List of 31 Best Schools in Spain (2026 Fees)

Besides being famous for its rich culture, great food, and attractive cost of living, Spain is also home to some of the best schools. Moreover, in the past 25 years, the standard of education in the country has significantly advanced following the implementation of educational reforms. In fact, according to the 2015 PISA/OECD survey on the education standard of 70 countries, Spain’s performance in Science and mathematics is slightly above the OECD average. Moreover, the country ranks 30 out of 70 in terms of its overall education system. Additionally, the country ranks 1st for ensuring students develop a sense of belonging at school.

Education in Spain is free and obligatory for the first 10 years, for children between the ages of six to 16 years. Generally, the school system is divided into five levels:

Preschool
Primary school
Compulsory secondary education
Post-compulsory secondary education
Tertiary education

Although attending preschool (Educación Infantil or Preescolar) is not compulsory, they are available free of charge for children below six years. Once children turn six years, they join primary school (Educación Primaria or Colegio) from 1st grade to 6th grade. In Spain, primary school is divided into three categories, which include:

First cycle for students between six to eight years
Second cycle for students between eight to 10 years
Third cycle for students between the age of 10 to 12 years

After completing primary education, children progress to middle school, which lasts for four years. The pupils' performance in middle school determines whether they will advance to the university level or undergo vocational training for two years. Those students who qualify for university can proceed to one of Spain’s 59 Universities, as long as they pass the entrance examination.

Facts about schools in Spain (مدارس في اسبانيا)

Generally, the school year starts in mid-September and ends in mid-June. Each year is made up of three terms of approximately 11 weeks and school holidays in between each cycle.
Most primary schools start their school day from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 15:00 pm - 17:00 pm. Within this period, children get a 2 ½ to 3-hour break for lunch or a nap.
There are various types of schools in Spain, which include:
- Public or State Schools. These schools are run by the ministry of education and may teach in the co-official language of the region, instead of Spanish. For instance, in Catalonia or Valencia, the language used can be Catalan, Valencian or Basque. State schools significantly vary in terms of standards, size, and sophistication.
- Private schools in Spain have a level of autonomy in terms of governance, although they run within limits set by the government. These schools have the freedom to develop their unique academic curriculum and offer quality education programs.
- Bilingual and International schools in Spain are fully independent and offer a variety of internationally recognized curriculum such as the English curriculum, the United States curriculum, or the International Baccalaureate (IB).
In Spain, homeschooling your children is not allowed by law.
The country’s education system consists of six years in primary school and four years in secondary schools.

Edarabia showcases all private schools in Spain through which parents can filter by tuition fees, curriculum, rankings & ratings. There are many public, private and charter schools near you that cater to both expat and local students.

Depending on the level of education; kindergartens (pre-schools), primary, secondary and high schools will all have varying tuition fees. Most K-12 schools offer different curriculums and extra-curricular activities to support the intellectual and physical wellbeing of students. Admissions for the top international schools in Spain tend to have waiting lists so it is recommended that parents apply well in advance to secure a spot for their children. Additionally, each school has ratings based on parent reviews and are ranked below accordingly.

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