Having recently moved to Spain, figuring out schooling for my child has become a top priority. The three types of schools—public, semi-private (concertado), and private—can be overwhelming. I’ve recently focused on researching private schools and wanted to share my insights and the information I’ve gathered to start a discussion and provide a reference for others.
Why Choose a Private School?
Many people might think of private schools as ‘elite schools,’ but that’s not entirely the case. The reasons for choosing a private school are usually quite specific:
- Language Environment: Most private schools, especially international ones, offer bilingual or trilingual education. English is standard, and some also offer German or French. This is a huge draw for families who want their children to have more international opportunities in the future.
- Small Class Sizes: Classes usually have no more than 20 students, allowing teachers to give individual attention to each child. This contrasts with public schools where classes can easily have 25 to 30 students, limiting the teacher’s capacity.
- Facilities and Extracurricular Activities: Private schools generally have better facilities; swimming pools, equestrian centers, and even golf courses are not uncommon. The variety of extracurricular activities is extensive, from musical instruments and drama to various sports, allowing children’s interests to be fully developed.
- Educational Philosophy: Some private schools adopt specific educational systems, such as Montessori or the IB curriculum, focusing more on developing students’ overall abilities and critical thinking rather than just exam-oriented learning.
How Expensive Are Private Schools, Really?
This is the question on everyone’s mind. The costs vary dramatically, ranging from a few hundred to over two thousand euros per month. I’ve put together a rough guide, but please note that prices differ significantly between cities and schools, so this is just for reference.
| School Type | Approximate Monthly Fee | Other Costs |
|---|
| Standard Private School | €400 - €900 | Registration fee, lunch, school bus, books & materials, etc. |
| International School | €800 - €2000+ | Same as above, usually higher |
| Specific Curriculum School | €700 - €1500 | Same as above |
Besides the tuition, don’t forget about the matrícula (enrollment fee), comedor (canteen), ruta (bus service), and various material fees. All in, it’s common for the annual cost to be between €10,000 and over €20,000. Honestly, for an average working family, this is indeed a significant expense.
How to Choose? Some Personal Advice
Choosing a private school is a major undertaking; you can’t just rely on rankings. I highly recommend visiting the schools in person—attending their open days is the best way to do this. Talk to the principal and teachers to get a feel for the school’s atmosphere. Observe the current students: are they lively and engaged or listless and subdued? Additionally, your choice should be based on your child’s personality and your family’s future plans.
If you plan to stay in Spain long-term and want your child to integrate into local society, a good bilingual private school might be more suitable than a purely British or American international school. If the future plan involves university in the UK or the US, then the advantages of an IB program, which many [Spanish private schools] offer, become apparent. In short, there is no ‘best’ school, only the ‘most suitable’ one. If you have any experiences or have encountered any pitfalls on your school selection journey, feel free to share and discuss in the replies!
