International schools in Mallorca
You probably know this when you have a family with children, and start to think about whether you might want to emigrate to Mallorca…. But an additional point comes when your children are of school age and you have to decide which school to choose.
There are important questions to ask yourself beforehand, such as; do you want to move permanently to Mallorca or will it be for a manageable period of time? Do the certificates and degrees meet the requirements of international universities and colleges? What kind of cost factor should schooling have?
The Spanish school system
There are different types of schools in Mallorca, which can generally be divided into four categories:
- The Public School (Colegio público)
- The former private school (Colegio concertado)
- The Spanish Private School (Colegio privado)
The Spanish public school is free of charge (except for books), and is accessible to all children. Classes usually have a large number of students (more than 25-30 students), and of the subjects, most are taught in Catalan (which has advantages and disadvantages for your children, such as learning the culture and language quickly, but also making it difficult to get in and out of the school if you won’t be staying there for long).
International schools in Mallorca
The former private schools (also called “Colegio concertado”) are very popular in Spain because they are mostly low cost and sometimes have an excellent level of education. These types of schools often have a long waiting list, and getting a school spot is not easy.
The third option is the normal Spanish private school with a good level but also relatively high costs. Many are church-run, and around 50% of subjects are taught in Catalan. In addition to Castellano (Spanish), much is shown in English as a foreign language.
Choose an international school in Mallorca
Many parents who come to the island also choose an international school. This choice has advantages and disadvantages, such as an excellent education with the possibility to continue studying later in any place in the world, but also a more difficult attachment to culture and the locals (you have to try to compensate this point in other ways).
If you choose this option now, you should of course think carefully about which of these international schools you also choose. Depending on the nationality, there are schools that teach mainly in English, German, Swedish or French.
Schools in Mallorca in English
teach as the main language of instruction. Classes are usually reduced to a reduced number of students which promises efficient learning.
The teachers are internationally trained, the multicultural environment makes it possible for the children to go to school after a few years in Spain without any problems to continue this back home or elsewhere.
But what schools are there now in Mallorca?
Green Valley School
The school was opened in 2017 in a historic large house in Son Puig (a suburb of Palma). Classes are taught according to the British education system, and offer the “International Baccalaureate (IB)” degree as a baccalaureate.
The curriculum stands out for its application of Montessori education and the theory of multiple intelligences. The main languages are English and Spanish and the maximum number of students per class is 24 students. In total there are around 2oo students in the school and the requirement is a basic knowledge of English.
https://goo.gl/maps/1HcHsQdzyq7KtrDp7
Camí de la Vileta, 210, 07011 Palma, Illes Balears
Tel: +34 971 160 817
office@edu.greenvalleyschool.es
Rafa Nadal International School
The Rafa Nadal School has a very good reputation, and is especially known for those children who want to pursue a professional tennis career, but also for children who are simply looking for a good international school in the southeast of Mallorca. The school is located at the Rafa Nadal Academy where there is a great selection of installations such as fitness, restaurants, tennis courts, sauna & spa…
The academy is located in
Manacor
between
Felanitx
and San Lorenzo de Cardassar.
Ctra. Cales de Mallorca s/n, Km 1,2, 07500 Manacor, Balearic Islands
www.rafanadalschool.com
+34 971 171 676
https://goo.gl/maps/5LbM2xpkBEtjQRnm6
Baleares International College
Founded in 1957 and teaching according to the British curriculum, classes at this school are taught in English. As foreign languages, Spanish, French and German are taught by well-trained teachers. The maximum number of students is 290 and only basic English is required.
https://goo.gl/maps/EUy89mfNXq3sN3qD6
Camí Cala Figuera, 3, 07181 La Porrassa, Illes Balears
+34 971 133 167
office@balearesint.net
Bellver International College
Founded in 1950, it is one of the oldest private schools from Britain, located in Spain. The main languages are English and Spanish, and it is taught according to the British school system. There are also official Cambridge and Edexcel exams.
The number of students is approximately 320 and the requirement is to take and pass an entrance exam.
https://goo.gl/maps/M5maGAvxaxf2WbTa7
Carrer de Josep Costa i Ferrer, 5, 07015 Palma, Illes Balears
http://www.bellvercollege.com/
+34 971 404 263
webmaster@bellvercollege.com
King Richard III College American International School
https://goo.gl/maps/CXn5UsanRi578a5P6
Carrer Oratori, 4, 07181 Portals Nous, Illes Balears
+34 971 675 850
secretary@kingrichardcollege.com
Queen’s College
https://goo.gl/maps/LQi7RcusnAYd2gKe7
C/ de Saridakis, 64, 07015 Palma, Illes Balears
+34 971 401 011
info@queenscollege.es
Lycée Francais de Palma
https://goo.gl/maps/6aAmJwX86MQRabEx7
Carrer Illes Balears, 142A, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears
+34 971 739 260
CFPALMA@telefonica.net
Agora Portals International School
The school was founded in 2008 and has a student population of approximately 1,200 students. Classes are taught in English, Spanish, German, French, Catalan and Chinese.
https://goo.gl/maps/aJfsnTJoox8uBL5M9
Carretera Vella, Ctra. Andratx, s/n, 07181 Portals Nous, Balearic Islands
https://portals.agorainternationalschool.es/
+34 971 684 042
info@agoraportals.edu.es
The Academy
Classes are given in English, Spanish, Catalan and German and the number of students is about 200. A placement test is required.
https://goo.gl/maps/HCMfAajBFbY7rRAh8
Camí de Son Ametler, 250, 07141 Marratxí, Illes Balears
http://www.theacademyschool.com/
+34 971 605 008
info@theacademyschool.com
Svenska Skolan
The school is supported by the Swedish government and classes are taught in Swedish, Norwegian, Spanish and English. Number of students: 140-150. Placement test in Swedish required.
https://goo.gl/maps/74iKCWNerkAQHMrG6
Carrer de la Infanta, 15, 07014 Palma, Illes Balears
http://www.svenskaskolanmallorca.com/
+34 971 282 350
info@svenskaskolanmallorca.com
Eurocampus German School
The Eurocampus consists of the German and Scandinavian schools and has a student population of approximately 70 students.
https://goo.gl/maps/LMm2cm25qhBofcuk6
La Porciúncula, Av. Fraile Joan Llabrés, 1, 07600 Palma, Illes Balears
+34 971 733 730
info@dsmallorca.de
Conclusion about international schools in Mallorca
There are advantages and disadvantages to sending your children to an international school. But if you choose this option, you should also choose the school itself well. We recommend to go into detail with the information listed above, and choose a selection of 2-3 schools. It is best to go to an interview with your children, also calmly look at the school with its installations. The children’s feeling is important for your decision, after all you want to feel comfortable where they go to school….