This is the question that decides things for many families, so we will be straightforward about it.
State schools with a cross-border focus. Several local state schools take part in Andalucía’s international education programmes: CEIP Rodrigo de Xerez, CEIP Galdames and CEIP Padre Jesús at primary level, IES González de Aguilar and IES Guadiana at secondary level. They run the José Saramago programme, which teaches Portuguese as a foreign language — a sensible thing in a border town — and CEIP Galdames and CEIP Rodrigo de Xerez also take part in the cross-border PEBIF programme. (Source: Junta de Andalucía (opens in a new tab).) Lessons are in Spanish.
The nearest international school lists transport to Ayamonte. Colégio Santiago Internacional in Tavira follows the National Curriculum of England for ages 5 to 18, and its transport page names a private taxi arrangement covering Tavira to Vila Real de Santo António and Tavira to Ayamonte. (Source: the school’s transport page (opens in a new tab).) Tavira is about 32 km away.
Availability and pick-up points are agreed with the school each year, so confirm the arrangement directly before counting on it.
Other options in the Algarve:
| School | Where | Annual fees |
|---|---|---|
| Colégio Santiago Internacional | Tavira | €5,615 to €8,378 |
| Vilamoura International School | Loulé | around €5,950 to €13,950 |
| Nobel Algarve, Lagoa | Lagoa | from around €6,660 (national section, early years) |
| Nobel Algarve, Almancil | Almancil | around €7,920 to €15,930 |
| Deutsche Schule Algarve | Algarve | German curriculum |
| Nederlands Onderwijs Algarve | Algarve | Dutch curriculum |
