If you are looking for private schools in Casares for your children, you have probably come across a range of traditional options. But there is an alternative that is transforming education in the Campo de Gibraltar: the International Montessori School Sotogrande , just a 15-minute drive from the center of Casares. It is not just another school. It is a trilingual educational project that respects each child’s pace and cultivates their autonomy from the first months of life. In this article we explore private schools Casares in depth with practical examples.

Private schools in Casares: what options do you really have?

The offer of private schools in Casares is limited to centers that follow a conventional curriculum, with structured classes and assessment based on exams. For many families, this does not align with the need for their children to develop critical thinking, creativity, and socio-emotional skills. In recent years, we have welcomed numerous families from Casares who were looking for something different and could not find it in their immediate environment. When it comes to private schools Casares, it pays to listen to what families and lead guides actually report.

Montessori pedagogy, backed by over a century of neuroscience and endorsed by organizations such as the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the Spanish Montessori Association, offers precisely that difference. Instead of filling heads, it prepares the environment so that the child builds their own learning. And this is where IMS Sotogrande comes in: a private school just 15 minutes from Casares that faithfully follows Maria Montessori’s principles and is accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC). Daily practice with private schools Casares reveals nuances no handbook fully captures.

If you want to experience for yourself how a prepared environment can transform the way your children learn, book a personalized visit. We will show you every corner of the school and answer all your questions with no obligation.

Looking for private schools in Casares? IMS Sotogrande awaits you just 15 minutes away

Our center is located in the Sotomarket building, above Mercadona, in the heart of Sotogrande. From Casares, it is easily reached via the A-7 in about 12-15 minutes. We have ample parking and a safe environment for dropping off and picking up children. Many parents tell us that the drive becomes a valuable time for conversation before and after the school day.

Unlike private schools in Casares that are usually limited to Spanish and English, at IMS we offer a trilingual Spanish-English-German program starting from the Infant Community stage. This is a real competitive advantage for expatriate families settling on the Costa del Sol, as their children acquire all three languages naturally. In addition, we are the only school in the area with dual Spanish-English immersion in all classrooms, with native guides who speak exclusively in their language with the children. Families from Alcaidesa, San Roque, La Línea, Algeciras, and even Gibraltar have already trusted us as their international school near Gibraltar.

Montessori programs from 0 to 12 years: the continuity you need

One of the main concerns for families evaluating private schools in Casares is finding a project that accompanies their children throughout childhood without having to change schools every few years. At IMS, we cover from 4 months to 12 years, respecting the planes of development defined by Maria Montessori.

• Seeds (0-3 years): a containment space for the little ones, with hours from 9:00 to 12:00 and a cost of 500 euros per month. Here, free movement, sensory exploration, and progressive adaptation are fostered.
• Nest / Infant Community (1-3 years): available in two modalities: Roots (9:00-13:00, 600 €/month) and Wings (9:00-15:00, 700 €/month, with the possibility of extending until 16:00 or 17:00 for 780 or 860 euros per month). Language, independence in dressing, and relationships with others are introduced.
• Children’s House (3-6 years): Roots (9:00-14:00, 650 €/month) or Wings (9:00-15:00, 750 €/month, extendable until 16:00 for 830 € or until 17:00 for 910 €). Here, children access Montessori’s iconic materials: sandpaper letters, sound cylinders, number rods. Reading, writing, and addition often emerge without the adult directly “teaching” them.
• Workshop 1 (6-9 years) and Workshop 2 (9-12 years): hours from 9:00 to 16:00 (850 and 900 €/month respectively), extendable until 17:00 for 930 and 980 €. In these environments, cosmic education connects all areas of knowledge: history, biology, geography, mathematics. Monthly outings (Learning Walks) and group research projects prepare children for secondary school with a solid foundation and a great capacity for independent work.

All rates include the bilingual program, music workshops with Tatiana Gavira, yoga, art, and health education, as well as emotional support. In addition, each week the children enjoy physical education sessions with Alejandro Ledesma and the “Acompañando-té” workshops for families. The family registration fee is 550 euros (one-time payment) and the annual enrollment fee is 500 euros. We offer sibling discounts: 10% for the first sibling, 15% for the second, and 20% for the third. If you pay the full course before July, you get an additional 5% discount.

The prepared Montessori environment: much more than a classroom

I remember a family from Casares who, after visiting several private schools in Casares, entered our Children’s House and stood still. “This doesn’t look like a school,” the mother said. And it’s true. Montessori environments don’t look like a traditional classroom. There are no aligned desks or central blackboard. Instead, you’ll find low shelves full of natural wood materials, tables of different sizes, rugs on the floor, and themed corners: practical life, sensory, language, mathematics. The light is natural, and each child chooses where and what to work on. There are covered and uncovered outdoor areas where they can transplant, sweep, or simply observe insects. The library with a borrowing system fosters a love of reading from age 3.

