When a family settles in Nueva Andalucía and starts looking for bilingual schools in Nueva Andalucía, options seem limited. Many international schools in Marbella have long waiting lists and high fees. Moreover, alternative pedagogies like Montessori are conspicuously absent. That’s why more and more parents decide to look a little further and discover an educational gem just 30 minutes away by car: International Montessori School Sotogrande (IMS).

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions a family makes. It’s not just about your child learning English. It’s about how they learn, in what environment, and what kind of person you want them to become. At IMS Sotogrande, we have been supporting children from 0 to 12 years for over two decades with an approach that combines the purest Montessori pedagogy with a real trilingual environment.

What are families looking for when exploring bilingual schools in Nueva Andalucía?

Most families moving to the Costa del Sol, and especially to developments like Nueva Andalucía, are international. They come with young children and need a school that guarantees continuity in English while they integrate into the Spanish system. They seek more than just a bilingual school: they want an education that respects the child’s pace, fosters independence, and offers a warm environment.

According to UNESCO, bilingual education from early childhood improves cognitive flexibility, concentration, and overall academic performance. Montessori, for its part, has demonstrated for over 100 years that children learn best in prepared environments where they choose their work. At IMS, we unite both worlds: English-speaking and Spanish-speaking guides in each classroom, sensory materials, and a community that speaks several languages daily. It’s not an ordinary bilingual school. It’s a space where languages are lived.

If you live in Nueva Andalucía, you’ve probably already visited some bilingual schools in the area. The offering is concentrated in large British or international private schools with more traditional methodologies. In contrast, IMS Sotogrande offers something you won’t find in other bilingual schools in Nueva Andalucía: the Montessori method endorsed by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), a trilingual environment (Spanish, English, and German), and an educational community that feels like a tribe.

The Montessori method and bilingualism: a proven combination

Maria Montessori observed that children have an absorbent mind, especially from 0 to 6 years. During this period, they learn language naturally, effortlessly, just by being exposed to it. That’s why, in a Montessori school, bilingualism is not taught with worksheets. It is lived. At IMS, each environment has two guides: one English-speaking and one Spanish-speaking. Children address each guide in their language, alternating organically as they work with the materials.

This dual immersion is backed by the Association Montessori Internationale, which certifies that IMS meets the highest global standards. Additionally, we are the only center in Campo de Gibraltar accredited by NEASC, an international quality guarantee. All of this makes IMS Sotogrande a solid and differentiating option for families in Nueva Andalucía looking for bilingual schools.

Why IMS Sotogrande is the preferred alternative to bilingual schools in Nueva Andalucía

What truly sets IMS apart is not just bilingualism, but how it is implemented. Our Bilingual Montessori program, co-financed by the European Union, ensures each child receives balanced exposure to both languages. But additionally, from age 3 we introduce French, and German is offered as a third language in extracurricular activities. Thus, many students finish the Workshop stage mastering three languages.

A unique trilingual environment: Spanish, English, and German

Unlike other bilingual schools in Nueva Andalucía where English may be relegated to a subject, at IMS English is present in daily life. Children hear instructions in English, sing in English, and even discuss their projects in English. Added to this is the constant presence of Spanish and sessions in French and German. It’s a real multilingual environment, not just a label.

María Castillo and Elisa Medina, Nest guides, are an example: one speaks English natively, the other Spanish. The little ones choose whom to interact with and, without realizing it, build two linguistic systems simultaneously. In the summer, we offer the MIMS Kids Summer Camp, a bilingual urban camp that many families from Nueva Andalucía choose so their children remain immersed in English during July.

Programs and fees for the 2026-2027 school year

We understand that budget is a key factor when looking for bilingual schools. At IMS Sotogrande, fees include materials, bilingualism, yoga, music, and all meals. No hidden costs. Here are our programs:

• Seeds (0-3 years) : 9:00 to 12:00 — €500/month
• Nest Roots (0-3) : 9:00 to 13:00 — €600/month
• Nest Wings (0-3) : 9:00 to 15:00 — €700/month (extension until 17:00 available)
• Children’s House Roots (3-6) : 9:00 to 14:00 — €650/month
• Children’s House Wings (3-6) : 9:00 to 15:00 — €750/month (extension until 16:00 or 17:00)
• Workshop 1 (6-9 years) : 9:00 to 16:00 — €850/month
• Workshop 2 (9-12 years) : 9:00 to 16:00 — €900/month

Additionally, there is a one-time family admission fee of €550 and an annual registration fee of €500. We offer discounts of 10% for the first sibling, 15% for the second, and 20% for the third. If you pay the full school year before July, you get an additional 5% discount. Many families from Nueva Andalucía tell us that compared to Marbella prices, IMS is more affordable for the quality it offers.

