Spanish education and schools is for me one of the most important  areas for parents relocating to the Costa Tropical. We are privileged to have a choice of private English style education or opting into the Spanish education system. As EU citizens you will be entitled to free Spanish state education including the supply of free school books at Primary school level. Find below summaries of the two education options here in the Costa Tropical, Spain

Spanish State schools in Andalucia

All the towns and most of the villages have primary schools catering for children's needs from 3 to 12. The first three years are really just a kindergarten but the children enjoy the exposure to the older children and gently get introduced in to the school and Spanish education. From 6 to 12 the children enjoy learning maths, Spanish language and literature, general knowledge and physical education. The Spanish class sizes are on average 20 children and the education style is very hands on with the teachers not afraid to praise and rebuke in equal measures. They have extra curricular activities in breakfast and afternoon clubs (comedor) concentrating on play and homework rather than additional work. The times are 9 to 2pm with just a fifteen minute break in the morning and half an hour late morning. The state schools have no half terms but break up approx 22nd June  up till 8th September !! Now that's a summer holiday. All education is in Spanish apart from English lessons of course.

Secondary schools are generally found in the larger towns Almunecar, Salobrena and Motril.

Many people including our family have found the Spanish education system perfectly good , however the children must learn to speak Spanish to thrive.

ALMUÑECAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 

Founded in 1989, and owned by a consortium of parents, Almuñecar International School is an independent, coeducational day school for students in the Reception to Upper Sixth (Year 13), age range. It was established in order to serve a community of native Spanish and expatriate European (predominantly British) families requiring an English style of education for their children, and is a non-profit making establishment. Altogether, sixteen nationalities are currently represented in the student body.

The education offered at A:I.S. is based on the National Curriculum (England and Wales) but Spanish and Spanish Social Studies also feature on all students’ timetables. In the Primary School, latest strategies in numeracy and literacy have been initiated. In the Secondary School, students sit for GCSE at the end of Year 11 and “A” level at the end of Year 13. A wide range of options is offered. Academic success rate is very high.

The school has recently completed a building programme to meet the growing demand for places. This provided a block of six secondary classrooms, one large primary room containing a suite of computers, and an extended dining room/ hall. Existing facilities include three Science laboratories, a computer-suite, Primary and Secondary libraries and a Sixth Form study.

An all-weather sports area is provided for physical education, and the extra-curricular programme includes football, netball, drama, dance, guitar lessons, many educational visits including the annual week skiing locally in Sierra Nevada and trips to London and Paris. Students also take the Duke of Edinburgh Award at bronze, silver and gold.

The school has a very good academic record and is well respected throughout the region, with many of the local leading business and professional community sending their children there.

SCHOOL ADDRESS:  Urb. los Pinos, s/n, 18690 - Almuñecar , Granada, ANDALUCIA
TELEPHONE:  958 63 59 11
FAX:  958 63 90 03
E-MAIL:  Click here
OWNER:  Almuñecar International School S.A.
DIRECTOR:  Anthony White B.A.
OTHER POSTS OF RESPONSIBILITY IN SCHOOL:
Deputy Head:  Sue Richards
Primary Coordinator:  Fiona Jacobs
Directora Técnica:  Dori Hernandez
Nº FULL TIME (EQUIVALENT) TEACHERS:  34
CLASS ASSISTANTS:  5
Nº ON ROLL:  340
ANNUAL FEES:
Primary (average): 4,000-5,000 €
Secondary (average): 5,700-6,550 €
AGE RANGE IN SCHOOL:  3 - 18 Primary Assembly