Forbes Names Spain’s 100 Best Schools for 2026

Forbes magazine has published its annual list of Spain’s 100 best schools for 2026. The selection includes both national and international schools, chosen based on teaching quality, facilities and the overall environment for pupils’ development.

The list is built on 36 objective criteria grouped into seven main categories. Experts also contributed to the assessment, including teachers, psychologists and education specialists.

The aim of the study is to give parents a fuller picture of each school, taking into account not only academic results but also pupils’ wellbeing and the resources available at the school.

How the schools were assessed

The most heavily weighted section is individual support for pupils, which accounts for 30% of the total score. This includes indicators such as class size, the teacher-to-pupil ratio, and the percentage of children who complete the full course of study at the same school.

Academic performance makes up 23% of the score, factoring in graduates’ average results in university entrance exams and attainment indicators at the end of primary and secondary education.

A further 18% reflects educational opportunities and pupil development. This section looks at languages taught, upper-school pathways and the range of extracurricular activities on offer.

Experts also reviewed school facilities and learning conditions. This accounts for 12% of the final score and includes the availability of laboratories, libraries, sports facilities and other spaces. The ranking also considers services that support children’s care and wellbeing, such as medical provision and access to qualified specialists.

The fifth category, worth 10% of the score, relates to pupils’ personal and emotional support, including one-to-one tutoring and the presence of a psychology department.

The remaining criteria cover the school’s reputation, tuition fees and additional educational initiatives, such as financial literacy classes.

Some of the schools on the Forbes 2026 list

The Forbes list is presented in alphabetical order rather than ranked, to highlight the variety of educational models and approaches. Among the schools included are:

• Agora Barcelona International School (Barcelona)

• Agora Granada College International School (Granada)

• Agora Madrid International School (Madrid)

• Agora Portals International School (Balearic Islands)

• Alameda International School (Madrid)

• Alegra British & International School (Madrid)

• British School Alzira (Valencia)

• British School Gandia (Valencia)

• British School of Valencia (Valencia)

• British School of Vila-real (Castellón)

• Cambridge House British International School (Valencia)

• Caxton College (Valencia)

• Colegio Alemán de Madrid

• Colegio Altaduna-Saladares (Almería)

• Colegio Internacional Aravaca (Madrid)

• Colegio Internacional Meres (Asturias)

• Colegio Internacional Obradoiro (A Coruña)

• Colegio Internacional SEK Ciudalcampo (Madrid)

• Colegio Internacional SEK El Castillo (Madrid)

• Liceo Europeo (Madrid)

• Logos International School (Madrid)

• Newton College (Alicante)

• St. Peter’s School (Barcelona)

• Sotogrande International School (Cádiz)

The final selection includes both international schools and institutions following British, French or Spanish curricula, across regions from Madrid and Barcelona to Andalusia, Galicia and the Balearic Islands. The full list is available here.