Schools on the Costa Blanca: A Guide for Families Moving to Spain
If you're planning to move to Spain with your children, choosing a school will be one of your first decisions.
On the Costa Blanca, you'll find state-funded, publicly funded private, independent and international schools, offering different educational programmes and languages of instruction.
Understanding the local education system before buying a property can help you decide where to settle with your family.
What Types of Schools Can You Find?
State Schools
State schools are part of the Spanish education system. Basic education is compulsory and free, generally covering children aged 6 to 16.
They are an option for families who want their children to join the Spanish education system and attend school alongside other children from the local area.
Admission follows an official procedure and depends on the established criteria and available places.
State-Subsidised Private Schools (Colegios Concertados)
These are privately run schools that receive public funding for certain stages of education.
They follow the official Spanish curriculum, although they may have their own educational approach.
Check which stages receive public funding and whether additional services involve extra costs.
Private and International Schools
The Costa Blanca also has private and international schools offering Spanish, British and other educational programmes.
Some allow children to continue studies they began in another country.
Before deciding, check the curriculum, languages of instruction, qualifications and admission requirements.
Some Schools in the Area
State Schools
CEIP Ciudad del Mar — Torrevieja
A state school offering Early Childhood and Primary Education, located on Avenida Tirso de Molina.
CEIP Romualdo Ballester — Torrevieja
A state school offering Early Childhood and Primary Education, located in the Los Altos residential area.
IES Mare Nostrum — Torrevieja
A state secondary school offering compulsory secondary education, the Spanish Bachillerato and certain vocational training programmes.
You can find these and other schools in the Torrevieja Town Council's directory of educational centres.
State-Subsidised Private School
Colegio La Purísima (Carmelitas Torrevieja) — Torrevieja
A privately run, state-subsidised school offering education from Early Childhood through to Bachillerato.
International Schools
El Limonar International School Villamartín — San Miguel de Salinas
An international school located in the Las Filipinas area, near Orihuela Costa. It offers education based on the British system for pupils aged 3 to 18 and also incorporates elements of the Spanish curriculum.
Newton College — Elche
An international school combining Spanish and British educational programmes, including the International Baccalaureate.
These are just a few examples. For details about programmes, languages, services, admissions and available places, contact each school directly.
Can Your Child Attend School in Spain If They Come from Another Country?
Yes. Children arriving from abroad can enter the Spanish education system.
The procedure depends on the child's age, educational stage and academic background.
If your child does not yet speak Spanish, ask the school how it supports pupils arriving from other countries and what language assistance it can provide.
Bear in mind that both Spanish and Valencian are used in education in the Valencian Community. You should check how languages are organised at each school.
If your children have previously studied in another country, ask which academic documents you need to provide for their enrolment in the appropriate year group.
How Does School Enrolment Work?
For state schools and state-subsidised private schools in the Valencian Community, admissions follow procedures established by the regional education authority, the Generalitat Valenciana.
Each academic year has its own application deadlines and assessment criteria when applications exceed the places available.
If your family moves to Spain during the school year, you can also find out how to apply for a place outside the normal admission period.
Private and international schools have their own admission processes and provide information on how to apply.
For official procedures and current information, visit Adminova, the Generalitat Valenciana's school admissions portal.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing a School?
Your Children's Ages
Check which educational stages the school offers and whether your children can continue studying there as they grow older.
Language of Instruction
Find out which languages are used in lessons and what support is available for pupils who do not yet speak Spanish.
School Hours and Services
Ask about school hours, meals, school transport and extracurricular activities, particularly if both parents work.
Distance from Home
Consider the daily journey and whether school transport is available from the area where you're thinking of living.
Before enrolling your children, visit the schools you're interested in and ask about their facilities and services.
Should You Choose the School or the Property First?
If you have school-age children, it's worth considering both decisions together.
Where you live affects the daily school journey. In certain admission procedures for state schools and state-subsidised private schools, the distance between your home and the school may also be one of the assessment criteria.
However, living near a school does not guarantee a place.
It can therefore be useful to identify several schools that suit what you're looking for before exploring nearby residential areas.
Where Can You Live with Children?
In Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar del Segura, Ciudad Quesada and Pilar de la Horadada, you'll find different residential areas where you can settle with your family.
As well as schools, consider access to sports facilities, healthcare centres, shops and places to enjoy your free time.
If you already have a few schools in mind, exploring nearby neighbourhoods will help you compare properties based on daily journeys and the services your family will use.
How Can VIVEE Real Estate Help You?
If you're thinking of moving to the Costa Blanca with your children, we can help you find a property near the schools and services that interest you.
We work with new-build and resale properties on the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida.
We can help you compare locations and homes, taking into account local services, distances and the characteristics of the areas you're considering.
Discover our available properties
If you already have an area in mind or are starting to plan your move, we'll be happy to help.
About VIVEE Real Estate
At VIVEE Real Estate, we help Spanish and international buyers find homes on the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida.
Our role goes beyond showing you properties.
We want to help you get to know the different areas, understand your buying options and choose a home that suits the way you want to live in Spain.
We guide you through the buying process and help you arrange the necessary steps.
On our website, you'll find:
- New-build and resale properties.
- Guides for international buyers.
- Articles about property investment and quality of life.
- Information about local areas and property developments.
- An updated selection of properties for sale on the Costa Blanca and Costa Cálida.
