Top 5 international schools in Marbella for 2025-2026: A guide for parents

2nd May 2025 · 4 min. read · by Carmen de Arriaga

Our extensive experience in the high-end real estate market confirms that the purchase of a luxury property is often heavily influenced by the availability and quality of nearby services. Among these, the proximity to top-tier International Schools plays a particularly important role, as families seek excellent education options that cater to diverse ages and cultures.

Thanks to Marbella’s exceptional climate, children frequently participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities and sports. As many parents need to manage multiple daily trips to and from school and activity centers, having prestigious International Schools close to home becomes a major factor when choosing the perfect property.

The international community living on the Costa del Sol has driven the growth of excellent International Schools in Marbella. These bilingual institutions offer a rich cultural environment where children develop global skills while maintaining their roots, preparing them for top universities worldwide.

In today’s globalized world, mastering multiple languages and benefiting from exceptional school programs is key.
Here is our selection of the best International Schools in Marbella for your family.

Aloha College International School Marbella

Aloha College International School Marbella is one of the leading International Schools on the Costa del Sol, offering high-quality education for over 35 years. Following the British National Curriculum, it welcomes students aged 3 to 18 from more than 50 nationalities, providing a multicultural environment where English and Spanish learning go hand in hand, leading to internationally recognized qualifications like IGCSEs and A-Levels.

Combining academic excellence with a rich variety of extracurricular activities, Aloha College offers a modern campus with outstanding facilities to support holistic development. With a strong emphasis on values such as respect, responsibility, and integrity, this prestigious International School prepares students to thrive at top universities and in an increasingly globalized world.
 

Swans International School Marbella

With over 50 years of history, Swans International School has built a strong reputation for academic excellence, consistently reflected in the outstanding achievements of its students. The school fosters a true passion for learning, offering a bilingual education in Spanish and English, with French introduced at the Primary level to further enhance students’ language skills from an early age.

Swans also encourages personal growth beyond academics through participation in the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. This program promotes self-discovery, independence, and leadership among young people. As part of their Adventure Trip, students embark on a two-day hiking expedition through the scenic landscapes of Ronda and Tarifa, developing resilience and teamwork.
 

The British International School of Marbella

The British International School of Marbella provides a high-quality education based on the British National Curriculum, tailored to meet the needs of an international student body. Welcoming children from early years through to secondary school, it offers a dynamic and engaging learning environment where academic excellence, personal development, and creativity are all strongly encouraged.

With a strong focus on small class sizes and individual attention, students at The British International School of Marbella benefit from a supportive and stimulating atmosphere. The school’s modern facilities, combined with a wide range of extracurricular activities, ensure that each child develops academically, socially, and personally, preparing them to succeed at prestigious universities worldwide.

French International School of Marbella

The French International School of Marbella welcomes kindergarten and primary school students, offering an innovative trilingual education. Its academic approach follows the French national education system, enhanced by a hybrid model that integrates the best practices from active, modern pedagogies to foster dynamic and engaged learning.

In each class, students are guided by three native teachers, specialists in French, Spanish, and English, ensuring a true mastery of all three languages. This unique educational model not only promotes linguistic fluency but also develops students’ critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability, essential skills for thriving in an ever-changing global environment.

The American College

The American College in Spain offers an authentic American-style education for high school and university students, with the convenience of completing part of their studies in Marbella. Its academic program is fully recognized by numerous American universities, allowing students to transfer their credits seamlessly to institutions in the United States or to American universities worldwide to complete their degree.

With over twenty-five years of experience and more than 12,000 students having passed through its campus, The American College in Spain provides a solid academic foundation. Students can pursue pathways leading to a BA (Bachelor of Arts), BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), or BSc (Bachelor of Science), opening doors to internationally accredited qualifications and a global future.
 

If your children have already completed this stage of their education and you are now exploring university options, make sure to check out our recommendations here.