Key Takeaways
- Marbella has the highest concentration of international schools on the Costa del Sol — 8+ schools within a 20-minute drive.
- Fees are the highest on the Costa: EUR 6,000–18,000+/year depending on school and age group.
- Aloha College, Swans, and The English International College (EIC) are the three most established, with decades of track records and strong university placement.
- Laude San Pedro offers a unique dual British/Spanish curriculum — students can pursue A-Levels, Bachillerato, or both.
- Competition for places is fierce — apply by January for September entry. Popular year groups fill months in advance.
🌊 Get the WaypointSur Briefing
Free weekly intel for expats on the Costa del Sol. Deadlines, workarounds, and admin shortcuts only long-term residents know.
Marbella is where the Costa del Sol’s international school scene is most developed — and most competitive. The town’s large, established expat community means schools here have had decades to mature, build reputations, and expand their offerings.
The flip side: demand is high, waitlists are real, and fees reflect the Marbella premium. Here’s what you need to know about every major school option.
The Big Three: Established Schools with Track Records
Aloha College (Nueva Andalucía)
- Ages: 3–18
- Curriculum: British (IGCSEs, A-Levels) + IB Diploma
- Fees: EUR 7,500–12,500/year
- Founded: 1982
- Students: ~900
Aloha is many families’ first choice and for good reason. Forty-plus years of operation, dual pathway (A-Levels or IB), beautiful hillside campus in Nueva Andalucía, and consistently strong academic results. The school produces Oxbridge and Russell Group offers regularly.
The IB programme is particularly well-regarded — Aloha was one of the first schools on the Costa to offer it, and they’ve refined it over years.
Strengths: Academic rigour, dual A-Level/IB pathway, pastoral care, established parent community, excellent campus.
Consider carefully if: You’re on a tight budget (total costs with meals and transport easily reach EUR 15,000+) or you’re applying late — popular year groups fill by February.
Swans International School (Sierra Blanca)
- Ages: 3–18
- Curriculum: British (EYFS through A-Levels)
- Fees: EUR 6,500–11,000/year
- Location: Sierra Blanca (Marbella’s Golden Mile)
- Students: ~700
The most centrally located international school in Marbella, sitting just above the Golden Mile. Swans has a strong reputation for welcoming newly arrived families — their induction programme for children who join mid-year is one of the best on the Costa.
The school has invested heavily in facilities over the past five years: new science labs, performing arts spaces, and sports facilities.
Strengths: Central location, excellent new-family support, modern facilities, strong IGCSE results.
Consider carefully if: You want IB — Swans is British curriculum only. Also, the Sierra Blanca road gets congested at pickup time.
The English International College — EIC (Elviria)
- Ages: 3–18
- Curriculum: British + IB Diploma
- Fees: EUR 8,000–14,000/year
- Location: Elviria (east Marbella)
- Students: ~600
EIC is widely considered the most academically rigorous school on the Costa del Sol. Their sixth form results regularly place students at top UK universities, and the IB scores are consistently above the world average.
The Elviria location is beautiful but means a significant commute if you live in San Pedro or western Marbella — factor in 30-40 minutes each way during school hours.
Strengths: Academic excellence, IB and A-Level pathways, university placement record, smaller class sizes in sixth form.
Consider carefully if: You live west of Marbella centre (the commute is real), or you’re looking for the most affordable option — EIC is at the top of the fee range.
Strong Alternatives
Laude San Pedro International College
- Ages: 3–18
- Curriculum: British + Spanish Bachillerato (dual pathway)
- Fees: EUR 6,000–10,000/year
- Location: San Pedro de Alcántara
- Students: ~800
Laude’s unique selling point is the dual curriculum: students can follow the British pathway (IGCSEs, A-Levels), the Spanish pathway (ESO, Bachillerato), or in some cases, elements of both. This is genuinely useful for families who might stay in Spain long-term — the Bachillerato opens doors to Spanish universities without the extra homologación process that A-Level students face.
San Pedro is also one of the Costa’s most liveable towns — real Spanish town centre, good restaurants, everything walkable.
Strengths: Dual curriculum flexibility, central San Pedro location, reasonable fees for the area, strong community.
Consider carefully if: You want IB specifically — Laude offers British and Spanish pathways, not IB.
