The Costa Blanca is definitely not just blue sea, Benidorm and Brits. Remember though, this is a long stretch of coast, so maybe it’s international school first, house second. Alternatively, there is the more laid back, easily available (and free) Spanish system if it’s not just a case of ‘hola’ and ‘adios’.
- Education in Costa Blanca
- Choosing a school in Costa Blanca
- Special education needs in Costa Blanca
- Best schools in Costa Blanca
Education in Costa Blanca
You may have come here for the lifestyle, but there are also several choices for educating your children, both in international and local schools. Your decision will almost certainly be based on curricula and will therefore tend to be the international option, if this is just a short stay. However, the local schools are worth investigating if you intend to spend a long stretch in the sun and want your children to be more involved in Spanish culture.
Escuela pública is a less popular option than the international schools for expats (unless Spanish is already part of daily life) as there is no guarantee that the teachers will speak English. Smaller children tend to adapt and become integrated more easily and it is a good solution (particularly at the primary stage) if you intend to stay for a long time and want your child to speak fluent Spanish (remember that although the teaching language is Castilian, Valencian will be part of the programme). Also, be aware that the standards of these schools can vary dramatically but will probably be higher, if in an area favoured by expats and wealthier Spaniards.
In addition, and probably more appealing to expats, are private Spanish schools (escuelas privadas), which are mainly co-ed, day schools used by about one Spanish family in three.
Choosing a school in Costa Blanca
Along this 120 mile stretch of coastline, Alicante is the only city with an ancient history, although the stratospheric growth of Benidorm and Torrevieja have made their names more familiar to the average foreigner, heading for sun and paella. Further inland lie Elche and the university city of Murcia, the centre for the hugely expanded ‘second home’ industry in this part of Spain. Naturally, if your job is tied to an office, getting to work will be the priority but if you can be more flexible or work from home, the choice of school may determine which bit of this coast you live on.
Starting in the north, Javéa (more often spelt Xàbia in Spain), has two all-through schools, Laude Lady Elizabeth School and Xàbia International College. The latter is in the town, whilst the former is 20 minutes’ drive to the south. They are also both within reach of the attractive port of Denia and the surrounding area and have the added advantage of being only a three hour boat trip away from Ibiza.
Benidorm and its bars may not be your idea of the perfect, permanent home but the visually stunning site of Elian’s British School La Nucia, only a short drive away up into the mountains, could, at least, make you go to admire the view. Another option, just outside the town to the north, is the bilingual Costa Blanca International College, which teaches both Spanish and Valencian languages as well as IGCSEs and A Levels.
In terms of charm of location and buildings, King’s College Alicante also known as the British School of Alicante, falls short compared to the alternatives further north. But it does have the advantage of having great facilities and being easily accessible by car and train, particularly if you live in the popular, central Ensanche Deputation or in Babel, and still perfectly doable by car if you live in Vistahermosa (another expat favourite) on the northern edge of the city.
About 20 miles south-east of Alicante, lies the old town of Elche, known for its world-famous annual Mystery Play, held in the blue-domed Basilica of Santa Maria, and for the startling number of palm trees, one of which is nearly 175 years old. The added bonus: once you’ve dropped your child off at Laude Newton College you can spend the rest of the day buying shoes at Europe’s biggest shoe shop.
At the southern end of the Costa are both the inland city of Murcia and the seaside resort of Torrevieja. Here, there are more options, the most obvious ones, probably, being the two ELIS (El Limonar International Schools), El Limonar International Murcia and one outside Torrevieja, El Limonar International School Villamartin. They belong to the Cognita education group, also currently building another entirely new school in Murcia.
Another school in this area, offering English and Spanish curricula is King’s College at La Torre Golf Resort, also known as The British School of Murcia, perhaps to suggest a less sporty vibe. Just don’t try to reach it by train as it is a jaw-dropping six hours from Torrevieja, despite being only 25 miles away. Alternative options include the bilingual New Castelar College, in San Pedro del Pinatur (teaching up to 13) and the tiny family school Phoenix International School, in San Miguel de Salinas.
Finally, there’s a curve-ball, Catholic, American boarding school for boys, Shoreless Lake School Totana, offering a college preparatory education in the country (and by the sea), south of Murcia.
Special education needs in Costa Blanca
SEN schools that have been flagged up to us but we have not visited yet are Colegio Comarcal de Educacion Especial Gargasindi, Calpe and Colegio Publico Comarcal de Educacion Especial Rachel Paya, Denia.
The schools are listed by town and Valencia has a separate listing: 'Best schools in Valencia considered by expats'.
Best schools in Costa Blanca
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).
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
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).