Key takeaways
Valencia has grown significantly as a destination for expats over the past decade, and the international school market has grown with it. British curriculum schools, bilingual options, Montessori programs, and a handful of American-aligned schools are spread across the city and surrounding areas. But the market is smaller than Madrid or Barcelona, wait times for popular schools are real, and families arriving mid-year often find the traditional options are full. This guide covers what's available, what each type offers, and where an accredited online school fits for families whose situation doesn't match the traditional intake calendar.
- Valencia has a range of international schools following British, IB, and bilingual curricula; fewer American curriculum options exist compared to Madrid or Barcelona
- Many international schools in Valencia are located outside the city center, in suburban areas like La Cañada; commute logistics matter
- Caxton College, Cambridge House, and British College La Cañada are among the most established British program schools in the Valencia area
- Legacy Online School is a WASC-accredited private online school founded in 2023, serving expat families in Valencia and across Spain; full and part-time K-12, 19 AP (Advanced Placement) courses, and live daily instruction
Contents
We are a US-accredited international online school that coexists with local schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local education requirements applicable to their situation.
International Schools in Valencia – What Are They
Valencia’s international institutions are more concentrated in the suburban belt than in the city center. La Cañada – a residential area northwest of Valencia – has become a hub for British and international schools, largely because the land and facility costs are lower than central Valencia. For families living in the city, the commute to these schools is manageable but adds daily time.
The most established names in the Valencia area include Caxton, Cambridge House British International School (CHBIS), British College La Cañada, and British School Alzira. Iale International School, Cumbres School, Brave Generation Academy, Mammolina Montessori International School, Deutsche Schule Valencia, Edelweiss School, English School Los Olivos, and Valencia Montessori School are also part of the landscape, each with different curriculum approaches, age ranges, and educational philosophies.
The American School of Valencia (ASV), founded in 1980 and located in Puzol – roughly 20 km north of the city – offers an American and IB curriculum from Nursery through Grade 12. It is the main American-curriculum option in the Valencia area, though its location outside the city means a significant commute for families living centrally. Families specifically seeking AP courses and a US high school diploma track in central Valencia have fewer walk-in options than in Madrid or Barcelona.
“The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.”
— International Baccalaureate Organization, Mission Statement
British Curriculum Schools in Valencia
British education is the dominant international curriculum in Valencia. Caxton College in Valencia is one of the most established British schools in the region. It offers education from ages 2 to 18, and follows the British national curriculum for England through to A-levels and sixth form. The school is located outside the city centre in the La Cañada area.
Cambridge House (CHBIS) is another long-standing institution in the Valencia area, following the national education program for Great Britain and Wales from primary through secondary. The school offers GCSEs and A-levels and is well-regarded among British families and internationally mobile families targeting UK universities.
British College La Cañada and British School Alzira extend British education further into the suburban and southern Valencia areas. British School Gandia serves families further south along the coast.
The British School of Valencia (BSV), founded in 1992 and located in the centre of Valencia rather than the suburban belt, is notable for offering both A-levels and the Spanish Bachillerato – one of the few British schools in the region where pupils finish with both qualifications.
Schools with British educational program are a strong choice for families targeting UK universities and for children who have been in the British system. For families targeting US universities, the absence of AP courses is a practical gap – one that part-time AP enrollment through Legacy can fill alongside a British school placement.
IB and Bilingual Options
Several international institutions in Valencia offer IB programs or bilingual education combining English and Spanish. Iale, Cumbres School, and Brave Generation Academy each have distinct approaches – from IB-aligned programs to bilingual instruction models that integrate Valencian, Spanish, and English.
The Valencian Community requires Valencian as a language of instruction in state schools. Private international schools have more flexibility in their language policy, but families should confirm the school’s approach to Valencian and Spanish instruction when evaluating options, particularly for younger children.
Montessori and Alternative Programs
Valencia Montessori School and Mammolina Montessori serve families who prefer the Montessori method. These schools offer a different approach to teaching and learning – child-led, mixed-age groups, emphasis on independence and hands-on learning. Deutsche Schule Valencia serves German-speaking families with a German curriculum.
For families coming from a traditional American curriculum background, Montessori and German-curriculum schools represent a significant pedagogical and qualification shift. Worth considering carefully if university admissions in English-speaking countries is the goal.
Choosing a School in Valencia: What Actually Matters
Beyond curriculum, the questions that determine the right school located in Valencia are more practical than philosophical.
Location and commute. A school in La Cañada from a central Valencia apartment means 30 to 45 minutes each way. That’s real time, every day, for years.
Entry points. Most schools have structured intake at Reception, Year 1, Year 7, and Year 9. Mid-year or off-cycle arrivals face real difficulty finding a place. Waiting lists at popular schools are genuine.
Language of instruction. British schools teach in English; Valencian and Spanish are subjects, not instruction languages. State schools in the Valencian Community use Valencian as a primary instruction language for many subjects. Bilingual private schools vary.
Cost. International institutions in Valencia typically charge between €8,000 and €18,000 per year for tuition – lower than Madrid or Barcelona equivalents but still significant. Add transport, uniforms, and exam fees for secondary school learners.
A British family that moved to Valencia for a three-year work contract enrolled their son at Caxton – they wanted in-person structure, he plays football, and they’re targeting UK universities. That combination made a British curriculum school the right call.
Where Legacy Online School Fits
For families in Valencia whose children are mid-curriculum, mid-year, or whose family plans are uncertain, Legacy is worth examining seriously.
Legacy Online School is a WASC-accredited American private online school founded in 2023, serving over 1,200 children in 30+ countries. The full K-12 curriculum runs from online elementary school through online middle school to online high school, delivered through FlexPoint Education Cloud. Live daily classes with qualified teachers, maximum 15 learners per group session, and three learning plans – Live Group, One-on-One, and Self-Paced – all leading to the same WASC-accredited outcome.
A family from the Netherlands relocated to Valencia in November 2024. Their daughter was 13 and had been in an English-medium school in Amsterdam following an American-aligned curriculum. No international school based in Valencia had a mid-year opening for Year 8. Legacy enrolled her within four days – same curriculum, same academic year continuity, same AP preparation track she would need for high school. By February she was in a live group class with peers from Valencia, Dubai, and Toronto. Academic year continuity intact – no repeated grade, no credit loss.
For high school learners, 19 AP courses administered by the College Board are available alongside college guidance and dual enrollment partnerships with ASU and USF. AP credits are recognized by over 500 universities worldwide.
“Most colleges and universities use AP as a factor in evaluating candidates for admission. Two-thirds of admissions and enrollment leadership indicate that AP courses are extremely or very helpful in evaluating candidates for admission.”
— College Board, Using AP in College Enrollment
Tuition and fees start below comparable international school costs in Valencia. No waiting list. No empadronamiento required for enrollment. Virtual clubs and extracurricular activities are included in all plans.
Ready to explore whether Legacy fits your family’s situation in Valencia? Book a free trial class – one live session for your child and a parent meeting with our team.
Top Tips from Our Expert
Maya Robinson, College Prep Advisor at Legacy Online School
- Valencia’s British school market is strong for UK university admissions but thin for AP. If your child is at Caxton or Cambridge House and wants to apply to US universities, adding AP courses through Legacy as a part-time supplement is the most direct solution. Start no later than 10th grade.
- Mid-year arrivals in Valencia face a genuine school placement problem – most British schools have structured intake and don’t take new learners in November or February. Legacy enrolls any time of year, within days. Don’t let a calendar mismatch cost your child an academic term.
- The Valencian Community requires Valencian as an instruction language in state schools. For families not planning to stay long-term in Valencia, this is a significant consideration. Legacy teaches entirely in English – no language policy adjustment required.
- For families using Legacy’s online elementary school program in Valencia, virtual field trips are part of the standard curriculum – not an add-on. A child in Valencia joins the same trip as a peer in Singapore. Same lesson, same experience.
- If your family is weighing a physical international school in La Cañada against Legacy, do the full cost calculation – not just tuition. Add transport, uniforms, exam fees, and extracurricular costs. Then compare to Legacy’s tuition and fees. The gap is usually larger than families expect.
We are a US-accredited international online school that coexists with local schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local education requirements applicable to their situation.
Legacy Online School’s K-12 programs are available to expat and internationally mobile families in Spain. The legal status of online education as a substitute for compulsory school attendance varies across Spain’s 17 Autonomous Communities and depends on individual circumstances and visa conditions. Legacy Online School does not represent that enrollment satisfies Spanish compulsory education (educación obligatoria) requirements. Families are solely responsible for verifying compliance with applicable law in their Autonomous Community and for confirming whether their visa conditions require proof of enrollment at a Spanish school. Legacy does not provide legal or immigration advice.
Questions about enrolling in Spain? Contact our admissions team for guidance specific to your family’s situation.