Would you like to see it in person? Book a personalized school visit and see for yourself why so many families choose us.

Daily life in a bilingual Montessori school

A typical day at IMS starts with entering the prepared environment. Children in Children’s House, for example, hang up their backpacks, put on their slippers, and choose their first work. It might be a practical life material like pouring water, or something sensorial like sandpaper tablets. Each material has a purpose: refine motor skills, prepare the hand for writing, or simply concentrate. The guide observes without interrupting and only intervenes when necessary.

Mid-morning, the group gathers on the line for a short bilingual assembly: they sing a song in English, talk about the day in Spanish, and then each child returns to their work. No exams, no homework, no punishments. Learning arises from intrinsic motivation. The afternoon, for those staying full-time, includes yoga, music, art, and outdoor play. At IMS, the playground is not just a break: it’s an extension of the classroom, with a vegetable garden, mud kitchen, and sandpit.

The Spanish Montessori Association highlights precisely this balance between freedom and structure. In a traditional bilingual school, children often follow a rigid schedule; here, the day flows according to each stage’s needs. The results are evident: children are confident, curious, and with an English level that amazes families.

Do you live in Nueva Andalucía? This is the commute to Sotogrande

One of the issues that most concerns parents looking for bilingual schools in Nueva Andalucía is distance. Sotogrande is about 40 minutes via the A-7, a comfortable drive without traffic jams. Many families organize carpool groups, turning the commute into a social moment for children. If you’re considering moving to the area, Sotogrande and Alcaidesa offer a quiet lifestyle, with golf courses, beaches, and nature, ideal for international families.

Moreover, our location above the Mercadona at Sotomarket facilitates shopping and daily logistics. From Nueva Andalucía, access is direct via the highway, and once you arrive, you discover a bright school with prepared classrooms and a welcoming community. It’s not uncommon for parents from Marbella, Estepona, or La Línea to meet at the Friday coffee and end up organizing weekend get-togethers. At IMS, the tribe doesn’t end at the school gate.

If you’re worried about your child’s adaptation, experience tells us that young children are much more resilient than we imagine. In the car, they take the opportunity to talk, sing, or simply rest. And Workshop children, aged 6 to 12, particularly enjoy carpool routes, where they catch up on their projects and plans. Don’t underestimate the power of a commute filled with bilingual conversations.

Frequently asked questions about bilingual schools in Nueva Andalucía

Is there a Montessori school within Nueva Andalucía?

No. There is currently no Montessori school in the Nueva Andalucía development itself. The closest Montessori option is International Montessori School Sotogrande, about 30-40 minutes by car. If you’re looking for a bilingual school with Montessori pedagogy and are willing to make a short commute, IMS is your best alternative.

Do you offer school transport from Nueva Andalucía?

We currently don’t have an official route, though we are considering implementing it if there is sufficient demand. In the meantime, many families in the area organize carpool groups among themselves. If you’re interested, when contacting admissions we can put you in touch with other families in your area.

What level of English does a child achieve at IMS Sotogrande?

Students who complete the Workshop II program (9-12 years) typically reach an English level equivalent to C1 according to the Common European Framework, expressing themselves fluently in everyday and academic conversations. At IMS, bilingual immersion from age 0, combined with the Montessori methodology, allows children to internalize the language naturally and without apparent effort.

Key takeaways

Choosing a school for your child is not just deciding what language they will speak. It’s choosing a life philosophy. If you live in Nueva Andalucía and are attracted to Montessori, it’s worth making that 30-minute drive. Because what happens in our classrooms is not replicated by traditional bilingual schools: children who are focused, happy, self-regulated, and treat others with genuine respect.

For the 2026-2027 school year, we have limited places. If you want your child to be part of an international community that respects their pace and empowers their voice, request a personalized visit. You can also write to [email protected] or call +34 653 04 17 39.

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