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For families considering a move to the Axarquía region, securing the right education for your children is a top priority. Whether you are looking for a full British curriculum or a Spanish public school with a strong bilingual program, the area around Nerja, Frigiliana, and Torrox offers several excellent options.
Within a 25-kilometer radius of Nerja, you will find a mix of international schools catering to English-speaking students and Spanish state schools (CEIP and IES) that incorporate English as a second language into their core curriculum.
Here is a guide to the key educational institutions in the area.
If you prefer your child to follow the British curriculum (GCSEs/A-Levels), the primary option in the immediate vicinity is located in Almuñécar. While there are other major international schools in Málaga and Marbella (such as The British School of Málaga), these generally fall outside the 25km radius (approx. 50km away).
Almuñécar International School (AIS) Located approximately 20-25 minutes from Nerja, AIS is the most convenient international school for residents in the Nerja/Frigiliana area. It offers a British education for students aged 3 to 18, following the National Curriculum for England and Wales, combined with Spanish language and culture studies.
Address: Calle Pinariego 1, Urb. Los Pinos, 18690 Almuñécar, Granada
Telephone: +34 958 63 59 11
The Spanish public system in Andalusia has invested heavily in bilingual education. In these "Centros Bilingües," subjects such as Science, History, or Geography are taught in English (or sometimes German/French) for a portion of the week. These are excellent choices for families wanting full immersion in Spanish culture while maintaining English skills.
CEIP Narixa (Primary School) A public primary school known for its active bilingual project.
Address: Avenida Ciudad de Pescia s/n, 29780 Nerja, Málaga
Telephone: +34 951 28 96 14
IES Sierra Almijara (Secondary School) One of the two main high schools in Nerja, offering bilingual education in the secondary stages (ESO and Bachillerato).
Address: Avenida Ciudad de Pescia s/n, 29780 Nerja, Málaga
Telephone: +34 951 28 96 00
IES El Chaparil (Secondary School) The other major secondary institute in town, also providing bilingual streams for students.
Address: Calle Antonio Ferrandis 'Chanquete' s/n, 29780 Nerja, Málaga
Telephone: +34 951 28 96 28
CEIP Mare Nostrum (Primary School) Located in Torrox, this center offers a bilingual program to help younger students integrate both languages early on.
Address: Avenida Isaac Albéniz s/n, 29770 Torrox, Málaga
Telephone: +34 951 28 95 20
CEIP Los Llanos (Primary School) Situated in Torrox Costa, this school services many families in the coastal area with bilingual provision.
Address: Urbanización Santa Rosa s/n, 29793 Torrox Costa, Málaga
Telephone: +34 951 28 95 82
IES Alfaguar (Secondary School) The main secondary school for the Torrox Costa area. It is known for its international projects (such as Erasmus+) and bilingual streams (often including German due to the local demographic, but English is a core foreign language).
Address: Urbanización Santa Rosa s/n, 29793 Torrox Costa, Málaga
Telephone: +34 951 28 99 00
CEIP Enrique Ginés (Primary School) The village school of Frigiliana provides a close-knit educational environment. While smaller than the coastal centers, it follows the standard curriculum with English language instruction.
Address: Avenida Carlos Cano 3, 29788 Frigiliana, Málaga
Telephone: +34 951 28 95 96
For supplemental English lessons or for parents and visitors wishing to learn Spanish, these private academies are highly rated.
Escuela de Idiomas Nerja Famous primarily for teaching Spanish to foreigners, they also offer language courses for various levels.
Address: Calle Almirante Ferrándiz 73, 29780 Nerja, Málaga
Telephone: +34 952 52 16 87
Centro de Idiomas Quorum Another established language center in the heart of Nerja offering Spanish and English tuition.
Address: Calle San Miguel 25, 29780 Nerja, Málaga
Telephone: +34 952 52 37 88
Academia de Idiomas Torrox Located in Torrox Pueblo, offering classes in English, German, and Spanish.
Address: Calle Almedina 6, 29793 Torrox, Málaga
Is there an international school in Nerja? No, there is no full International School located directly within Nerja's town limits. The closest option is the Almuñécar International School, which is approximately a 20-25 minute drive away. However, Nerja has excellent public schools (like CEIP Narixa) that offer bilingual streams.
Which schools in Torrox speak English? Public schools in Torrox, such as CEIP Mare Nostrum and IES Alfaguar, operate as "Centros Bilingües." This means they teach specific subjects (like Science or Geography) in English to help students become proficient, although the primary language of instruction is Spanish.
Can my child attend a Spanish public school if they don't speak Spanish? Yes. Spanish state schools are accustomed to non-Spanish speaking students, especially in the Costa del Sol area. Many offer "Aula Temporal de Adaptación Lingüística" (ATAL) support, which provides intensive Spanish language coaching to help foreign students integrate quickly.
What is the difference between ESO and Bachillerato? In the Spanish system, ESO (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria) is compulsory secondary education for ages 12-16. Bachillerato is an optional two-year stage (ages 16-18) similar to British A-Levels, which prepares students for University.
