Guide to Schools in the Alicante Area

The following is a description of the types of school available in this area and the entrance requirements of each category; please bear in mind that this list is meant only as a guide and for more information on what each individual school offers you should contact them directly.

Bilingual (or multilingual) Schools

These are privately run schools in which at least some of the classes will be held in Spanish and will usually follow the Spanish curriculum.

The onus is on preparing the child for a future in Spain, either on to further education or employment.

Entrance is at the discretion of the school and before being accepted each child will be assessed individually.

With the exception of infants, a certain level of Spanish is compulsory depending on the child’s age and circumstances.

COSTA BLANCA INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
Partida de Sanz
03500 Benidorm
Alicante
966803411

NEWTON COLLEGE
Ctra Vieja Elche-Alicante km 3
03295 Elche
Alicante
965451428

EL LIMONAR
Avda de Orihuela 57
Urb. Los Balcones
03180 Torrevieja
Alicante
96672282

Note: In the Valencia region fluency in the local dialect (Valenciano) is necessary for University places and some professions; bear this in mind when choosing a school as not all schools teach Valenciano.

English Schools

In these privately run schools the classes are held in English and usually follow the British curriculum. Spanish is taught as a second language at all levels. There is no need for the child to have any Spanish knowledge before entering.

SIERRA BERNIA SCHOOL
San Rafael
03580 Alfaz del Pi
Alicante
966875149
sbsschool@apdo.com

THE LADY ELIZABETH SCHOOL
Seniola 70
03737 Javea
Alicante
965790252

XABIA INT. COLLEGE
Ctra Cabo la Nao 21
03730 Javea
Alicante
966471785
xic@ctv.es

Spanish State Schools

In a State school your child will receive free education, but will be taught in Spanish and will follow the Spanish curriculum. Depending on at what age the child joins the school they may experience difficulties in the first year (unless the child is already fluent in Spanish). The extent of extracurricular Spanish classes available for foreign students differs in each school. Depending on area there is a high possibility that there will be native English speaking students already attending local schools so your child has a greater chance of integration.

To enrol your child in a state school you must first register your family on the electoral role at the local Ayuntamiento (town hall). You will then be notified of which school the child will attend, this depends on your address and the available spaces in local schools. In some cases you may be given an option on which school is chosen, if possible it is worth talking to the parents of other pupils first, to establish the level of support your child will receive.