International Education in Valencia
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Valencia is often overlooked by expats in favour of Spain’s more well known cities like Madrid, Barcelona or Malaga. But this seaside destination on the eastern coast has just as much to offer. Family-friendly, full of culture and with beaches and parks aplenty, Valencia may just be the most underrated expat hotspot in Spain.
After Madrid and Barcelona, Valencia is the third biggest city in Spain. Expats considering a move here with kids in tow will have few issues, as the city is home to a wide selection of international schools. Below we’ve given an overview of the most important things to know about them.
International schools around the world usually have a large majority of expat students. International schools in Valencia, however, come with a significant proportion of local students too. This is common throughout Spain, because schools offering 25% (minimum) of their places to local children are eligible for government subsidies. In reality, the percentage of local to international students is often much higher than 25% - all the better to help your child become integrated into local life!
Valencia’s international schools commonly offer two curricula; the Spanish curriculum, and the national curriculum of the school’s country. More often than not this is British, but you’ll also find German, French, American and the International Baccalaureate on offer. Again this dual curriculum model comes down to those all-important government subsidies; international schools who teach the Spanish curriculum in addition to their own can qualify for funding.
Compared to other countries in Europe, international school fees in Spain are at the lower end of the scale. And compared to bigger Spanish cities like Madrid or Barcelona, international schools in Valencia have slightly lower fees still. Keep in mind, however, that the yearly fees don’t include uniforms (a common feature of international schools in Spain), school books and supplies, extracurricular activities, and possibly more depending on the school.
Most of Valencia’s international schools are located outside of the city centre, in areas such as Campolivar, Montecanyada, and in surrounding areas like Pucol, Santo Domingo and Mont Vedat. A handful are situated a short distance from the city’s picturesque Ciutat Vella (old town).
The majority of international schools in Valencia cater for children from pre-school age right up until pre-university level. The school day begins at around 9am and lasts until 5pm, with many schools offering before and after school care for the youngest students.
School campuses tend to be very spacious, with many of them having sports facilities such as swimming pools and basketball courts on-site. Most schools have native speaking teachers among the staff, for both English and Spanish.
Below, we have compiled the top 10 international schools in Valencia according to our users. However, there are another 20 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 Valencia based on your requirements.
