Key Takeaways
- Fuengirola itself has very few international schools. Most expat families here send children to schools in neighbouring Mijas Costa and Benalmádena — it’s effectively one school zone spanning three municipalities.
- St. Anthony’s College in Mijas Costa is the anchor: British curriculum, ages 3–18, one of the oldest international schools on the entire Costa del Sol.
- Fees range from essentially free (Spanish concertado) to €13,000/year for British curriculum private schools — a wide spread depending on your choice of system.
- Spanish concertado (semi-private) schools are a genuine option many expat families overlook. Bilingual programmes, minimal fees, and full immersion into local life.
- School buses cover most urbanisations between Los Boliches and Benalmádena Costa. Confirm your specific route before committing to a property.
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If you’re house-hunting in Fuengirola and have school-age children, the first thing to understand is that Fuengirola, Mijas Costa, and Benalmádena function as a single school corridor. The municipal boundaries don’t matter much — what matters is the 15-minute driving radius that puts half a dozen international and bilingual schools within reach.
This is the practical directory: which schools serve this area, what they cost, what curriculum they follow, and whether a Spanish concertado school might be the smartest option nobody told you about. For the broader Costa del Sol overview, see International Schools on the Costa del Sol. For the Marbella-specific scene (which is a different world), see International Schools Marbella.
The Fuengirola–Mijas Costa–Benalmádena School Corridor
The geography here works in your favour. The AP-7 motorway and the coastal road connect Fuengirola to Benalmádena in under 15 minutes, with Mijas Costa sitting on the hillside between them. Most schools run bus routes across all three municipalities, so where you live matters less than you’d think.
That said, if school proximity is your top priority, Mijas Costa has the densest concentration of international schools in this zone. The area around La Cala de Mijas and Riviera del Sol is where several established schools cluster.
British Curriculum Schools
St. Anthony’s College (Mijas Costa)
- Ages: 3–18
- Curriculum: British National Curriculum, IGCSEs, A-Levels
- Fees: €5,500–11,000/year depending on age group
- Location: Camino de Coín, Mijas Costa
- Founded: 1968
- Website: stanthonyscollege.com
St. Anthony’s is the anchor school for this corridor. Nearly six decades of operation makes it one of the most established British schools on the Costa del Sol. It’s smaller and less “prestige” than the Marbella schools (Aloha, EIC), but many local expat families prefer it precisely for that reason — less competitive atmosphere, closer community, and significantly lower fees.
The school takes students through to A-Levels, which matters if you want continuity from nursery to university entrance without switching schools. NABSS-accredited.
Benalmádena International College (BIC)
- Ages: 3–18
- Curriculum: British National Curriculum, IGCSEs
- Fees: €5,000–10,500/year
- Location: Benalmádena Pueblo area
- Website: bic-benal.com
BIC serves families in Benalmádena and eastern Fuengirola. British curriculum through to IGCSEs. The school is physically located up in Benalmádena Pueblo (the old village, not the coast), which means a hillside commute but a quieter, more traditional setting. Smaller class sizes than the bigger Marbella schools.
Calpe School (Benalmádena)
- Ages: 2–11
- Curriculum: British + Spanish dual curriculum
- Fees: €8,200–13,000/year
- Location: Benalmádena Costa
- Website: calpeschool.com
Calpe is a primary-only school, which means your child will need to move for secondary education (typically to St. Anthony’s, BIC, or one of the Marbella schools). The trade-off: it’s highly regarded for the early years, with genuinely bilingual British-Spanish education and small class sizes. The fees are on the higher end for this area — comparable to some Marbella schools — but the results in bilingual development are strong.
Important: Calpe only goes to age 11. Plan the secondary transition early.
Novaschool Sunland International
- Ages: 3–18
- Curriculum: Bilingual (British framework + Spanish integration)
- Fees: €4,500–9,000/year
- Location: Between Benalmádena and Torremolinos
- Website: novaschool.es
Novaschool sits at the eastern edge of this corridor, closer to Torremolinos than Fuengirola. It’s part of the Novaschool group (multiple campuses across Andalucía), which gives it institutional backing but a slightly more corporate feel than the independent schools. The bilingual model means strong Spanish alongside English instruction — useful if you plan to stay long-term and want your children integrated into both languages.
The Spanish Concertado Option: Why Many Expats Choose It
Here’s something the international school marketing won’t tell you: many established expat families in the Fuengirola area send their children to Spanish concertado schools — and are happy with the decision.
