International Education in Mallorca
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Mallorca may be best known as a package holiday destination for Europeans. But once summer is over and the crowds die down, this beautiful island has so much to offer longer-term expats. Golden beaches, winter sun, a relaxed pace of living and friendly locals are just the start.
But if you want your family to enjoy a slice of Meditterranean life, where does schooling fit in?
Spain’s national education system is well-regarded internationally and free. However students learn through Spanish, which can be a challenge for young children not familiar with the language. That’s where international schools come in with a worthy alternative; global curricula such as the International Baccalaureate taught through English, so your child can pick up exactly where they left off without missing a beat.
You may think the Balearic Islands, being 200km off the coast of mainland Spain, wouldn’t have much choice of international schools. Fortunately this is totally untrue. Mallorca has a choice of excellent international schools covering curricula as diverse as British, Swedish, American, French, German, and of course the ever popular IB.
Most international schools in Mallorca are situated close to the island’s capital, Palma. Heading southwest from Palma, towns such as El Terreno, Cala Major, Genova, Sant Agusti and Portals Nous all have an international school. In the opposite direction you’ll find international schools in Santa Maria Del Cami and Binissalem. Manacor in the east and Les Meravelles to the south also have an option.
The good news doesn’t end there. Spain is one of the cheapest countries in Europe for international school fees. And since demand is slightly lower on the islands than in major cities like Barcelona or Madrid, prices are even lower still in Mallorca.
Some international schools in Mallorca are state subsidised. To get government funding, a school must enrol at least 25% local children and each classroom must have at least 20% local students. They must also teach a bilingual curriculum through Spanish and another language. This means that your child will still have plenty of opportunity to learn Spanish and make friends with some local kids.
Uniforms are common in Spanish international schools, but are usually not included in the yearly fees you pay. Other school supplies, extracurricular activities and excursions are often not included either.
School campuses are usually purpose-built and are spacious and modern, sometimes with dedicated sports grounds. Due to the large number of British expats in Mallorca, native English-speaking teachers are also very common in the island’s international schools. The bilingual aspect of many international schools here also means that native Spanish-speaking teachers are equally common.
Below, we have compiled the top 5 international schools in Mallorca according to our users. However, there are another 14 schools to choose from in the city. You can find the best international school for your child by personalising your results. Just fill in your search criteria, and we will calculate a personal score for every international school in Mallorca based on your requirements.
