If you are moving to Cantabria with children, there is a good chance the thing keeping you awake is not the house, the visa or the move itself. It's the school.
Will your child fit in? Will they make friends? How will they cope with the academic load, in lessons taught in Spanish, when Spanish isn't their first language? It is a lot to hold as a parent, and it is hard to know where to start.
At Move to Cantabria, we have been through the Spanish education system as students, teachers and parents. This guide explains how schools in Cantabria work, what your options are and how to choose, in plain language. If you would like to keep it, you can also download our full guide, Choosing a School in Cantabria, at the end of the admissions section.
Why we say: choose the school, then the town
Most advice about moving abroad starts with where to live and treats school as something to sort out afterwards. At Move to Cantabria, we think that order is back to front.
Choose the school, then choose the property.
The reason is practical. School eligibility here is closely linked to your residency status, your registered address (the padrón) and local catchment areas. Choose a property without thinking about the schools nearby and you can limit your options later.
It is also personal. Schools are often the gateway into local life. They bring school events and celebrations, extracurricular activities and sports, parent associations and informal networks, and the local traditions and festivals that make a place feel like home. Where your child goes to school shapes where you live, and where you live shapes your community.
There is no single best school, only the right school for your child. The rest of this guide is about finding it.
How the Spanish school system is structured
Before you compare schools, it helps to know how the system is laid out, because it may be different from what you are used to.
Early years (Educación Infantil): 3 to 6 (a first cycle for under-3s also exists)
Primary (Educación Primaria): 6 to 12
Lower secondary (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, ESO): 12 to 16
Upper secondary (Bachillerato): 16 to 18
Schooling is compulsory from 6 to 16. Children are usually grouped by their calendar year of birth, so your child's year group in Spain may differ from the one they would be in at home. Ask the school to confirm placement.
There are a few differences you may notice. Homework expectations can be different from Northern Europe, and teaching styles often place less emphasis on continuous assessment in the early years. In public schools, lessons are taught in Spanish.
Public, concertado and private schools
Cantabria has three types of school, and each suits different families.
Public schools (colegios públicos)
Free of charge, although families pay for books, materials, excursions and extra-hour services
Spanish national curriculum
Usually allocated by catchment area
Full Spanish-language immersion
Strong local integration
Concertado schools (semi-private)
State-subsidised, with monthly "contribution" fees that vary by school
Often faith-based
Structured academic environment
Popular with both local and international families
Private schools (privados)
Fully private and fee-paying, with higher costs
Smaller class sizes
Limited availability, as Waldorf Cantabria is the only private school in the region
Each option has advantages and challenges. The best choice depends on your child's age, personality, language exposure and your family's long-term plans in Spain.
Is there an international school in Cantabria?
No. There is no international school in Cantabria, and the only private school in the region is Waldorf Cantabria. That comes as a surprise to many families, so it is worth saying plainly.
What you do have are bilingual options. Some state and concertado schools offer bilingual programmes, but bilingual is not the same as an international school. A bilingual programme sits inside a Spanish school, and what it means in practice can differ from one school to the next. The label alone doesn't tell you how your child's day will actually look.
That is exactly what a schools consultation with Move to Cantabria is for. We talk you through what each option means in practice for your child, your family and where you want to live.
How admissions work in Cantabria
Understanding the process early is the single most useful thing you can do. Many families run into difficulties simply because key steps were not clear from the start.
One process for public and concertado schools. It applies to children starting school for the first time, children changing school and children moving to a school different from the one they had a place in.
One application per child. At the time of writing, you apply in person at the school you list first or online. Check the official instructions each year, as details can change.
A fixed window. The main admissions window is usually in spring, after school open days, which usually start in February. Dates for the next school year are published each new year, and the windows are fixed and strictly enforced.
Your address matters. Eligibility is closely linked to your residency status, your registered address (padrón) and the school's catchment area.
Documents. Requirements vary by school type, so ask each school what it needs. Your registered address and identification are the usual starting points.
Waiting lists. They can occur for popular schools, although this depends on the school and the class group.
Arriving mid-year. This is possible, but it follows a different route from the main window, and what is available depends on spaces at the time. Talk to us early.
Because your address affects your options, this is where housing, residency and schooling meet. It is the main reason we suggest starting with the school.
Want all of this in one place? Download our guide, Choosing a School in Cantabria: A Practical Guide for Relocating Families.
When Spanish isn't your child's first language
This is the worry we hear most often, and it is a reasonable one. How your child settles depends on their age, personality and school, but there are patterns worth knowing.
What to expect by age
Young children (early years and the first years of primary). Children this age often pick up everyday Spanish quickly through play and daily routine, and friendships tend to form through shared activity rather than shared language.
Older primary children. There is more academic language to learn alongside everyday Spanish, so the first months can be tiring. Patience, routine and a little extra support at home help.
Teenagers (ESO and Bachillerato). This is the hardest age to move. The academic load is heavier, the language demands are higher and friendships are already established. Choosing the right school matters most here, so ask about support early.
What helps at any age
Ask each school how it supports children who don't speak Spanish, and how it adjusts expectations in the first months.
Know that support exists. Intercultural support officers visit schools across Cantabria each week, working in small groups with children who are new to the country and the language to offer additional support and check they are settling in well.
