Best Marbella Schools 

So what are the best Marbella schools for your kids? The good news is you have the luxury of choice as the Costa del Sol offers a wide range of private and state schools for both younger children as well as  teenagers between 13 to 18 years of age.

To provide an authoritative view on the topic from a local insider, we invited Melissa Garrett - a long-term teenage resident of Marbella - to share her perspective on the best Marbella schools and different programmes available to teens living on the Costa del Sol. For more information on schools in the region, check out our Complete Guide to Schools in Marbella.

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AN INSIDER'S VIEW TO THE BEST MARBELLA SCHOOLS FOR TEENAGERS

So, you’re moving to the Costa del Sol? Perhaps one of the biggest things on your mind is “where am I going to go to school if I don’t speak Spanish?” or "What is the best school in Marbella?' Well don’t worry too much, having moved to Marbella myself at the age of 13, I have been there and I live to tell the tale.

Along the coast from Fuengirola to Sotogrande there are many options available to you when deciding where to go to school. Of course, I’m sure you will all be thinking the same thing, “I just want a normal school”, but what you must remember is that over here in Spain things work a little differently. Instead of the familiar system in the UK of state and privately funded schools, in Spain there are other alternatives.

• English Language Private Schools
• European Language Private Schools (German, Swedish, Norwegian)
• Spanish Language Private Schools
• Spanish State Schools

The type of school I went to was the first of what I have defined to be the main four categories of schools in Spain: the English Language Private Schools. These could be considered to be the closest you will get to the conventional English school, the main difference being that the majority here come with a hefty price tag.

These schools offer the English National Curriculum, allowing you to take the same exams, your GCSES and A-Levels, as your friends back in home. This is a necessity if you are planning on going to University in England, and should also be remembered that these qualifications are regarded highly all over the world. Some, namely Sotogrande International College, also offer the IB qualification, which is similar to A-levels and is also recognised in universities worldwide.

Most of the English private schools listed go up to the age of 18, and allow you to take either your AS and A-levels at their Sixth form, or the Bachillerato if you go into the Spanish sector. However, of course this is not for everyone, and it is not compulsory to continue with your education after the age of 16.  

If you are looking to take some additional qualifications, or do you’re A-levels in a more “college – like” way, then there is the European Sixth Form College situated in Calahonda. They offer a range of subjects and are a lot more flexible than any of the other sixth forms on the coast. Additionally they are much less expensive and, although there are fees to pay, they are not as high as the alternatives. Worth a look if you want to continue in education without the stresses of traditional school. 

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Teenage Reflections on Marbella's English Private Schools

When it comes to selecting the best Marbella schools among the private English ones along the coast, keep in mind that they vary quite considerable in terms of what they expect from you as one of their students. Depending on where your strengths lie, it is possible to find one just right for you. That is, if it’s not too far for Mum or Dad to drive you everyday!

I went to the English International College (EIC) from the age of 13 and enjoyed every moment of it. Nevertheless, if you are the type of teen that would rather sit back and relax then this is not going to be the school for you. Instead, be prepared for a heavy workload and high expectations from your teachers. Throughout the secondary school, pupils are helped and guided towards applying to the best Universities in England, including Oxford and Cambridge and that means there is a reasonable amount of pressure on you as a student to work hard.

Despite all the work, the EIC also allows you to play hard.  It has a fantastic range of sport facilities including a large outdoor swimming pool and Astro-pitches. Throughout the academic year they arrange many fun and unique events every year such as a triathlon, Marbella mile and the sixth form barbeques, which involve a whole lot of fun on Segway’s and a spot of zorbing!

Also, if you are the type of person who loves to have a part time job, the EIC may not be the best place for you. Although they do encourage outside activities, they would rather that these did not distract you from your studies, so perhaps stay away from those CVs for now!

The best way to get a real feel for the private schools is to schedule visits to each one of them. Meet the teachers, tour the campuses and talk to students there. The private English schools follow the English national curriculum and each offers their own areas of focus.

Had enough of Mum and Dad and fancy a try at boarding? Many consider Sotogrande International School to be among the best Marbella schools. This is a school like any other except that from the age of 14 you are able to take one of the 150 places at their new boarding faculty. This is the only International boarding school on the Costa and is definitely the place to go if this is your cup of tea.

Housed in a former 4* hotel, the buildings are lovely and you will feel right at home, that is until you remember you are actually at school. Whilst at SIS you will be studying the IB programme, an alternative to GCSE’s and A-levels, which is gaining recognition around the world. The IB programme is not for the faint hearted, and although I didn’t study this myself, I had friends that did, and I didn’t see too much of them under that pile of homework!

SIS also hosts the annual international school basketball tournaments and is considered the team to beat when it comes to all sports competitions along the coast.

If you are moving over from another European country, you too have private school options which are considered to be among the best Marbella schools. The Costa del Sol offers privately funded education in German, Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian.

BEST Spanish LANGUAGE Private Schools IN MARCELLA

Want to become one of the locals? The Costa del Sol offers some fantastic Spanish private schools. These offer the Spanish curriculum and lessons are taught in Spanish, or in some, are offered bilingual, which is perfect for those who really want to pick up the language at a fast pace. You can review the comments from the community on the Spanish schools which are also ranked among the best Marbella schools.

Spanish Private schools such as the new Atalaya College in Benahavis offer fantastic state of the art facilities and you wont he short of space to chill out with your friends. 

BEST Spanish LANGUAGE State Schools IN MARBELLA

Finally, there are the Spanish state schools, which are funded through the state with no fees payable by Mum and Dad, much like in the UK. However, much like the private Spanish schools, you will be learning the Spanish curriculum, in a smaller setting too than in the Spanish private sector.

If deciding to go to any Spanish school, whether it is state or private, it is worth remembering that you will gain Spanish qualifications, which may make is harder when it comes to your university applications back in the UK, although your Spanish will be perfecto, and you may not have a uniform either!

Still looking for more? Check our this blog created by the community on a Complete List of private and state Spanish primary schools.

Spanish Schools in Marbella - a Teen Perspective

If you are considering opting for a Spanish state school, you must be aware that there are catchments areas for these, so this is something to make your parents aware of if you have one in mind.

However, when it comes to Spanish schools, both private and state, my expertise wavers and it is difficult to objectively state how they rank among the best Marbella schools. I don’t have any experience with Spanish schools, although from what I have heard from friends that have attended them, it’s been a mixed bag of reviews.

With that being said, one thing they can all agree on is it’s very tough to begin with, as all your lessons are in Spanish. So not only are you trying to learn the content of the lessons, you first have to decipher what the teacher is actually saying.

If you are the type of person who loves a challenge and really want to engross yourself in the culture of your new home then go for it! Having gone to an English school myself my Spanish is okay but not great, and this is definitely something I wish I had worked harder at!

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