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Continue reading →: Understanding Grade Levels: Spain vs. the US vs. the UK – And How to Know What Grade Your Child Will EnterMoving to Spain with school-aged children often brings one of the first big questions parents ask: “What grade will my child be placed in?” It seems simple, but the answer can be confusing when you realize that Spain, the US, and the UK all use different cutoff dates, terminology, and…
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Continue reading →: Applying to Private & International Schools in Spain from Abroad: What to Expect and How to Navigate the ProcessIf you’re planning a move to Spain, one of the earliest, and most important if this is the educational route you have chosen, is securing a spot in a private or international school. Unlike the public and concertado schools, private schools operate on their own timelines, admissions criteria, and waitlist…
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Continue reading →: Beyond the City: Extracurricular Activities for Kids on the Costa del SolWhile Málaga city has no shortage of after-school options, families living along the coast—from Nerja to Estepona—will find just as many opportunities, if not more, depending on the activity, to keep their kids active, creative, and connected. The Costa del Sol is full of sports clubs, swim schools, and arts…
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Continue reading →: Raising a Bilingual Child in Spain: Wins, Struggles, and StrategiesMoving to a different country with a young child brings excitement but also questions and worries about the unknown—specifically around language. My daughter was already bilingual, a native speaker in both English and Spanish. The move hasn’t been about learning a new language, but about learning when and how to…
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Continue reading →: Choosing the Right School Abroad: Balancing Values, Language, and LogisticsFinding the right school abroad can feel like one of the biggest decisions your family will make. In Spain, the options range from local public and concertado schools to bilingual programs and international schools—each with its own rhythm, culture, and philosophy. For families relocating to the Costa del Sol, the…
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Continue reading →: Extracurricular Activities in Málaga City: A Guide for FamiliesWith school back in session, many families are looking for after-school activities to complement their child’s academic development. In Málaga city, there are a wide range of options for sports, music, dance, and more—many designed to introduce children to new interests in a fun, beginner-friendly way. For those seeking high-level…
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Continue reading →: Beyond Traditional Schooling: Progressive Education Options on the Costa del SolOne of the first questions families ask when moving to Spain is, “What kind of school is best for my child?” While many choose the traditional Spanish public or concertado system, especially as a quicker route to Spanish-language acquisition, others look for something more progressive—an environment that prioritizes creativity, independence,…
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Continue reading →: How to Communicate with Teachers, Parents, and Everyone in Between: A Guide for New FamiliesFor many international families, figuring out how school communication works in Spanish schools can feel confusing and overwhelming. If you are used to one central parent portal or platform for communication, you may need to adjust to juggling a few different tools, plus keep up with informal parent networks. It…
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Continue reading →: September 1: Back-to-School Checklist for New Families in SpainIf you arrived in Spain during the summer, the start of the school year can feel like a whirlwind. Schools typically reopen their offices around September 1, and classes begin around the second week of September for most student. That leaves a short window to get everything in order after…
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Continue reading →: What Is the Padrón, and Why Does It Matter for School Enrollment in Spain?If you’re moving to Spain with children and planning on enrolling in public school, one of the first and most important steps you must take is registering for the padrón (empadronamiento). This is the local census or registry that proves your address in a municipality. While it may seem like…
