Differences between Public, Private and State-Funded Schools: a Complete Guide

Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions for any family. It involves not only considering academic factors, but also thinking about the environment in which students will grow, the educational approach that will support their development and the values that will shape their personal education.

With an increasingly wide range of educational options available, it is natural for families to have questions when comparing different school models and educational approaches. Before making a decision, it is essential to clearly understand what characterises each type of school.

In this guide, we explore the main differences between public, state-funded and private schools in Spain, providing a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision about the educational environment that best suits your children.

What is a private school?

A private school is a fully independent educational institution that is managed and financed entirely through private funding. Families cover the full cost of tuition, meaning that the school does not depend financially on the state. This independence gives private schools a high degree of freedom and autonomy in how they operate.

This independence allows private schools to develop innovative educational programmes, recruit teachers directly and adapt their facilities to meet the changing needs of 21st-century education.

Private schools are also often characterised by smaller class sizes, genuine language immersion and close support, allowing for a more personalised approach to each student.

Discover our international network of private schools

What is a public school?

A public school is a school that is fully funded and managed by the state and the Autonomous Communities in Spain. It is the most common option in the country, with the main aim of ensuring universal access to education and knowledge, with a strong focus on equality. Public education is free for families, and teachers are generally public-sector employees.

As they are managed by public authorities, public schools follow a standardised curriculum and have a more limited degree of organisational and educational autonomy.

What is a state-funded private school?

Alongside public and private schools, Spain also has a third type of school: the state-funded private school, known as a “colegio concertado”. These are privately owned schools, often established by foundations, cooperatives or religious organisations, which have entered into an agreement with the state.

State-funded private schools combine elements of both models. They retain private management and their own educational ethos, while fulfilling certain public-service requirements, such as providing compulsory education and following the official curriculum, in exchange for public funding for a significant proportion of their operating costs.

As they receive public funding, state-funded private schools must provide free education during the compulsory stages and cannot charge tuition fees for regulated education. However, because public funding does not always cover all costs, families may contribute through voluntary payments or additional services. These schools therefore retain their own educational ethos while operating with a degree of autonomy between that of public and fully private schools.

Key differences between public, private and state-funded schools

To make the differences easier to understand, we have summarised the key areas that distinguish public, state-funded and private schools.

Funding and costs for families

The cost of education and its impact on the family budget can also be an important factor when choosing a type of school. According to the latest Household Expenditure on Education Survey from the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE), costs are distributed as follows:

• Public school: although education itself is free in Spain, the average cost is around €1,837 per student per year. These expenses include school meals, at approximately €100 per month, school materials and extracurricular activities.
• State-funded private school: the average cost is €3,444 per year. This includes school meals and books, as well as monthly fees or contributions made by families to support the school’s educational project.
• Private school: the average cost is €8,283 per year, which is fully covered by families. This investment provides access to high-quality facilities, an international educational approach and digital resources designed to support students’ learning.

Management and Administration

The speed of decision-making and the autonomy to build and manage teaching teams are factors that help define the identity of each type of school.

• Public school: management is carried out by public-sector staff and follows centralised guidelines. School leadership and recruitment are subject to official processes and lists established by the relevant education authorities, ensuring consistency across schools.
• State-funded private school: these schools are privately managed within a regulated framework. They have the freedom to select their teaching staff, provided candidates meet the qualifications required by the state to maintain public funding.
• Private school: private schools have greater flexibility in their management and recruitment processes. They can recruit talent internationally and attract specialists from different fields. This direct control over the educational project allows schools to develop an educational approach aligned with their values and objectives.

Student admission and enrolment

The way students enter a school marks the beginning of their academic journey, ranging from administrative processes to more personalised admissions experiences.

