When moving to Valencia with children, one of the biggest challenges is understanding how the local school system works—especially when it comes to timing, procedures, and documents. School Admissions in Valencia can feel complex, not only because of the deadlines, but also because the system includes different types of schools: public, concertado (partially state-funded), and private or international schools, each with its own rules and calendar.
Here’s what you need to know, based on the latest updates for the 2025–2026 school year.
Admission Timelines for Public and Concertado Schools (partially state-funded)
Section updated on the 15th of June 2025 for late enrollments in public and “concertado” schools.
Late‑stage enrollment remains open until early September. Families can still apply in July or early September during the fase extraordinària, filling vacancies created by withdrawals.
If your child will attend a public or concertado school in the Comunidad Valenciana, the process is centrally managed via adminova.gva.es, and deadlines must be respected.
For infantil and primary school (ages 3–12), ordinary applications ran from May 6 to May 14, with provisional results published June 4 and final results on June 18. Enrollment took place from June 18 to June 27 online and until July 2 in person. The extraordinary phase follows: online applications are accepted from July 17 to July 22, with on-site enrollment from July 29 to July 31. Additional placements may be assigned in person on September 1 and 2, depending on available spots.
For secondary education (ESO, ages 12–16), applications were submitted between May 15 and May 23. Provisional results published on July 7, final placements on July 16, and enrollment runs through July 22. The extraordinary application window opens July 23–24, with in-person registration from September 1 to 3 and waitlist assignments on September 4 and 5.
For Bachillerato (ages 16–18), the calendar follows a similar structure: ordinary enrollment runs to July 28, with extraordinary applications accepted from July 25 to 28. On-site registration occurs from September 3 to 5, and remaining vacancies are allocated from September 8 to 9.
These late-enrollment phases offer real opportunities for families who miss the initial deadlines—particularly when schools receive last-minute withdrawals. At Livin’Valencia, we assist families through this process, tracking openings and submitting applications efficiently to secure the best possible placement.
What About Private and International Schools?
Private and international schools manage their own admissions and operate on independent timelines. Most start accepting applications early in the year—some even from autumn of the previous year. Flexibility is possible, especially for expat families moving mid-year, but places can be limited, particularly in the early years or secondary levels.
Each school has its own rhythm and philosophy. For instance, some are bilingual or multilingual, while others follow foreign curricula. Here are a few examples of schools often chosen by international families relocating to Valencia:
- Cambridge House Community College (Rocafort): A British curriculum school popular among both locals and expats.
- Caxton College (Puçol): A long-established British-Spanish school offering education from early years to Bachillerato.
- Los Olivos School (Godella): A private Christian school offering education in both Spanish and English.
- The American School of Valencia (Puçol): Offers an American-style curriculum and the International Baccalaureate.
- British School of Valencia (Valencia city): Located in central Valencia, with a clear British curriculum structure.
- Valencia Montessori School: Focused on child-centered learning with a strong emphasis on independence.
- Lycée Français de Valence: For French-speaking families or those looking for a French academic environment.
- Colegio Alemán de Valencia: A longstanding German school with a strong reputation among European families.
Each of these institutions requires a separate application process. Typically, you’ll need to attend a visit or orientation, meet with the admissions team, and submit academic records and health documents.
At Livin’Valencia, we assist families with private and international school admissions on a daily basis—monitoring availability, facilitating contact, and guiding each step of the process to ensure smooth, timely placement.
What Documents Are Required?
While each school may ask for slightly different documents, the basics remain the same:
- Identification: Passports or ID cards of both the child and parents.
- Proof of residence: Often a rental contract or utility bill, especially important for public and concertado school placement.
- Previous school records: Transcripts or report cards, sometimes with certified translations.
- Health and vaccination records: Spanish schools usually request full vaccination history.
- Photographs: Small passport-style photos of the child.
It’s important to have these documents prepared well in advance—translations can take time, and some schools may require notarized versions.
Language, Integration, and Other Considerations
The language of instruction is another key point to understand. In public and concertado schools, both Spanish and Valencian are used in most cases. Some offer more instruction in one than the other, but bilingualism is common across the system.
Private and international schools vary: some teach mainly in English, French, or German, while others integrate Spanish more progressively. This has a real impact on how easily your child may adapt, especially if they are not fluent in the language of instruction.
Families often visit several schools before applying. It helps to observe the environment, ask how newcomers are supported, and get a feel for the school culture. Some schools offer special programs for international students, while others expect full immersion from day one.
Our Role: How We Help Families Navigate This Process
At Livin’Valencia, helping families settle in is at the heart of what we do. School admissions are more than just paperwork—they’re a crucial step in building a new life here. We support our clients throughout the entire process: from choosing the right type of school to understanding the implications of language choice, neighborhoods, and admission calendars.
We also liaise with schools on your behalf, guide you through the online application platforms like adminova.gva.es, and assist in collecting and translating the required documents. If you’re arriving outside the regular enrollment periods, we help you identify schools that may still have availability and organize appointments to speed things up.
You can find more about how we support families in this journey on our dedicated page:
👉 Relocation Services for Families
By planning ahead and knowing what to expect, families can approach school admissions with more confidence—and far less stress. We’re here to make sure your child’s new start in Valencia is as smooth and successful as possible. Let’s get started.