September is here, and with it comes the back-to-school season.
If you have questions about the back-to-school period on the Costa del Sol, here are the key points for parents:
🏫 Start of the School Year
- Primary schools: classes start between 9th and 10th September.
- Secondary schools / older students: classes start between 14th and 15th September.
Note: exact dates may vary slightly depending on each school.
⏰ School Hours
- In Málaga schools, the typical school day runs from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
🌅 Morning Care (Aula Matinal)
- Designed for parents who start work before 9:00 am.
- Hours: 7:30 – 8:00 am.
- This service is sometimes paid, but financial assistance may be available for eligible families.
🍽️ School Lunch / Canteen
- For parents unable to collect their children at 2:00 pm.
- Access requires proof of working hours from parents.
- Paid service, although subsidies are available for families meeting the criteria.
🎨 After-School Activities (Extra-Curriculars)
- After-school activities typically run from 4:00 pm onwards.
- These activities are not free and usually include sports, arts, music, or language classes.
- They take place within the school premises, making it convenient and safe for children while parents are still at work.
- A great solution for working parents, helping children stay engaged in structured and supervised activities after regular school hours.
đź“š School Books
- Compulsory education (Primary & Secondary): books are free.
- Provided by the Junta de AndalucĂa, either as reused books from previous years or through a “chequelibro” voucher redeemable at specialised stores or stationery shops.
- Early years (3–5 years old) and post-4th ESO levels (Baccalaureate, vocational courses, university) are not free.
🚌 School Transport
- Many residential areas are on the outskirts, so school transport is essential.
- The Junta de AndalucĂa provides free transport to and from school, greatly helping parents with commuting.
Availability may depend on distance from the school and number of children requesting the service.
âś… Conclusion
If you’re considering moving to Spain, this information about public education on the Costa del Sol will help you make informed decisions:
- Your child will have the opportunity to integrate with native Spanish-speaking peers, boosting language skills quickly.
- In a short time, your child can achieve a high level of Spanish, potentially becoming fluent.
