School Types & Options

In Spain, families can choose between public, private, and concertado schools. Each offers distinct advantages depending on your child's needs and your family's priorities.

Public schools are government-funded and follow a standard curriculum. They are the most accessible option and offer a broad range of extracurricular activities.

Private schools are independently run and often have more flexibility in their curriculum and teaching methods. These schools may have higher tuition fees but can offer specialized programs.

Concertado schools are semi-private institutions that receive funding from the government. They typically follow the same curriculum as public schools but may have additional facilities or extracurricular offerings.

While public and concertado schools follow standardized admissions processes and government regulations, private schools have their own independent enrollment criteria, sometimes including entrance exams or interviews.

Additionally, the availability of spots can vary greatly depending on the region, with urban areas generally having more options but also higher competition. Understanding these differences can help families make an informed decision based on their child’s educational needs, language preferences, and long-term academic goals.

Another key factor to consider is the language of instruction. While public and concertado schools primarily follow the Spanish national curriculum, some offer bilingual programs in English or other languages. Private schools often provide even greater language flexibility, including full English instruction or international curriculums like the IB.

Our guide Schooling in Spain: The Basics offers a deeper understanding of how to choose the best fit for your child and provides insights into the advantages of each.

For more detailed advice on selecting the right school for your child, consult our full guide and let us assist you in navigating the application process!

The Enrollment Process

Enrolling in a public or concertado school in Andalucía follows a structured timeline. The main application period takes place in March, when families submit the Solicitud de Admisión (Anexo III) to their first-choice school. Admissions are based on a points system, considering factors like siblings, proximity, and special circumstances. Final results are published in May, followed by an appeals period. Families who secure a place must formalize enrollment in June. Late applications or mid-year transfers go through a separate process, depending on availability.

For a comprehensive assistance we have a Step-by-Step Guide to School Enrollment in Andalucía: Public & Concertado Schools covering the entire enrollment process. We break down each section of the Anexo III in English, providing clear instructions to help you navigate the application form with ease, including insights into key dates, tips for increasing your chances, and latest data on the enrollment figures in Andalucía.

Understanding School Zoning & Catchment Areas

School admissions for public and concertado schools are often influenced by catchment areas (áreas de influencia). These are geographical areas surrounding schools that determine priority for enrollment.

Each public and concertado school has a defined catchment area. If your home or workplace is within the área de influencia of a school, your child will typically have priority in the admission process. This priority can significantly improve your chances of getting into your top choice, especially for younger students applying for the Infantil 3 años (preschool) year.

For private schools, zoning does not apply. These schools accept students from any area, so you’re free to choose any private institution that aligns with your preferences. Many private schools also offer bus services to transport students from a broader geographic area, expanding your options beyond the immediate vicinity.

Ultimately, while zoning plays a significant role for public and concertado schools, there are many options in the region, and it's often not necessary to plan a housing search around a specific school. Instead, find a place you would like to call home, and then consider the variety of educational options and paths you can explore.

Españaula helps you understand your options and find the best school for your child, whether within a specific catchment area or further afield.

Extracurricular Activities & After-School Care

Extracurricular activities play a significant role in the overall education experience, offering students the opportunity to explore interests beyond the classroom while enhancing their social, physical, and intellectual development.

School Lunch Programs (Comedor Escolar)

Public schools typically offer a comedor servicefor students who need it. However, availability can be limited and, in many cases, is based on whether both parents work outside the home. The program is subsidized depending on family income, but spaces are limited, and it is not guaranteed for all students. Meals are prepared either in-house or through local providers, and cater to a variety of dietary needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and others.

Concertado and private schools offer comedor services as well for a fee. Food is often prepared in-house, and they are able to serve any child who would like to use the service. In some private schools, comedor service is a required part of the school program.

Before- and After-School Care (Aula Matinal & Extraescolares)

Aula matinal is a fee-based before-school program designed for parents who need to drop their children off early. It usually runs from around 7:30 am to the start of the school day.

For families needing care after school hours, many schools provide supervised after-school programs, often including homework help or leisure activities, as well as extraescolares, which offer a wide range of enrichment programs such as sports, arts, language classes, music, and dance.

Many private and concertado schools, provide extracurricular activities that take place during school hours. This can be especially convenient for working parents and ensures that students have access to well-organized, school-led activities.

When choosing a school, it's also important to consider the logistics of extracurriculars and care programs. Some schools offer flexible scheduling, while others require a full-term commitment. Additionally, spaces in public school programs can be limited, so early registration is key.

At Españaula, we can help you understand the specific options available at your chosen school, so you can make the best decisions for your child’s education and overall well-being.

Special Needs Education & Support Services

Special needs education and support services vary significantly depending on the school and region.

Public schools are legally required to offer support for students with special needs. This is mandated by the Spanish education system, and public schools have dedicated resources and trained professionals (such as special education teachers, psychologists, and speech therapists) to support students with learning difficulties, physical disabilities, or other specific needs. The level of support can vary depending on the region and the school, but generally, public schools are more equipped to handle diverse educational requirements.

Support tends to be more readily available in the early years, as children move into secondary education, the availability of support may decrease, and the focus shifts more toward general classroom instruction, which can make it harder for students with special needs to receive the same level of individualized care.

In private and concertado schools, special needs services are not always guaranteed, and support depends on the school’s resources and philosophy. Some private and concertado schools may offer special education support, but this is often limited and varies greatly between institutions. While some private schools offer individualized support, it is typically not as robust as in the public system, as they are not legally required to offer it.

Families should also be aware that accessing specialized support in public schools may require a new official assessment and diagnosis, which can take time. It’s important to start the process early and work with the school and local education authorities to ensure that the necessary accommodations are in place for your child.

At Españaula, we can help you navigate the available options, assess the best fit for your child’s needs, and support you through the process of applying to schools that provide the right level of care and attention.

Useful Links

Escolarización Andalucía (Official Enrollment Portal): This is the official portal for school enrollment in Andalucía, providing essential information about the school application process, deadlines, and requirements. It also offers direct access to the application forms, as well as a list of schools available in the region.

Escolariza App (Available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store): The app provides real-time updates about the enrollment process, allows parents to view schools and allotted points in their catchment zone, and allows parents to track the status of their application.

MICOLE (School Directory and Enrollment Services): A school directory and enrollment platform that helps families find and compare schools in Andalucía and other regions of Spain. It offers a search tool where you can filter by school type (public, private, concertado, bilingual), location, and educational stage.