Relocating to Marbella with children

Marbella is the ideal place to relocate to, especially for families. It offers all the amenities of a small city, with the added benefit of stunning beaches and a sunny climate.

Obviously an important factor for families looking to relocate is the quality of schools in the area and it is recommendable to search for suitable schools before looking for property to ensure you do not end up living too far away from your school of choice.

There are 3 different options when choosing schools in Marbella. Spanish state schools, private schools and international schools.

State schools

State schools are accessible to all Spanish residents regardless of your citizenship and are free for children of preschool age up to 18 years. Parents are however required to pay for materials and any extra-curricular activities, such as school trips.

Spanish State Schools are a great option for families relocating with younger children as it helps them to pick up the language quicker and integrate into Spanish life.

For older children, state school may be more of a struggle when it comes to language but there are a wide range of private and international schools available.

Private schools

There are a number of private schools in Marbella catering for a range of educational needs.

Aloha College This school offers both Primary and Secondary education and is considered one of the best private schools in the Costa del Sol.

Colegio San José This private bilingual school is located in Marbella and Estepona and caters for children from preschool age to 18 years old.

Saint George’s School, Marbella This is a private primary British school aimed at children of 3-8 years of age.

Las Chapas and Ecos – These girls and boys schools belong to the Attendis group. Both are private bilingual schools.

La Latina This bilingual school located in the heart of Marbella, offers both Primary and Secondary education.

Colegio Alboran is a bilingual private school educating children from primary school age to 18 years of age.

International schools

For those not planning to stay in Marbella for long, International schools are the ideal option. In general, international schools cater for the transient expat population. They aim to ensure that the curriculum is consistent and is easy for students to make a transition to their next school.

Calpe College International School: This school caters to 2-10 year olds and follows the British curriculum.

The British International School of Marbella offers contemporary British international education from early years through to secondary.

Swans International School offers primary and secondary education.

The English International College offers primary and secondary education.

Laude San Pedro International College teaches the British education system from 3 to 18 years old.

Image: Natalya Zaritskaya