all official British programs (including university preparation) as well as certified Spanish education.
Children are accepted from age three. The school is located in Fuengirola, where a shuttle bus delivers children. It has its own kitchen and canteen with a wide selection of snacks and hot meals. All classrooms, laboratories, and recreation areas are equipped with strict safety standards. Highly qualified teachers not only teach the required curriculum but also offer studios and optional activities.
Anyone interested in studying can enroll at any age after an interview. This also applies to students from other cities. In secondary school, the curriculum is based on the British GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) system, and at the end of this system a corresponding examination is held, after which the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level (level A) is awarded from the Examinations Department of the University of London.
Contacts:
Apartado de Correos 119, 29640 Fuengirola, Malaga
Phone: (+34) 952 473166 ; fax : (+34) 952 462021
www.stanthonyscollege.com
SOTOGRANDE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
This full-time college for children aged 3 to 18 is located in the center of Sotogrande. Founded in 1978, it follows the British system and is also licensed under the British and Spanish education systems.
Traditionally, the school is divided into primary, secondary, and upper secondary sections, with GCSE testing in Year 11, followed by a University Preparation Program (IUP). The school has a strong sporting tradition and participates in the Duke of Edinburgh Award program.
It's important to note that this is an international boarding school, the only one on the Costa del Sol. Most of the children don't live here, but there are also many boarding students.
The college buildings, designed by renowned architects, are surrounded by forest. The main building houses a fully equipped theater, computer labs, and a multimedia library. A café and canteen are also located there. Preschoolers have a dedicated space equipped with a library, entertainment centers, and access to a playground directly from the classroom.
Elementary school students have access to soccer and basketball fields with safe surfaces.
Sports facilities include a large gymnasium, a 25-meter swimming pool, and running tracks.
Contact information:
Apartado 15, 11310, Sotogrande, Cádiz
Phone: (+34) 956 795902 ; fax :(+34) 956 794816
www.sis.ac
