Aloha College is a non-profit-making organisation owned by a charitable trust (Fundación Aloha College) and administered by two Head Teachers with a Board of Governors, all of whom are parents.

• Aloha College was the first all-IB school in Spain, academic excellence is a foremost goal.

• Students study English and Spanish and can gain qualifications in both educational systems.

• Fully co-educational day school, unique atmosphere, highly creative and innovative.

• Students go on to the world’s leading universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Princeton, Autónoma Madrid, Navarra, ICADE and Imperial College London.

The college was established in 1982 and provides an international education in 2 sections, Junior School (3 - 10 years) and Senior School (11 - 18 years).

Aloha College is authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Education to operate both as a British-style school in Spain following the guidelines of the British National Curriculum and as a Spanish-style school offering the Spanish LOGSE programme. Under this dual-curriculum arrangement, all pupils study English and Spanish and those students who wish to do so are able to gain qualifications under both the Spanish and British examination system. Regular inspections are conducted under the auspices of the British

Council and the Spanish Ministry of Education.

“The primary aims of Aloha College are to enlarge each student's knowledge, experience and imagination and to enable each of our students to develop a set of moral principles, within a spirit of international understanding and interchange. Thus we expect that the alumni of Aloha will play an active and leading role in the world beyond school.”

The college presents candidates at 16+ for IGCSE examinations (the international version of the General Certificate of Secondary Education) of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. Aloha is an important centre in southern Spain for the examinations of the University of Cambridge in English as a Second Language.

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
Students at pre-university level follow a programme leading to the award of the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB). The IB is the most widely recognised qualification for university entrance and stands at the forefront of educational advance being the fastest developing curriculum in the world. It operates in more than 110 countries and is accepted by over 1000 universities and colleges worldwide including the best universities in North America, the UK, continental Europe, and Australia.

In addition to studying hard for the International Baccaleaurate (IB), the Sixth Form pupils participate in an extensive programme of co-curricular activities as part of the Creativity, Actions and Service (CAS) element of their IB studies. This includes projects in the local community, conferences and competitions abroad in places such as Amsterdam, Greenwich, Lisbon, Prague and Washington DC.

The student body consists of 46 nationalities including 30% Spanish, 33% British, and as befits an international community, there is a strong emphasis on language teaching. In addition to English and Spanish, French, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, German and Russian are also provided.

The 103 staff are fully qualified UK or Spanish graduates, supported by a full-time School's Librarian, a Science technician and qualified Nursery Nurses in the Early Years department and a full adminstration department. There is an overall staffing ratio of approximately one member of staff to every 10 pupils and class sizes never exceed 20.

Facilities

The main building, purpose-built in 1982, houses the Junior School and administration department and covers an area of 5.000m2. There are large classrooms, fully-equipped Science labs and an Information Technology Suite. Wireless internet connections operate throughout the college and classrooms are equipped with Smart Boards. A new Senior school was opened in September 2004, effectively doubling the size of the school. The modern, purpose-built accommodation has, in addition to normal classroom provision, four well-equipped laboratories, three dedicated computer suites, an outstanding Library & Media Centre, two Art & Design Studios and a Music Department with a tiered performance area and two Drama studios. There are two all-weather sports pitches, a golfing academy and riding school nearby and daily use is made of tennis and swimming facilities within minutes of the site.

In addition to a wide-ranging programme of extra-curricular activities, there is a strong emphasis on music and drama tuition. Aloha College is an official examination centre for the presitigious LAMDA qualifications (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts). Also, examiners from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and the British Ballet Organisation regularly visit the college to assess pupils. Students from 14 years onwards have the opportunity of taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

The Senior School strives to develop intelligent, inquiring and well-rounded students in a multicultural environment, which encourages a spirit of international understanding and tolerance. The students are taught self-discipline, to take responsibility for their own learning and to become adults with high personal expectations and respect for others.

The Junior School engenders confidence and self-esteem in a positive and rewarding environment. A combination of personal care and small classes, fully qualified and experienced staff and close liaison between home and school ensures optimum progress.

The school year is organised on a 3-termly basis, starting in early September and ending in the last week of June. The school day runs from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm and all children enjoy a one hour lunch break, when they eat either a delicious hot meal from the school kitchen (all meals are planned by nutritionists) or bring their own packed lunch. Supervised school bus services run from Fuengirola and Estepona plus all intermediate points.

Aloha College is situated on the outskirts of Marbella in Spain's Costa del Sol. The College is flanked by the championship golf course of Aloha and is opposite a very popular golf academy. Road access is excellent and 3 minutes along the highway takes you to the beach or the marina of Puerto Banús and within 5 minutes you are in Marbella town centre.