Why relocating families keep Aloha on the shortlist
Aloha College Marbella is one of the established names in international education on the Costa del Sol, and the current school material explains why. On its history page, the school says it was founded in 1982, operates as a not-for-profit educational foundation and educates children from Early Years through Sixth Form. The campus sits in Nueva Andalucía, close to Puerto Banús and the residential areas many relocating families consider first. The same official material refers to over 900 students representing 57 nationalities, which is a more concrete version of the “50+ nationalities” claim often repeated in school comparisons.
| Detail | Aloha College Marbella |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1982 |
| Location | Urbanización El Ángel s/n, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella |
| Age range | 3 to 18 years, from EYFS to Sixth Form |
| Academic route | British international curriculum with IGCSEs, then a choice of A Levels or the IB Diploma Programme |
| Community | More than 50 nationalities; current history page cites 57 nationalities and 900+ students |
| Format | Established day school, not a boarding school |
Academic pathway: British structure with two sixth-form exits
For many parents, Aloha’s biggest advantage is not a vague prestige claim but the shape of the academic route. The school presents a British international education for ages 3 to 18, starting with EYFS, moving through Primary and Secondary, and finishing with a Sixth Form that offers both A Levels and the IB Diploma Programme. On the Costa del Sol, that dual route matters. It allows families to postpone the final pre-university choice until the later years instead of selecting a school that is locked into only one model.
That flexibility can be genuinely useful for families relocating from different systems. Children can settle into a recognisable British-style structure in the earlier years, while parents keep both the depth of A Levels and the breadth of the IB in view for later. The school also highlights strong IGCSE, A-Level and IB Diploma outcomes, so the message is clearly academic as well as pastoral. If your child is still young, the practical question is not “IB or A Levels today” but whether you want the option to choose between them without changing schools at 16.
Aloha also looks easier to understand than schools where the curriculum story is scattered across several disconnected pages. The navigation clearly separates Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form, which helps parents map the long-term path. For a family moving to Marbella, that clarity matters almost as much as exam results.
Facilities and day-to-day school life
The official site gives enough detail to form a realistic picture of daily life. Aloha describes purpose-built science laboratories, art studios, sports fields and performance spaces, so this reads like a full campus rather than a narrow exam-prep school. The school also puts visible emphasis on pastoral care and a broad co-curricular experience, which is worth noting for parents who do not want a school that defines success only through grades.
That broader picture continues outside lessons. Aloha says it offers more than 65 co-curricular clubs for students from Year 1 upwards, spanning sport, music, languages, creative arts, community service and personal development. The homepage also highlights sport, the arts and community service as core parts of the student experience. In practice, that matters because relocating families are not only choosing an academic route; they are looking for a place where children can rebuild friendships, confidence and routine after a move.
Just as important is what the reviewed material does not suggest: Aloha should be understood as a day school, not a boarding school. That makes it especially relevant for families planning to live in Nueva Andalucía, Puerto Banús, San Pedro or nearby parts of Marbella.
Fees and admissions: useful numbers to know before you enquire
The school’s published 2025/26 fee sheets are unusually helpful because they give real ranges rather than only inviting families to contact admissions. Based on those current documents, full-time nursery tuition starts at roughly €7,805 per year, primary years rise to around €11,570 by Year 6, and secondary or sixth-form tuition runs from about €13,240 in Year 7 to roughly €18,940 in Year 13. There is also a €200 application fee, a €2,500 reservation fee when a place is offered, a €195 administration fee, and one-time inscription fees for new starters. Optional extras such as lunch, bus routes and the required Chromebook for secondary students sit on top of tuition.
For families comparing budgets, the important point is that Aloha is clearly positioned in the premium international-school segment, but it is not vague about that positioning. The admissions page also notes that enquiries can be made up to a year in advance and that Year 3 and above may require an entry assessment followed by an interview. If you are relocating on a tight timeline, it is sensible to ask early about availability, bus coverage and how the school advises students between the IB and A-Level pathways later on.
Who Aloha College Marbella suits best
Aloha College Marbella makes the most sense for families who want a long-established international day school in Nueva Andalucía, a recognisable British curriculum in the earlier years and a real choice between A Levels and the IB Diploma in sixth form. It is especially attractive if you value an international student body, published fee information, strong facilities and a school life that extends beyond the classroom.
For a broader comparison, start with our guide to international schools on the Costa del Sol. If you want to compare sixth-form positioning closely, read Swans International School next, because Swans leans more clearly toward an IB destination whereas Aloha keeps both IB and A Levels on the table.