One of the first things families ask when considering a move to Marbella is: What are the schools like? It’s the right question, and the answer is reassuring. Marbella has one of the most diverse and well-established international school scenes in Spain, with options covering British, American, French, German, Swedish, and Spanish curricula. Whether you’re relocating from London, Stockholm, Paris, or New York, there’s a school here that fits, AIDA, Ocho de Oro, waiting for you nearby.
This guide covers what they offer, where they are, and who they’re best suited for.
Aloha College
Aloha College is one of the most well-known international schools on the Costa del Sol, and for good reason. Founded in 1982, it has decades of experience educating children from around the world and has built a strong reputation for academic achievement and a genuine sense of community.
The school is located in Nueva Andalucía, one of Marbella’s most popular residential areas for international families. With students from over 40 nationalities, children tend to settle in quickly. The curriculum follows the British system through to IGCSEs, finishing with the internationally recognized IB Diploma. Sport and the arts are both well supported, with excellent on-site facilities. Located in Nueva Andalucía, ages 3–18, taught in English following the British / IGCSE / IB Diploma curriculum.
Swans International School
Swans is a smaller, more intimate school situated in Sierra Blanca, one of the most prestigious residential areas on the Golden Mile. What truly sets Swans apart is its close-knit community. With smaller class sizes, students benefit from individual attention and a supportive environment where they can thrive both academically and personally. This boutique approach creates a welcoming atmosphere, helping new students settle in quickly, something consistently praised by parents.
Academically, Swans follows the British curriculum, leading to IGCSEs and the IB Diploma. Extracurriculars are strong for a school of its size, and parents consistently highlight how quickly their children settled in. If you’re buying property on the Golden Mile or in central Marbella, Swans will likely be high on your list. Located in Sierra Blanca, ages 3–18, taught in English following the British / IB curriculum.
Laude San Pedro International College
Laude San Pedro is one of the most established and well-known international schools on the Costa del Sol. Its larger campus and broad student body create a dynamic, multicultural environment that appeals to families from all over the world, and it is well-positioned for families living in the western part of Marbella, Nueva Alcántara, or Benahavís.
Laude offers a comprehensive British-based curriculum, taking students through IGCSEs and A-Levels, with the option of a Spanish Bachillerato pathway. This flexibility makes it particularly attractive for families who want to keep both international and local university options open.
One of the school’s standout features is its scale. Compared to more boutique schools, Laude benefits from extensive facilities, a wide range of academic offerings, and a strong extracurricular program that includes sports, arts, and enrichment activities. This makes it especially suitable for students who thrive in a more diverse and active school setting.
Atalaya Colegio Internacional
Atalaya is a bilingual school that combines the Spanish national curriculum with an international approach. It’s a great choice for families who want their children to grow up genuinely immersed in Spanish culture, make local friends, learn the language properly, and become part of the community while still receiving a strong, internationally minded education. Popular with families planning to stay in Spain long-term. Located in Urbanización El Marqués, Estepona, it is taught in Spanish and English and follows the Spanish national and international curricula. The school caters to ages 3–18.
Colegio Francés — French School
Colegio Francés in Marbella center is an excellent choice for French-speaking families seeking continuity in education. Following the official French national curriculum, it offers schooling for ages 3 to 18, entirely in French, allowing students to transition smoothly without disrupting their academic progress. The school is set within a beautiful villa in Marbella city center, on Calle Jacinto Benavente, and is well established within the local French community.
Spanish and English are also integrated into the programme. Spanish is taught as a core subject to support local integration, while English is introduced early and developed progressively. This structured, multilingual approach enables students to graduate with strong proficiency in French, Spanish, and English.
Beyond native speakers, the school is also appealing to international families. Its immersive environment allows children to become fluent in French while benefiting from a rigorous and highly regarded academic system, making it a strong option for those seeking both quality education and the long-term advantage of trilingualism.
Deutsche Schule Málaga — German School
Founded in 1898, the Deutsche Schule Málaga is one of the oldest international schools on the Costa del Sol, offering a long-established German education system. Located in La Mairena (Ojén), just outside Marbella, the school provides a peaceful natural setting while remaining easily accessible.
