International Education in Alicante - Costa Blanca
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Alicante has been an expat hotspot in Spain for many, many years. Located right in the middle of the sunshine-soaked Costa Blanca, it’s especially popular among British expats searching for sun, sea, sand and a relaxed lifestyle.
This large expat population includes people from all walks of life, from retirees all the way to young families. And thanks to the large number of the latter, there are plenty of international schools in Alicante and throughout the Costa Blanca region.
Spain’s state education system is well-regarded and free for everyone. If you’re planning on living in the country long-term and have pre-school aged children, then a state school may be a worthwhile option. Not only will they receive a high standard of education; they’ll be immersed in Spanish life right from the start.
However if your children have already started school in another country or you plan on moving elsewhere in future, an international school may be a better choice. They won’t have any knowledge gaps while moving from school to school, and they can learn one curriculum consistently from start to finish.
International schools around the world usually have a large majority of expat students. International schools in Alicante, however, come with a significant proportion of local students too. This is common throughout Spain, because schools offering 25% (minimum) of their places to local children are eligible for government subsidies. In reality, the percentage of local to international students is often much higher than 25% - all the better to help your child become integrated into local life!
While Spanish is the language of instruction in state schools, the majority of international schools in Alicante teach through English. Bilingualism is encouraged however, and there will always be the option for your child to learn Spanish.
In fact many international schools offer the Spanish national curriculum alongside the most popular curriculum, which is of course British. Again this dual curriculum model comes down to those all-important government subsidies; international schools who teach the Spanish curriculum in addition to their own can qualify for funding. If neither of those will do, a wide variety of curricula from across Europe can also be found.
Unlike state-run schools in Alicante, international schools often have a uniform. The cost of this, as well as school books, some extracurricular activities and other add-ons, is usually not included in the school’s fees.
As for location, international schools in Costa Blanca aren’t just concentrated in Alicante. Less than an hour to the north, Benidorm has s selection to choose from too. Travel south along the coast and you’ll find more international schools in San Miguel, and even more further inland in Murcia. Setting up a base at the beach and travelling to or from the cities is easily done in this region of Spain.
Unlike larger cities in Spain like Madrid, Alicante enjoys comparatively lower international school fees. In fact school fees in Alicante are among the lowest in Europe, but its international schools still offer the same high standards of education. With lower costs, a beautiful climate and a friendly international community, making your expat dreams a reality in Alicante is a fantastic choice.
Below, we have compiled the top 10 international schools in Alicante - Costa Blanca according to our users. However, there are another 19 schools to choose from in the city. You can find the best international school for your child by personalising your results. Just fill in your search criteria, and we will calculate a personal score for every international school in Alicante - Costa Blanca based on your requirements.
