Valencia has roughly fifteen schools that international families consider seriously when relocating, spread across British, American, International Baccalaureate, French, German, and Montessori curricula. Choosing the right one is the most consequential education decision your family will make in Spain, and the market changes year to year as new schools open, fees rise, and waitlists tighten or ease.
This guide is the central reference point for understanding the Valencia international school market. It compares the main schools side by side, explains how to think about the choice, and links to detailed reviews of each school so you can go deeper where you need to.
If you have not yet decided whether to choose an international school at all, the broader picture is in our Valencia Schools for Expats guide, which also covers concertado and public school options.
TL;DR: Quick comparison of Valencia's main international schools
- British curriculum: British School of Valencia (central), Caxton College (Puçol), Cambridge House (Rocafort), El Plantío (La Cañada), Shackleton (newer entrant)
- American curriculum: American School of Valencia (Puçol), ACIL International High School
- IB curriculum: Ausiàs March (50+ years), American School of Valencia (Diploma), Cambridge House (some pathways)
- Spanish-international hybrid: Mas Camarena (Bétera)
- National curriculum schools: Lycée Français de Valence (French), Deutsche Schule Valencia (German)
- Annual fees, where the school publishes one: €7,427 to €9,990 per child at the five schools on this page that publish a figure, lunch included in all five. Cambridge House states its prices exclude tax, so its figures are not directly comparable. Checked against each school's own fee sheet on 2 September 2026. El Plantío and Mas Camarena publish nothing at all.
- All-in annual cost including extras: typically 30 to 50% above tuition, meaning €11,000 to €21,500 per child realistic
- Most competitive waitlists in 2026: Reception and Year 7 at BSV; Primary at Caxton College; Primary at ASV
- Most availability: Shackleton (newer), El Plantío (western location), Cambridge House (sometimes)
Aiming at the private and international schools? Run the free Readiness Check → Five questions, and it tells you why the admission round is not your deadline and what is.
How to think about the choice
Choosing among Valencia's international schools is less about which school is "best" and more about which school fits your family's specific situation. The right framework asks several practical questions.
Curriculum match to your children's existing schooling and future plans. If your children have been in a UK system, British curriculum continuity (IGCSEs, A-Levels) usually serves them best. American families with university plans in the US generally benefit from American curriculum or IB Diploma. Families who plan to be in Spain long-term or move between countries often choose IB for its global portability.
Location relative to where you want to live. Schools cluster by geography in Valencia. Caxton College, ASV, Cambridge House, and Mas Camarena are in the northern suburbs. El Plantío is in the western suburbs (La Cañada). British School of Valencia is in central Valencia. Choosing a school determines your realistic neighborhood, and vice versa.
Cost relative to your overall family budget. All-in costs of €15,000 to €60,000 per year for two or three children at international school is the single largest line item in most international family budgets. Some families prioritize this; others find the math forces a different path (concertado or public school).
Cultural fit and academic style. Spanish private schools tend toward more discipline, more homework, and more formal teacher-student dynamics than American schools. British schools sit between. American schools at the more relaxed end. Visiting schools is genuinely useful to feel this difference.
Specific needs. Learning differences support, language support for new arrivals, after-school care provision, university counseling depth, and extracurricular breadth all vary meaningfully across the Valencia schools.
British curriculum schools in Valencia
The largest single category. Five main British curriculum schools serve international families in Valencia.
British School of Valencia (BSV)
The most well-known international school in central Valencia. Located in L'Eixample, walking distance from much of central Valencia. Follows the English National Curriculum from Early Years through Sixth Form, offering IGCSEs at Year 11 and A-Levels at Year 13.
- Fees: €760 to €995 a month, in ten monthly payments, which is €7,600 to €9,950 a year for 2026-27. Lunch is not inside that figure: the canteen is €210 a month, and it is compulsory from Pre-Nursery to Year 4. Source: the school's own fee page, bsvalencia.com/school-fees, checked 2 September 2026.
- Admission fee: €3,250 one time, or €1,600 for siblings of current pupils and for entry from Year 7 to Year 13, plus €445 a year to renew the place. Same source, same date.