Keep up your child's home language alongside Spanish.
Start some Spanish before the move if you can.
Use sport, music and other activities as a way into friendships.
Talk to teachers early, and keep talking.
Children often adapt more quickly than adults, and the first months can still be tiring. That is normal.
If a school turns out not to be the right fit
Despite careful planning, there are occasions when a school doesn't meet a child's needs as expected. This does not mean the relocation has failed. Changing schools within the Spanish system can be complex without guidance, so understanding the options, timelines and processes early makes a real difference. Ongoing support is often just as important as the initial choice.
What the school day and school year look like
Practical detail is often what reassures parents most, so here is what to expect.
The school day. Many schools start between 9:00 and 9:30 and finish between 14:00 and 14:30. Some concertados run a split day, for example 9:00 to 12:00 and then 15:00 to 17:00.
Lunch. Arrangements vary by school, so ask what is offered and what it costs.
The school year. The school year runs from September to June.
Costs. Public schools are free, but families pay for books, materials, excursions and extra-hour services. Concertados charge monthly contributions that vary by school.
Beyond lessons. Extracurricular activities, sports and school events are a big part of school life, and they are often where friendships and local connections begin.
Uniform and equipment. Rules vary by school, so check when you visit.
If you want to take a deeper dive on this topic, our podcast conversation with Julie McNamara covers it.
How to choose: open days and the questions to ask
Open days usually start in February, so the weeks before are the time to build a shortlist. Visiting in person tells you things no website can, so go if you can, and take questions with you.
Questions to ask on an open day:
How do you support children who don't speak Spanish, and how do you adjust expectations in the first months?
What does a typical day look like, and what time does it start and finish?
What are the lunch arrangements, and what extra costs should we expect (books, materials, excursions, extra-hour services)?
If there is a bilingual programme, what does it mean in practice for my child's day?
How do you welcome new children, and how do you help them make friends?
What are the parent association and school events like?
What do we need to apply, and by when?
What happens if it turns out not to be the right fit?
While you are there, notice how children and staff talk to each other, how welcome you feel and whether you can picture your child in the building. There is no single best school, only the right school for your child.
From school to home: choosing where to live
Once you know which schools suit your child, your shortlist of towns and neighbourhoods usually narrows quickly. Catchment areas and registered addresses do a lot of the work for you.
This is one reason we encourage families to rent first and buy later. A rental gives you time to experience different areas, whether mountain, ocean or city, before you commit, and to see how the school and the town feel in everyday life. When you are ready to buy, we can support you through that too.
If you would like the wider picture of the move, our Complete Guide to Moving to Cantabria covers housing, residency and everything that connects to the school decision.
What families tell us
The best way to understand how this feels is to hear from families who have done it.
"When you have something in common, a thread in common, then your connections can actually grow. And for us it started with the schooling. And it was a great place for it to start because that's where we spent most of our time." — Mardi, Integration Stories
Our Integration Stories podcast series features people who have built lives in Cantabria, and many of them talk about how school opened the door to local life.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an international school in Cantabria?
No. There is no international school in Cantabria, and the only private school in the region is Waldorf Cantabria. Some state and concertado schools offer bilingual programmes, but bilingual is not the same as an international school, and a schools consultation can explain what it means in practice.
Are public schools in Cantabria free?
Public schools are free of charge, but families pay for books, materials, excursions and extra-hour services.
When do school admissions open?
The main admissions window is usually in spring, after open days, which usually start in February. Dates for the next school year are published each new year, and the windows are fixed and strictly enforced.
What if my child doesn't speak Spanish?
It is the most common worry we hear, and support exists. Intercultural support officers visit schools each week and work in small groups with children who are new to the country and the language. It also helps to ask each school how it will adjust expectations in the first months.
What is the difference between public, concertado and private schools?
Public schools are free and follow the Spanish national curriculum, with full Spanish-language immersion. Concertados are state-subsidised, often faith-based and charge monthly contributions. Private schools are fully fee-paying, and Waldorf Cantabria is the only one in the region.
Does where we live affect which school our child can attend?
Yes. Eligibility is closely linked to your residency status, your registered address (padrón) and the school's catchment area, which is why we suggest choosing the school before the town.
Can we change school if it isn't the right fit?
It is possible, but changing schools within the Spanish system can be complex without guidance. Understanding the options and timelines early makes a real difference.
What age do children start school in Spain?
Early years education (Educación Infantil) covers ages 3 to 6, and schooling is compulsory from 6 to 16.
How Move to Cantabria can help
Our school selection service is designed to give you clarity, confidence and continuity throughout your relocation. We support families by:
Understanding your child's needs and family priorities
Identifying suitable school options
Visiting schools and arranging introductions
Accompanying families or liaising on their behalf
Supporting administrative and enrolment processes
Offering guidance if challenges arise after enrolment
Schooling is often the first priority, and we recognise how closely it is linked to residency and housing, so we support you across the wider relocation journey.
If you would like personalised support choosing a school in Cantabria, we are here to help.
Learn more about our Schools Service
Download our guide, Choosing a School in Cantabria
Join our newsletter for guidance on family life in Cantabria
Join our Facebook group, Schools in Northern Spain
Follow us on Instagram (@move_to_cantabria)
