Education on the Costa Blanca - living a dream, building a future.

The latest United Nations data shows that the only European country in the top five of expat destinations is Spain in fourth place (if you are interested in the raw data, it can be sourced here).

Those who have spent any time in a different country know that relocating is not that simple. The first few days and weeks can be exciting but the dream can be often met with equal measures of dread and pressure of the new culture, and of course new language. Even though the process of acclimatisation may be slow, like anything else in life it needs time. Many people are seeking help with this transition and one such solution is Otium, the Asset Folio Concierge Team.

According to the Internations Expat Insider Report issued this year, a better quality of life is the top motivation for relocating to Spain. Spain ranks sixth in the Quality of Life Index. Boosting the rating is the excellent score in the Leisure Options subcategory, where Spain comes in third after Australia and Mexico.

If anyone out there is worried that it is difficult to get by without knowing at least some Spanish, the ease of learning it can be seen in expatriate children, as over half of the parents say that their children speak Spanish well. The availability and cost of childcare and education in Spain is not only very affordable but the quality is said to fall within the first 25% of global rankings, so why not relocate and bring along your children, too?

The many private and international schools in Spain will very quickly allow the child to speak multiple languages and understand the world in a global and international context.

In the Costa Blanca, where Asset Folio has recently opened a new office, there is a number of subsidised private schools, bilingual and fully independent international schools including those following the American and British curricula. A range of Scandinavian schools is also increasing along with the growing Swedish and Norwegian communities.

The schools are listed in order of geographical area from North to South along the Costa Blanca, a coverage of over 250kms in two regions, the Valencian Community and Murcia.

Valencia

The American School of Valencia

Has around 750 students in the kindergarten, primary and secondary schools. Most classes taught are in English, local intake is large with pupils from all over the world. The School prepares students for both Spanish and US universities, meaning that everyone takes the Spanish Baccalaureate Diploma as well as the American High School Diploma, SATs as well as "Selectividad" (Spanish uni entrance). IB also available.

The British School at Alzira

The location is delightful and the school buildings are a treasure. The owners are Spaniards and it attracts a more discrete and cultured clientele. The staff are efficient, businesslike and strive for excellence. It is certainly worth investigating if moving to the outer Valencia area and the fees are affordable to you.

Caxton College

20-30mins from the centre of Valencia, Caxton is a senior school (11-18) with boarding available. Teaching is in English and follows the English curriculum.

English School los Olivos

Takes children ages 3-18, day school with teaching in English and Spanish, though students take GCSE and A-Levels in conjunction with a slightly adapted curriculum. Run as a cooperative, and the majority of students are Spanish.

Javea

Xabía International College

The Staff are known for being warm, friendly and very helpful. The facilities are good and support IT, arts, literature, sports and the school enjoy frequent good publicity in the local press with coverage of academic achievements with charity events and exciting excursions.

La Nucia (near Benidorm)

Elian's

Elian's is privately owned by Spaniards but part of the Dublin-based group of schools. It is one of the most impressive schools in terms facilities and set in an ideal picturesque setting. On entering the grounds and modern building, it reminds us more of a hotel and spa resort. It is (for these parts at least) quite spectacular. The school offers parents a complete package with before and after school child-care, Spanish classes for parents and other much needed support aimed at working professional parents.

Alicante

The British School of Alicante

This school enjoys a very good reputation. It seems to be closest to how most parents would imagine an international school to be. Purpose-built, it has recently expanded with the secondary department and it is modern and efficient in terms of overall presentation and administration with approachable staff. The school sits on the south side of the city on a hillside with sea views, and is easily accessible.

Den Norske Skolen I Rojales

Norwegian private school based in a popular international urbanisation, Quesada, on the Costa Blanca. The large Norwegian School teaches Primary and Secondary school children.

Murcia area

El Limonar International School

British parents who have children at ELIS Murcia and some at ELIS Villamartin all say that they are perfectly satisfied with the education on offer and the facilities. The school receives a fair amount of press coverage – all positive.

King's College at La Torre Golf Resort

Opened in September 2007. Part of the same King's management group as the British School of Alicante, this school is backed by Polaris World, the developer/promoter of the Golf Resort la Torre, who wanted to provide a better service to their clients with an on-site educational establishment for the children. The school will also be open to non-Golf resort residents.

Skandinaviska Skolan

Private Swedish school that follows Swedish curriculum so children living in Spain do not miss anything that happens in the Swedish schools. In addition to the Swedish Curriculum, children are also taught Spanish and English. This is a small school with around 50 children.

New Castelar

International bilingual college that is accredited by the Middle States Association (USA). It caters for children from 1 years age up to the second year of secondary school (13 years). Classes are taught in both Spanish and English.

Waldorf Denia  

An independent kindergarten and primary school which pedagogy is supported by Unesco. Waldorf Denia is part of the fastest growing independent school movements in the world, The Waldorf Movement.