- Location: Central Valencia (L'Eixample)
- Typical waitlist intensity: High at Reception (age 4–5) and Year 7 (age 11–12); moderate at other entry points
- Notable features: Central location makes it the default for families wanting urban life; one of the longest-established international schools in the city
- Strongest fit for: UK families wanting British curriculum continuity in central Valencia; families without cars who need walkable school access
For a detailed review: British School of Valencia Review →
Caxton College
A large British curriculum school in Puçol, north of Valencia. Substantial campus with extensive grounds. Strong reputation for academic results, extracurricular breadth, and university preparation.
- Fees: €842 to €998 a month, which is €8,420 to €9,980 a year for 2026/27, with lunch included and compulsory. Source: the school's own fee page and fee sheet, caxtoncollege.com/es/admisiones/tarifas, checked 2 September 2026.
- Registration fee: €900 for a first child, €480 for a second sibling, free from the third. It is paid once, on first enrolling a child, and it is not refundable. There is no separate annual place reservation. Same source, same date.
- Location: Puçol (northern suburbs, ~20 km from central Valencia)
- Typical waitlist intensity: High at primary levels; moderate at secondary
- Notable features: Large campus with full sports facilities; extensive extracurricular program; school bus network covering most of Valencia
- Strongest fit for: UK families committed to suburban lifestyle; families with multiple children who benefit from the campus scale; families willing to invest in premium British education
For a detailed review: Caxton College Review →
Cambridge House Community College
British curriculum school in Rocafort, part of the wider British International School network. Often the answer for families who want British education without Caxton's price point or commitment level.
- Fees: €7,700 to €9,950 a year for 2026-27, lunch included, plus €380 to register, €380 for the initial admission and €380 a year to reserve the place. The school states that these prices do not include taxes, which is the one thing to carry into any comparison on this page. Source: the school's own fee sheet, linked from its prices page, checked 2 September 2026.
- Location: Rocafort (northern suburbs, ~15 km from central Valencia)
- Typical waitlist intensity: Lower than BSV or Caxton, sometimes available at most year groups
- Notable features: Community feel, mid-tier pricing within international school range, broad family base
- Strongest fit for: UK families wanting British curriculum with moderate budget; families who do not want Caxton scale but want suburban location
El Plantío International School
British curriculum school in La Cañada (western suburbs). Well-established option for families settling in the western zone or with school bus access from central Valencia.
- Fees: the school does not publish them. We went through its whole site and every PDF it links on 2 September 2026: there is no fee page and no figure anywhere, so a family has to ask for them. Comparison sites do carry a range for El Plantío. It is not the school's own, so we will not repeat it here. What we do know is on our El Plantío page.
- Location: La Cañada (western suburbs)
- Typical waitlist intensity: Generally lower than central or northern alternatives
- Notable features: Strong international family community in La Cañada; British curriculum with smaller school feel
- Strongest fit for: Families committed to western Valencia; families wanting British curriculum with shorter waitlist risk
Shackleton British School
Newer British curriculum school in Valencia. As a more recent entrant, it often has availability when established options are full.
- Fees: €8,350 to €9,990 a year for 2026-27, lunch included, plus €1,015 once to register and €165 a year to hold the place. It is the only school on this page that publishes what its fees will do next year: CPI plus 2%. Being the newest school here does not make it the cheapest. Source: the school's own fee sheet, linked from its admissions page, checked 2 September 2026.
- Location: Burjassot, a municipality of its own on the northwestern edge of the city. One campus.
- Typical waitlist intensity: Generally lower (newer school, growing capacity)
- Strongest fit for: Families who want British curriculum and find established schools full; families willing to be part of a school still building its reputation
American curriculum schools in Valencia
Two main American curriculum schools serve families in Valencia.
American School of Valencia (ASV)
The primary American curriculum school in Valencia, located in Puçol. Offers American curriculum through high school plus the International Baccalaureate Diploma program in upper years. Strong choice for American families and for families with US university plans.
- Fees: €7,427 to €9,862 a year for 2026-2027, lunch included and compulsory. On top of tuition: a €150 application fee, a €1,500 capital fee for new pupils, and an annual enrolment fee of €1,250, or €289 for shareholder families. Source: the school's own fee page, asvalencia.org/admissions/tuition-fees, checked 2 September 2026.
