September is just around the corner, and for those of us with little ones, the hustle and bustle is starting, right? Both of my kids are in private school, and this time of year always feels like my personal trial. The emails are piling up—all notifications and payment requests for the new school year. It’s a sweet burden, for sure. I’ve seen many new parents on the forums asking about this lately, so I decided to create a post to share the tips I’ve picked up over the last couple of years. Hopefully, it can help you avoid some of the bumps in the road.
All About School Uniforms
This is definitely one of the biggest expenses before school starts. Schools usually designate a single supplier, which is often El Corte Inglés or the school’s own shop. My advice is, don’t wait until the end of August to buy them
! It’s always packed at that time, popular sizes are already sold out, and getting new stock can take a week or two. Your child might not even have their new uniform by the first day of school. It’s best to go in late July or early August, try on the sizes, and buy everything at once. Additionally, you can buy jackets and sweaters one size up, but shirts and trousers/skirts should be a proper fit, otherwise they’ll be uncomfortable for your child. Sportswear is usually looser, so buying the regular size is fine. In some school parent groups, you might find older students selling second-hand uniforms. If they’re in good condition, getting a set as a backup is a great deal.
Textbooks and School Supplies
The school will send out a detailed book list with the ISBN for each book. The easiest way is to take the list to the designated bookstore or, again, El Corte Inglés, and have them gather everything for you. But honestly, the prices are not cheap. If you want to save money, try looking for second-hand books on Wallapop or in school parent groups. However, make sure to double-check the ISBN, as textbook editions can have minor updates each year with the start of private schools in Spain
. As for notebooks, stationery, and other supplies, I personally don’t think it’s necessary to buy the school-recommended ones. You can just go to Carrefour or other large supermarkets—they have more variety and much lower prices. You can save quite a bit of money this way.
Sample Breakdown of Back-to-School Costs
Besides tuition, the back-to-school season comes with a bunch of miscellaneous fees. I’ve put together a simple table here to give you a general idea. Keep in mind that costs will vary depending on the school and grade level, so this is just for reference.
| Cost Item | Approximate Range | Notes |
|---|
| School Materials Fee | €150 - €300 | Collected by the school for the year’s supplies, etc. |
| School Bus Fee | €90 - €150 / month | Optional, depends on your home address |
| Lunch Fee | €120 - €180 / month | Mandatory in most private schools |
| Insurance Fee | €20 - €50 / year | Usually a one-time payment at the start of the year |
Finally, I just want to say that even though the back-to-school season can be a major drain on the wallet, seeing your kids in their new uniforms with their new backpacks, running excitedly into the school grounds, makes it all feel worthwhile. If anyone else has money-saving tips or pitfalls they’ve encountered, feel free to share them in the comments below! Wishing all the kids a great new school year
!
