Having recently moved to Spain, I’ve been wrestling with the issue of my child’s schooling. I’ve spent a lot of time researching public, private, and semi-private (concertado) schools, and it feels quite complex. In our case, we hope our child will have more international options in the future, so we’re primarily looking at private and international schools. I’ve been talking to many local friends and scouring various education websites, and I’ve put together a small list to share with other parents who are also struggling with school selection. I welcome everyone to discuss and add to it!
How to Define “Best”?
Honestly, “best” is a very difficult term to define, as every family’s needs are different. Some prioritize IB scores, others look at university placements, while some are more concerned with school facilities and a nurturing, ‘happy education’ environment. Personally, I place more importance on academic reputation and the curriculum. A reputable ranking in Spain is “Los 100 mejores colegios de España” published annually by El Mundo. It evaluates schools based on 27 different criteria and offers a valuable reference. However, rankings change every year, so it’s essential to consider your own specific situation.
A Brief Introduction to Some Top Private Schools
Below are a few schools that consistently top the rankings and have excellent reputations, to give you a clearer picture:
- Agora Sant Cugat International School: This school is very well-known and is one of the top international schools in Barcelona. It offers the complete IB program from nursery to high school, is highly international, and emphasizes multilingual education. In addition to Spanish, Catalan, and English, students can also choose to learn Chinese, French, or German. The facilities are also top-notch, with a swimming pool, concert hall, and science labs. Of course, the tuition fees are also quite “significant”.
Colegio Estudiantes: A prestigious and long-standing school in Madrid with a rich history and strong academic atmosphere. It’s not a purely international school, but its quality of education is extremely high, especially its students’ performance on the Spanish university entrance exams (EBAU/Selectividad). If you want your child to integrate well into Spanish culture without sacrificing a high-quality education, this school is worth serious consideration.
The English Montessori School: If you prefer a British education and the Montessori philosophy, this school is definitely one of the top choices. It follows the British National Curriculum, and students take IGCSE and A-Level exams, giving them a significant advantage when applying to UK universities. Many Spanish private school rankings feature this school for its excellent teaching and great atmosphere, despite its relatively small size.
To make comparison easier, I’ve created a simple table listing a few aspects you might be interested in:
| School Name | City | Main Curriculum | Features |
|---|
| Agora Sant Cugat | Barcelona | IB | Great facilities, highly international |
| Runnymede College | Madrid | British | High Oxbridge acceptance rate, strong academics |
| The American School of Madrid | Madrid | American, IB | American education, wide range of AP courses |
| Sotogrande International School | Cádiz | IB | Boarding option, beautiful surroundings |
Choosing a school for your child is a major undertaking, and you can’t rely on rankings alone. I feel the best approach is to personally attend the school’s Open Days, talk with the principal and teachers, and get a real feel for the school’s atmosphere. After all, the best school is the one that’s right for your child. I hope this post can get the ball rolling, and I’d love to hear about the experiences and recommendations from other seasoned members on this forum!
