Admissions

Thank you for considering Aloha College Marbella,
The Leading International School in Spain.

Whether you are living locally or thinking of relocating to the area, choosing the right school is a decision that one does not take lightly. As a mum of two, having lived in 4 different countries before relocating to the Costa del Sol, I understand how important it is to find the school where our children will thrive in a happy environment. I will endeavour to make the admissions process smooth while allowing you to gain a real insight into our school.

Mercedes Colmenar
Head of Admissions

Get started

At Aloha College Marbella, our admissions process is designed to provide an opportunity for both the family and the school to get to know each other. Our goal is to determine whether our school is the right fit for your child’s academic and personal development.

Parental Partnership

At Aloha College Marbella, we deeply value the importance of fostering strong and respectful partnerships with our families. We believe that students thrive best when there is a close and supportive collaboration between home and school. We encourage all parents and guardians to actively engage with and support the school’s ethos, decisions, and policies. We warmly welcome applications from families who share our core values of Care, Resilience, Effort, Honesty, and Respect.

Admissions criteria

Aloha College Marbella welcomes students from all religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. While we celebrate diversity, all students are expected to respect and follow the school's values, codes of conduct, and traditions as outlined in our guidelines.

We seek students who demonstrate:

Age-appropriate fluency in English, enabling full access to the curriculum without the need for additional language support (including speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension). This is not required for children applying to Nursery or Reception classes (3 and 4 years old).
A positive attitude towards learning and a genuine enthusiasm for academic growth.
Adaptability to a high-achieving, dynamic learning environment.
Learning needs that can be supported within the mainstream classroom setting, without the requirement for significant individual support or one-to-one assistance.
Strong support from parents or guardians, including active engagement with school life.
Willingness to adhere to all school policies and contribute positively to the school community.

If a child has any known special educational needs (SEN), families must provide full written documentation at the time of registration or during the enquiry stage. This ensures that we can assess whether the school is able to meet the child’s individual needs effectively.

Admissions Timelines

We operate two application periods each year to support families in planning ahead and to ensure a smooth and efficient admissions process.

First application period: 1 November – 31 January for entry in the following academic year.
Second application period: 1 March – 31 May

Applications outside these periods may be considered on an individual basis, always subject to availability. Families are encouraged to make enquiries up to one year in advance of the intended entry date.

Get to know us

Welcome! Here are some of the most common questions families ask about life at Aloha College Marbella. We hope this helps you get to know us better.

1. What curriculum does Aloha College Marbella follow?

We offer a British international education for students aged 3 to 18. From Early Years to Year 6, we follow the English National Curriculum with the addition of the International Primary Curriculum. In Years 10 and 11, students prepare for the IGCSEs, and in Sixth Form (Years 12 and 13), they can choose between the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or the International A-Level programme.

2. Can students go to university in Spain and abroad after graduating?

Absolutely! Our graduates access universities all over the world. For students who wish to attend a Spanish university, we provide personalised support to ensure they meet all the necessary qualifications.

3. What languages are taught at the school

All classes are taught in English. Spanish is introduced from Nursery, and by Year 2, students have up to 6 hours of Spanish per week. From Year 7, students can also choose to study French or German as an additional Modern Foreign Language. Spanish studies are optional in the Sixth Form.

4. What sports are available

Our students enjoy a wide variety of sports including football, basketball, volleyball, rugby, gymnastics, athletics, table tennis, dance and many more. With outstanding facilities and a strong sports programme, we regularly compete with other international schools both locally and abroad.

5. How can parents be involved in school life

We love welcoming parents into school! In Primary, parents are invited to assemblies, performances and Stay & Play sessions. We also hold workshops for parents to better understand how we teach and support learning at home. In Secondary, parents are welcome at events like the Science Fair and Art Exhibition.

