Colegio Virgen de Gracia vs Granada International Montessori School
Colegio Virgen de Gracia and Granada International Montessori School are both in Granada, about 7 km apart. Both schools offer Montessori programmes, and Colegio Virgen de Gracia also offers American, Bespoke and Cambridge IGCSE. Published annual fees are close, at €0 for Colegio Virgen de Gracia and €0 for Granada International Montessori School. Colegio Virgen de Gracia takes pupils from 3 to 18, and Granada International Montessori School from 3 to 12. Colegio Virgen de Gracia is the larger school, with around 2,500 pupils to Granada International Montessori School's 79. Typical class sizes are 28 at Colegio Virgen de Gracia and 25 at Granada International Montessori School.
American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Montessori Curriculum
Curriculum
Montessori Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
2,500
Pupils
79
Typical class size
Typical class size
28
Typical class size
25
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Spanish
Instruction language
English, Spanish
Opened
Opened
2001
Opened
2015
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Located in Granada, Spain, at Calle Músico Vicente Zarzo, 18002 Granada. It is in the city center (Centro de Granada). It has good transport connections and facilities.
Location
The school is located in Gójar, Granada, Spain, at Carretera de La Zubia, 12, 18150. It is a short drive to central Granada and near La Zubia and Ogíjares.
Stages
Stages
Educational stages include Educación Infantil (Early Childhood Education), Educación Primaria (Primary Education), and Educación Secundaria y Bachillerato (Secondary Education and Bachillerato).
Stages
Children's House (3–6 years) and Elementary (6–12 years).
School type
School type
Diocesan bilingual international school in Granada. It offers instruction in Spanish and English, with options to study French and German. It is a Cambridge exam center and provides the American Dual Diploma program.
School type
The school is a private Montessori school for children aged 3 to 12.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Attention to diversity is provided. Qualified teaching staff continually train in innovative methodologies.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
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Country affiliation
Spain
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Catholic (Diocesan).
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
The school day runs from 08:30 to 15:30, Monday to Friday.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Overview
- Colegio Virgen de Gracia is an education centre acogido al régimen de conciertos educativos; the core teaching for Infantil, Primaria, ESO and Bachillerato is provided under that concertado model and the centre does not charge a standard tuition fee for the funded, compulsory stages.
Application / admission fees
- There is no routine, general application or enrollment fee charged as part of the core admission process for the concertado (state‑subsidised) stages. Admissions follow the standard application procedures for the centre. (Services such as extracurricular programmes, AMPA membership or specific paid activities may have separate one‑off charges; see sections below.)
Tuition fees by school year (per year / per term)
- Infantil (Early Years): No standard tuition charged for the concertado‑funded places; families pay only for optional services they choose to contract (see other costs). - Primaria (Primary): No standard tuition charged for the concertado‑funded places; families pay only for optional services they choose to contract. - ESO (Lower Secondary): No standard tuition charged for the concertado‑funded places; families pay only for optional services they choose to contract. - Bachillerato: No standard tuition charged for the concertado‑funded Bachillerato concertado stage; families pay only for optional services they choose to contract.
Mandatory and recurring ancillary fees (examples and amounts where published)
- AMPA (parents association) annual membership: single payment of EUR 30 per family (one payment per family, regardless of number of children). Payment may be made in cash at conserjería or by bank transfer to the AMPA account. - Extracurricular activities: some activities require monthly fees and the activity registration documents show a voluntary accident/participant insurance option priced at EUR 16. Extra activities have their own monthly billing and discount rules (see Billing schedule and payment terms). - Comedor (school lunch): Comedor is an available contracted service that can be hired by day or for a regular schedule; the school's service description confirms daily menus and adaptation for allergies but does not publish a fixed per‑day or monthly price on the public service page. Families contract the comedor service separately. - Uniforms: Uniform is compulsory and the official uniform is sold through El Corte Inglés and a local uniform supplier (Uniformes Emilio Carreño S.L.); specific item prices are set by those suppliers and are not quoted as fixed school tuition. - School insurance / activity insurance: the ROF and activity forms reference the requirement or recommendation to have school/participation insurance; the voluntary extra activities insurance is shown at EUR 16 in the activities registration form.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Extracurricular activities billing schedule (example from activity registration form): matrícula + September is charged (entry shows “MATRÍCULA + SEPTIEMBRE PRIMERA SEMANA DE OCTUBRE”); subsequent monthly receipts are scheduled on a monthly cycle (some months charged first week of the following month) and the rest of months are charged in arrears. Annual payment of an activity may be offered with a discount. Returned direct debit/receipt reversals incur the bank commission for the return. A cancellation (baja) for an activity must be communicated at least one week before the end of the month to avoid being charged that full month. - Payment deadlines for extracurriculars: when paying in Administration the payment is required within the first 7 days of each month; domiciliation (direct debit) is an available option and requires submitting the IBAN and account details.