- Location: Puçol (northern suburbs)
- Typical waitlist intensity: Moderate at primary; lower at secondary
- Notable features: American curriculum with IB Diploma option; strong US university counseling; established American community
- Strongest fit for: American families with US university plans; families wanting American curriculum and willing to commit to northern suburbs
For a detailed review: American School of Valencia Review →
ACIL International High School
Smaller American-curriculum option focused on high school years. Often used by families needing US transcript continuity for college admissions.
- Fees: not published on the school's own domain. The figures that do exist sit on its operator's site, and that page contradicts itself on which school year they cover, so we carry no number here. Ask the school, and ask which year the answer applies to.
- Location: Valencia
- Strongest fit for: Families with high school students who need American curriculum continuity; families seeking a smaller school environment
International Baccalaureate (IB) schools
Several Valencia schools offer IB programs at various levels.
Ausiàs March
One of Valencia's oldest international schools, with more than 50 years of history. Offers the full IB pathway from Primary Years Programme (PYP) through Middle Years (MYP) and Diploma (DP).
- Fees: we have not verified a figure against the school's own published material, so there is no number here. Ask the school directly.
- Location: Valencia
- Notable features: Long-established IB tradition; strong academic reputation; less marketing-driven than newer schools
- Strongest fit for: Families committed to the IB pathway long-term; families wanting academic depth in a less commercial school environment
American School of Valencia (IB Diploma)
Offers IB Diploma in the upper years alongside American curriculum, providing pathway flexibility for upper school students.
Cambridge House and other schools
Various Valencia schools offer partial IB pathways or IB-aligned programs. Always confirm the specific IB authorization (PYP, MYP, DP) and the school's track record before committing.
Spanish-international hybrid schools
For families who want strong English-language education embedded within a Spanish school environment, hybrid options exist.
Mas Camarena
Large private school in Bétera offering Spanish national curriculum with strong English bilingual programs and IB options in upper years. One of the few schools that successfully bridges Spanish and international approaches.
- Fees: the school does not publish them, which is what we found when we checked on 2 September 2026, so a family has to ask. It is often assumed to be the cheap option on a list like this one, and that assumption rests on no published figure at all. What it teaches, and in which languages, is on our Mas Camarena page.
- Location: Bétera (northern suburbs)
- Notable features: Spanish curriculum primary base with strong English; large school with extensive facilities; suitable for families wanting Spanish integration with international elements
- Strongest fit for: Families committed to Spanish system but wanting strong English-language education; families with Spanish-speaking parents who want children in a less Anglo-bubble environment
National curriculum schools (French, German)
Families with specific language and curriculum needs have additional options.
Lycée Français de Valence
Full French national curriculum, serving French and Francophone families. The default choice for families wanting French educational continuity.
Deutsche Schule Valencia
Full German national curriculum, serving German and German-speaking families.
Both are smaller communities than the main English-language international schools but offer genuine curriculum continuity for families from France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and other Francophone or Germanophone backgrounds.
All-in cost comparison
Fees, languages and who each school suits, school by school. We keep a page per school with the figures the school itself publishes and the day we checked them, plus the part no directory writes: who it works for and who it does not. Compare the international schools around Valencia
Headline tuition is only part of the story. Here is a realistic breakdown of all-in annual cost per child at a mid-tier international school in Valencia.
| Cost item | Annual range (€) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | 7,000 to 10,500 |
| Registration fee (one time, not refundable; €900 at Caxton, €1,015 at Shackleton, €3,250 at BSV, checked 2 September 2026) | 380 to 3,250, once |
| School lunches (daily) | 900 to 1,400 |
| Uniform (initial outlay plus replacement) | 300 to 600 |
| School bus (if used) | 1,200 to 2,000 |
| Books, supplies, technology | 300 to 800 |
| Extracurricular activities | 500 to 1,500 |
| School trips | 300 to 1,000 |
| Insurance and miscellaneous | 100 to 300 |
| Realistic all-in annual total per child | €11,000 to €21,500 |
For a family of two children at mid-tier international schools, realistic annual education spend ranges from €22,000 to €43,000. For three children, €33,000 to €65,000. This is typically the single largest line item in international family budgets, often exceeding housing costs.
For detailed fee breakdowns by school: International Schools Valencia Fees 2026 →
Admissions timeline
Valencia's international school admissions broadly follow the Spanish public school calendar, with most decisions clustered between March and May for the following September.
