Alma Forest School vs Sotogrande International School
Alma Forest School and Sotogrande International School are both in Malaga, about 5 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Alma Forest School also offers Bespoke, and Sotogrande International School also offers American, Cambridge A Levels and Reggio Emilia. Published annual fees are €7,500 - 13,750 at Alma Forest School and €9,840 - 28,255 at Sotogrande International School, which puts Sotogrande International School roughly 79% higher. Alma Forest School takes pupils from 3 to 14, and Sotogrande International School from 0 to 18. Sotogrande International School is the larger school, with around 1,000 pupils to Alma Forest School's 112. Typical class sizes are 15 at Alma Forest School and 24 at Sotogrande International School.
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum, Cambridge A Levels, Reggio Emilia Approach
Pupils
Pupils
112
Pupils
1,000
Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
24
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Spanish
Opened
Opened
2019
Opened
1978
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Located on a Spanish finca just outside Sotogrande, Spain. Expansive views across to Gibraltar and Morocco, with fields to play on, trees to climb and animals to care for. Surrounding natural parks and beaches are used to immerse learning in the natural environment. The school is internationally accredited and staffed by experienced educators.
Location
Av. de la Reserva, s/n, 11310 Sotogrande, Cadiz, Spain. The school serves students from 6 months through 18 years, from Early Years to High School. It offers day and boarding options. Private bus services cover Tarifa, Gibraltar, Nueva Andalucia and Estepona.
Stages
Stages
Escuela Bosque Ages 3-6; Primary School Ages 6-11; Middle School Ages 11-14.
Stages
Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, and High School. It is an IB World School offering PYP, MPY and the DP programmes.
School type
School type
Microschool; intentionally small school; internationally accredited and staffed by experienced educators.
School type
International Day and Boarding School
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
24 nationalities represented; 80% of families relocated to join Alma Forest School.
Pupil nationality mix
The SIS community represents 50 nationalities.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
—
Additional learning support
Comprehensive language acquisition programme to support students with additional language needs.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Spain
Country affiliation
Spain
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
—
School day structure
—
Bus service details
Bus service details
—
Bus service details
Three private, air-conditioned bus services cover Tarifa, Gibraltar, Nueva Andalucia and Estepona; one-way or return options.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and inscription fees
- Inscription (application) fee: EUR 500. This is a one‑off charge invoiced at the time of application and only one payment is invoiced per family. This fee is non‑refundable. - Deposit: a deposit is charged when an application is processed to secure a place. Deposits are refundable only if the school is notified in writing with a full term's notice of the student's intention to leave (see deadlines below).
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per‑term figures)
- Escuela Bosque (ages 3–6): EUR 750 per month (membership fee). Per‑term and annual figures below are calculated from the published monthly amount using the school's monthly billing basis. (See calculation note below.) - Published: EUR 750 per month. - Calculated annual (example, based on a 10‑month billing basis): EUR 7,500 per year (EUR 750 × 10). - Calculated per term (annual ÷ 3): EUR 2,500 per term (calculated).
- Grade 1 (age 6 turning 7): EUR 10,500 per year — Per term (calculated): EUR 3,500. - Grade 2 (age 7 turning 8): EUR 10,500 per year — Per term (calculated): EUR 3,500. - Grade 3 (age 8 turning 9): EUR 11,750 per year — Per term (calculated): EUR 3,916.67. - Grade 4 (age 9 turning 10): EUR 11,750 per year — Per term (calculated): EUR 3,916.67. - Grade 5 (age 10 turning 11): EUR 11,750 per year — Per term (calculated): EUR 3,916.67. - Grade 6 (age 11 turning 12): EUR 13,750 per year — Per term (calculated): EUR 4,583.33. - Grade 7 (age 12 turning 13): EUR 13,750 per year — Per term (calculated): EUR 4,583.33. - Grade 8 (age 13 turning 14): EUR 13,750 per year — Per term (calculated): EUR 4,583.33.
(Calculation note: per‑term amounts shown above are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by three to produce termly figures consistent with the school's term structure; where the school publishes a monthly fee (Escuela Bosque) the annual and per‑term figures shown are calculated using the school's published monthly billing basis. These per‑term/annual figures are provided for clarity and are calculated from the published amounts. )
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Payment frequency options: monthly, termly, or annually. - Monthly payments: due before the 5th of each month. - Termly payments: a 2% discount is applied to fees paid termly. Termly payments are due before 15 August, 20 December and 20 April. - Annual payments: a 5% discount is applied to fees paid annually. Annual payment is due before 15 August. - Sibling discount: EUR 500 annually for each sibling after the first; the discount is calculated according to the family's preferred payment terms. - Residentials and school trips: these incur additional charges invoiced during the year.
Boarding fees
- Boarding provision or boarding fees are not listed in the school's published fee document. No boarding fee schedule is published.
Other costs and optional extras
- Catering (lunches): - Escuela Bosque catering: EUR 93 per month. - Grades 1–7 catering: EUR 110 per month. - Per‑meal rates: Escuela Bosque EUR 5.50 per meal; rest of school EUR 6.50 per meal. The monthly catering fee is averaged over 10 academic months. Parents must still provide a daily snack. Cancellation rules apply (see refunds/cancellation). - After School Club (for ages 3–6 and Grade 1; until 4:30pm Mon–Thu): monthly rates by number of days per week: - 1 day per week: EUR 55 per month. - 2 days per week: EUR 96 per month. - 3 days per week: EUR 125 per month. - 4 days per week: EUR 155 per month. - Other optional charges: transport nominal fees for day trips, residential and excursion charges, and other extras which are invoiced as they arise. Fees and extras are subject to annual review.
Refunds and cancellation terms
- Inscription fee (EUR 500) is non‑refundable. - Deposit refund: deposits are refundable only when the school is given written term's notice of intent to leave. The published notice deadlines for refund eligibility are: - On or before 1 September if leaving at the end of December. - On or before 31 December if leaving at the end of March. - On or before 31 March if leaving at the end of June. - Catering cancellation: canceling catering must be provided in writing before the 25th of the next month and cannot be cancelled in the middle of a month; adjustments may be charged if joining or cancelling partway through the year. - After School Club: changes or cancellations to selected days must be notified before the 25th of the next month and cannot be cancelled mid‑month. Spaces are limited and allocated on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
Fee payment options (methods)
- The school's published fee schedule specifies payment frequency, due dates and discounts but does not list specific accepted payment methods (for example: bank transfer, credit card, PayPal). For information about accepted payment methods or to arrange a payment, contact the school directly via the published school contact channels.
Short practical summary (key numbers)
- Inscription fee: EUR 500 (non‑refundable). - Escuela Bosque: EUR 750 per month (published). Calculated example: EUR 7,500 per year; EUR 2,500 per term (using 10‑month monthly basis). - Primary / Middle (published annual tuition): Grade 1 & 2 EUR 10,500; Grades 3–5 EUR 11,750; Grades 6–8 EUR 13,750. Per‑term figures for each grade are published annual ÷ 3 (calculated values shown above). - Catering: EUR 93/month (Escuela Bosque) or EUR 110/month (Grades 1–7); per‑meal rates EUR 5.50 / EUR 6.50. - After School Club: EUR 55–155 per month depending on days per week. - Discounts: 2% termly payment discount; 5% annual payment discount; sibling discount EUR 500 per additional sibling.
(Where per‑term or annual totals are shown as calculations, they were derived from the published monthly or annual figures and the school's published billing structure.)
Fee details
Application / Registration and Membership Fees
- Registration fee (non-refundable, payable on submission of the application): EC1–P6 €350; M1–D2 €550.
- Membership fee (single payment on admission, per family): EC1–P6 €3,000; M1–M5 €4,000.
Deposits
- Standard deposit (single payment, refundable on departure in accordance with the school's terms and conditions): Day students EC1–P6 €2,000; Day students M1–D2 €2,500; With boarding M1–D2 €5,000. The deposit may be used to cover any damages caused during the stay.
- Early Years specific deposits: Early Years deposit €500 per student. If a child continues in Early Childhood 1 (3 years old before September) the registration fee (€350) and the membership fee (€3,000) are waived, but a refundable deposit of €1,500 is required under the school's terms and conditions.
Early Years term fees (per term; Early Years operates three terms per school year)
- Standard day programme (09:00–15:10): - 5 days: 1st term €2,920; 2nd term €2,190; 3rd term €2,190. - 3 days: 1st term €2,490; 2nd term €1,870; 3rd term €1,870. - 2 days: 1st term €2,170; 2nd term €1,625; 3rd term €1,625.
- Extended day programme (09:00–17:00, 5 days): 1st term €3,650; 2nd term €2,740; 3rd term €2,740. After-hours programme (monthly fee, 15:10–17:00): €225 per month.
Boarding fees and boarding-related services (annual unless stated otherwise)
- Annual boarding standard pack (Templeton House – Standard Pack): €22,720. Includes: all term meals; ensuite shared-room accommodation; transport to activities within a 10 km radius; dedicated supported study time; airport–school transport provision within set dates; weekend activities & entertainment; term-time medical & health insurance.
- Guardian pack for non-EU members (adds dedicated guardian services, visa and residency permit support, notary expenses): €26,810 (annual).
- Weekly boarding house (Monday–Friday, annual fee): €18,350. Extra night for weekly boarders: €115 per night. Flexi-boarding / double room (daily fee, subject to availability): €115 per night; flexi-boarding is for short stays (2–14 days maximum) and is not available during school holidays.
What is included / not included in fees
- Included in published tuition and boarding packages: all term meals and compulsory curriculum-related trips (boarding standard pack details listed above). Boarding packs also include medical & health insurance during term time where specified.
- Not included: devices (e.g., personal laptops/tablets), uniform, transport (where not included in a boarding pack), external examination fees and charges, and other optional extras. Early Years notes specify lunch and uniform are not included in Early Years term fees.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Full payment option: full payment of fees before 15 August.
- Instalment options for tuition fees: three instalments payable on 15 August, 15 December and 15 March. Payments must be arranged by direct debit.
- IB Diploma (D1 & D2) instalment option: D1 and D2 fees are payable in two instalments on 15 August and 15 December.
- Boarding fee instalments: boarding fees are payable in three instalments with the first instalment due 15 March (preceding year), then 15 December and 15 March.
Refunds and cancellation-related points
- Registration and membership fees are non-refundable and payable on submission of the application or admission. The deposit is a single payment that is refundable on departure in accordance with the school's terms and conditions; the deposit may be used to cover any damages caused during the stay. Early Years has a specific refundable-deposit arrangement (€1,500) when registration/membership are waived for children continuing into EC1.
Fee payment options and required payment method
- Required method: payments must be arranged by direct debit (SEPA / direct debit arrangements are required). Instalment schedules described above assume direct-debit collection. The published fee materials set direct debit as the payment arrangement.
Other costs and optional charges
- Additional or optional costs may include: uniform, personal devices, optional external examination or certification fees (where applicable), optional after-hours programs for Early Years (monthly fee €225), extra boarding nights beyond contracted weekly boarding, transport outside included provisions, and any optional extracurricular or elite-sports programme fees where applicable. Specific items listed as not included in the fee schedules are devices, uniform, transport and external examination fees.
(End of fee overview.)
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Escuela Bosque is the pre-school for ages 3-6, and the Primary School serves ages 6-11 with Middle School for ages 11-14. The curriculum is built around three overlapping strands: the Imposed strand of Literacy and Numeracy workshops; the Emergent strand of class- or school-wide Explorations that integrate Science, Humanities and the Arts; and the Explorations framework that is co-created with students and guided by their interests. The curriculum draws from international, self-directed, democratic, project-based and outdoor education models, adapting these strengths to Alma Forest School's unique learning environment. Academic workshops align with international standards and use materials developed by leading international schools; most subjects are taught through Explorations rather than in isolated lessons. About 25% of school time is spent on self-directed projects chosen and planned with peers and teachers. Learning emphasizes outdoor, nature-based contexts and mixed-age group work, with a focus on intrinsic motivation and real-world application across disciplines.
Curriculum details
The school is an IB World School offering PYP, MPY and the DP programmes and follows an internationally-recognised curriculum.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
In the Escuela Bosque, the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:8. In the Primary School, younger groups are supported by a teacher and teaching assistant while older groups have a class teacher; class sizes do not exceed 15 learners.
Student teacher ratio
—
Exam results
Exam results
Academically, students achieve at par with counterparts in other international schools. Teaching materials are drawn from curricula used by leading international schools globally. Graduates depart Alma Forest School with skills that empower independent, self-directed learning and the ability to apply knowledge across contexts.
Exam results
In 2025 IB graduates achieved an average point score of 33.5 and a highest Diploma score of 43.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
—
Higher education progression
Graduates progress to top universities around the world, including US Ivy League, UK Oxbridge and Russell Group universities.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
—
Gifted and talented
The school facilitates the development of unique gifts and talents.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
—
Academic calendar
—
Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
—
Social & emotional learning
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
—
English as an additional language
—
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
—
Mental wellbeing
—
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
—
Safeguarding policy
—
Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
—
Facilities overview
—
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
—
Sports facilities
—
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
—
Academic facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
—
History
—
Community
Community
—
Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
—
Parent teacher association
—
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
—
Academic & intellectual
—
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
—
Arts & creative
—
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
—
Cultural & language
—
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
—
Social & hobbies
—
Community & service
Community & service
—
Community & service
—
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
—
Leadership & professional
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
—
Language provision
—
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
—
Bilingual teaching
—
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
—
Immersion programs
—
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
—
Awards
—
Accreditations
Accreditations
—
Accreditations
—
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Step 1: Get to Know Us. A video call or a physical tour of Alma Forest School is arranged to walk you through our approach and ethos. Before the meeting, read the website and our social media pages to understand the school's ethos and activities. This helps families determine if the environment aligns with their expectations.
Step 2: Complete an Application Form. After the tour, complete the Application Form to apply for a free space or to join the waitlist. Provide as much information as possible about the prospective student and family, and include supporting reports and assessments with the completed forms. Create an account to view your application after submitting it.
Step 3: Student Trials. When logistically possible, prospective students are invited to attend trial days before an offer can be extended. This ensures Alma Forest is the best environment for the child.
Step 4: Invitation to Join the Alma Tribe. Following the successful outcome of the above steps, an offer to enrol with Alma Forest is issued.
Admissions
Register Your Interest by completing the Enquiry Form and arranging a visit. Open Days are held throughout the year on Saturdays. Complete the Application Form on the Open Apply platform and upload the last two years of school reports translated into English; a registration fee is due: Primary €350 per child; Secondary €550 per child. Examinations: Primary students entering PYP5 (9 years) and PYP6 (10 years) complete an online Cognitive Test invigilated by Admissions. Secondary students aged 11–15 take an online Cognitive Test plus the iDAT 360 assessment. Diploma and A‑level students aged 16–18 complete an online assessment including Cognitive, English and Maths. Admissions Review and Conditions: The Admissions Committee reviews applications and assessments and informs the outcome; Diploma students have an online interview with the IB Coordinator. Successful Application: You receive an email with the offer letter and payment conditions. Upload to OpenApply the following documents: copy of student's passport, copies of parents' passports, student NIE, parents' NIE, contract signed by both parents, and Image Consent Form. All documents must be received before your child starts at SIS; if relevant information is withheld, the school reserves the right to withdraw from the place offered.
Scholarships
Scholarships
—
Scholarships
Nsouli Scholars Programme enables 50 extraordinary students at any one time to attend Inspired schools on a full scholarship for the duration of their education. Scholarships at Sotogrande International School are merit‑based and cover reduced IB tuition fees for students who excel in academics, expressive arts and sport; learners of all ages may apply. Complete the Scholarships Application Handbook and the Scholarships Application Form to be considered; download the Scholarship Guide 2026 - 2027. Bursaries: SIS provides financial assistance to families; to be considered, students must have completed at least one full academic year; download the Economic Aid Guide 2025 - 2026.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Waitlist overview: A waitlist is used for enrolment at Alma Forest. Completion of the Alma Forest Waitlist Enrolment Form entitles the Applicant to be added to the waitlist. A separate form is required for each child. The form collects Child Details, Parental Details, and the intended enrolment dates, along with Additional Information. The form includes an Agreement between Parent/Guardian and Alma Forest Primary outlining commitments such as active parent participation, ensuring the child is well nourished and rested, and outdoor learning in all weather. Completion of the form entitles the Applicant to the waitlist. A separate Application for Enrolment and a registration fee are required for each child when moving from waitlist to enrolment. Return completed form to info@almaforestschool.com.
