- Practical guide to choosing a school in Spain (public/concertado/private).
- Languages, timetables, commute, class size, and academic outcomes.
- Teacher quality, canteen & nutrition, after-school activities, and facilities.
- Tailored for expat families in the Costa del Sol (Marbella/Estepona/Málaga).
Picking a school in Spain especially for expat families in the Costa del Sol is a high-impact decision shaping academics, wellbeing, and social growth. This concise guide highlights the essentials from funding and languages to schedules, facilities, and after-school life so you can compare options and choose confidently.
1) Type & Funding
Spain offers public (público), state-subsidized private (concertado), and private schools. International schools are usually private (IB/other national curricula). Consider tuition plus books, trips, and uniform policy.
2) Educational Approach
On open days, ask about pedagogy (project-based vs. book-centric), assessment frequency, tech use, and how smoothly methods shift from primary to secondary.
3) Transport
Check school buses/public transport and true door-to-door time; long commutes can sap energy and limit after-school activities.
4) Timetable
Common patterns: 9:00–17:00 with a long lunch or 8/9:00–14:30. Primary ≈25 hours/week. Confirm jornada continua vs. split sessions and on/off-campus lunch options.
5) Languages
Regions may use Castilian plus Catalan/Basque/Galician/Aranese. Public schools start English around age six; international schools teach mostly in English. Ask about a second foreign language (French/German/Italian).
6) Class Size
Lower student-teacher ratios usually mean more individualized attention; request the school’s actual figures.
7) Academic Outcomes
Review rankings, external exam results (IB, A-Levels, Selectividad, etc.), and university placement trends.
8) Teachers
Meet staff; review qualifications, methods, and for languages, native proficiency. Parental trust in the team matters.
9) Canteen & Nutrition
In-house kitchen or catering? Vegetarian/allergen-friendly menus? How long is lunch in practice?
10) After-School Offer
Sports, music, drama, and skill clubs enrich learning and help with late pickup windows.
11) Facilities
Green spaces, libraries/quiet zones, labs, and up-to-date tech shape daily learning quality.
Conclusion
Build a short checklist: type/budget, curriculum/languages, hours/commute, ratio/results, teacher quality, nutrition, after-school, and facilities. Visit multiple schools, match them to your family priorities, then decide with confidence.
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