Atlas American School of Malaga vs Brave Generation Academy - Marbella
Atlas American School of Malaga and Brave Generation Academy - Marbella are both in Malaga, about 8 km apart. Both schools offer American and Advanced Placement (AP) programmes. Atlas American School of Malaga also offers IB, and Brave Generation Academy - Marbella also offers Bespoke, British, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. Published annual fees are close, at €500 - 16,350 for Atlas American School of Malaga and €5,700 - 11,940 for Brave Generation Academy - Marbella. Atlas American School of Malaga takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Brave Generation Academy - Marbella from 12 to 18. Atlas American School of Malaga is the larger school, with around 500 pupils to Brave Generation Academy - Marbella's 30. Typical class sizes are 16 at Atlas American School of Malaga and 30 at Brave Generation Academy - Marbella.
American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP), IB (DP)
Curriculum
Advanced Placement (AP), American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
500
Pupils
30
Typical class size
Typical class size
16
Typical class size
30
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
Portuguese
Opened
Opened
—
Opened
—
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Estepona, Málaga, Spain. Calle Monda Nº2, Selwo Hills, 29680 Estepona. Selwo Hills area; sits on a municipal plot awarded through an administrative concession. Phone +34 952 938 155; admissions@atlas-asm.es.
Location
Marbella hub is located in Centro Comercial La Colonia, Marbella. It is a five-minute drive from Marbella city centre.
Stages
Stages
Preschool (K1–K3, ages 3–6); Elementary School (1st–6th); Middle School (7th–8th); High School (9th–12th).
Stages
Secondary Education; choose between British International or US curriculum.
School type
School type
Private international school offering the American curriculum.
School type
International education hub offering a hybrid learning model with 24/7 access to learning.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
—
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Student Support Services including English as a Second Language and Spanish as a Second Language.
Additional learning support
—
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
United States
Country affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
—
School day structure
Hybrid learning model with flexible scheduling and 24/7 access to learning.
Bus service details
Bus service details
School bus service available.
Bus service details
—
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and enrollment fees
- Family Admission Fee: €2,000 (one-time, mandatory, non-refundable). - Annual Registration Fee: €500 per student (mandatory, non-refundable; charged mid-year for returning students). - Deposit: €1,000 per student (refundable once the student is correctly withdrawn or graduates and all financial obligations are settled).
- 3rd child enrolled: 25% discount on tuition. - 4th child and additional children: 60% discount on tuition. - Discounts do not apply to corporate payments and are subject to review.
What tuition fees include
- Textbooks and basic school supplies for K1–G10, online licenses (where applicable), college counseling, transcripts, day field trips, laboratory supplies, and IB examinations (first sitting only). - Annual tuition insurance policy that covers continuity of studies in the event of the death of a parent/legal guardian (covers tuition only; does not cover lunch, bus service, registration fees, or other services).
Fees and items not included (additional costs)
- School uniform (not included). - Textbooks and online licenses for IB or Grades 11 and 12 (not included). - EAL (English as an Additional Language) or SAL (Spanish as an Additional Language) support: may incur an additional supplement of up to €300 per month if required. Enrollment in these programs is determined by the school. - IB certificates for American High School Diploma students: €600 per subject (one-time payment in Grade 12). - Fees for official-document recognition (Spanish diplomas, UNED registration) and AP exam costs: charged at cost. - After-school activities, extracurricular activities, and residential trips: separate costs and are billed separately (activities are paid on a semester basis). Students with outstanding payments will not be permitted to participate in school trips.
