A snapshot: schools on the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida considered (but not necessarily chosen) by English-speaking expats.
Schools with a full GSGI review are noted with 
next to their names.
(pending) means that the school is on our list to review.
By full GSGI review, we mean school write-ups that are completely selected, researched, visited and written by our own editors. Our final reviews take the good with the bad, warts and all, but we look for a preponderance of good before we drill down for in-depth details and descend on the school for an exhaustive visit. We are aware of the other schools on this page and we continually add or remove schools, as deemed appropriate.
The schools are listed by town and Valencia has a separate listing: 'Best schools in Valencia considered by expats'.
Alicante
King’s College Alicante (The British School of Alicante)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ Spanish curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 570 students
Part of King’s College Schools in Spain now owned by Inspired Education. A bilingual school following a British-style curriculum, leading to IGCSEs and A Levels (35 per cent A*-A recently). Impressive university destinations from Oxbridge to Harvard with consistently high numbers starting at Russell Group universities in the UK. The school also prepares students for the entrance to Spanish universities. Inspected by Penta for British Schools Overseas (BSO) and also accredited by the National Association for British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
Benidorm
Costa Blanca International College
Adapted curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 300 students
Established in 1994 and located in Benidorm. A bilingual (English/Spanish) school, teaching an English curriculum but including courses on Spanish and Valencian language as well as elements of the Spanish curriculum. Accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
Elian's British School La Nucia
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ Spanish Bach; ages 1-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 500 students
The Elian’s schools are now part of the rapidly expanding International Education Partnership (Swedish education company with schools in Sweden and four in Spain)). The group bought out their Spanish partners in IES S.L., the Monzonis family, in 2018. Immersion in English at nursery level and an English education up to the end of year 11 but teaching in English decreasing steadily to one third over that time. Sixth form delivers a Spanish curriculum leading up to the Bachillerato. Accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
Elche
Laude Newton College
International Early Years Curriculum/ International Primary Curriculum/ MYP/ IB Diploma/ ESO/ Spanish Bach; ages 1-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,100 students
Part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) currently operating just under 40 schools in 9 countries. Bilingual and international, mainly English, curriculum until the end of year 10, when students can opt for the International Baccalaureate programme or the Spanish Bachillerato. On a purpose-built campus in the countryside near Elche and close to Alicante. This school scores highly with well-educated Spanish families and is accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
Murcia area
El Limonar International School Murcia
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level/ Spanish Bach; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,000 students
One of two ELIS schools owned and run by the Cognita group, currently holding a portfolio of over 70 schools across the globe, educating around 40,000 children. The school in Murcia is an international school on two campuses, following an English curriculum but also offering American and Spanish university preparation. The new campus at Montevida aims to eventually cater for an additional 450 students. The majority are Spanish but they also come from over 20 other countries. Accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
King's College Murcia La Torre Golf
EYFS/ adapted National Curriculum for England/ Spanish curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 550 students
One of the newest members of King’s Group, which was bought by Inspired Education in 2019, along with all the other King’s College Schools in Spain. A bilingual school following a British-style curriculum and leading to IGCSEs and A-Levels. Originally opened to cater to golfing families, now numbers pupils from Murcia, San Javier and Cartagena.. Also prepares students for the entrance to Spanish universities. Accredited by the Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
New Castelar College
Spanish curriculum; ages 1-13; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 330 students
Opened in San Pedro del Pinatur, in 2006, as the first international school in this particular region of Spain. Bilingual school, classes taught 50/50 in English and Spanish. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges (MSA).
Shoreless Lake School Totana
Adapted American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP; ages 8-18; boys; boarding; independent; private non-profit; 200 students
Catholic, boys only, boarding school for Spanish and expat students, south of Murcia and Cartagena, founded in 1991. An American education with a strong Catholic ethos (they accept non-Catholics) leading to qualification for entry to US universities but also preparing students for the Spanish alternatives. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).
Torrevieja area
El Limonar International School Villamartin
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level/ Spanish Bach’; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 500 students
In Villamartin (San Miguel de Salinas, Alicante). One of two ELIS schools owned and run by the Cognita group who currently operate over 70 schools across the globe, educating around 40,000 children. An international school following a British curriculum but also offering American and Spanish university preparation. The majority of students are Spanish but also come from over 20 different countries.
Phoenix International School
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned;
Very small family-type school in San Miguel de Salinas, formerly known as Mar Azul International School.
SEN schools that have been flagged up to us but we have not visited personally:
Colegio Comarcal de Educacion Especial Gargasindi, Calpe
Colegio Publico Comarcal de Educacion Especial Rachel Paya, Denia
Xàbia
Laude The Lady Elizabeth School
EYFS/ International Primary Curriculum/ adapted National Curriculum for England/ GCSE/ A Level; ages 1-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 1,000 students
Part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP), currently operating nearly 40 schools in 9 countries. Classes from nursery to sixth form taught in English and graduates move on to universities in the UK, Spain and the rest of Europe. The latest published A Level results were about in line with UK averages but the school points out that a high percentage of their students sit the exam in a language that is not their mother tongue. Accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
Xàbia International College
National Curriculum for England/ GCSE/ A Level/ Spanish Bach; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 450 students
Founded in 1994 and now in the process of building a new secondary campus which will please local parents. Students can mix A Levels with the necessary Spanish subjects so that they can obtain a Bachillerato, in order to apply for Spanish universities. Other graduates tend to go on to university in the UK or the rest of Europe. Students can also work towards the Duke of Edinburgh international awards. Accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
