El Limonar International School Villamartin vs The A Level College of Altea

	E El Limonar International School Villamartin Alicante, Spain	T The A Level College of Altea Alicante, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €7,100 - 9,800	Fees / year €9,440 - 12,065
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 16 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge A Levels
Pupils	Pupils 650	Pupils 24
Typical class size	Typical class size 17	Typical class size 7
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 1990	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Located in Villamartín, San Miguel de Salinas, Alicante, Spain. The school is in the Vega Baja del Segura region of the province of Alicante.	Location The school is located in Altea. The address is Carrer Benidorm 3, Altea, 03590.
Stages	Stages Early Years; Primary; Secondary; Sixth Form (KS1–KS5). The curriculum is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales, with IGCSEs and A Levels, or Spanish Bachillerato options.	Stages A-level courses for 16-18 year olds taught in English.
School type	School type Private day school.	School type A-level college.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Learning Support department; SENCO; inclusive education.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation United Kingdom (British curriculum aligned with England and Wales).	Country affiliation —
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / Registration Fee - Registration fee (one-off, non-refundable): EUR 1,500. Tuition fees by year group (published as monthly fees; billed over 10 months per academic year) Note: the school publishes fees as a monthly figure with a 10-month billing year. Annual = monthly × 10. Per-term = annual ÷ 3 (the school operates a three-term academic year). The per-term figures below are rounded to the nearest euro. - Early Years - Nursery (3–4) part-time (Infant 3): EUR 533 per month — Annual EUR 5,330 — Per term EUR 1,777. - Nursery (3–4) full-time (Infant 3): EUR 710 per month — Annual EUR 7,100 — Per term EUR 2,367. - Reception (4–5, Infant 4): EUR 710 per month — Annual EUR 7,100 — Per term EUR 2,367. - Primary - Year 1 (5–6, Infant 5): EUR 765 per month — Annual EUR 7,650 — Per term EUR 2,550. - Year 2 (6–7, Primary 1): EUR 765 per month — Annual EUR 7,650 — Per term EUR 2,550. - Year 3 (7–8, Primary 2): EUR 850 per month — Annual EUR 8,500 — Per term EUR 2,833. - Year 4 (8–9, Primary 3): EUR 850 per month — Annual EUR 8,500 — Per term EUR 2,833. - Year 5 (9–10, Primary 4): EUR 850 per month — Annual EUR 8,500 — Per term EUR 2,833. - Year 6 (10–11, Primary 5): EUR 850 per month — Annual EUR 8,500 — Per term EUR 2,833. - Year 7 (11–12, Primary 6): EUR 960 per month — Annual EUR 9,600 — Per term EUR 3,200. - Secondary (Years 8–11) - Year 8 (12–13, Secondary 1): EUR 960 per month — Annual EUR 9,600 — Per term EUR 3,200. - Year 9 (13–14, Secondary 2): EUR 960 per month — Annual EUR 9,600 — Per term EUR 3,200. - Year 10 (14–15, Secondary 3): EUR 960 per month — Annual EUR 9,600 — Per term EUR 3,200. - Year 11 (15–16, Secondary 4): EUR 960 per month — Annual EUR 9,600 — Per term EUR 3,200. - Sixth Form (Years 12–13) - Year 12 (16–17, Baccalaureate 1): EUR 980 per month — Annual EUR 9,800 — Per term EUR 3,267. - Year 13 (17–18, Baccalaureate 2): EUR 980 per month — Annual EUR 9,800 — Per term EUR 3,267. Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is published as a monthly fee based on a 10-month billing year; this implies billing over 10 monthly instalments during the academic year. Annual totals are the monthly fee × 10. Per-term amounts are the annual total divided across three academic terms. - There is an early-payment discount: if both tuition and lunch are paid annually in or before September, a 2% discount on tuition is applied. Sibling discounts on tuition are applied as follows: 10% for the second child, 20% for the third child, and 40% for the fourth child and subsequent children. There is no sibling discount for half-day Nursery enrolment. - Examination-related payments: the school offers an “Exams Fees in Advance” option where payments made between October and March are accumulated for subsequent A-Level and IGCSE exam fees. Examination fees (language exams, IGCSE, AS/A-Level) and certain course-related trips are additional to tuition. Textbook digital subscriptions are billed directly by the school. Boarding fees - ELIS Villamartín is an independent day school (ages 3–18). Boarding is not part of the school's provision; therefore no boarding fees apply. Other costs and compulsory extras - Dining (lunch) fee: EUR 1,750 per year (equivalent to EUR 175 per month). Dining is compulsory for all students up to and including Year 11. Annual dining divided per term = EUR 583 (rounded). - Transport: route-dependent; published range EUR 130–170 per month. Annual transport = EUR 1,300–1,700; per term ≈ EUR 433–567 (rounded). - Examination fees: charged in addition to tuition for ESOL, German, French, IGCSE (Year 11), AS and A-Level (Years 11–13). Some optional courses require study trips that incur additional charges. - Textbooks and learning materials: textbook lists published during the third term; all texts (digital subscriptions or physical) are reserved via the school office. Digital subscriptions are billed by the school. - School uniform: compulsory up to the end of Year 11; uniform is not sold by the school and is available at El Corte Inglés. Costs will therefore depend on purchases made there. Refund information - The registration fee (EUR 1,500) is expressly stated as non‑refundable. No other specific refund policy for tuition, lunches or other fees is published in the school's publicly available fee information. Fee payment options / methods - The published fee pages and policies present the billing structure, instalment/annual payment options and the early-payment window but do not list specific accepted payment methods (for example: credit card, bank transfer, direct debit) in the public fee summary. Payment method details are not specified in the published fee summary. Discounts and concessions - Sibling discounts applicable to tuition only: 10% (second child), 20% (third child), 40% (fourth child and beyond). Early payment discount of 2% on tuition if both tuition and lunch are paid annually in or before September. No sibling discounts apply to half-day Nursery. Summary of immediate, guaranteed figures - Registration (one-off): EUR 1,500 (non‑refundable). - Tuition (examples): Primary years range from EUR 765–960 per month (EUR 7,650–9,600 per year; EUR 2,550–3,200 per term). Sixth Form: EUR 980 per month (EUR 9,800 per year; EUR 3,267 per term). Early Years: EUR 533–710 per month. (Fees and terms above are the published figures for the 2025–2026 academic year as presented in the school's fee information.)	Fee details Application / Registration Fee - Registration fee: €500. Tuition Fees (by year group and per term) - Year groups covered: A-level students aged 16–18 (both first and second year of A-level study are charged under the college fee structure). - Annual tuition (base fee, includes three A-level subjects, selected extra-curricular activities, and university application mentoring): €9,440 per academic year. - Per-month instalment option (charged over 10 months, September to June): €944 per month. - Per-term (standard three-term academic year): €9,440 ÷ 3 = €3,146.67 per term (calculated from the published annual fee). Optional / Additional Annual Charges - PCE / Selectividad preparation: +€1,050 per year. - Each extra A-level subject beyond the included three: +€1,050 per year. - Extra English or Spanish lessons: +€525 per year. - Fees are exclusive of coursebooks and official exam entry fees; families should budget separately for textbooks, examination entries and similar consumables. Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - Billing options: pay the full annual tuition in a single payment, or spread the annual tuition over 10 monthly instalments from September through June at €944 per month. - The registration fee is charged in addition to the annual tuition. Boarding Fees - Boarding is not offered under the college fee schedule; there are no published boarding fees. Other Costs and Typical Additional Expenses - Coursebooks and official examination entry fees are excluded from the published fees and must be paid separately. - Uniform costs are not listed in the published fee schedule; families should allow for potential costs for clothing, study materials, transport and extracurricular activities. Refunds and Cancellations - There is no publicly published refund policy or detailed refunds/cancellation terms in the published fee information; specific refund conditions for registration or tuition payments are not specified. Fee Payment Options - The published fee information specifies payment in full or by 10 monthly instalments (September–June), but specific accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, direct debit, or credit/debit card) are not specified in the published fee material. Summary of Key Figures (one-line reference) - Registration fee: €500. Annual tuition (base): €9,440. Monthly (10 months): €944. Per standard term (3-term division): €3,146.67. Optional extras: PCE/Selectividad +€1,050; extra A-level +€1,050; extra language lessons +€525. Coursebooks and exam entries excluded.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement The school uniform is compulsory for Early Years, Primary and Secondary students. There are summer and winter uniform options, along with a sports kit for PE. Pre-University students are not required to wear a uniform but should follow the dress code. The uniform is exclusively available at El Corte Inglés; further details are in the ELIS uniform PDF.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options School lunch is mandatory for Early Years, Primary, and Year 7–10; from Year 11, packed lunches are allowed. Daily healthy, freshly prepared meals are served in the dining room, with vegetarian options and the ability to accommodate allergies and dietary needs including gluten-free. The Head Chef designs the menu, overseen by a nutritionist, and monthly menus are shared with parents.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership ELIS Villamartín is part of Cognita, a global family of schools. Cognita Holdings Ltd sets group-wide policies (safeguarding, health & safety, financial management, data protection) and governance for regions, with independent reviewers overseeing safeguarding and health & safety; the Head of School reports to the Regional Chief Executive Officer.	Governance and ownership ALCA is a school created by teachers who have the sole objective of putting EDUCATION FIRST.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school offers an international British curriculum with a foundation in the Spanish Curriculum and provides an immersive multilingual education. By graduation, students attain certified proficiency in three languages.	Curriculum details ALCA offers internationally recognised A-level qualifications for students over 16. The A-levels are taught in English to 16–18 year-olds. The school offers Mathematics, History, Travel & Tourism, Business Studies, Physics, Spanish, Media Studies, Psychology, Art & Design, and Sport & PE (AS only). Optional extras include Extra Spanish/Extra English, Selectividad Preparation, and GCSE resits. If a subject is not offered, Kings Interhigh Online School can provide additional options. Class sizes are limited to 10 students, and students receive more timetabled time with teachers than at most local schools, with qualified native-English-speaking teachers and a personalised approach that prepares them for university applications.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression University & Careers Guidance helps students access the world's best universities in Spain and beyond.	Higher education progression The A-level courses prepare students for university applications and provide access to universities in the UK, Spain and around the world.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning The school supports students' social and emotional development by providing a structured learning environment led by experienced teachers committed to student well-being.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The school offers education for 16–18 year olds through English-taught A-levels with native-English teachers, focusing on individualised curriculums and academic support.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language A-level subjects are taught in English by qualified, experienced native-English teachers, with the option to tailor curriculums and include extra English or Spanish support.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing The school operates a learning environment designed to support students' mental well-being, anchored by qualified staff and supportive practices.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding Safeguarding and student well-being are addressed through policies and practices implemented by the school to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview ELIS Villamartín sits on a 12,000 m² campus with 56 classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards, computers, iPads and tablets for exclusive use. Early Years facilities were recently renovated and include spaces designed to support play-based learning. The school provides music and art rooms, a drama area that seats up to 200 people, a motricity room and an indoor gym for Early Years, and an A-Level Study Centre. Outdoor facilities include separate play areas for Early Years and Primary, a grassy Primary playground and multi-purpose football and basketball pitches.	Facilities overview The A-Level College of Altea is a small, intimate campus in the heart of Altea, located on Carrer Benidorm. The site is undergoing renovations, and its interior design is inspired by modern British colleges. It features modern classrooms, a quiet library and study space, and vibrant common spaces. Common spaces include a pool table.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Outdoor facilities include multi-purpose football and basketball pitches. There are separate play areas for Early Years and Primary, and a grassy Primary playground. The campus includes an indoor gym for Early Years.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities There are 56 spacious classrooms with interactive whiteboards, computers, iPads and tablets for exclusive use. Dedicated music and art rooms, a drama area that can accommodate 200 people, a motricity room and an indoor gym serve Early Years pupils. An A-Level Study Centre supports older learners. The school sits on a 12,000 m² campus with a curriculum that blends English and Spanish education and includes a third language.	Academic facilities Modern classrooms support teaching and learning. There is a quiet library and study space for individual study and group work. The spaces are designed to support independent study and collaboration. The environment focuses on focused study and learning.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities ELIS Villamartín offers a diverse Extracurricular Activities Programme. Activities include Taekwondo, Robotics, Football and Fusion Dance. The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is offered to Year 10 and above. Participants complete volunteering, physical activity and a new skill, and undertake two mountain expeditions to destinations such as Sierra Espuña, Moratalla and Sierra Nevada.	Extra curricular facilities Free sailing lessons on a 52ft sailing boat with instruction from Capitan Guillermo, a business partner. Regular hikes are organized to exercise, bond and explore the local area. Africa Exchange is a cultural exchange project with a school in Africa.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The school has a British curriculum for students aged 3–18. The school has more than 600 pupils from over 35 nationalities. The school is part of Cognita, a global family with more than 90 schools. Cognita provides governance through regional structures; the Head of School is accountable to the Regional Chief Executive Officer. Cognita runs wellbeing initiatives across its schools, including Global Be Well Day.	History The A-Level College of Altea (ALCA) focuses on education for students over 16 by offering internationally recognised A-level qualifications to prepare for university applications. A-level courses are the UK equivalent of Bachillerato in Spain. Our students join after completing GCSE (Year 11) or 4ª ESO at other schools, in the year they reach the age of 16. ALCA is a school created by teachers who have the sole objective of putting education first. At ALCA, our dedicated Sixth Form site offers a different type of experience, combining a social setting with space to work independently.
Community	Community The Christmas concert is multicultural and attended by pupils and families. Global Be Well Day is celebrated to focus on wellbeing across the Cognita network. A heartfelt farewell to the Class of 2025 is part of ELIS Villamartín's community events.	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Robotikids (Nursery - Year 8) includes robotics, video game programming, holograms, virtual reality, and drone usage. Chess (Year 1 - Year 13) teaches strategy, perseverance, and calculated risk-taking. The Extracurricular Activities Programme includes these and other activities to broaden intellectual challenge beyond the classroom.	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Art is offered from Reception to Year 6, developing drawing and painting skills with diverse colour ranges. Modern dance is available from Reception to Year 6, exploring different dance styles and group performances. These activities provide opportunities for creative expression and collaborative performance.	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Africa Exchange is a cultural exchange with a school in Africa. It offers students an opportunity to understand a totally different way of life.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Taekwon-do is available for Year 1 to Year 8 and develops coordination, balance, body awareness, self-confidence, and personal security. Chess is available for Year 1 to Year 13, teaching strategy, perseverance, and calculated risk-taking. The Extracurricular Activities Programme also includes a broad range of other activities and sports such as tennis and more.	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The Duke of Edinburgh International Award is offered to Year 10 and above. It involves completing volunteering for a community project, participating in a physical activity or sport, and acquiring a new skill. Participants also undertake two mountain expeditions, with destinations including Sierra Espuña, Moratalla, and Sierra Nevada.	Leadership & professional Personalised support with university applications is provided.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing ELIS Villamartín runs a broad sports-based extracurricular programme. Taekwon-do (Year 1 - Year 8), Tennis (Year 1 - Year 10), Football (Year 1 - Year 6), Volleyball (Year 4 - Year 11), Basketball (Year 3 - Year 9), Padel (Year 3 - Year 13), and Table Tennis (Year 4 - Year 11) are offered. These activities support physical development, teamwork, resilience, and healthy lifestyle.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Free Sailing Lessons are offered through a local business partnership, with sailing on a 52ft boat and instruction from Capitan Guillermo. Regular Hikes provide exercise, bonding, and opportunities to explore the local mountains. These experiences supplement classroom learning with outdoor activity and practical experiences.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction. The program also supports proficiency in Spanish. A third language is offered, such as German or French. By graduation, students achieve proficiency in three languages or more.	Language provision A-level subjects are taught in English. Spanish is offered as a subject. Optional extras include Extra Spanish/Extra English, Selectividad Preparation, and GCSE resits. Other subjects can be offered through Kings Interhigh online courses.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching English is the language of instruction for the vast majority of the school day (at least 80%). The curriculum blends the Spanish Curriculum with a British curriculum to support bilingual learning. The school teaches English, Spanish, and an additional language such as German or French. By graduation, students attain a highly proficient level in three languages.	Bilingual teaching The A-Level College of Altea teaches A-level subjects in English to 16-18-year-olds. The teaching team includes qualified, experienced native English-speaking teachers. Curriculums can be tailored to include extra English or Spanish, or preparation for PCE exams. The college emphasises personalised learning and university preparation.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs The school offers an immersive multilingual education. English is the language of instruction across classrooms, the playground and social activities integral to the curriculum. A third language is offered, such as German or French. By graduation, students achieve proficiency in three languages or more.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards Forbes Top 100 Schools in Spain (2026)	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Enquiries, visits and information. All enquiries and applications are directed to the Admissions Officer who provides the information needed to families. Applicants are recorded as Prospective Pupils in the school database and receive a prospectus pack with the school brochure and relevant age-appropriate information. The Admissions Officer ensures clarity on the process and next steps so families can plan ahead. 2. Visits and open days. Prospective parents are encouraged to visit to see the school in action and to meet the Admissions Officer or Headteacher. There is a monthly open day for informal tours and private appointments can be arranged. Details about scheduled open days are published on the school website. 3. Registration and offer. Following a visit, meeting or interview and the corresponding entrance tests, a place is offered to the family. Parents should complete the Admissions Registration Form, sign the Parent Contract and return the documentation with the non-refundable Registration Fee. The school confirms that the child's name has been placed on the admission list for the relevant term and year; if the year group is fully subscribed, the child is placed on a waiting list. 4. Waiting list and allocation. If no place is available, parents may place their child on the waiting list. The school cannot guarantee when a place may become available. A place is confirmed when a formal offer is made and the Registration Fee and documentation are received. 5. Taster Days and Nursery entry. Taster Days are offered to provide a typical school day experience and an assessment of suitability. Admission to Nursery starts at age 3, with no formal assessment, though parents are asked about development and any identified needs. Places are not automatic, and progression to Reception is automatic unless exceptional circumstances apply. 6. Admission to other year groups. For children joining other year groups, appointments for interview and entrance tests are arranged by the Admissions Officer. A copy of the pupil's most recent school report is requested, and test results are communicated to the family within a short timeframe. A place may be offered, and a language proficiency assessment may be required before final confirmation. 7. Language of instruction and EAL. The school requires an appropriate working knowledge of the language of instruction. English as an Additional Language (EAL) tuition can be arranged at the parent's expense. Applicants may be required to undertake a language proficiency assessment, which may include a written test and possibly an interview. 8. Allocation of places, offers and waiting lists. A place is available only after a formal offer has been made and the registration payment received. When registrations exceed places, priority is given according to set criteria (e.g., siblings, ex-pupils, length of time registered, exam results, alumni references). Parents are informed within two weeks of application whether a place is available. There is no right to appeal a decision not to admit, and the Headteacher's decision is final. The Parent Contract and admissions documentation outline the terms of education, and the school maintains an Admissions Register in accordance with policy and data protection rules.	Admissions 1. The school provides a personalised approach to education. A meeting with parents and students is arranged to create a personalised curriculum that best suits their needs. This process ensures the programme is tailored to the student's goals and learning style. 2. Academic requirements: The school is primarily an A-level college, so enrollees should have the capacity, work ethic, and attitude required for the courses. The school can consider students over 16 who may need to resit GCSE exams or require help with the university application process. A meeting is arranged to discuss further. 3. Enrolment for September 2026/2027. The base fee includes three A-level subjects, some extra-curricular activities, and university application mentoring and guidance. Registration is €500 and annual fees are €9,440, payable in full or over 10 months (€944 per month). Additional charges cover PCE/Selectividad preparation (€1,050 annually), extra A-level subject (€1,050 annually), and extra English/Spanish lessons (€525 annually). Fees exclude coursebooks and exam entries. 4. Contact for more information or to arrange a visit. Phone: +34 629 617 417. Address: Carrer Benidorm 3, Altea, 03590.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist The school maintains a waiting list when a year group is full. A place on the waiting list does not guarantee eventual admission, and the school cannot predict when a place might become available.	Waitlist —
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