Overview
Eight Schools, Fifteen Minutes
Las Lagunas de Mijas has the highest concentration of international schools on Costa del Sol. Eight schools are within a fifteen-minute drive of Almitak, with three reachable in under five minutes. For families who prioritise school access, this area is unbeatable.
The density of schools matters. Admissions windows close quickly at popular schools. Having eight options means you have a choice when one school fills up or your child's profile fits one curriculum better than another.
Schools within 15 minutes of Almitak
We have St. Anthony's College, 3 minutes from Almitak, with a British curriculum for ages 3-18. Fees are €6,200-€9,400 per year. Then there's the Finnish School of Fuengirola, 4 minutes away, with a Finnish curriculum. Fees are €4,500-€6,200 per year.
The Svenska Skolan Costa del Sol is also 4 minutes away, serving the Scandinavian expat community with a Swedish curriculum. Fees are €5,800-€7,200 per year. Colegio Salliver is 8 minutes away, with a Spanish bilingual curriculum. Fees are €5,400-€7,800 per year.
Benalmádena International College is 12 minutes away, with a British curriculum and Cambridge programme. Fees are €7,600-€10,800 per year. The British College of Benalmádena is 14 minutes away, with a British curriculum and strong sports programme. Fees are €7,200-€10,400 per year.
If you're looking for premium options, Aloha College Marbella is 22 minutes away, with a British/IB curriculum and IB Diploma pathway. Fees are €10,800-€16,400 per year. Swans International School Marbella is 24 minutes away, with a British/IB curriculum. Fees are €12,000-€18,200 per year.
Choosing by Curriculum
If you prefer a British curriculum, there are five schools within range. It's portable, straightforward for UK-returning families, and widely accepted at UK and international universities.
For International Baccalaureate (IB), there are two schools: Aloha and Swans. IB offers the best international portability, a broader subject base, and stronger university applications outside the UK.
Spanish bilingual is a good choice if you plan long-term Spanish life. It opens Spanish university access via EvAU. Salliver is the main option, 8 minutes away.
Swedish and Finnish schools serve specific national communities, maintaining mother-tongue education and preserving return options.
Admissions Timelines
Most international schools open applications 12-18 months before September start dates. Popular year groups fill first. Aloha, Swans, and Benalmádena International often have waiting lists for reception by December of the previous academic year.
Required documents typically include a passport, birth certificate with apostille and Spanish translation, most recent school report, vaccination record, and sometimes a WISC assessment or admissions interview. Registration deposits are €500-€2,000, usually deducted from first-term fees.
School Bus and Commute Reality
Most schools run their own bus services, covering Las Lagunas, Fuengirola, and Mijas Costa. Bus fees are €800-€1,400 per child per year. Direct routes stop within 400m of Almitak for most schools.
Parents doing the school run should factor in 7:45-8:30 traffic on the A-7 coastal road. Some schools avoid the A-7 entirely.
Start with Schools, Then Property
Families who move most smoothly shortlist three to five schools first, check admissions windows and waiting list status, then choose property within a 15-minute radius of their preferred schools.
Almitak's position in Las Lagunas de Mijas gives you maximum school optionality. Three schools are within five minutes, five more within fifteen, and premium Marbella options within twenty-four. If you change curriculum preference or add a child, you do not have to move house.
BlancaReal's relocation team coordinates school applications alongside visa and property timelines for every family. With 50 years on the coast, ISO 9001 certified, and seven languages in-house, we know which admissions officers pick up the phone and which schools welcome mid-year arrivals.
Call +34 951 120 686 or WhatsApp to start your school shortlist conversation. Because we understand the importance of education, we're here to help. And with our in-house legal team, you can trust that your visa application will be handled smoothly, whether you're applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa or a Digital Nomad Visa.