Top International Schools on the Costa del Sol

14th October 2021 · 9 min. read

Our extensive experience in the high-end real estate market has proven that the purchase of a luxury property on the Costa del Sol is often highly influenced by the quantity and quality of the services that surround it.  Particularly remarkable is the interest of buyers in the proximity to international schools, among which we can find some excellent institutions that suit all ages and most cultures.

Due to the wonderful climate on the Costa del Sol, many children are often signed up for extracurricular classes or sporting activities. For this reason, many parents usually make several journeys each day to pick up their children from these activities, as well as from school itself, so proximity is an important factor.

International school community

The large international community that has chosen the Costa del Sol as a place to live permanently has contributed to the creation of these international schools, mostly bilingual, where children coexist with each other on a daily basis, forming a cultural melting pot that enriches them from a very early age. In this way they assimilate a new culture while maintaining their roots with their home country, greatly expanding the range of possibilities when choosing a future university. The perfect place to develop the new leaders of the future.

In an increasingly globalised world, it is of great importance for parents that their children’s education provides them with the necessary tools to obtain the international recognition that will allow them to choose between different options at university level. It is therefore essential that their time at school enables them to be fluent in a second or third language, as well as having benefited from unique school features and services is a plus.

1. Aloha College – Marbella – Location

Following the British National Curriculum, this school has over 35 years of experience. They provide education to students between the ages of 3 and 18 from over 50 nationalities.

2. German School – Marbella – Location

This college is the only German school in Malaga. It is officially recognised by both the Spanish and German authorities, as it is accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education and registered as a German school abroad by the Confederation of the Ministers of Culture and Education of the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK). The education is based on common programmes approved by the German administrations.

3. Laude San Pedro International College – Marbella – Location

This international school in Marbella welcomes international students from 3 to 18 years of age. Following the British National Curriculum in Primary and Secondary, it offers the possibility of studying Spanish ESO and Bachillerato with up to 65% of the classes in English. This provides pupils with the opportunity to choose between an international or a Spanish university.

Laude San Pedro International College has been chosen as one of the 30 best international schools in Spain and one of the 6 best international schools in Andalusia in 2021, according to the ranking of El Mundo.

4. Colegio San José – Estepona and Marbella – Location

International school located in Estepona and Marbella. Colegio San José is a private bilingual school based on the Spanish educational system, developing a model backed by almost two centuries of history. It is equipped with numerous technological and sporting facilities, having been recognized as the first school in Andalusia according to the ranking of El Mundo.

It also has a renowned music conservatory authorized by the Conserjería de Educación de la Junta de Andalucía. Here you can study both the Elementary Grade of Music and Professional Music Education.

5. The English International College – Marbella – Location

Following the British National Curriculum, over 70% of the students at this school are of British origin, whilst benefiting from a further 20+ nationalities.

Created to be ”free of any political, racial or religious prejudice” this first class private school is open to all, with no distinction between students regardless of their origins or religion, as long as they communicate correctly in the language of instruction.

6. Colegio Alborán – Marbella – Location

Following the Spanish educational system, this non-denominational public school has been awarded as one of the best schools in Spain according to the DICES guide (2018). Its philosophy is based on the transmission of values such as effort and respect while providing a solid academic education.

Colegio Alborán’s educational offer is complemented by an wide range of extracurricular activities, which take place in its exclusive facilities that include stables, football fields, basketball and paddle courts, swimming pool and even a farm school for the little ones.

7. French International School of Marbella – Marbella – Location

This school welcomes kindergarten and primary school students, offering an innovative trilingual education based on the hybridization of active pedagogies in accordance with the French national education framework.

In each class, 3 native teachers instruct students to master French, Spanish and English while combining the best of modern approved pedagogies in order to develop students’ critical and creative thinking skills.

8. Sotogrande International School – Sotogrande – Location

This top level international school located in Sotogrande, Cadiz, welcomes students from 3 to 18 years old. The purpose of this school is based on academic excellence, as well as instilling in students a deep moral commitment through its own non-governmental organization named The Kindred Project, among other means. The school aims to provide opportunities for students to develop their own talents and find their own voice, whether in academics, sports or the artistic field.

The school offers a unique sports programme: the Elite Sports programme, specially designed for students who excel in golf, polo, tennis, swimming or basketball.

When it comes to the competitive world of access to prestigious universities, Sotogrande International School offers the Inspired programme, where one in three students is admitted to the Russell Group and Ivy League schools. In addition, Inspired students have access to ‘Ostaz by Inspired’, offering premium private tutoring services to students who wish extra support to maximize their grades and chances of admission to prestigious international universities.

9. Atalaya International School – Estepona – Location

Following the Spanish educational system and offering the possibility of studying the International Baccalaureate once students have reached this educational stage, this international school in Estepona is based on the principles of security, creativity and motivation. The school applies methodologies that encourage students’ involvement in class, their interaction with their classmates and their creativity.

This college is defined as a truly international and multicultural space, where its two main languages, Spanish and English, coexist in perfect harmony. The learning of both languages is part of a natural process for the pupils, derived from the structured teaching programs and the socio-linguistic context that the school provides.

10. Torrequebrada International College – Benalmádena – Location

Torrequebrada International College is a bilingual school for students aged 2-18 years. Its motto is ‘every student is unique and unrepeatable’.

The school has been recognised by the International Baccalaureate network as a ‘World School’, as well as by the Spanish Ministry of Education and as a British School in Spain. CIT is the only school in the province of Malaga to offer the IB continuum (Primary, Secondary and Baccalaureate). Its main focus is on developing students who are open-minded, caring and informed about how they can contribute to the creation of a better and more peaceful world, within a framework of mutual respect.

11. Swans International School – Marbella – Location

With over 50 years of history, the continuous results obtained by the students of Swans International School are clear proof of the high level of enthusiasm for learning that this institution inspires. Here children are taught in Spanish and English, and begin to learn French in Primary.

In addition, students can take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, a prestigious programme of activities for young people that encourages self-discovery, autonomy and responsibility. For their Adventure Trip, students complete two days of hiking in the regions of Ronda and Tarifa.

12. The American College in Spain – Marbella – Location

If you are looking for an American-style education for high school and university, but your children can comfortably complete it in Spain, your option is The American College in Spain. Its programme is fully recognised by various American universities that accredit the courses obtained through this institution. Their system allows you to do part of your studies in Marbella and then transfer to the USA or any American university in the world to obtain a degree from an accredited American university.

They have twenty-five years of experience and more than 12,000 students have already passed through their facilities. Options include a BA (Bachelor of Arts), a BBA (Bachelor of Business and Administration) or a BSc (Bachelor of Science).

13. – Alma Forest School– Sotogrande/San Roque – Location

Situated on an estate on the outskirts of Sotogrande, they have spacious fields to play in, trees to climb and animals to look after. They also take advantage of the surrounding natural parks and beaches to make the environment part of the learning process. Their curriculum crosses boundaries and disciplines so that students can pursue their interests and marvel at all that the world has to offer. The co-creation of teacher-student “discovery trips” is at its heart.

They work from ages three to fourteen and also have a very interesting summer programme.

At Costa del Sol – Christie’s International Real Estate, we are proud to count in our portfolio a number of luxurious properties located within a short distance from these prestigious international schools on the Costa del Sol. Wherever you come from and whatever your native language, you can be confident that your children will receive the highest quality education in a privileged environment, just a short distance from your home.