6. What co-curricular activities are offered

We offer over 65 co-curricular clubs for students from Year 1 upwards. These activities run mostly from 4–5pm and range from creative arts to sports, music, languages, and personal development. Most are free and led by our teachers, though a few provided by external experts may carry a small fee.

7. What does the school day look like

In Primary, school runs from 9:00 to 15:40, with supervision available from 8:30 and until 16:00. In Secondary, the day runs from 9:00 to 16:00 and includes six lessons per day, plus breaks for lunch and social time.

8. How are students assessed

Students are assessed regularly to ensure they’re progressing well. In Primary, this happens throughout each term. In Secondary, we use regular Progress Check Tests and final assessments. Students also sit Cambridge Checkpoint exams (Years 6 and 9), IGCSEs, A Levels or IB exams (Years 11 and 13), and GL assessments at the start of each Key Stage.

9. What is the school’s phone policy

We have a strict no-phone policy during the school day to encourage focus, interaction and a healthy balance between screen time and social engagement.

10. What makes Aloha students so globally minded

We believe in teaching students to care for others and the world around them. Each key stage leads a special solidarity project, from helping the elderly and protecting animals, to raising awareness of cancer and neurodiversity. These projects help students grow into compassionate, socially responsible individuals.

11. What is the Aloha Parents Society

Our wonderful Parents Society is a group of volunteers who help organise many of our most loved events—like the Welcome Party, Christmas Bazaar, and Family Fun Day. They also run coffee mornings and a second-hand uniform shop. Their support is a big part of our community spirit!

12. What are the lunch options like

We serve nutritious, high-quality meals every day. Our menus are carefully planned to promote healthy eating, and we can cater for specific dietary needs, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and lactose-free options.

13. Is there a school bus service

Yes! We offer supervised bus routes from areas like Fuengirola and Estepona. Our trained bus monitors ensure your child’s journey is safe and comfortable.

14. How does the school ensure student safety and wellbeing

Student safety is a top priority. We have full-time security at the entrances, secure access doors, and a qualified school nurse on site. We also have a partnership with a local medical centre for emergencies during school hours.

15. How do students perform academically

Our students consistently achieve outstanding exam results. In 2024, we had a 100% pass rate in both IB and A-Level programmes, with impressive scores across the board. At IGCSE, 93% of exams received grades 4–9 (equivalent to A*–C), and nearly half achieved the highest grades (7–9). We're incredibly proud of their hard work and success!

How to apply

Enquiry Stage

Our admissions journey starts with a simple enquiry form on our website. Once this is done, you will get access to our admissions platform, OpenApply. This makes it easy for you to upload documents, track your progress, and complete the application whenever you are ready.

At this stage, we will also share more about life at Aloha College Marbella and ask for some information to get to know your child better. We will need the most recent school reports, copies of passports for your child and both parents, proof of English proficiency for all children applying to Year 1 and above (if English is not your child’s first language).

We will stay in touch by email, phone, or an online meeting, and once a preliminary exchange of information has taken place, we will be delighted to arrange a school visit.

Due to the high volume of enquiries, visits cannot always be accommodated at short notice. We kindly encourage families to begin the enquiry process well in advance of their preferred visit date.

Application Stage

At the end of the enquiry stage, families may be invited to submit a formal application. This includes:

· Completing the application form and paying a €200 non-refundable fee via Open Apply.

· For Year 3 and above: an entry assessment, followed (if successful) by an interview with a member of our Leadership Team.

· For Nursery to Year 2: just an interview.

· Providing contact details of your child’s current Head, tutor, or class teacher so we can request a reference directly.

Acceptance Stage

Successful applicants will receive an offer letter:

· If a place is available: the offer is firm.

· If no place is available: the offer will be for the waiting list.

To confirm acceptance:
· Firm offer: pay a non-refundable reservation fee of €2,500 within one week (deducted from your first payment).

· Waiting list offer: pay €1,250 within one week (refundable if no place is offered). If a place becomes available, the remaining €1,250 must be paid within 48 hours to secure it.

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