School enrolment in Andalusia: deadlines, points, supplies, comedor

School enrolment is called escolarización here and it works differently from what we knew: there is a window in spring during which everyone submits their preferred schools at the same time, and places are then allocated by points. Miss the window and you're not out — but you take what's left.

The window

The regular application period for the coming school year is usually in March. You submit several preferred schools in ranked order, online or on paper. Provisional lists come in early summer, then the final ones, then the actual enrolment (matrícula) at the school you were allocated.

Important: exact dates change every year and are published by the Andalusian education authority and posted at every school. We've got into the habit of reading the noticeboard at the school gate weekly from February — that's where it appears first.

Understanding the points system

When applications exceed places, a points catalogue (baremo) decides. The exact weighting can change, but the pattern is stable:

• A sibling already at the school — the strongest single factor. Once one child is in, the others follow almost certainly.
• Home or work address within the catchment area — the second big block, evidenced by the padrón.
• Income, disability, family status — smaller blocks that decide close cases.

For us that meant: choose the school first, then rent inside its catchment area. It sounds back to front, but it was the only order that worked.

What the application needs

Usually: parents' ID, birth certificates or family book, padrón (current, no older than three months), the children's NIE, vaccination records and, if applicable, pre-school reports. For children coming from abroad there is often a document confirming the last year group attended — an informal letter from the German school, translated, was enough for us.

Comedor, aula matinal and the afternoon

Three building blocks that hold the day together:

• Aula matinal — early supervision from around seven, breakfast included, modest cost, often income-scaled.
• Comedor — school lunch, cooked on site or delivered depending on the school. Income-based subsidies exist here too; apply if in doubt, the process runs alongside enrolment.
• Actividades extraescolares — afternoon activities, mostly organised by the parents' association (AMPA). Sport, music, languages, homework club. Prices are pleasantly low compared with Germany.

The parents' association is not a formality, by the way. The AMPA organises a good chunk of school life, often sells the materials as a bundle, and is the fastest source of information there is. Join in month one.

Materials, uniform, sports kit

Uniforms aren't usual at state schools; at concertados and international schools they mostly are. What you need everywhere: a chándal (tracksuit with the school logo) for PE, the materials set from the list, and a rucksack that holds a water bottle and a snack.

The materials lists arrive shortly before the school year and are astonishingly specific, down to the ruling of the exercise books. Don't stock up at home first. We used German notebooks with the wrong ruling for a year because we'd been organised.

The first day

It is unspectacular, and that's a good thing. No big ceremony: the children line up in the yard by class, the teacher collects them, done. Bring water — it's mid-September and still hot. And expect afternoon provision not to be running in week one; comedor and extraescolares often start a few days later.

What we did differently the second time

We handled the youngest's enrolment in year two completely calmly, because we had three things in advance: a current padrón in the drawer, a sibling at the school, and the mobile number of a mother from the class. You don't need more than that. The rest is paperwork.

Common questions

We arrive mid-year — is that possible?

Yes. It runs as an out-of-window application through the education authority. You will get a place, but not necessarily at your preferred school. The closer to summer, the better your chances.

Does home address or work address count?

Either can earn points — you can usually choose which one to use. The address has to be evidenced by the padrón.

What does a state school actually cost?

The teaching, nothing. Still budget for materials, trips, sports kit, comedor and extraescolares. For us that lands in the low hundreds per child per year, plus meals.

Everything here is our own experience, not legal advice. Authorities change rules, prices and forms constantly — always check the official site of the relevant office before an appointment.