Valencia – bursting with sunshine, oranges and palm trees - is a less obvious Spanish destination than Barcelona and Madrid, but it throws out a fairly irresistible lure (including international schools) to expat families.
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Education in Valencia
British families are likely to consider living in the centre of Valencia as it is home to the most obvious choice for an English education – but it’s certainly not the only choice.
Escuela pública is a less popular option 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 and it is easier to move from state to private than vice-versa. The standards of these schools can vary dramatically but will probably be higher, if in an area favoured by expats and wealthier Spaniards. Also be mindful that there is a move to increase the proportion of classes taught in Valenciano as opposed to Spanish.
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 third of Spanish families.
Choosing a school in Valencia
The choice of schools covers most parental demands, provided you are happy with A levels, the IB Diploma or the Spanish Bachillerato as the exit qualifications and also for a high proportion of Spanish students. There are fewer options if you are looking for an American education.
Best schools in Valencia
Caxton College 
Adapted English curriculum/ Spanish curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level/ Spanish Bach; ages 1-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 1,440 students
Located in Puzol, a beach community 20 kms from central Valencia. Starting with the endearingly named ‘Baby Caxton’ and continuing up to A Levels or Spanish Bachillerato. Currently, the majority of students are Spanish but with an increasingly large international cohort. Respectable results at IGCSE and A level.
Click here to read our full review of Caxton College.
These schools have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
American School of Valencia
American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ IB Diploma/ Spanish Bach; ages 2-18; co-ñed; day; independent; private non-profit; 850 students
Founded in 1980 and located in Los Monasterios near Puzol, 30 kms from central Valencia. Students are roughly 90 per cent Spanish with the remainder from over 25 other countries. The vast majority of graduates remain in Spain for university but a small percentage move on to leading institutions in North America, the UK and the rest of Europe.
British College La Cañada
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 510 students
The British College, La Cañada opened in 2008, making it a relative newcomer in Valencia’s international school scene. Students can take the exams (Selectividad for Spanish students and PCE for expats) that Spanish universities require in year 13. La Cañada is a suburb about 10 kms from Valencia’s city centre, close to urbanisations popular with expats.
British School of Alzira
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 550 students
Opened in 1997 as the first of three family run schools. All based in cities, south of Valencia. Alzira is In the Valley of Aguas Vivas, about one hour's journey by either train or road from Valencia. Offering a full English curriculum and Spanish language and cultural studies to students from over 20 nationalities, on a purpose-built campus.
British School of Valencia
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level/ Spanish Bach; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 880 students
Founded in 1992 and recently acquired by Cognita (currently running over 70 international schools) as its seventh school in Spain. Situated in the heart of Valencia, rare for an international school. Classes are taught in English and enrolment at age five or above requires passing an English language and maths assessment. However, students are able to choose the option of the Spanish Bachillerato rather than A levels.
Cambridge House Community College
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level/ Spanish Bach; ages 3-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 1,300 students
Founded in 1986 with just ten pupils. Located in Rocafort, less than 10kms west of Valencia. Vast majority of students are Spanish with approximately 5 per cent British or from other nationalities. Popular with local parents and there are often waiting lists.
Colegio Mas Camarena
Spanish curriculum/ Spanish Bach/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day and boarding; privately owned; 3,000 students
A large school located in Betera outside Valencia. Unusual, in teaching the Spanish curriculum in English (over 50 per cent in elementary) as well as in Spanish, the English element decreasing further up the school. Regularly cited as one of the leading Spanish schools, the campus offers great sporting facilities as well as a language and music school. In 2018, they opened an ‘International Student Hall of Residence’, a sport, residential and leisure complex for international (Russian and Chinese cohorts) students.
Cumbres School Valencia
Spanish curriculum/ Cambridge 1, 2/ IGCSE/ A Level/ Spanish Bach; ages 6 months-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit
Bilingual (English/Spanish), private, Catholic school located in Moncada, north of the city. The school forms part of the Regnum Christi schools network. Both boys and girls can attend Cumbres but are taught in separate classes and have the option of taking A levels or the Spanish Bachillerato.
El Plantio International School
EYFS/ National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma; ages 2-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 600 students
Located in Paterna, just outside the city centre and founded in 1982. Offering the IB Diploma since 1999, with a strong speech and drama focus in the secondary school including vocational training or the IB with a drama option. Classes taught in English but Spanish introduced at age five and Valencian part of the curriculum. Weekly or full boarding available in secondary school.
English School Los Olivos
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ Spanish curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level/ Spanish Bach; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 400 students
A small school, in comparison to other private schools in Valencia, and run by a British cooperative of teachers. Opened in 1976 and located in residential Campolivar, 9 kms from the centre of the city. Now in partnership with Xicotets Nursery School. For the last eight years 100 per cent of graduates have passed into Spanish universities, often with a high average mark. The majority of pupils are Spanish from the Valencian community.
Iale International School (Elian's)
Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ Spanish Bach; ages 1-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 500 students
Located between L’Eliana and La Pobla de Vallbona, two popular expat suburbs. The Elian’s schools are now part of the rapidly expanding International Education Partnership (Swedish education company with schools in Sweden and Spain). The group bought out their Spanish partners in IES S.L., the Monzonis family, in 2018. Immersion in English at nursery level and a British education up to the end of year 11 but English decreasing steadily thereafter. Valencian taught from primary level and the sixth form delivers a Spanish curriculum leading up to the Spanish Bachillerato.
Lycée Francais de Valence
French curriculum/ Brevet/ French Bac; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 2,000 students
On a campus in Paterna to the northwest of the city, which has excellent transport links. Located here since 1889 and one of the oldest international schools continuing in operation in the country. This is a long-established French school that happens to be in Spain. All 75 classes are taught in French following the French curriculum and roughly one third of students are French nationals.
Valencia Montessori School
American curriculum/ Montessori; ages 18 months-12; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 220 students
A bilingual (English/Spanish) nursery followed by a Montessori based curriculum taught in English. Brilliantly located next to the pseudo, African children’s paradise of the Valencia Bioparc, with suitably decorated, primary colour classrooms.