Six Canarian schools have managed to make it among the top 100 in Spain, according to the ranking of private and state-aided schools that the newspaper El Mundo has been conducting for 25 years based on 27 rigorous evaluation criteria. Out of these six schools, three are from Gran Canaria and three from Tenerife. These schools include Heidelberg, Claret Gran CanariaLa Salle San IldefonsoLuther KingHispano Británico S21 and Arenas. This ranking aims to provide an insight into the state of education in Spain and assist families in the challenging task of selecting a school for their children. These are the results of the analysis of education in the Canary Islands.
The highest position in the ranking belongs to Heidelberg. This trilingual school in Gran Canaria, offering education in Spanish, German, and English, scores 94 points on the list and is placed 21st this year, lower than its position last year.
Also slipping in position, although still excellent, is Claret Gran Canaria School, the second in Canary Islands. With 92 points, it ranks 30th.

The first-year high school students from the Claret school dance in front of the Canary Islands Cathedral. / José Carlos Guerra
The third Canarian school in the ranking is La Salle San Ildefonso, from Tenerife. With 84 points, it holds the 71st position, closely followed by the fourth Canarian school, Luther King, also from Tenerife, which, tied in points with La Salle, is one spot below, at 72. Both schools have good news as they have improved their positions compared to the previous year.
In the same position as last year is the fifth Tenerife school in El Mundo’s ranking, Hispano Británico S21. With 83 points, it maintains its place at 81.
Closing the Canarian presence in the top 100 schools in Spain is Arenas School from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The sixth Canarian school among the top 100 in Spain is in the 86th position, improving its position from 2023 after achieving a score of 82.
The Best of the Outstanding
However, Santa Teresa de Jesús School from Gran Canaria, which was among the top 100 the previous year, is out of the ranking. With 80 points, the Gran Canaria school narrowly missed the top hundred, ranking 101st, leading, however, the list of noteworthy schools in Spain. The notable group consists of 30 schools that are below the top 100 but poised to ascend.
The El Mundo list also includes 35 international schools in Spain highly favoured by both Spanish and foreign families residing in our country. Out of these, there are four in the Canary Islands, two in Tenerife and two in Gran Canaria. These are Colegio Alemán de Tenerife, British School Gran Canaria, Oakley College -in Gran Canaria- and Wingate School, in Tenerife.
Where They Are
The map shows the geographical location of the 11 Canarian schools in El Mundo’s ranking of the best schools in Spain. The colours of the location markers define the category to which each school belongs.
Among the Top 100
The six schools that are among the top 100 are highlighted in blue:
- Heidelberg, Gran Canaria, 94 points, ranking 21.
- Claret Gran Canaria, 92 points, ranking 30.
- La Salle San Ildefonso, Tenerife, 84 points, ranking 71.
- Luther King, Tenerife, 84 points, ranking 72.
- Hispano Británico S21, Tenerife, 83 points, ranking 83.
- Arenas, Gran Canaria, 82 points, ranking 86.
Among the 30 outstanding
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The Canary Islands school that stands out among the 30 notable ones is highlighted in purple:
Among the 35 foreigners
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The four best-rated foreign schools in the Canary Islands are highlighted in red:
The 27 parameters analyzed
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The classification of the top 100 schools in Spain is based on the analysis of 27 parameters grouped into three categories: A, B, and C.
Group A assesses the teaching model of the schools based on nine criteria that, when combined, provide a maximum score of 39 points. The nine guidelines in group A are: educational model, external recognition, quality models, educational coverage, student evaluation, price, supply and demand ratio, loyalty index, and teacher care.
Group B focuses on the educational offerings based on nine milestones that yield a maximum of 34 points when summed up. The nine guidelines in group B are: languages, teaching staff, number and qualification of support teachers, number of hours dedicated to tutoring per student, support for special needs or abilities, university entrance exams, non-academic activities, extracurricular activities, and medical service.
Group C focuses on the material resources through nine elements that can lead to a maximum score of 27 points. The nine guidelines in group C are: student-to-teacher ratio, square meters, classroom space, computer equipment, transportation, cafeteria, laboratories, and sports facilities.