El Limonar International School (ELIS) Villamartin

The school’s educational philosophy is rooted in democracy, equality, respect, and dignity, with a focus on individual abilities, social integration, and academic success. It aims to foster global citizenship by encouraging students to value diversity and adapt to a changing world. The school emphasizes a holistic approach where student wellbeing is considered the foundation for effective learning.

The school offers a comprehensive educational journey across four stages: Early Years (3-5 years), Primary (5-11 years), Secondary (11-16 years), and Sixth Form (16-18 years). The curriculum is delivered primarily in English (at least 80% of the day) and includes the study of a third language. The programme is designed to prepare students for UK, Spanish, or international university entry through a combination of British and Spanish qualifications.

Students graduate with dual official qualifications: British-International GCSEs and the Spanish ‘Graduate in Compulsory Secondary Education’ certificate at the end of Secondary, and International A-Levels alongside the Spanish ‘Baccalaureate’ at the end of Sixth Form. The school has been recognized as ‘School of the Year’ in the Large School category at the Cognita Europe & USA Leadership Summit and maintains a strong record of university placement, including admissions to institutions such as the University of Oxford.

Wellbeing is central to the school's approach, with caring staff dedicated to fostering positive relationships and student motivation. The school provides a pastoral mentoring programme in Primary and tailored support in Sixth Form, including tutoring and university preparation. Reinforcement classes are available for students needing additional support in English or Spanish language proficiency.

The school offers a transparent admissions process for students aged 3-18. Prospective families are invited to attend Open Days or request private tours to meet the leadership team and observe the school in action. No specific level of English is required for admission, as the school provides reinforcement classes in both English and Spanish to support students until they can keep up with the curriculum. A non-refundable registration fee of 1,500 euros is required for new students.

The school operates on a three-term academic calendar. The 2026-2027 academic year begins on 7th September 2026 and concludes on 23rd June 2027, with scheduled breaks for local, regional, and national holidays, as well as a mid-term break in February.

The school is situated on a 12,000 m² purpose-built campus in San Miguel de Salinas, featuring 56 spacious classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards, computers, iPads, and tablets. Campus facilities include dedicated music and art rooms, a drama area with a 200-person capacity, a motricity room, an indoor gym for Early Years, and an A-Level Study Centre. Outdoor amenities consist of separate play areas for Early Years and Primary students, a grassy Primary playground, and multi-purpose football and basketball pitches.

The school provides a wide variety of extra-curricular activities to enrich the student experience, including dance, chess, drawing, and basketball. Additionally, the school hosts regular workshops, drama productions, and music performances, such as those organized by the School of Music. Students also participate in educational trips and exchanges to support their learning and personal development.