The annual Forbes school ranking has sparked debate among Spanish families: not a single public school made it into the country’s top 100. This decision highlights the growing divide between private and public education and is reshaping perceptions of education quality in Spain. Parents seeking to transfer their children face limited choices if they’re looking for schools recognized at the national level.
According to Forbes, out of more than 28,000 schools in Spain, only private schools and nine semi-subsidized schools made the list. This bias toward the private sector is attributed to a focus on multilingualism, the adoption of new technologies, and the broadening of academic programs. Most schools in the ranking teach not only English and Spanish but also German, French, Chinese, and regional languages such as Catalan, Galician, Basque, and Valencian.
Geographical breakdown of leaders
Madrid is the clear leader in the ranking, with 37 out of the 100 featured schools located there. It’s followed by the Valencian Community with 11, and Catalonia with 9. Other regions are less represented, reflecting the uneven distribution of educational resources across the country. The list includes schools such as Agora Barcelona International School (Barcelona), Colegio Santa María de los Rosales (Madrid), Lycée Français de Madrid (Madrid), King’s College School La Moraleja (Madrid), and many others.
Valencia and Barcelona also stand out for their high concentration of international schools, which offer multilingual education and modern teaching methods. In Andalusia, Galicia, and Asturias, there are a few prestigious educational institutions, but their number is significantly lower compared to the capital region.
Selection criteria
Forbes experts note that the ranking was based not only on academic performance, but also on the presence of innovative programs, development of entrepreneurial skills, and the integration of artificial intelligence into the learning process. Parent feedback and the achievements of alumni also played an important role. Among graduates of the schools featured in the list are members of the royal family as well as renowned artists and athletes, which further highlights the prestige of these institutions.
For example, Colegio Santa María de los Rosales (Madrid) was attended by King Felipe VI of Spain and his daughters, while Lycée Français de Madrid and Lycée Français International de Málaga are well-known for their famous alumni from the worlds of art and sport. This creates added demand for these schools, despite the high tuition fees and competitive admissions.
Impact on parents and the market
The Forbes ranking serves as a reference point for families seeking not only quality education for their children but also future career opportunities. The absence of public schools in the list may heighten mistrust towards the public education system and drive increased demand for private schools, especially in major cities. According to RUSSPAIN.COM, such rankings impact the educational services market, shaping new expectations and requirements for schools.
In recent years, Spain has seen a growing number of international schools and an expansion of foreign-language programs. This trend is linked to globalization and the increasing mobility of families looking to give their children a competitive edge in the global job market. At the same time, public schools face pressure to update their curricula and incorporate modern technologies in order not to fall behind the private sector.
Previous Forbes rankings, as well as those by other publications, also highlighted the dominance of private schools. However, for the first time in 2026, public institutions are entirely absent. In 2024 and 2025, the lists still included a few public schools, but their numbers were declining. Analysts attribute this to stricter selection criteria and heightened competition among private schools, which are actively investing in infrastructure and educational innovations.
