Launching Our Schools Guide: Choosing A School In Cantabria
Choosing a School in Cantabria: A Practical Guide for Families Moving to Spain
For families relocating to Cantabria, choosing the right school is often one of the most emotional and complex parts of moving to Spain with children.
Questions come thick and fast:
Will my child be happy here?
How does the Spanish school system actually work?
What’s the difference between public, concertado and private schools?
How do we apply if we don’t speak Spanish yet?
After years of supporting English-speaking families through this process, we’ve seen first-hand how overwhelming school choice can feel — especially when you’re navigating a new country, language and culture at the same time.
That’s why we’ve created a new free resource:
Choosing a School in Cantabria: A Practical Guide for Relocating Families
Why choosing a school in Cantabria feels so difficult for relocating families
Spain’s education system is very different from those in the UK, Ireland, the US and Northern Europe, which can make choosing a school in Cantabria particularly challenging for international families. Timelines, expectations, communication styles and even the role of parents can feel unfamiliar.
In Cantabria specifically, families often struggle with:
Understanding how public school catchment areas work
Knowing whether a concertado or private school is the right fit
Interpreting school websites and paperwork in Spanish
Knowing what really matters when visiting a school
Managing expectations when a child needs time to settle
Online information is often fragmented, overly general, or not written with relocating families in mind. Many parents come to us feeling stressed, unsure, and worried about making the “wrong” decision.
What this guide is designed to do for families moving to Cantabria
This download isn’t a list of “best schools in Cantabria” — because there is no single best school for every child.
Instead, the guide is designed to help you:
Understand the structure of the Cantabrian school system
Learn the key differences between public, concertado and private schools
Ask the right questions when researching or visiting schools
Recognise common mistakes relocating families make — and how to avoid them
Focus on what truly supports a child’s wellbeing and long-term integration
It’s practical, realistic and grounded in real conversations we have with families every week.
Who this guide is for: families relocating to Cantabria
This guide is ideal if you are:
Planning a move to Cantabria with school-aged children
Already living here and reconsidering your current school choice
Feeling unsure how to compare different school options
New to the Spanish education system and looking for clarity
Whether your move is imminent or still at the research stage, the guide will help you feel more informed and confident.
How this fits into our school selection service in Cantabria
At Move to Cantabria, our school selection service in Cantabria goes beyond paperwork.
We help families by:
Assessing a child’s needs, personality and background
Researching suitable schools based on realistic criteria
Visiting schools and arranging introductions
Supporting applications and administrative processes
Helping families navigate challenges if a placement isn’t working
This guide reflects the same thoughtful, child-centred approach we take with our clients — and is a great starting point before engaging in personalised support.
Download the free school guide for Cantabria
If school choice is part of your relocation journey, this guide will help you start from a place of clarity rather than overwhelm.
👉 Download: Choosing a School in Cantabria – A Practical Guide for Relocating Families
If you’d like personalised help choosing a school, or want to talk through your family’s situation, feel free to get in touch.
Moving countries is a big step. You don’t have to navigate schools alone.
