Having recently moved to Valencia, I’ve been stressing over choosing a school for my child. I’ve looked into public, semi-private, and fully private schools, and it’s been quite a deep dive. Since I haven’t seen many threads on the forums discussing this topic, I thought I’d start the conversation and share what I’ve learned, hoping it can help other families in the same boat.
Why Consider a Private School?
For our family, the main considerations were language barriers and future university prospects. Private schools, especially international ones, typically offer instruction in English or multiple languages. This makes the transition much smoother for a child who has just moved here from abroad. Furthermore, their curricula are often internationally aligned, which simplifies the process of applying to universities in other countries. Of course, the facilities, student-to-teacher ratios, and extracurricular resources at private schools in Valencia are generally better than in public schools, which was also an important factor for us.
Brief Reviews of Some Popular Private Schools
I’ve primarily looked into the following schools, all of which are frequently discussed among parents. Each has its own unique characteristics. The prices are approximate and can change annually, so it’s best to check the official school websites for exact figures.
| School Name | Area | Curriculum | Estimated Tuition |
|---|
| American School of Valencia | Puzol | American Curriculum, IBDP | €8,000 - €20,000+ |
| Caxton College | Puzol | British Curriculum, A-Level | €7,000 - €15,000+ |
| Colegio Los Naranjos | Gandia | Spanish Curriculum, Multilingual | €4,000 - €7,000+ |
| Julio Verne School | Torrent | Spanish Curriculum, Multilingual | €4,000 - €8,000+ |
American School of Valencia and Caxton College are considered the top international schools in the Valencia region. Both are located in the affluent area of Puzol and boast top-notch facilities and faculty. ASV follows an American-style education with a more lively and liberal atmosphere, while Caxton is purely British and tends to be stricter in its management. The downsides are the high cost and limited availability of spots, so it’s crucial to apply early. I’ve heard from friends that sometimes even if you have the funds, you might not be able to get off the waiting list.
In the end, we didn’t choose either of these, mainly due to the long commute, in addition to budget considerations. We live in the city center, and the daily drop-off and pick-up would have been too much of a hassle. So, we turned our attention to options closer to the city, like Julio Verne School. It’s an excellent local Spanish private school that focuses on multilingual education, teaching Spanish, Valencian, and English, which can help a child better integrate into the local environment. The tuition is also more affordable. Ultimately, choosing a school is a personal decision that depends on your budget and priorities; there is no ‘best’ school, only the ‘right fit’. When making your choice, be sure to consider your family’s situation, budget, and your aspirations for your child’s future. Feel free to add more information and discuss which schools you’re considering!
