What Families Moving to the Costa Blanca Should Know About Schools
Moving to the Costa Blanca with children means thinking about many things — where to live, how everyday life will work and, of course, which school will be right for your family. If you are considering a local Spanish school rather than an international school, it helps to understand how the Spanish education system works and what to expect.
How the Spanish School System Works
Education in Spain is divided into several stages.
Educación Infantil — Early Years
From birth to 6 years old, Educación Infantil is divided into two cycles. It is not compulsory, although many children attend from a young age. The second cycle, from 3 to 6, is free in the public education system.
Educación Primaria — Primary School
Primary education normally covers ages 6 to 12 and is the first compulsory stage of school. Children study subjects such as Spanish language, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, arts and languages.
Educación Secundaria Obligatoria — ESO
ESO normally covers ages 12 to 16 and completes compulsory secondary education. After ESO, students can continue to Bachillerato, choose Formación Profesional (FP) or follow other educational pathways.
Bachillerato
Bachillerato normally takes two years, from around 16 to 18, and is an academic route that can lead towards university. (Educación FP y Deportes)
Formación Profesional — FP
For students who prefer a more practical route, Formación Profesional offers vocational education and professional qualifications in many different fields.
What About Spanish and Valencian?
This is one of the questions many international families have when moving to the Costa Blanca. The Valencian Community has a multilingual education system, with both Spanish and Valencian forming part of education. Exactly how languages are used at school depends on the school’s educational and language programme and the current regulations in the Valencian Community. For families arriving from abroad, this means that children may be learning not only Spanish but also Valencian as part of their education. For younger children, becoming familiar with more than one language from an early age can simply become part of everyday school life.
What If My Child Doesn’t Speak Spanish?
This is often the biggest concern for families moving from another country. The good news is that schools in the Valencian Community have support measures for newly arrived students who have limited knowledge of the languages used in education. There are specific programmes designed to help students who arrive from other countries and have little or no knowledge of one or both of the languages used at school. The exact support available will depend on the school and the child’s situation. It is therefore worth speaking directly with the school before making a decision and asking how they support children who are new to Spanish. For many children, the first months can be challenging, but school is also one of the quickest ways to become part of everyday life, make friends and start using the language naturally.
What Types of Schools Are There?
Families moving to the Costa Blanca will generally come across three main types of schools.
Public schools — colegios públicos
These are state-funded schools and do not charge tuition fees for compulsory education.
Concertado schools
These are privately managed schools that receive public funding. Some are religious and some are not.
Private schools
These are independently funded and charge school fees. This category includes many international schools, although private schools can also follow different educational programmes. The right choice depends on your family, your children’s ages, the languages you want them to learn and the type of education you are looking for.
Choosing a School
When you move to the Costa Blanca, it is worth looking at schools before you choose where to live. Location is obviously important, but there are other things to consider too.
You may want to ask about:
It is also worth visiting the school if possible. A school can look very different on paper compared with how it feels when you actually walk through the doors.
A Different School Experience
For families coming from abroad, a Spanish school can be much more than simply a place for children to study. It can become one of the easiest ways for the whole family to connect with local life. Children meet local friends, hear Spanish and Valencian every day and become familiar with the culture around them. Parents also start meeting other families and becoming part of the local community. It can take time to settle in, especially during the first months, but many families find that the experience becomes an important part of their life in Spain.
Before You Move
If you are considering moving to the Costa Blanca with children, don’t leave the school question until the last minute. Start researching schools in the areas where you are thinking of living and contact them directly about admissions, languages and available places. The education system may work differently from the one you are used to at home, but once you understand the basics, the process becomes much easier. And choosing a school is not only about education. It is also about finding a place where your children can feel comfortable, make friends and become part of life on the Costa Blanca.
School arrangements, admission procedures and language programmes can change. Always check the latest information directly with the school and the Valencian education authorities before making a decision.
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