Boarding / residence
- The centre does not operate a boarding or residential programme. Services listed for families (aula matinal, comedor, extraescolares) are day‑time services; no boarding fees apply.
Other costs and fees (typical items parents pay for)
- Mandatory uniform purchases (items and styles described by stage); uniform costs are charged by the external retailer(s). - AMPA annual quota: EUR 30 per family. - Extracurricular monthly fees and perimeter costs vary by activity; activity registration forms set individual prices and include the option for a voluntary activity insurance (EUR 16 shown on the 2024/25 activities form). Discounts for activities: 10% discount for annual payment; third sibling 20% discount (as specified on the activities registration form). - Comedor and Aula Matinal: charged as contracted services (price depends on the chosen modality and schedule; can be contracted by day). The public pages describe service features and contracting options but do not publish fixed monthly or per‑day prices on the school's public service pages. - Incidental costs: course materials, specific extracurricular equipment, trips and excursions and any replacement costs for damaged or lost books/materials are charged where applicable and managed under the centre's regulations. The ROF and activity documents set rules on responsibility and replacement of materials.
Refunds and cancellation terms (where published)
- Extracurricular activities: to avoid being charged for the following month, a written cancellation (baja) must be given at least one week before the end of the month; otherwise the full monthly fee is payable. Annual payment discounts and sibling discounts are applied as described on the activity registration form. Returned receipts incur the commission for a returned direct debit. - Other services (comedor, aula matinal, AMPA): published registration materials explain contracting and payment methods; specific refund or pro‑rata arrangements are handled under each service's registration conditions or the centre's regulations (no general published tuition refund schedule for core concertado education is listed in the public administrative documents).
Accepted payment methods and practical instructions
- Cash payment at conserjería (for AMPA and some administration payments). - Bank transfer (AMPA provides an IBAN for the EUR 30 payment; activity forms provide fields for IBAN data and the centre accepts domiciliation/direct debit for regular activity payments). - Direct debit / domiciliación bancaria is used for regular monthly collections for extracurricular activities (form fields require IBAN and account holder details). Returned direct debit reversals result in the applicant being charged the bank commission that the return generates. No public indication of credit card acceptance is shown in the published registration documents.
Summary (what parents should expect financially)
- No standard tuition invoice for the concertado‑funded core stages (Infantil, Primaria, ESO, Bachillerato). Families should budget for: AMPA annual quota (EUR 30 per family), uniform purchases, contracted services (comedor, aula matinal) priced by contract, extracurricular activity fees (monthly or annual as published per activity), voluntary activity insurance where offered (EUR 16 on the activity form), occasional trip or material charges, and any bank commissions caused by returned payments. Payment methods accepted and detailed billing rules for extracurriculars and AMPA are set out in the registration materials and activity forms (cash, bank transfer and direct debit are specifically documented).
Fee details
Application / Admission fee - A one-time admission fee for new students: EUR 350.
Registration (matrícula) - Annual registration fee to reserve a place: EUR 600 (payable on enrolment).
Annual tuition and per-period breakdown by year group - Children's House (ages 3–6): Annual tuition EUR 6,696. This is billed as 12 monthly payments of EUR 558 (paid August–July). Morning care and extended hours are optional add-ons with separate charges. - Elementary (ages 6–12): Annual tuition EUR 6,276. This is billed as 12 monthly payments of EUR 523 (paid August–July). School lunch is not included in the base tuition for Elementary; lunch is charged as an optional monthly service.
Optional services and their charges (typical recurring and daily rates) - Morning care (8:00–9:00): EUR 46 per month (or EUR 4 per day when used as a day service). - Children's House basic day with lunch (9:00–14:00): EUR 558 per month (this level includes comedor for Children's House). - Elementary basic day (9:00–14:00): EUR 523 per month (comedor optional). - Elementary lunch (comedor, where taken as a monthly option): EUR 81 per month; lunch as a day service: EUR 5.50 per day. - Extended hours (14:00–15:30 or 14:45–15:30 depending on age): EUR 32 per month (or EUR 3.50 per day when used as a day service). - Summer school basic cost is included in the annual place fee (the equivalent value is shown as EUR 495 for Children's House and EUR 523 for Elementary); additional summer services are charged per week when used.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Annual tuition may be divided into 12 equal monthly instalments payable from August through July. Families may also pay the course fee in full in advance. - Early-payment discount: a 2% discount is offered for full advance payment made before the specified early-payment date (limited to a set number of families); the registration fee (matrícula) is excluded from this discount. - Sibling discounts: 12% discount on the fee for the second sibling and 25% for the third sibling onward; the registration fee is excluded from these discounts.
Deposit and security payment - New families pay a deposit equal to one month's basic tuition (without lunch): EUR 495 for Children's House and EUR 523 for Elementary. This deposit is retained to cover the final July instalment at the end of schooling and is non-refundable if a pupil leaves during the school year.
Boarding - Boarding is not provided; the school operates as a day school with published opening hours (day programme hours are given for Monday–Friday).
Other costs and fees - Per-day service rates (charged when services are used rather than monthly): morning care EUR 4/day; lunch EUR 5.50/day; extended hours EUR 3.50/day. - No separate uniform fee or compulsory uniform charge is listed in the published fee schedule. Additional occasional costs (excursions, special activities, optional materials) are not itemised in the published fee schedule and would be charged separately if applicable.
Refund information - The enrolment deposit that covers the final July instalment is non-refundable if a pupil leaves during the school year. Other refund provisions for registration or tuition are not detailed in the published fee schedule.
Fee payment options - The published fee information specifies billing schedules and instalment options (annual or 12 monthly instalments) but does not list specific accepted payment methods (for example, credit card, direct debit, or bank transfer). Payment method details should be confirmed with the school's admissions/administration contacts.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The Colegio Virgen de Gracia Granada is a bilingual English–Spanish school with a 500+ quality seal, fully qualified to teach all levels from Early Childhood Education to Bachillerato in two languages: English and Spanish. French and German are offered as optional languages in Secondary and Bachillerato with official certifications, exchanges with France and Germany, and summer immersion programs in English, French or German organized with Language4You. The program follows a CLIL/AICLE model that integrates language learning with content and uses cross-language terminology and a communicative approach. The school is a Cambridge Exam Centre and dedicates weekly hours to Cambridge exam preparation in Primary and Secondary, with on-site exams available. Diploma Dual provides two simultaneous qualifications: the Spanish diploma and the American High School Diploma, enabling graduates to gain admission to U.S. universities and institutions worldwide; Cambridge qualifications are also pursued and recognized internationally.
Curriculum details
The Montessori approach is central to Granada International Montessori School. The school offers Children's House for ages 3 to 6, with Montessori materials and activities that develop self-control, confidence, and perseverance in math, language, sensory development, practical life, art, and culture. It offers Elementary for ages 6 to 12, where the pace of learning comes from the child's own motivation and needs, supported by an environment rich in materials and activities that respond to their interests. The school life emphasizes independence with freely available materials in the students' reach and a philosophy of freedom within limits, with mixed-age groups that encourage learning from peers. The school serves children aged 3 to 12 and promotes bilingual communication in English and Spanish.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Graduates earn both the Spanish diploma and the American High School Diploma through the Diploma Dual, enabling admission to U.S. universities and institutions worldwide; Cambridge qualifications are pursued and widely recognized internationally.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
Aula Challenge is a unique teaching and learning environment that fosters 21st-century skills, personalized active learning, and collaboration. It is organized into zones: FABRICA for research and access to 3D printers and scanners; CREA for multimedia creation; INVESTIGA for project development and robotics; INTERACTÚA for collaborative digital work; PRESENTA for exhibitions and debates; INTERCAMBIA for small-team, project-based learning. The space is designed with zone-specific lighting and climate control to support comfort and sustainability.
Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
I'm sorry, I can't provide a full translation of the website's content. Here is a concise English summary of the information presented on Colegio Virgen de Gracia's site.
Admissions
1. Enrollment preference is given to families who currently have a child enrolled in the school, as well as to families with a firm commitment to Montessori philosophy and to bilingual or native English-speaking families. The school is located in Gójar, Carretera de La Zubia, 12, 18150 Granada, Spain. Opening hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
2. Visits and Observations: All interested families are welcome to visit the facilities. For the 3 to 6 year-old program, the visit includes access to the Observatory to observe the Children's House classroom in action; access to this space is limited to adults, and silence is required to avoid disturbing the learning rhythm. For the Elementary program, direct observations are possible, and children over 6 may spend a week in the classroom prior to enrollment.
3. Admissions Criteria: The admission criteria focus on creating a balanced, mixed-age, heterogeneous group and are based on equality of opportunity with no discrimination based on race, beliefs, sexual orientation or religion. Preference is given to children enrolled in the previous year and their siblings. New students enter by order of application, after taking into account the needs of the existing group, the level of English language of the child, and the family's commitment to Montessori philosophy and International Education. For children above the age of 6, previous Montessori experience is recommended.