The school follows the German national curriculum and caters to students aged approximately 6 to 18 (Grades 1–12), making it ideal for families from Germany, Austria, or Switzerland seeking continuity in both language and academics.
Although situated inland, the school offers convenient bus routes with multiple pick-up points across Marbella and the surrounding areas.
Svenska Skolan Marbella — Swedish School
Svenska Skolan Marbella is the heart of the city’s Scandinavian community, offering a warm and welcoming environment in Nueva Andalucía. The school caters to children aged 3 to 12 (preschool and primary) and follows the Swedish national curriculum, with teaching entirely in Swedish, ensuring continuity for families relocating from Sweden.
Parents consistently highlight the school’s close-knit atmosphere and personal attention, helping children feel settled from day one. The campus itself reflects this approach, with spacious classrooms, outdoor play areas surrounded by palm and olive trees, and even a swimming pool that students regularly use.
It’s an ideal setting for young children to adapt smoothly to life in Spain while remaining connected to their home education system.
The American College in Spain
Based in Nueva Andalucía, The American College in Spain is the go-to option for American families or those aiming for US university pathways. Located in Urbanización La Alzambra, Nueva Andalucía, the school caters to ages 14–18 and above and is taught entirely in English, following the American / GED / AP curriculum. Reviews from students and parents are consistently excellent, with small class sizes and attentive teachers frequently mentioned.
Creators
Creators International School offers a fresh, innovative approach to education on the Costa del Sol, designed for families seeking alternatives to traditional academic pathways. Located in Benahavís, just a short drive from Marbella, the school combines a peaceful natural setting with a highly modern learning environment.
Aimed at students aged 7 to 18, Creators follows an international curriculum with strong British foundations, preparing pupils for IGCSEs and A-Levels. What truly sets it apart is its intensive STEM focus, with a significant part of the timetable dedicated to subjects such as mathematics, physics, computer science, and entrepreneurship.
Teaching is conducted in English, with Spanish included as an additional language, creating a strong international profile. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, while the hands-on approach encourages students to work on real-world projects, develop coding skills, and think like future innovators.
Attendis — Bilingual School Las Chapas & Colegio Bilingüe Ecos
Attendis runs two schools on the eastern side of Marbella, Las Chapas and Ecos, both sharing the same philosophy of quality, human, and values-driven education, where personal development is taken just as seriously as academic achievement.
Both are authorized IB World Schools offering the Primary Years Program (PYP) and Middle Years Program (MYP). Las Chapas also offers the full IB Diploma, providing a complete route from early years through university preparation. In 2024, the schools achieved a 100% pass rate in the PEvAU university entrance exams. With 81 certified IB teachers and 296 students sitting Cambridge certification exams in 2023, the academic credentials speak for themselves.
Both schools cater to ages 0–18, are bilingual in Spanish and English, and follow the Spanish national curriculum alongside the IB program. Las Chapas is located in Urbanización Hacienda Las Chapas and in Ecos, Urbanización Elviria.
Colegio Alborán
Colegio Alborán is located in Urbanización Ricmar on the eastern side of Marbella, making it a convenient option for families purchasing property in that part of the coast. The school offers a well-rounded education in a calm, residential setting away from the busier western areas of Marbella, yet still within easy reach of the city center. With a strong sense of community and a focus on personal development alongside academic achievement, Alborán is a solid choice for families looking to integrate into Marbella life while maintaining high educational standards. The school caters to ages 3–18 and follows the Spanish national curriculum with a bilingual Spanish-English program.
Which Area and Which School?
School choice and location are closely linked in Marbella. Nueva Andalucía gives you access to Aloha College, Svenska Skolan, and The American College, all within a short drive. The Golden Mile and Sierra Blanca area put the Swans right on your doorstep. San Pedro and Benahavís are ideal if Laude San Pedro is the right fit.
Choosing the right neighborhood often starts with knowing which school feels right for your family. That’s a conversation worth having early in the process.