Concertado schools are semi-private: government-funded but independently managed, often by religious foundations or educational cooperatives. They’re essentially free (small voluntary contributions of €20–50/month, plus materials), and many now run bilingual programmes in English and Spanish.
Why consider concertado?
- Cost: Near-zero vs €5,000–13,000/year for private international schools
- Bilingual programmes: Many concertados teach 30-50% of subjects in English
- Integration: Your child learns alongside Spanish children, picks up the language faster, builds local friendships
- Quality: Some concertados outperform private schools academically — don’t assume private = better
Concertados in the Fuengirola area:
- Colegio Maravillas (Benalmádena): Popular with expat families, bilingual programme
- CEIP Los Boliches (Fuengirola): Public (not concertado, but free) with bilingual English programme
- Colegio San José (Fuengirola): Concertado with good local reputation
The reality check
Concertado works best when:
- You’re staying long-term (5+ years) and want genuine integration
- Your children are young enough to absorb Spanish quickly (under 8 is ideal)
- You’re comfortable with the Spanish education system’s structure (different from British)
- You’re not planning to send your child to a UK university at 18 (though it’s still possible via selectividad)
It works less well when:
- Your children are teenagers with no Spanish
- You need UK exam qualifications (IGCSEs, A-Levels) for university plans
- You might move back to the UK within 2–3 years
Choosing Between Schools: Decision Framework
If you want a full British education through to A-Levels: St. Anthony’s College is the obvious choice for this area. The only school in the corridor offering the complete British pathway from nursery to sixth form.
If bilingual education is the priority: Calpe School (primary) or Novaschool (primary through secondary). Both build genuine bilingualism rather than English-only with Spanish as a foreign language.
If budget matters: Spanish concertado schools. The quality gap between a good concertado and a mid-tier international school is smaller than the €10,000/year fee gap suggests.
If you’re only here for 2–3 years: British curriculum school (St. Anthony’s or BIC). Your children can slot back into the UK system without disruption.
If you’re considering homeschooling: It’s a growing choice on the Costa del Sol, especially since COVID opened up online learning options. See our complete guide to homeschooling in Spain.
Practical Considerations
School buses
All the private international schools run their own bus networks. Routes typically cover Fuengirola centre, Los Boliches, La Cala de Mijas, Riviera del Sol, Calahonda, and Benalmádena Costa. Bus fees run €100–200/month. Confirm your specific pick-up point before signing — some urbanisations fall between routes.
Waiting lists
Less pressure than Marbella but don’t leave it late. Apply by February for September entry. The most competitive year groups are Reception (age 4–5) and Year 7 (age 11–12, secondary entry).
Mixing systems
Some families start in a concertado for primary (free, bilingual, integration) then switch to St. Anthony’s for secondary (British qualifications for university). This is a workable strategy, but the transition at age 11–12 can be challenging. Talk to both schools about it before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any international schools actually in Fuengirola town?
Very few. The international schools serving Fuengirola families are located in Mijas Costa and Benalmádena — both within 15 minutes by car or school bus. St. Anthony’s College (Mijas Costa) and Benalmádena International College are the two main options. Fuengirola itself has Spanish public and concertado schools, some with bilingual programmes.
How much do international schools cost in the Fuengirola area?
British curriculum private schools range from €4,500 to €13,000 per year depending on the school and age group. St. Anthony’s starts around €5,500/year for primary. Calpe School (Benalmádena) is at the higher end at €8,200–13,000. Spanish concertado schools are essentially free, with only small voluntary contributions of €20–50/month.
Can my child join a Spanish school with no Spanish?
Yes, especially at younger ages. Children under 7–8 typically pick up conversational Spanish within 3–6 months through immersion. Older children find it harder. Many concertado and public schools have “aula de enlace” (integration) support for non-Spanish speakers, though provision varies. Ask the specific school about their support for newcomers before enrolling.
Is it better to choose a school in Mijas Costa or Benalmádena?
It depends on where you live and what curriculum you want. If you’re in western Fuengirola or La Cala, Mijas Costa schools (St. Anthony’s) are closer. If you’re in eastern Fuengirola or near Benalmádena, BIC or Calpe make more sense geographically. Academically, visit both and compare — the “best” school is the one that fits your child, not the one with the fanciest website.
What about secondary school if my child is at Calpe School?
Calpe only goes to age 11. Most Calpe families transition to St. Anthony’s College (British curriculum through A-Levels) or one of the Marbella schools (Aloha, EIC, Swans) for secondary. Plan this transition from Year 4 or 5 — securing a Year 7 place at a popular school requires early application. Calpe’s staff can advise on which secondary schools their graduates typically join.
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