If you are planning to move to Valencia with children, understanding how school admissions in Valencia work is one of the first steps. The system is structured, but not always intuitive, especially for families arriving from abroad. The main challenge is not only choosing the right school, but aligning your timing, paperwork and housing situation with the official process.

In Valencia, school admissions depend on the type of school you are considering. Public and concertado schools follow a centralised system with strict deadlines, while private and international schools manage their own admissions independently. Knowing how these systems differ is essential before making any decision.

Types of Schools in Valencia

There are three main types of schools available in Valencia.

Public schools are fully state-funded and assigned through a points-based system. They follow the official admissions calendar and are often chosen for integration into the local system.

Concertado schools are semi-private institutions subsidised by the government. They follow the same admissions process as public schools but may have a specific educational approach, often religious.

Private and international schools operate independently. They offer different curricula, often in English or other languages, and have more flexible admissions processes, but also higher fees.

Schools such as Caxton College, Cambridge House Community College or The American School of Valencia are among the most requested options for international families, which means availability can become limited quickly.

School Admissions Calendar 2026–2027

For public and concertado schools, the admissions process is centralised and follows a strict timeline.

For Infantil and Primary education, the application period runs from 7 May to 18 May 2026. Provisional results are published on 4 June, and final lists are confirmed on 18 June 2026. Enrolment then takes place between mid-June and early July.

For Secondary education (ESO and Bachillerato), applications are submitted between 21 May and 1 June 2026. Final results are released in early July, followed by enrolment during the first half of July.

There is also an earlier internal confirmation phase in March, mainly for students already within the system. This step impacts how many places remain available for new applicants.

These deadlines are important. Missing them means entering a different phase of the process with fewer options.

Extraordinary Phase and Late Applications

Families who are unable to apply during the main window can still access the system through the extraordinary phase.

This phase is designed for:

• families relocating after the main deadlines
• late applications
• cases where no place was assigned in the first round

While it is still possible to obtain a school place, the outcome depends on remaining availability. This often means less choice and a stronger dependency on where you are living at that moment.

For relocating families, this is where preparation becomes important. Even if your move is not fully confirmed, having documents ready and understanding the process early can make a significant difference.

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.

Required Documentation

Even though applications are submitted online, the process still requires a complete and consistent set of documents.

Most families will need:

• 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.

In many cases, delays are not caused by the system itself, but by incomplete or inconsistent documentation. Preparing this in advance helps avoid losing time during the application window.

Language and Integration Considerations

In the Valencian education system, language plays an important role. Public and concertado schools include different balances between Spanish and Valencian, and families may be asked to express a preference.

For international families, the key question is not only administrative. It is about how easily a child can adapt, what level of support is available, and whether the environment matches their current level.

This is often an important factor when choosing between public, concertado or international schools.

How Timing Affects Your Options

The timing of your move has a direct impact on the options available.

Families arriving before the May application window usually have more control over their choices. Those arriving during the summer can still find solutions, but with less flexibility. Arrivals just before the school year often depend entirely on remaining availability.

In all cases, a place will be assigned within the system. The difference lies in how closely it matches your expectations.

Planning School Before the Move

One of the most common misunderstandings is treating school as a final step in the relocation process.

In Valencia, school, housing and administrative steps are closely connected. Your address influences your school options, your timeline affects your access to the main admissions phase, and your documentation determines how quickly you can act.

Starting early does not mean committing immediately. It simply means being prepared when decisions need to be made.

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.

Final Thoughts

School admissions in Valencia are structured and manageable once understood, but they require anticipation. For the 2026–2027 school year, key steps begin as early as March, with the main application phase in May.

The earlier you prepare, the more options you will have. And in a relocation context, that preparation often makes the difference between a smooth transition and a reactive process.