Schools & education: options for families

The short version

• State schools (colegios públicos) are free and where most local and expat children go.
• International (English-curriculum) schools are few on the coast — most are around Málaga or Granada.
• You'll need your padrón to enrol, and children generally pick up Spanish fast.

How the Spanish system works

• Infantil (3–6, optional but usual), Primaria (6–12), ESO (12–16, compulsory), then Bachillerato or vocational training (FP).
• The school year runs roughly September to June; many schools finish around lunchtime with optional afternoon activities.

State schools (colegios públicos)

• Free and open to all resident children; books and materials are modest extra costs.
• To enrol you'll need your empadronamiento, the child's documents and vaccination records.
• There's a set admissions window in spring for the following year — but you can enrol on arrival if you move mid-year.

Concertado (semi-private)

State-subsidised private schools, often religious — partly free with some fees, a middle option between public and private.

International & private schools

• Schools following a British or international curriculum in English are mainly around Málaga and Granada, not on the Costa Tropical itself — so factor in the commute.
• Fees vary widely and places can be limited.

Learning Spanish

• Younger children usually become fluent within a year or so.
• Andalusian state schools run ATAL support classes to help foreign pupils with the language.
• Teenagers find it harder — worth weighing up when you choose where and when to move.

A few tips

• Sort your padrón early — you need it to enrol.
• Visit a couple of schools first; head teachers are used to foreign families.
• If English-language schooling is essential, check the commute from where you plan to live.
• A little Spanish for parents helps with the admin — and the class WhatsApp groups.