St. Anthony’s College
- Ages: 3–18
- Curriculum: British
- Fees: EUR 5,500–9,000/year
- Location: Marbella
Catholic ethos (though all faiths welcome). Smaller school with a strong emphasis on values, community service, and personal development. Lower fees than the Big Three, with solid academic outcomes. A good mid-range option for families who want British curriculum without the Aloha/EIC price tag.
Deutsche Schule Málaga (Ojén Campus)
- Ages: 3–18
- Curriculum: German (Abitur)
- Fees: EUR 5,000–8,000/year
- Location: Ojén (20 min north of Marbella)
For German-speaking families, the Deutsche Schule offers a route to Abitur with some trilingual elements (German/Spanish/English). The Ojén campus is rural and spacious. Not relevant for English-only families, but worth knowing about.
Nurseries and Early Years in Marbella
Most of the schools above have nursery or pre-school sections from age 2–3. Standalone nursery options include:
- Little Acorns (San Pedro): British-style nursery, EUR 500–700/month. Feeds into Laude San Pedro.
- Footsteps Nursery (Nueva Andalucía): English-medium, EUR 450–650/month. Well-regarded for early years development.
- Public Escuelas Infantiles: EUR 0–200/month (means-tested). Apply through Marbella ayuntamiento — limited places.
The Marbella School Decision: Key Factors
Where You Live Determines Where They Learn
In practice, most families choose their area of Marbella based on school location — not the other way around:
- Nueva Andalucía: Aloha College families
- San Pedro de Alcántara: Laude families
- Sierra Blanca/Golden Mile: Swans families
- Elviria/East Marbella: EIC families
This isn’t absolute — school bus routes extend across the area — but the daily school run is a real quality-of-life factor. Living near the school means your child has friends in the neighbourhood, can attend after-school activities without marathon drives, and you can engage with the parent community.
Social Dynamics to Be Aware Of
Marbella’s school scene has a social layer. Parents at the top-fee schools skew toward high-net-worth individuals — business owners, sports professionals, diplomatic families. This isn’t inherently good or bad, but be aware that birthday parties at some schools involve yachts and luxury venues. If your family isn’t in that bracket, it can create social friction for children (and parents).
Schools like Laude and St. Anthony’s tend to have a broader socioeconomic mix and a more grounded community feel.
After-School and Weekends
Marbella has strong extracurricular infrastructure for international school families:
- Sports clubs: Tennis, padel, swimming, football, horse riding, sailing — all available with English-speaking coaches
- Music and drama: Several schools have excellent programmes; independent options include Málaga Philharmonic youth orchestra and various theatre groups
- Language support: Spanish tutoring is easy to find (and advisable — even at international schools, extra Spanish helps enormously)
🌊 Get the WaypointSur Briefing
Schools, taxes, property, healthcare — the practical stuff families on the Costa del Sol actually need. Three issues a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best international school in Marbella?
It depends on what you prioritise. Aloha College and EIC are the strongest academically and offer both A-Levels and IB. Swans has the best central location and new-family support. Laude San Pedro offers unique dual British/Spanish curriculum flexibility. Visit several and speak to current parents before deciding.
How much does it cost to send a child to international school in Marbella?
Tuition ranges from EUR 5,500 to EUR 14,000+ per year. With meals, transport, uniforms, and activities, expect EUR 9,000–18,000 all-in per child per year. Marbella fees are the highest on the Costa del Sol.
Which Marbella schools offer the IB programme?
Aloha College and The English International College (EIC) both offer the IB Diploma alongside British A-Levels. No other Marbella school currently offers IB — for this, you’d need to look at Aloha, EIC, or Atlas American School in Estepona.
Can I send my child to a Spanish public school in Marbella?
Yes. Public schools are free and accept all resident children. Marbella has several colegios bilingües (bilingual public schools). The main consideration is your child’s age — younger children adapt to Spanish immersion faster. Enrollment is through the Junta de Andalucía, typically March-April for September.
When should I start looking at schools in Marbella?
Begin research 9-12 months before your planned move. For September entry, submit applications in January-February. Contact schools by October-November for open day dates and availability checks. Mid-year moves depend entirely on space in the relevant year group.
📖 Related Guides
- International Schools on the Costa del Sol — all schools across the Costa
- International Schools in Málaga
- Cost of Living in Marbella
- Non-Lucrative Visa — most common visa for relocating families
Last reviewed: February 2026. Fees and availability change annually — always verify directly with schools.
Add WaypointSur as a preferred source in Google Search: