Make sense of education in Spain before making any decision
Spain’s education system has several layers that can be confusing at first — public, private, concertado, international, and bilingual schools all operate differently. Add the presence of the Valencian language in local classrooms, and the picture becomes even more complex for arriving families.
We give you a clear and honest overview of every option available in Valencia: how each type of school works, what the differences mean in practice, and what curriculum choices mean for your child’s long-term academic path. You’ll understand the full landscape before making any decision.
1. The Spanish education structure
Spanish compulsory education runs from age 6 to 16, divided into primary (Educación Primaria, ages 6–12) and secondary (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria or ESO, ages 12–16). Before primary, there is a non-compulsory early years stage (Educación Infantil) from age 3, which the vast majority of families use. After ESO, students can continue with Bachillerato (pre-university, ages 16–18) or vocational training (Formación Profesional).
2. Public, concertada, and private
The three main school types operate very differently in practice. Public schools are free and state-run. Concertada schools are privately managed but receive public funding, resulting in lower fees — they are often affiliated with the Catholic Church but not exclusively. Fully private schools set their own fees and curricula and tend to offer stronger bilingual programmes. Each type has trade-offs in terms of cost, availability, and educational approach.
3. The Valencian language
Valencia is a bilingual region. In public and concertada schools, Valencian (valencià) is not just taught as a subject — it is often the primary language of instruction, with Spanish and English taught alongside it. For children arriving without any Valencian, this is worth understanding before choosing a school. Some schools follow a predominantly Spanish-language programme; others are primarily in Valencian. We explain what this means in practice for a child integrating from abroad.
4. International schools and foreign curricula
International schools in Valencia follow their own curricula — British, American, French, or the International Baccalaureate — and operate largely outside the Spanish system. They offer continuity for families who move frequently and full instruction in English or French, but at significantly higher fees. We explain how these schools fit into the broader landscape and what the long-term implications are for a child who may eventually re-enter the Spanish or another national system.
5. What curriculum choices mean long-term
The school type you choose at primary level has consequences further down the line — for university access, for language development, and for flexibility if your family moves again. We give you an honest picture of these implications so your decision is based on the full picture, not just what works for the first year.
