Mallorca offers a wide range of schools across the island, and many of them are international. Multicultural schools are very popular on the island due to the large number of foreign nationals living here, and from this popularity there are now many good schools offering curricula for non-Spanish speakers. In this blog we have compiled a list of our 6 favorite international schools in Mallorca.
The Swedish School is the only school in Mallorca that follows the Swedish education system, where 60% of the teaching is done in Swedish. For this reason, the school is exclusively beneficial for Scandinavian families, as the Swedish school offers an unhindered transition from the Scandinavian system to the Spanish one. The school also offers classes in English and Spanish, where students are introduced to the languages from the first year. In addition, The school offers education from preschool to high school, making it a good long-term decision for a family. A big advantage of the school is its central location, making it easy to get to for those living in the Palma area. Physical education and health is a popular and appreciated subject. The school has access to a fantastically well-equipped sports facility to which students are transported by bus. You can also play sports on the beach or in the nearby forest. In addition students can try sailing, canoeing, climbing, hiking, windsurfing, swimming and horseback riding. High school students train with certified fitness coaches at the Palma Tennis Club.
The Academy International School
Located in Marratxi, the Academy International School is a school with over 300 students, with the primary and secondary school divided into two separate buildings. The primary school has students from ages 2-11 and the building is a former farmhouse that has been transformed into a picturesque idyll with horses, a swimming pool and all the other sports facilities you could wish for. Teaching is entirely in English, with the exception of weekly Spanish lessons. The secondary school, for ages 12-18, is a newly renovated modern facility with an educational focus. The school teaches the IGCSE course for years 10 and 11, as well as the highly acclaimed IBDP system for the two secondary years. The two separate buildings are a 5-minute drive apart, meaning there are no practical obstacles if a family has children in both age groups.
Green Valley School is located in La Vileta and like The Academy, the school follows a British curriculum. The school’s primary language of instruction is English with weekly lessons in Spanish, Catalan, French, German or Swedish. The building is a beautiful classical-style facility with lots of nature on the campus. In addition to standard education, the school places great emphasis on helping children with other aspects of life, such as socializing, mindfulness and artistic skills. They offer several workshops during the school year such as dance, cooking with organic ingredients, and gardening.
Agora Portals International School
Located near the sea coast of Portals, Agora is a school with one of the best locations on the island. Equipped with a large football pitch and a modern building, Agora places great emphasis on education and the advancement of its students. Teaching is mainly in English, but the school is well known for having some of the best classes in Spanish as a second language. As the first school in the Balearic Islands to adopt the IBDP system for secondary education, Agora is a highly regarded school in its experience and professionalism to give its students the tools they need to develop into global citizens who can shape the world. Recognized by FORBES magazine as one of the top 50 schools in Spain, Agora Portals International School is the only school on the list in the Balearic Islands.
Queen’s College is an international school with outstanding facilities and a long tradition of academic excellence. Queen’s is located near the center of Palma, yet in idyllic natural surroundings, a unique location that creates a peaceful atmosphere where students can thrive. The school has offered the A Level program since 1977 and intends to continue to deliver this international British program. Queen’s College offers an alternative to the challenging IBDP course, making it an excellent choice for students who prefer the A Level courses. Queen’s is a progressive and forward-thinking school that helps students develop valuable lifelong relationships and a range of activities outside the classroom to enhance both leadership and personal skills.
Baleares international college (BIC)
Baleares International College has a wide range of excellent facilities, which include: an indoor sports center, school grounds with sports fields, a swimming pool, all-weather courts for basketball, football and volleyball, IT department and science laboratories. The school’s learning environment includes specialist facilities for art, drama and music as well as excellent outdoor facilities that allow students to engage in exciting and real-life learning activities. All teachers are trained and experienced in the UK and bring with them the latest teaching methods and approaches. BIC offers IGCSE at secondary school level and, like Queen’s College, they offer A levels as a secondary school course mixing academic rigor with a learning environment that is happy, constructive and positive.
Overview
Mallorca has many excellent school options, most in central and easily accessible neighborhoods. All of the schools on this list are highly recommended, and the differences between them mainly relate to fees and choice of secondary school program. The Academy, Green Valley and Agora have similar programs, while BIC and Queen’s College are more comparable. The Swedish school offers a slightly more Nordic approach, which can be much appreciated by Swedes who want their children to feel at home in the Scandinavian system.
Charlie Nygaard
Intern @ BO Mallorca
