El Limonar International School Villamartin vs Xábia International College - Secondary & Sixth Form Campus

	E El Limonar International School Villamartin Alicante, Spain	X Xábia International College - Secondary & Sixth Form Campus Alicante, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €7,100 - 9,800	Fees / year €5,900 - 14,800
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 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, Japanese Curriculum, French Curriculum, BTEC Qualification, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Cambridge (Secondary)
Pupils	Pupils 650	Pupils 450
Typical class size	Typical class size 17	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Spanish
Opened	Opened 1990	Opened 1994
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 —
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 —
School type	School type Private day school.	School type —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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 —
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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