Having recently moved to Spain, I’ve had several friends ask me about schools for their kids, especially about the dilemma of choosing between public, private, and international schools. It’s definitely a tough decision, as it shapes your child’s future. I’ve put together my recent research and some advice from experienced parents to hopefully offer some guidance to those of you feeling lost.
# Let’s Talk About Private Schools
Here, private schools fall into two categories: semi-private (Concertado) and fully private (Privado).
- Concertado: These are essentially state-subsidized private schools. Tuition is much more affordable, the quality of education is often better than in an average public school, but not as expensive as a fully private one, which makes choosing a school in Spain a tricky process. Spots are highly coveted, and applications are scored based on family income, proximity of your home to the school, number of children in the family, etc. It’s a points-based admission system, making the competition quite fierce.
- Privado: These are fully private schools that are entirely self-funded, which is why their tuition fees are much higher. The advantages are top-notch facilities, a low student-to-teacher ratio, and more individual attention for each child. The curriculum is also more flexible, with many schools offering unique programs like horse riding or golf. Most fully private schools offer bilingual education, typically in Spanish and English.
# Now, Let’s Look at International Schools
International schools are the top choice for many families with long-term plans. These schools follow non-Spanish educational systems, such as the British, American, French, or German systems. Their biggest advantage is that graduates can directly apply to universities in the corresponding countries, ensuring a seamless transition. For example, a student at a British school will earn A-Level qualifications, which gives them a significant edge when applying to universities in the UK, Hong Kong, or Singapore. Of course, the trade-off is the high tuition fees, which are often the most expensive of all school types, with annual costs of €10,000-€20,000 or even more being quite common.
I’ve made a simple table below to give you a more direct comparison of these school types:
| School Type | Primary Language(s) | Curriculum | Graduate Pathways | Approx. Annual Fees (€) |
|---|
| Public (Público) | Spanish/Regional Language | Spanish National | Mainly Spanish universities | Free |
| Semi-Private (Concertado) | Spanish | Spanish National | Mainly Spanish universities | 1,000 - 3,000 |
| Fully Private (Privado) | Spanish/Bilingual | Spanish National/IB | Spanish & international universities | 5,000 - 15,000 |
| International | English/French/German, etc. | British/US/French/German/IB | Universities in corresponding countries & worldwide | 8,000 - 25,000+ |
There’s no single ‘best’ option; it all depends on your family’s financial situation and your aspirations for your child’s future. If you plan to stay in Spain long-term and want your child to integrate into local society, public or Concertado schools are cost-effective choices. If your budget allows and you want a more diverse cultural experience and broader university options for your child, then fully private and international schools are the better path. I hope this information is helpful, and I welcome neighbors with experience to add their insights! Losing my hair over this school choice thing…