Key dates and timing
- September to December (prior year): Initial research and school visits
- January to February: Formal applications submitted to most schools
- March to April: First admissions decisions, particularly at competitive schools
- April to May: Confirmation, deposits, second-round decisions
- June to August: Limited mid-cycle admissions, primarily for less competitive year groups
- September: Academic year begins
For competitive year groups (Reception, Year 1, Year 7)
Plan 9 to 12 months ahead. Some schools begin accepting applications a full year before the intended start date, and the most popular spots fill early.
For mid-cycle entry (October to February)
Possible at most international schools subject to availability. Spanish public and concertado schools are harder to enter mid-year. Mid-cycle entry to BSV, Caxton College, or ASV at competitive year groups is often not available.
The August trap
Spanish administrative shutdown in August means school enrollment processes effectively pause for 3 to 4 weeks. Families arriving in August expecting to enroll children for a September start typically discover that nothing can be processed until early September, by which time school year has begun.
For full admissions calendar details: Valencia School Admissions Calendar 2026 →
What waitlists actually look like in 2026
Waitlist transparency is one of the weakest parts of the Valencia school market. Based on conversations with admissions staff and current families as of early 2026:
British School of Valencia (BSV): Active waitlists at most year groups. Reception (age 4–5) and Year 7 (age 11–12) entry are the tightest. Plan 12+ months ahead for these year groups.
Caxton College: Growing demand with active waitlists at primary level. Secondary entry tends to be more available.
American School of Valencia (ASV): Steady demand, with primary waitlists more pronounced than secondary.
Cambridge House Community College: Typically more availability than BSV or Caxton, making it a strong backup option.
El Plantío International School: Shorter waitlists due to western location.
Shackleton British School: As a newer school, has the most availability and is worth considering on those grounds.
Ausiàs March: Variable; secondary entry generally more available than primary.
Mas Camarena: Generally more accessible than the pure international schools.
The honest summary: if your child is entering Reception, Year 1, Year 7, or any "key entry point," start your school research 9 to 12 months before your target arrival. If you are aiming at less competitive year groups (Years 3 to 6, Years 8 to 9), 6 months may be enough.
How to compare schools when visiting
If you can visit Valencia before committing, school visits are genuinely useful. Beyond the basics, focus on a few specific signals.
Admissions staff responsiveness. How quickly do they reply to your initial inquiry? How thorough is the information they provide? This is often a leading indicator of the school's overall organization and family communication.
Direct conversations with the learning support team (not just admissions). If your child has any learning differences or specific support needs, the depth of the school's learning support function varies enormously and is rarely advertised accurately.
Current parent perspectives. Most schools can connect prospective families with current parents. The questions to ask: What do you wish you had known before enrolling? What has worked better than expected? What has been harder than expected? How is the school handling year-over-year changes?
Class size and language support. For non-Spanish-speaking children, the depth of Spanish language support at international schools varies. Some have structured immersion programs; others assume your children will pick up Spanish socially.
Extracurricular and after-school provision. For dual-working families, this is often more significant than tuition itself. Some schools offer extensive after-school programs; others end the school day at 4pm and leave after-care to families.
University counseling depth (for older children). Schools' track records placing students at specific universities (US, UK, Spanish, other) vary widely. If university planning is relevant, this question deserves direct attention.
How Spainlander helps with school choice
The Valencia international school market has enough schools that most families can find a good fit. The challenge is the depth of information required to compare them well, the waitlist reality that punishes late research, and the fact that each school's strengths and weaknesses are rarely advertised honestly.
The Shortlist: €989
For families ready to make school decisions, The Shortlist delivers:
- Público, concertado or private: the decision that sets your calendar
- Verified fee comparison, sourced to each school's own admissions page
- A shortlist built around your child's age, language, and timeline
- Your dated application calendar, working back from the opening
- Delivered in 7 days
- Credited toward The Application or The Landing to the end of the next admission cycle
The Shortlist is a focused one-time engagement designed to give you clarity before you commit. Families typically use it after they have shortlisted Valencia and want help refining the school choice within Valencia.
The Application: €2,450
For families wanting guided application support including schools, we submit your applications in Spanish, inside the admissions window, and follow every one of them for 45 days after filing, until there is an answer.
Before you set a date
Is your landing date realistic?
Most families move to Valencia three months later than they planned, because they find out about the school calendar too late. Five questions, thirty seconds, and you will know whether your date works.
Run the Readiness Check