Annual service fees (examples and installment breakdowns)
- Bus service — One way: - Installments: €660 (1st), €495 (2nd), €495 (3rd). (G12: €660, €660 — two-installment structure where shown.) - Bus service — Round trip: - Installments: €800 (1st), €600 (2nd), €600 (3rd). (G12: €800, €800 — two-installment structure where shown.) - Lunch: - K1–G11: €580 (1st), €435 (2nd), €435 (3rd). - G12: €580, €580 (two-installment structure shown). - A daily menu is provided for Kindergarten through Grade 8; in Grades 9–12 lunch is optional and high-school cafeteria purchases are billed monthly on a high-school lunch card.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Payment schedule for K1–G11: - 1st Installment due by September 1. - 2nd Installment due by December 1. - 3rd Installment due by March 1. - Payment schedule for Grade 12 (where two installments apply): - 1st Installment due by September 1. - 2nd Installment due by December 1. - The Annual Registration Fee is charged in March for the following school year. - Upfront payment discount: a 4% discount is applied to annual tuition paid upfront if received by June 30, 2026; the discount does not apply to lunch or transportation fees. Payments for upfront discount arrangements are handled through the school's Finance office (finance@atlas-asm.es). - Payment conditions and penalties: - Cash payments are not accepted. - All wire transfers must be received in a net amount; parents are liable for any bank charges. - A European bank account within the SEPA circuit is mandatory for direct-debit payments (tuition, lunch, etc.). - A €20 administrative penalty applies for bounced payments. - A €20 penalty applies to payments received after the specified due dates, plus an additional €20 per month for each month of delay. - Persistent late payment may result in interruption of schooling and the school reserves the right to cancel enrollment if non-payment persists.
Withdrawal and refund policy
- To withdraw a student, families must contact the Admissions Department (admissions@atlas-asm.es). - If a student withdraws during an installment period, no refund will be issued for the current installment. - Written notice must be provided at least one month prior to the next scheduled payment to avoid being charged for the subsequent installment. - The Deposit (€1,000 per student) is refundable once the student is correctly withdrawn or graduates and all financial obligations have been met. The Family Admission Fee and the Annual Registration Fee are non-refundable.
Boarding
- No boarding fees are listed; boarding is not indicated in the school's tuition and fees schedule.
Fee payment options
- Accepted mechanisms and requirements: - Wire transfer / bank transfer (payments must be received net). - SEPA direct-debit from a European bank account (mandatory for direct debit arrangements). - Cash payments are not accepted. - Credit-card payment is not specified in the fees schedule; parents should use bank transfer/SEPA or contact Finance for specific payment arrangements.
Fee details
Application / One-time fees
- Admissions fee: EUR 1,650 (charged prior to enrolment). - For families choosing the “Own Curriculum” (Hub Attendance) option, there is no Admissions fee.
Tuition fees (per month and implied annual totals by curriculum)
- British International Curriculum: EUR 704 per month (12 monthly payments). Implied annual tuition: EUR 8,448.
- American Core Curriculum: EUR 995 per month (12 monthly payments). Implied annual tuition: EUR 11,940. AP (Advanced Placement) courses carry an additional charge of EUR 650 per AP course.
- Own Curriculum / Hub Attendance: EUR 475 per month (12 monthly payments). Implied annual tuition: EUR 5,700. This option includes Hub access and Learning Coach support and does not carry the Admissions fee.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Admissions fee is payable before enrolment is confirmed. - Regular tuition is billed as 12 monthly instalments for the academic year (monthly billing). - A Registration Renewal Fee of EUR 500 is payable after the completion of the learner's first 12 months and on subsequent 12-month anniversaries. - An upfront payment option is available: paying 12 months in advance qualifies for a 3% discount on the total yearly fee. Sibling discounts are offered (discounts listed as 5% and 7.5% off the total monthly fee).
Boarding / accommodation
- Boarding is not applicable to the Brave Generation Academy hub model in Spain. Learners attend local co-learning Hubs (locations include Marbella and Valencia); there is no published boarding programme or boarding fee.
Other costs and additional fees
- AP course surcharge (American curriculum): EUR 650 per AP course. - Registration Renewal Fee: EUR 500 after each 12-month period of enrolment. - Hub Attendance option (Own Curriculum) is a paid monthly option (EUR 475/month) that covers Hub access and Learning Coach support; any other third-party curriculum or exam-entry fees (if required) may incur separate charges (no separate uniform or standard material fee is published).
