Forbes España recently published a qualified assessment of the 100 best schools in Spain in 2026. This ranking is the result of an in-depth analysis in which experts considered 36 different criteria for the quality of education. The list includes mainly private and so-called “concertado” schools - institutions that receive partial state funding while maintaining private management.
Main evaluation criteria
When developing the rating, experts paid attention to the following aspects:
- Academic programs — quality of educational material and teaching methodology
- International diplomas — availability of IB and A-Level programs
- STEM and digital skills — developing skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
- Sports and infrastructure — quality of sports facilities and extracurricular activities
- Language programs — the opportunity to study foreign languages and prepare for international exams
Geographic distribution of top schools
Most of the institutions in the ranking are concentrated in the three largest educational centers of Spain: Madrid, Catalonia and Valencia. This is not surprising, since it is in these regions that the largest number of private schools of international standard with modern infrastructure and qualified staff are located.
Top ten ranking
Forbes listed the top 10 schools in alphabetical order, rather than by location, which emphasizes their equal position at the top of the ranking:
- Agora Barcelona International School — Sant Esteve Sesrovires (Barcelona)
- Joyfe School — Madrid
- San Patricio School — Madrid
- Colegio Santa María de los Rosales — Madrid
- Julio Verne School — Torrent (Valencia)
- Kensington School — Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid)
- King's College School Alicante — Alicante
- King's College School La Moraleja — La Moraleja (Madrid)
- La Miranda — Sant Just Desvern (Barcelona)
- Legamar International School — Fuenlabrada (Madrid)
Where to find complete information
If you are interested in a complete list of all 100 schools with detailed descriptions of each institution, you can visit the page https://forbes.es/listas/885405/. There you will find extensive information about programs, tuition fees, and the specifics of each school. This will be useful for parents who are making decisions about choosing an educational institution for their children.
The Forbes ranking is one of the most prestigious assessments in Spain, helping families understand the educational market and choose a school that meets their needs and expectations.