This design is not aesthetic; it is designed to encourage autonomy. Everything is within the child’s reach, from water glasses to geography maps. The independence they acquire at age 4 translates into self-confidence when they reach primary school. Many families who previously hesitated between private schools in Casares and a Montessori option admit that, upon seeing the environment, they understood why their children needed that setting.

What makes a certified Montessori guide unique?

In private schools in Casares, it is common to find teachers with a degree in education, but the training of a Montessori guide goes far beyond that. Our team consists of educators with AMI certification, such as Tamara Munoz, Head of School and specialist in 3-6 years, who oversees each environment. The founder herself, Olimpia Tardá, has been leading the project for over 20 years and ensures compliance with the standards of the Association Montessori Internationale. The guide does not give lectures; she observes, prepares the environment, and presents materials at the exact moment she detects a “sensitive period” in the child. This sensitivity requires years of practice and deep knowledge of human development.

Every Friday, families receive a weekly report with specific observations of progress, and each term we hold a face-to-face tutoring session to align goals. Daily communication is done through a private platform, and the school’s Facebook group creates a real community where we share resources and experiences. For families who are moving to Sotogrande with kids, this support is especially valuable during the adaptation period.

Admissions process: open all year round with no closed lists

Unlike other private schools in Casares that only open enrollment at certain times, at IMS Sotogrande we accept applications throughout the year. If you arrive mid-course, we can assess your child’s integration as long as there is availability in the corresponding environment.

1. Request a visit through our phone (+34 653 04 17 39) or email ([email protected]).
2. Fill out the application form that we will give you after the visit.
3. Pre-register online from our website.
4. You will receive confirmation within a maximum of 48 business hours.
5. Submit the documentation and formalize enrollment.

We do not require level tests or selective interviews; we do dedicate a conversation with the family to ensure we share the same educational vision. Many expatriate families on the Costa del Sol have told us how much they appreciate this flexibility compared to other Montessori schools Spain that close slots well in advance.

Frequently asked questions from families looking for private schools in Casares

Are there private schools in Casares with the Montessori method?

Currently, there is no school officially applying Montessori pedagogy in Casares. However, just a 15-minute drive away, International Montessori School Sotogrande is the only center in the region accredited by AMI and NEASC, with a trilingual project covering from 4 months to 12 years. During the summer, families can try our MIMS Kids Summer Camp (from June 29 to July 31, 2026) to experience the environment without commitment.

What is a typical day like in a Montessori environment for a 6-year-old?

A child in Workshop 1 arrives at 9:00, meets in assembly, and plans their day with the guide. Throughout the morning, they alternate individual work with math materials (for example, the checkerboard for long multiplication) and group projects on ancient civilizations. After recess, they resume research and before lunch participate in shared reading of a book in English. At 16:00, they pick up their materials and say goodbye until the next day. On Fridays, they also have a music session with Tatiana Gavira and a physical education class.

What advantages does a trilingual school offer for an expatriate family moving to Sotogrande?

For international families arriving on the Costa del Sol, finding a school that maintains English or German as a vehicular language is essential. At IMS, children receive daily instruction in English and Spanish, with German sessions from age 3, which facilitates integration without losing their mother tongue. In addition, Montessori pedagogy is globally recognized, allowing for a smooth transition if the family moves to another country again.

Should I take my child to school even if I live in Casares and not in Sotogrande?

Many parents tell us that at first they were worried about the commute, but once they see that the drive does not exceed 15 minutes and that the flexible schedule adapts to their routine, the concern disappears. In fact, several families carpool from Casares and nearby towns like Manilva or Sabinillas, creating a small support network. In the end, the quality of the educational project weighs much more than a few kilometers.

Conclusion: the decision to trust an educational project with soul

Choosing between private schools in Casares and other options in the area is not a decision to be taken lightly. It involves projecting your children’s early years and defining what kind of person you want them to become. At IMS Sotogrande, we have spent over two decades building an educational community where every child is heard, valued, and safe, as summarized by our founder Olimpia Tardá: “At IMS, your child will grow up feeling heard, valued, and safe, ready to transform the world with their own voice.”

If you live in Casares or any town in the Campo de Gibraltar and want to learn how we apply Maria Montessori’s legacy, call us at +34 653 04 17 39 or write to [email protected]. We will be happy to accompany you in this important stage.

About Tamara Munoz: Certified Montessori guide with over 10 years of experience supporting families in the Campo de Gibraltar. Specialist in 0-6 pedagogy and prepared environments. Credentials: AMI Guide 3-6, Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Certification: Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Full profile.