Refund information
- No explicit public refund or detailed withdrawal/refund schedule is published alongside the Spain fee schedule. Refund terms and conditions, if any, are not provided in the publicly available fee summary. Families should note that the Admissions Fee and other non‑recurring charges may be treated separately from tuition in any refund assessment.
Fee payment options
- Payment for enrolment and programme fees is handled through the admissions/payment process: applicants receive a personalised fee invoice and a payment link as part of the admissions follow-up; proof of payment is required to finalise enrolment. The published admissions procedure indicates payment via the provided payment link and submission of proof of payment. Specific accepted payment instruments (for example, which card networks or bank transfer details) are not listed in the public fee pages.
Discounts and reductions
- Sibling discounts: listed discounts of 5% and 7.5% off the total monthly fee (applied as indicated in the fee policy). - Upfront payment discount: 3% off the total yearly fee when paying 12 months in advance.
Brief note on published detail and limitations
- The publicly published Spain fee schedule presents pricing by curriculum and by monthly instalment rather than by specific school year or grade-level fees. No grade-by-grade or term-by-term breakdowns are provided, and no explicit published refund schedule or exhaustive list of accepted payment methods is shown in the available fee documents. Where a per-grade or per-term breakdown, or an explicit refund policy, is required for database entry, those items are not available in the published fee summary and would need confirmation from admissions.
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
All students are assigned to a house to compete in sports and recreational activities. This house system facilitates social integration by enabling students of different ages and grades to share time and activities, fostering a sense of belonging to the community.
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
The school is part of Mathema Education, an educational group founded in 2012 by Antonio Arcones that also manages Aquinas American School and the International School of Navarra.
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Atlas American School of Malaga follows the American academic curriculum and prepares students for university entrance in Spain or elsewhere. The program emphasizes both content knowledge and the development of skills, training students through reflection, inquiry, and communication. The curriculum provides access to Spanish and international universities. It is organized into four stages: Preschool (K1–K3, ages 3–6), Elementary School (1st–6th), Middle School (7th–8th), and High School (9th–12th). The school emphasizes collaborative inquiry and personalized learning to foster logical thinking, reading comprehension, public speaking, and other core competencies.
Curriculum details
The school offers the British International Curriculum or the US curriculum.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
—
Student teacher ratio
—
Exam results
Exam results
—
Exam results
—
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Atlas American School of Malaga emphasizes university readiness and provides pathways to universities in Spain and abroad. Graduates have access to higher education institutions in both Spain and international locations. The program supports development of analytical, discourse, and communication skills to strengthen college applications. Graduates pursue higher education at universities around the world.
Higher education progression
Programmes are internationally recognised and accredited by Pearson, enabling Learners to apply to top universities worldwide.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
—
Gifted and talented
—
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
—
Academic calendar
—
Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
The school has Counseling Services focused on social, emotional, and academic well-being for all students. Counseling includes individual sessions, small group sessions, teacher and parent consultations, and workshops. Key topics include Kindness in the Classroom, Study Skills, Time Management, Conflict Resolution, and Personal Safety.
Social & emotional learning
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school has Learning Support Specialists who provide assistance inside the classroom and in specialized settings, using targeted strategies and interventions. Support ranges from short-term interventions to ongoing support for mild to moderate needs.
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
The school has an English as an Additional Language (EAL) program. Placement is determined by the principals and academic team; progress is regularly tracked in both the EAL program and the classroom. When ready, EAL and classroom teachers collaborate to transition the student out of the program, with post-transition monitoring to ensure continued success in the mainstream curriculum.
English as an additional language
—
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
The school provides mental wellbeing support through Counseling Services, focusing on the social, emotional, and academic well-being of students. This includes individual counseling, small group sessions, and workshops.
Mental wellbeing
—
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
Counseling topics include Personal Safety, and counselors contribute to safeguarding the wellbeing and safety of students as part of Student Support Services.
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
—
Safeguarding policy
—
Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
Preschool, elementary school, middle school, and high school are offered. Atlas American School of Malaga serves students across these levels. The campus has a 7v7 soccer field, a fitness room, a gym for elementary school students, and two basketball courts. Students are organized into SHARKS houses to compete in sports and recreational activities. The school is located at Calle Monda Nº2, Selwo Hills, Estepona, Malaga.
Facilities overview
Spain hosts Brave Generation Academy Hubs in Valencia and Marbella. The Marbella Hub is located a short five-minute drive away from the city centre in Centro Comercial La Colonia. The learning model is a flexible hybrid model with 24/7 access to learning and co-learning spaces designed to foster collaboration and peer-to-peer learning. Learners can choose between British International or US curricula, with accreditation by Pearson Edexcel. All programmes are fully accredited and open doors to universities worldwide.
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
7v7 soccer field, 2 basketball courts, a fitness room, and an elementary school gym.
Sports facilities
—
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
Learning Support, English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers, and counselors are part of Student Support Services. University counseling is available for students in grades 11–12. English is the official language of instruction, and Spanish and French language programs are offered. The curriculum provides access to universities located in Spain and abroad.
Academic facilities
The school offers a choice between the British International and US curricula. International programmes are accredited by Pearson Edexcel, providing qualifications recognized globally. The learning model is flexible and hybrid, with 24/7 access to learning resources. Co-learning spaces are designed to foster collaboration and peer-to-peer learning.
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
Arts, Music and Drama are integrated into the school day. The Entrepreneurship Program is offered for grades 10–12, with students building real businesses and pitching to investors in a shark-tank-style final event. Atlas ASM uses a House system called Home of the Sharks to foster friendly competition in sports and recreational activities.
Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Atlas American School of Malaga is part of Mathema Education, an educational group founded in 2012 by Antonio Arcones. The group also manages Aquinas American School and the International School of Navarra. Atlas ASM is located in Estepona, Málaga. The school follows the American academic curriculum to prepare students for university entrance. The curriculum provides access to universities located in Spain and abroad.
History
—
Community
Community
All students are assigned to a house called Home of the SHARKS to compete in sports and recreational activities. The house system facilitates social integration by allowing students of different ages and grades to share time and activities. It promotes a sense of belonging to the school community. News & Events shows there are no upcoming events.
Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
—
Parent teacher association
—
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
Atlas American School of Málaga graduates students with an American High School degree, which can be validated by the Spanish Baccalaureate for access to Spanish universities. Atlas ASM has authorization to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The school offers an annual SAT preparation course and serves as an SAT exam center. It provides counseling and support for university selection and admissions processes, helping students pursue higher education worldwide.
Academic & intellectual
Choose between the British International curriculum or the US curriculum. All programmes are fully accredited and internationally recognised, with Pearson Edexcel accreditation. The hybrid learning model is flexible, offering 24/7 access to learning. Co-learning spaces foster collaboration and peer-to-peer learning.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Arts, Music and Drama are integrated into the school day. Enriching activities such as theatre, music, and painting are fully integrated into the curriculum. The program encourages students to develop their skills, talent and creativity in these disciplines.
Arts & creative
—
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
English is Atlas ASM's official language. The school places great importance on the knowledge of other languages for cultural enrichment and future professional development. The Spanish Language Program offers SSL for non-native speakers and Lengua Castellana y Literatura Española following the LOELO-MLOE system, with lower and upper school groupings and grade-based variation. Beginning in Grade 3, Atlas ASM offers an intensive French language program, with hours per week that increase by grade level and a project-based approach to language learning.
Cultural & language
—
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Students are assigned to a house to compete in sports and recreational activities. The student life program includes social and charitable events such as a Spring Charity Concert – Together for Humanity, a book fair, and READCESS, as well as Earth Day themed short-story contests. There are soccer tournaments and other athletic events, and social activities such as the Winter Formal and ski trips.
Social & hobbies
—
Community & service
Community & service
Community service is integrated into student life through charity events and school-supported initiatives, such as the Spring Charity Concert for humanitarian causes. These activities foster social responsibility and engagement with the broader community.
Community & service
—
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
Atlas ASM offers an Entrepreneurship Program for 10th–12th graders. Students form teams to develop real products or startup services, guided by coaches and mentors from the business world. Teams pitch to investors in a shark-tank style final event. The program emphasizes communication, teamwork, problem solving, resilience, public speaking, accountability, creative thinking and empathy.
Leadership & professional
Learners are empowered to become fearless and influential individuals. A dedicated Spain team supports learners in Marbella and Valencia.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Sports and physical education play a central role in wellbeing. Physical education is four hours per week in Lower and Middle School, with high school students able to take sports as electives. The campus features a 7v7 soccer field, two basketball courts, a fitness room and an elementary gym. Preschoolers have a gross motor skills class as part of daily activity.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Flexible hybrid model with 24/7 access to learning. Ideal for athletes and active learners. Learners can make time for passions and personal growth. Co-learning spaces are designed to foster collaboration and peer-to-peer learning.
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
English is the official language of instruction. A Spanish Language Program is offered with Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) and Lengua Castellana y Literatura Española following the LOmLOE curriculum. In Grades G7–G10, seven hours per week are taught (including Spanish Language and History). In Grade 12, courses in Spanish prepare for the PEC-UNED exam, and there is an option to take the AP Course in Spanish Language and Culture. A French Language Program starts in Grade 3, with two hours per week in Grades 3–4, three hours per week in Grades 5–6, and four hours per week in Grades 7–8; High School French classes total four hours per week, and in Grade 11 students can choose between French Ab Initio, French B SL, and French B HL.
Language provision
—
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school's official language is English and it offers Spanish Language Program and French Language Program.
Bilingual teaching
—
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
—
Immersion programs
—
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
null
Awards
—
Accreditations
Accreditations
null
Accreditations
—
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Schedule a school tour to learn more about Atlas ASM. Complete the Online Application at atlas-asm.openapply.com/apply. After reviewing the student's academic history, an interview and placement test will be scheduled to assess academic capabilities. Final admission decisions are communicated by a formal admissions letter; admitted families receive a service provision agreement to sign by the indicated date and a bank deposit is required to finalize enrollment. Notification of admission: Upon notice of admission, you have 15 calendar days to confirm in writing your intention to enroll using the form included in the Notification of Admission; if not confirmed, the space is relinquished. Documents requested: school transcripts for the previous two years and the current year; applicant information; ID/passport copies; one letter of recommendation issued and sent from the admissions platform to the designated teacher, principal, or advisor. Non-native English speakers applying for grades 9–12 must provide results from the Duolingo English Test (DET) with a score of 120 or higher; the DET is computer-based and requires Google Chrome, a self-facing camera, and a microphone; results are available within 48 hours. Instructions to share DET scores appear at englishtest.duolingo.com/sharing. The admission process is conditional on the receipt of final grades for the current academic year. All G7–G11 students studying abroad must bring all original documents certified by the country of origin and with the Hague Apostille.
Admissions
1. Watch Our Overview Video. The video highlights BGA's flexible learning model and the available pathways. It explains how learning is structured and what families can expect throughout the admissions journey. It serves as a starting point for decision-making. 2. Book a Call or Meeting with our Admissions Team. Chat with the Admissions Team to learn more about BGA, align expectations, and schedule a trial day if desired. A link to schedule a meeting or a call is provided. The meeting helps families understand fit and next steps. 3. Schedule a Trial Day. Learners and parents are encouraged to experience a BGA Hub to see the environment, meet Learning Coaches, and sense the learning atmosphere. A trial day can be arranged in person or virtually as available. 4. Fill Out the Application Form. Submitting the form triggers an email with a summary of the Admissions Process, a link to a detailed Admissions Guide (curriculum, fees, FAQs), and a link to book the onboarding meeting with the academic team. 5. Attend an Onboarding Meeting with Our Team. The onboarding meeting reviews the learner's academic history, determines placement at BGA, discusses the learning pathway in more detail, and clarifies questions. 6. Complete Full Enrolment. After onboarding, contracts and invoices are issued; upon contract and payment completion, an official enrolment confirmation is issued. 7. Get Ready for Day One. Instructions are provided to help learners start their journey with confidence.