Españaula Blog: Your Guide to Schools & Education in Málaga & the Costa del Sol

If you’re planning a move to Spain (or already here) with school-age children, one of the first questions you’ll face is:
Should we go public, concertado, or private?

As a consultant who’s worked with families navigating all three options, I can tell you—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But there is a way to make this choice more manageable, informed, and aligned with your child’s needs.

Below, I’ll walk you through what each type of school offers, what to realistically expect, and the questions I always encourage parents to ask before making a decision.

First, a Quick Primer:

• Public schools (colegios públicos):
  Fully state-funded, secular, and free to attend. Placement is based on a points system and your catchment zone.
• Concertado schools:
  Semi-private schools that receive government funding but are privately managed. Often Catholic or religious, with lower fees than private schools. Similar to public school, priority is based on a points system and your catchment zone.
• Private (and international) schools:
  Fully independent, tuition-based schools that follow a variety of curricula—Spanish, British, American, or IB.

What I Ask Families to Consider:

1. What’s your timeline—and how long do you plan to stay?

If you’re in Spain long-term, public or concertado may offer better integration, affordability, and stability. If you’re here short-term or want continuity with another curriculum, international private schools might be a better fit.

2. What are your values and hopes for your child’s experience?

Do you care most about academic rigor, social-emotional development, outdoor play, arts, religious instruction, or language immersion?
Every school has a different culture—even within the same category. I’ve walked through joyful, inclusive public schools, and concertados with outdated discipline approaches. There’s variation everywhere.

3. How adaptable is your child—and your family?

In public schools, especially smaller ones, the community is often close-knit and local. Language support may be informal, especially at first. If your child thrives with structure and support, a concertado or private school may feel more familiar. If they’re curious and flexible, public school may be a great match.

🧠 From experience: Some kids in Spanish-speaking schools take several years to feel fluent, while others pick up the language through play in just months. A lot depends on age, personality, and what happens outside of school too.

4. What’s your local zone like?

In Spain, public and concertado admissions are zoned. You may have access to excellent options—or feel more limited. It’s important to research your zone early, especially if you’re planning to apply during the spring admissions period (typically March).

Common Myths I Hear—and the Reality

• “Private schools are automatically better.”
  Not always. Some of the happiest, most grounded families I’ve worked with send their kids to small, public schools with great teacher morale.
• “Public schools don’t support foreign kids.”
  This varies. Support can be patchy, yes—but many public school teachers are incredibly thoughtful and experienced with multilingual learners.
• “Concertados are the perfect compromise.”
  Sometimes—but not always. Fees, religious content, and pressure for conformity can be higher than families expect. Ask specific questions during visits and speak to current and former families (this advice goes for any school).

Final Thoughts

Choosing a school in a new country isn’t just about logistics—it’s about helping your child feel at home. You’re not just comparing websites or rankings. You’re imagining a life: who your child talks to at recess, what language they dream in, how their teachers speak to them when they’re struggling.

If you’d like help sorting through your options or just want to hear how other families are approaching this process, you’re always welcome to join our Facebook community: