Schools in Benidorm
Education Options in Benidorm – From Local Schools to International Academies📚
Benidorm’s educational landscape offers a good mix of Spanish public schools, semi-private (concertado) schools, and international schools. Public schools are a great way for children to integrate into Spanish culture and language, while private and international schools often follow British, American, or bilingual curriculums.
You’ll find options including:
- Spanish public primary and secondary schools
- Semi-private (concertado) bilingual schools
- British international schools following UK curriculum
- Nurseries and pre-schools with multilingual staff
Our tip: “If you’re planning to enroll your child in a public school, start early! Registration deadlines can be months in advance.”
Many schools offer support programs for non-Spanish speakers, helping children adapt quickly to their new environment. International schools often have smaller class sizes, extra-curricular activities, and strong academic programs tailored for expat families.
Public infant and primary schools (CEIP)
These are Spanish state schools, free for residents, where children learn mainly in Spanish and Valencian
CEIP Aitana
Infant and primary school in a residential area of Benidorm
It follows the standard Spanish curriculum with Spanish and Valencian as main languages and serves local families in the western part of town.
CEIP Ausiàs March
State school offering Infantil and Primaria on Calle Venezuela.
It’s a typical local public school with mixed language use (Spanish and Valencian) and a catchment area that covers part of the central / western neighbourhoods.
CEIP Bautista Lledó
Public infant and primary school located on Calle Ginés Cartagena.
It has a long history in Benidorm and draws children from nearby residential streets, with a standard Spanish curriculum and school canteen.
CEIP El Murtal
Public primary school near Avenida Vicente Pérez Devesa, on the Poniente side of Benidorm.
Families in this area use it as their local school, with projects in linguistic programmes promoted by the Valencian education authorities.
CEIP Els Tolls
State school on Avenida del Municipi, serving the Els Tolls neighbourhood.
It offers infant and primary education and participates in bilingual/Valencian language programmes, with its own canteen and extracurricular activities.
CEIP Gabriel Miró
Public infant and primary school in the Salto del Agua / central zone of Benidorm.
It follows the official curriculum and serves many local families, with a focus on core academic subjects and integration in the community.
CEIP Mestre Gaspar López
Public infant and primary school listed by the Generalitat Valenciana as one of the main centres in Benidorm.
It serves children in the surrounding residential area and offers the usual mix of Spanish, Valencian and English.
CEIP La Cala
Local public school serving the La Cala / Poniente beach area of Benidorm.
It covers infant and primary stages and is convenient for families living at the western end of Benidorm, close to the beach.
CEIP Serra Gelada
Public school on Avenida Malta, in the Rincón de Loix / Serra Gelada area.
It is one of the main primary schools for families on the Levante side of Benidorm and takes part in regional bilingual programmes.
CEIP Vasco Núñez de Balboa
State infant and primary school in Benidorm, listed among the official municipal centres.
It provides the standard Spanish curriculum with Valencian and English and serves children from nearby neighbourhoods.
Secondary schools (IES) in Benidorm
For older students, Benidorm has several secondary schools (ESO and Bachillerato)
IES Pere Maria Orts i Bosch
One of Benidorm’s key secondary schools (ESO, Bachillerato and vocational training) in the Salto del Agua area.
The centre is currently undergoing a major expansion and renovation to add new classrooms, cycles and modern facilities, making it a reference point for older students in the town.
IES Bernat de Sarrià
Public secondary school on Calle Fragata in the Salt de l’Aigua area.
It offers ESO, Bachillerato and vocational programmes, with a strong local student community and various cultural and educational projects tied to Benidorm’s history.
IES L’Almadrava
Another public secondary school listed among Benidorm’s official education centres.
It provides compulsory secondary and post-16 education for students from the eastern and central parts of the town.
Centro Público de Formación de Personas Adultas de Benidorm
The public adult education centre.
It offers courses for adults who want to finish basic studies, improve languages or gain new qualifications, and it appears in the official list of Benidorm education centres.
Concertado, private and international schools
If you’re looking for concertado (semi-private) or international schooling, there are several options in and around Benidorm
Colegio Nuestra Señora de los Dolores
Long-established Christian concertado school in the centre of Benidorm
It offers Infantil, Primaria, ESO and Bachillerato under a semi-private (concertado) regime, with a strong focus on personalised education and values.
Lope de Vega International School (Benidorm)
Large private bilingual/international school on the outskirts of Benidorm
With residence and extensive sports facilities. It covers Infantil, Primaria, ESO, Bachillerato and vocational cycles, and is known for combining Spanish and English education and a wide range of activities.
Costa Blanca International College (Benidorm)
Mixed, independent bilingual school in Benidorm serving students aged roughly 3–18.
It offers a British-style education combined with Spanish elements and attracts both local and international families living along the Costa Blanca.
Elian’s British School (La Nucía)
Private British school in nearby La Nucía, a short drive from Benidorm.
It provides a full education from pre-school to Baccalaureate, following the British and Spanish curricula and focusing on global citizenship and critical thinking.
Sierra Bernia School (Alfaz del Pi)
Long-established British school in Alfaz del Pi, easily reachable from Benidorm by car.
It offers a coeducational British education for ages 3–18 and is one of the oldest British schools on the Costa Blanca, with a strong reputation in the international community.
Nurseries and municipal daycare
For younger children (0–3 years), Benidorm has municipal nurseries and private guarderías
Municipal nursery schools Les Fontanelles, Les Caletes and El Tossalet
Network of public nursery schools run by the Benidorm town council for children aged 0–3.
Places are limited and demand is high each year, so local families usually need to apply early within the official calendar.
Nanets (SAPI)
Early childhood service
Municipal early-years service (Servicio de Atención a la Primera Infancia) that supports families with young children in Benidorm. It provides care and educational activities for the 0–3 age group as part of the town’s public nursery offer.
How the School System Works in Benidorm (Ages, Stages & School Types)
Ages and stages in the Spanish system
Benidorm follows the standard Spanish education structure. The main stages are:
Educación Infantil (3–6 años) – Pre-school. Not compulsory, but most children attend.
Educación Primaria (6–12 años) – Primary school, compulsory.
Educación Secundaria Obligatoria – ESO (12–16 años) – Compulsory secondary education.
Bachillerato o Formación Profesional (16–18 años) – Pre-university academic route or vocational training.
Nursery (0–3 years) comes before all of this and is provided by public nurseries and private guarderías. Places in municipal nurseries are limited and usually allocated through an annual application process.
Public, concertado, private and international schools
In Benidorm and the surrounding area you’ll find four main types of school:
Public schools (colegios e institutos públicos) –
State schools, free for residents. They follow the official Spanish curriculum and are assigned mainly by your home address (catchment area), number of siblings in the school and other regional criteria.
Concertado schools –
Semi-private schools that receive public funding but are managed privately, often with a religious identity. They follow the Spanish curriculum, usually have lower fees than fully private schools and may offer extra language or activity options.
Private Spanish schools –
Fully private centres that charge their own fees. They often have smaller class sizes, specific educational approaches and extended services such as dining and after-school activities.
International / British-style schools –
Private schools where much of the teaching is in English and the curriculum is British or international, combined with Spanish subjects. These are popular with expat families and with Spanish families who want stronger English and an international pathway for university.
Languages in Benidorm schools
In most public and concertado schools in Benidorm:
The main teaching languages are Spanish and Valencian.
English is introduced early as a foreign language.
Some schools offer more hours in Spanish, others follow a more bilingual model.
International schools work the other way round: English is the main language of instruction, with Spanish taught as a subject and used in some parts of school life.
If language is a key factor for you, it’s worth asking each school which language programme they follow before you enrol.
Basic enrolment process
For public and concertado schools, the process is managed by the Valencian regional education authority:
- Register your family on the padrón (local census) in Benidorm.
- Check the official enrolment dates for Infantil, Primaria, ESO, etc.
- Submit the online application, listing your preferred schools in order.
- Wait for the allocation results and confirm your place within the given deadlines.
For international and fully private schools, admissions are handled directly by each school. You usually:
Apply straight to the school,
Send previous school reports, and
In some cases, attend an interview or assessment before they confirm a place.
Frequently Asked Questions❓
Are there English-speaking or British schools in Benidorm?
Yes. Benidorm has several English-speaking and British-style schools, including Lope de Vega International School and Costa Blanca International College, both offering bilingual education (Spanish–English) and international or British-inspired curricula for ages roughly 3–18. Just outside Benidorm you’ll also find other British and international schools in towns like La Nucía and Alfaz del Pi, which are popular with expat families on the Costa Blanca.
How does the Spanish public school system work in Benidorm?
Public education in Spain is compulsory and free from 6 to 16 years old, covering Educación Primaria (6–12) and ESO (12–16). Benidorm’s public primary schools (CEIP) and secondary schools (IES) follow this national structure, with teaching mainly in Spanish and Valencian and English taught as a foreign language. School places are usually assigned based on your address (catchment area), siblings already in the school and other criteria set by the Valencian education authorities.
What age do children start school in Benidorm?
Most children in Benidorm start Educación Infantil (preschool) at age 3, although this stage is not compulsory. Compulsory schooling begins at age 6 and continues until 16, covering primary and secondary education. Before age 3, some families use municipal nurseries or private guarderías if they need childcare.
Are there nurseries and daycare centres in Benidorm?
Yes. Benidorm has three municipal nursery schools (Les Fontanelles, Les Caletes and El Tossalet) and the Nanets (SAPI) early childhood service for children roughly 0–3 years. These public options are heavily used and places are allocated each year through an application process. In addition, there are multiple private nurseries and daycare centres offering longer hours and different language mixes.
How much do schools cost in Benidorm?
Public schools in Benidorm are free, though families still pay for books, materials, meals and some activities.
Concertado schools (semi-private) are partly state-funded and charge moderate monthly fees or “contributions”, making them cheaper than fully private schools but not completely free.
Private and international schools are fully fee-paying; costs vary widely depending on the school and stage. As a reference, some international schools on the Costa Blanca publish annual fees starting from a few thousand euros per year, with extra costs for transport, meals and activities, and some Scandinavian schools around the region list fees from about €2,000 per year upwards.
Exact Benidorm international school fees change regularly, so it’s best to check each school’s website or admissions office directly.
When are school holidays in Benidorm?
School holidays in Benidorm follow the official calendar of the Comunitat Valenciana. For a typical year, classes run from early September to mid/late June, with main breaks at:
Christmas – roughly from 23 December to 6 January
Easter/Pascua – roughly early April (around two weeks)
Plus regional and local holidays (9 October, 19 March, 1 May and municipal non-school days).
Exact dates change each year and are confirmed by the regional government and Benidorm town hall, so always check the latest school calendar if you’re planning a move.
Are there universities or higher education options in Benidorm?
Benidorm does not have a full traditional university campus, but it does host a UNED (distance university) centre offering university-level courses and programmes for adults, including programmes for people over 55. For full university degrees in person, most students from Benidorm travel to nearby universities such as the University of Alicante or the Miguel Hernández University (with campuses in Alicante, Elche and Altea).
Are there Norwegian, Dutch or other foreign-language schools near Benidorm?
Yes. The Costa Blanca area has several Scandinavian and other European-curriculum schools within a short drive of Benidorm. A key example is Den Norske Skole Costa Blanca in Alfaz del Pi, a Norwegian school following the Norwegian national curriculum. There are also other Scandinavian and European international schools along the coast that teach in languages such as Norwegian, Dutch, German and French alongside Spanish and English.
Are there language schools or summer schools in Benidorm?
Yes. As a major resort town, Benidorm has language schools and academies offering Spanish and English courses for children, teenagers and adults, and many operate summer school programmes. In addition, some international schools on the Costa Blanca run summer camps or holiday courses, and the Official Language Schools network (Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas) has centres in the region with their own academic calendar.