• Public and state-funded private schools: admission is regulated through a points-based system established by the authorities. Factors such as proximity to the family home, household income and having siblings at the school can influence admission. In areas with high demand, places may ultimately be allocated through a public lottery.
• Private schools: admission is generally a direct and personalised process. Families are not allocated places based solely on postcode. Schools may conduct interviews and assessment tests to determine whether the student is a good fit for their educational model, such as the International Baccalaureate, and how the school can support the student’s development and integration into the school community.

Educational quality and resources

Beyond ownership, one of the key differences between school models can be seen in students’ day-to-day experience: the level of individual attention they receive and the tools available to support their learning.

• Public schools: they are supported by highly committed and qualified professionals, although their work and resources are subject to regional education budgets. This can sometimes result in larger class sizes, while the renewal of technological resources and infrastructure may depend on public administration processes and timelines.
• State-funded private schools: class sizes can be similar to those in public education, while additional family contributions may provide greater resources. These contributions can support improvements to sports facilities, teaching materials or bilingual education projects.
• Private schools: private schools can invest continuously in their educational facilities and resources. They may offer smaller class sizes, state-of-the-art laboratories, Future Classrooms and access to international programmes such as the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Summary of the differences between school types

How to choose between public, private and state-funded schools

When choosing between public, private and state-funded schools, we recommend considering these three key factors:

1. An international outlook: if your goal is for your child to become a global citizen, speak several languages and have access to leading universities around the world, an international private school can provide an environment where a global outlook is an essential part of everyday education.
2. Your child’s individual needs: every child is different. If your child is curious, needs constant stimulation or learns at a different pace, flexibility, personalised support and smaller class sizes can play an important role in their educational experience.
3. Logistics and budget: practical considerations also matter. If being close to home and choosing a model without additional education costs are priorities for your family, a public or state-funded private school in your local area may be a suitable option, while the curriculum and resources will generally follow the standards established by the relevant authorities.

SEK Private Schools: among the best in Spain

When education is understood not simply as a process, but as one of the most valuable foundations we can provide for our children, choosing the right type of school and educational environment becomes a decision based on trust.

At SEK Educational Institution, we have spent more than 130 years demonstrating that a different, global and innovative approach to education, centred on the student, is possible and can help prepare young people for the challenges of the 21st century.

This commitment is reflected in the recognition received by our six schools in Spain, which are ranked among the country’s leading schools according to the 2026 rankings published by El Mundo, Forbes and El Español. These recognitions reflect our commitment to private and international education and our educational vision.

Discover more about our position in the rankings

What defines our educational approach?

• SEK Learning Model: we have evolved beyond the traditional classroom. Our educational model encourages exploration, critical thinking and real-world problem-solving, preparing students not only for exams but also for life.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): we were the first educational institution in Spain to implement this global educational framework, introducing it from Early Years to help develop an open and bilingual mindset from the earliest stages.
• Support for diversity: with a community representing more than 80 nationalities, our teachers act as mentors. We see diversity as a strength and personalise learning so that each student can progress at their own pace.

Understanding the differences between education systems is the first step towards making an informed decision. The next is seeing how your children can grow in a safe, stimulating environment surrounded by professionals who share the same goal: supporting their wellbeing and future.

Find your SEK International School

Our educational approach is available in several locations across Spain, offering families unique learning environments adapted to their communities:

• SEK Schools in Madrid: we have three campuses:
  • SEK-El Castillo in Villafranca del Castillo, Villanueva de la Cañada
  • SEK-Ciudalcampo in the northern area of Madrid, in La Moraleja, San Sebastián de los Reyes
  • SEK-Santa Isabel in the centre of Madrid.
• Barcelona: SEK-Catalunya offers a privileged setting in La Garriga, combining nature and innovation.
• Almería: SEK-Alborán, located in El Ejido.
• Pontevedra: SEK-Atlántico brings our educational model to the Rías Baixas region in Poio.

We know that the best way to understand what makes SEK different is to experience it first-hand. We therefore invite you to arrange a personalised visit or request more information. Our team will be happy to accompany you throughout the process, answer your questions and show you how we can help your child reach their full potential.

Contact us for more information