Schools in the Costa del Sol
Moving to the Costa del Sol is already a big challenge, finding a house to live in, signing contracts, moving all of your stuff across countries. You might be taking a big leap and moving for a new job opportunity. Your family has to come with you which comes with their own challenges like finding a good school for your children. To make this less challenging, we have summarised some key information.
Long Term Goals
The first step to finding a school is deciding on what goals you have for your children. Do you want to fully immerse your children in Spanish culture? Or would you prefer for your children to stay closer to the culture of your own country?
If you are planning to relocate permanently to Spain, an immersive public or semi-private school can help your children integrate better. Being in an environment where everyone speaks the language you’re aiming to learn, will help you improve more. Perfect for when you have long term plans of staying in the country. However, the curriculum might be completely different making it a more difficult change to get used to
If you are an expat only planning to live here for 3-5 years, an international school might be a better option for you. The curriculum is roughly the same throughout all international schools, making it an easier transfer if you’re relocating every couple of years. Are you worried about your children missing out on learning the local language and culture? A local sports club is a fun and engaging way for your children to connect with the country.
Costs Of Schools
There’s a big difference in costs between a public school in Spain and an international school. So deciding on a budget is an important part of choosing what school to send your children to.
There are four categories of schools in Spain:
- Public schools: These are fully funded by the government, making it the cheapest option. Every child is guaranteed a spot at a public school.
- Private Schools or religious schools: This category of schools are funded entirely by tuition. On top of that other expenses are expected to be paid; uniforms, meals etc.
- Semi private schools: These schools are partially funded by the government but still have some tuition and extra fees.
- International Schools: This category of schools is the most expensive one. Relying solely on tuition, which starts at €7000,- per year (depending on the grade). The school will follow the curriculum and language of their own country.
Why Schools In Costa del Sol Are Great
Due to the large number of expats and immigrants moving to the Costa del Sol, many schools have been opened. Especially a lot of private and international schools. These schools are among some of the best schools in the area. Málaga came in third after Madrid and Barcelona in terms of quality of schools. However, do not be fooled as it is very easy to open a school in Spain without having the children’s interest in mind. Doing thorough research before choosing any school is a must.
The Spanish province of Málaga has the most international schools, on the Costa del Sol there are as many as 37 international schools. On the Costa Blanca North some 14 international schools and on the Costa Blanca South 15 international schools. A full list of international schools in Málaga can be found here.
Moving to the Costa del Sol entails various challenges, including finding suitable schooling for children. Long-term goals play a crucial role in deciding between local immersion or international education. Public schools offer immersion but might pose curriculum challenges, while international schools provide consistency for expats relocating every few years. Considerations of cost, ranging from government-funded public schools to pricey international institutions, are significant. The Costa del Sol boasts a large number of private and international schools due to its expat population, with Malaga ranking highly for educational quality.
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Want to read more about the beautiful Costa del Sol and about buying a property in Spain? Then be sure to check out our other blogs!
