The best schools in Palma – A Guide for Families. If you are re-locating to Palma Mallorca with your family, then choosing the right school for your child will be one of the most important decisions you’ll make. With excellent international, bilingual, and traditional optionsit helps to have a clear overview. So in this article, we’ll explore the general landscape and run through some of the best schools in Palma, to help you choose wisely.
Education in Mallorca
Mallorca (one of the Balearic Islands) offers a diverse and well-established education system. The island includes public (público), semi-private/concertado, and private/international schools. Families can choose between lessons mainly in Spanish, Catalan, or a multilingual/international curriculum.
School year & structure: The academic year runs broadly from mid-September through June. Compulsory education starts at age 6 (primary), continues through ESO, and optional Bachillerato. Pre-school / kindergarten places are available beforehand.
Public vs Private vs Semi-private: Public schools are funded by the government; concertado schools are “semi-private” (private management but some public support); and international/private schools set their own fees.
The Best International Schools in Palma
Here are some of the top international / multilingual schools in and around Palma, with varying curricula and strengths:
Agora Portals International School – Located in Portals Nous Agora Portals offers education from infants through Baccalaureate.
Colegio San Cayetano – This private school in Palma provides education from preschool up through secondary (including Baccalaureate).
Queen’s College – A well-established British international school near Palma, Queen’s College offers the British National Curriculum and A-Levels
Bellver International College – Based in Cala Major, Bellver is one of the older British style schools on the island.
Lycée Français International de Palma – For families desiring French curriculum from kindergarten and up.
The Swedish School in Majorca – A smaller multilingual school in Palma offering lessons primarily in Swedish.
The Best Spanish / Concertado Schools in Palma
If you are interested in traditional Spanish or semi-private (concertado) schools, here are some of the best that combine strong academics, reputation, and quality facilities:
Colegio Nuestra Señora de Montesión – This concertado school dates back to 1561 and offers Primary, Secondary (ESO) and Bachillerato
Colegio Sagrat Cor (Sagrado Corazón) – FECIB – A concertado Catholic school in Palma, providing infant, primary and secondary education.
Colegio Luis Vives – A private school in Palma offering bilingual lessons and strong academic performance.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best schools in Palma depend a lot on your priorities and the wishes for your child:
- Language & Curriculum: If your child is likely to move internationally, or you want strong English/French lessons, international schools are excellent. If you plan to stay long-term and integrate, Spanish or concertado schools will provide local languages and culture.
- Cost & Budget: International/private options often come with higher fees. Consider not just tuition, but extracurriculars, uniforms and travel, etc.
- Location & Logistics: Palma and its suburbs have traffic, so proximity to your home matters.
- School Size & Atmosphere: Some families prefer smaller community-type schools; others can benefit from larger, resource-rich institutions.
- Inspect & Visit: Nothing replaces seeing the school in person. Meet teachers, see facilities and ask for student outcomes plus language support
*Photo credit to Agora Portals International School