Marbella schools

by Tatyana
(Moscow)

We are a family of four with children aged 3 and 8. We are considering moving to Marbella next fall and are looking for the best English school for our children. I see on your site that the main schools are Aloha, Swans, Laude and IEC schools. Which do you recommend? Thank you.

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Feb 27, 2010

International & British Schools in Marbella
by: Marbella Family

Choosing the right school for your children is always a difficult decision for every parent, especially when you are no longer home and not in your own familiar territory. For us the decision was relatively easy as a new school ( Laude) had just opened up next to our home and we placed a high priority on proximity to home after living in a huge metropolis with tons of traffic. We also were interested in an international or British school.

Laude was formerly called King´s College and at the time was brand new so the facilities were great. It follows the British curriculum and held British standards. After five years in primary and our first year in secondary we are very pleased with the school. The rooms are bright, clean and have the latest technology. The teachers are kind and respectful to the children and, so far, our children have been pulling fabulous grades. The only complaint I have with our school is the instability that goes with a new facility. There are changes in management, teachers and frequent rumors of firings, postings and possibilities of the school shutting down. Many parents have gotten fed up with this and have left, however there always seem to be more coming through.

I believe most parents agree that primary has proven to be a well adjusted group and an overall success. As we have only started secondary this year, we have yet to test the rumors of the disappointments in secondary. However, for us, so far so good.

We´ve been living on the coast just over five years and honestly I have heard good things and bad things about all the major international schools in Marbella. After a while they all sound the same and I am not ready to put my children on a roller coaster ride from one school to the next just because of rumors. Not until my children are truly unhappy or if I find the level of academics to be inadequate will we consider changing schools.

We cannot judge the other schools as we have not experienced them other than maybe a walk through. It´s best to try and contact families who have their kids currently in the school and see how happy they are there. You may check out our page on Marbella schools for more information on each school. The rumors that circulate regarding other Marbella schools are these:

Aloha has nice facilities and a headmaster who has been around for quite a while and with whom many are happy. The downside is there are rumors of drug problems and some complain of the "type of people" that attend the school.

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Feb 27, 2010
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Submitted by: Marbella Family

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Choosing the right school for your children is always a difficult decision for every parent, especially when you are no longer home and not in your own familiar territory. For us the decision was relatively easy as a new school (<a href=laude-san-pedro.html> Laude</a>) had just opened up next to our home and we placed a high priority on proximity to home after living in a huge metropolis with tons of traffic. We also were interested in an international or British school. Laude was formerly called King´s College and at the time was brand new so the facilities were great. It follows the British curriculum and held British standards. After five years in primary and our first year in secondary we are very pleased with the school. The rooms are bright, clean and have the latest technology. The teachers are kind and respectful to the children and, so far, our children have been pulling fabulous grades. The only complaint I have with our school is the instability that goes with a new facility. There are changes in management, teachers and frequent rumors of firings, postings and possibilities of the school shutting down. Many parents have gotten fed up with this and have left, however there always seem to be more coming through. I believe most parents agree that primary has proven to be a well adjusted group and an overall success. As we have only started secondary this year, we have yet to test the rumors of the disappointments in secondary. However, for us, so far so good. We´ve been living on the coast just over five years and honestly I have heard good things and bad things about all the major international schools in Marbella. After a while they all sound the same and I am not ready to put my children on a roller coaster ride from one school to the next just because of rumors. Not until my children are truly unhappy or if I find the level of academics to be inadequate will we consider changing schools. We cannot judge the other schools as we have not experienced them other than maybe a walk through. It´s best to try and contact families who have their kids currently in the school and see how happy they are there. You may check out our page on <a href="marbella-schools.html">Marbella schools</a> for more information on each school. The rumors that circulate regarding other Marbella schools are these: <a href="aloha-college.html">Aloha</a> has nice facilities and a headmaster who has been around for quite a while and with whom many are happy. The downside is there are rumors of drug problems and some complain of the "type of people" that attend the school.

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Feb 27, 2010

More on Marbella schools
by: Marbella Family

Swans primary has appalling primary facilities relative to the price they charge, however many I know who´ve attended seemed content anyway. Swans secondary has brand new facilities that opened in 2006 with a new pool and theater that has recently been completed. However, they also seem to have instability in their administration.

English International College (EIC) seems to me to have the best track record in terms of academics and I´ve yet to hear a parent or child complain other than saying it´s "very English", which, take it or leave it, may be an asset or a drawback.

Another school that has a fabulous track record is St. George´s in San Pedro´s Cortijo Blanco. It´s a small school in a quiet neighborhood. St. George´s looks like it´s a home that´s been converted into a school, so has a cozy "homey" feeling about it. I know several people who´ve passed through this school and absolutely love it. The only downside is that it ends with year 4.

Good luck with your search!

May 27, 2010

Laude International School discount
by: Marbella Family

I just realized that Laude offers families with multiple children some valuable discounts. The third child I believe gets a 30% discount on school fees and the fourth child and more get their education for free. School lunches and certain supplies must be paid for. Now if that isn´t good value, I don´t know what is. It´s almost hard to believe, but I was talking to a parent from Laude the other day who have four children and she confirmed it. It´s worth looking into.