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

If you’re preparing for the March enrollment period (proceso de escolarización) in Málaga, timing and strategy matter more than many families realize. Whether you’re applying to a public or concertado school, understanding how catchment zones, the point system, and recent changes to Infantil class sizes work can make a meaningful difference in your outcome.

Here’s what families need to know for the 2026-27 application cycle.

The March Enrollment Period: What It Covers

In Andalucía, the priority application window runs March 1–31 for:

• Segundo ciclo de Infantil (age 3–5)
• Primary (Primaria)
• Secondary (ESO)

This is the main opportunity to secure a place for the following academic year. Outside this window, placements are handled through the ongoing process and depend entirely on remaining availability.

New Change: Fewer Seats in 3-Year-Old Infantil

Beginning this academic cycle, 3-year-old Infantil classrooms are capped at 22 students per class.

Previously, many schools operated with higher caps. While this reduction is positive for classroom environment and ratios, it also means:

• Fewer seats per school
• Tighter availability at highly sought-after schools
• More competitive point cutoffs in certain zones

That said, it’s important to keep perspective:

• This past academic year saw a significant surplus of seats overall across Málaga province due to the ongoing decline in birth rate.
• The seat reduction allows for a guaranteed lower teacher to student ratio across all schools.

How Catchment Zones (Áreas de Influencia) Work

Every public and concertado school in Málaga belongs to a defined geographic zone created by the Junta de Andalucía.

Your empadronamiento (registered home address) determines:

• Your primary zone (zona de influencia)
• Neighboring zones (zonas limítrofes)
• Your base point total

Being “in zone” gives you the highest address-based priority.

You can also receive points for the zone where a parent or guardian works.

The Point System (Baremo)

Admission is not first come, first served. It is based on a scoring system.

Here’s a simplified breakdown:

Factor	Points
Living in the school’s primary zone	14
Living in a bordering zone	10
Sibling already enrolled	14
Parent working near school	6
Other social/family criteria	1–4

Families are ranked by total points. If applications exceed available seats, the highest scores receive placement.

With 22 seats per Infantil 3 classroom, highly sought-after schools that have typically accepted 75 to 100 kids (for 3-4 classes) and still have to turn kids away each year, will now have even fewer seats to meet demand.

Important Strategic Note About Ranking Schools

You may list multiple schools in order of preference. However:

• If you apply to an out-of-zone school with low points and it fills before your application is considered,
• And your zoned school also fills with higher-scoring applicants and then fills with lower-scoring applicants to listed it first,

you may reduce your chances of securing your top realistic option.

Ranking should always balance aspiration with probability.

Should You Choose Housing Based on School Zones?

This is one of the most common questions I receive.

My general view:

• Unless your child has a very specific educational need, start with the neighborhood you want to live in.
• Then evaluate the schools within that catchment.
• Schools in the same zone are more alike than they are different, most kids are able to thrive in a variety of environments.

How to Check Your Zone

Use the official zoning tool from the Junta de Andalucía:

1. Enter your exact address
2. View your primary and bordering schools
3. Confirm which schools give you 14 points

Do not rely on WhatsApp groups or neighborhood assumptions—check directly.

Practical Tips for March Applicants

Register your empadronamiento as soon as possible if you are new to the area or have moved.
It can take several weeks to receive the official certificate. If applying outside the March period, proof of application may suffice temporarily.

Research beyond open houses.
Look at school Instagram and Facebook pages if you cannot attend February/March open houses.

Consider both public and concertado options.
Both are publicly funded and follow the same admissions system.

You will get a spot; it will all work out.
There was a broad surplus of seats this past year. High-demand tends to concentrate in specific neighborhoods and specific schools, not across the entire city. 96% of families enroll in their first-choice school.