International Schools in Madrid

There is an assortment of bilingual and international schools in Madrid for your children to attend. International schools are encouraged to take local students, as there is a state subsidy for those schools where more than one-fifth of the children are Spanish, and those that offer bilingual education. The teachers at these schools tend to be international, and many are native English speakers.

International educational standards are so commonplace in the city that many international schools with British and American curricula have a student body predominantly made up of Spanish pupils. While the most common language of tuition is English, Spanish is often the dominant language on the playground and at the lunch table.

This gives your children an opportunity to overcome some of the culture shock and fully integrate into their new home. While international schools in Madrid may be pricier than public and private schools, they are excellent value compared to international schools elsewhere in Europe due to the state subsidy. They also offer exceptional facilities and a wide array of activities, including art, music, sports, and STEM labs. Some schools also offer boarding for international students and families who live abroad or elsewhere in Spain.

Most international schools in Madrid accept rolling admissions throughout the year, although spaces can be limited. For families applying during peak periods, expect to wait anywhere from a few weeks to several months for placement, depending on the school and year group. Popular schools may have waitlists, particularly for certain age groups, so applying early is advisable.

There are some international schools in the centre of Madrid, but the majority are situated in the suburbs and in the countryside surrounding the city. Here, they have more space for sports fields and other facilities for a variety of extracurricular activities.

Read about Education and Schools in Madrid

Listed below are some of the best international schools in Madrid.

International schools in Madrid

American School of Madrid

The American School of Madrid (ASD) has been providing an American education and encouraging fluency in Spanish for more than 60 years. This international school is home to a diverse student body of more than 1,000 students of over 60 nationalities. Founded in 1961, the American School of Madrid prides itself on building a truly unique international community, with strong American and Spanish influences that allow children to thrive academically and socially while living in Madrid. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: American and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 3 to 18

Hastings School

Hastings School is a proudly British school located in the heart of Madrid. Offering an adapted version of the Cambridge IGCSE, the school encourages bilingualism in both English and Spanish speakers. The school’s student body of over 1,300 pupils is spread out over six age-specific campuses in central Madrid, all of which are connected by a shuttle service. As one of the top international schools in Madrid, Hastings School’s university preparation programme sees a large contingent of its students secure places at the top universities in the UK every year. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels) and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2 to 18

International College Spain Madrid

One of the leading international schools in Europe, International College Spain has been established for more than 40 years and is the only school in Madrid offering the three prestigious International Baccalaureate programmes (PYP, MYP and DP) in English. International College Spain Madrid regularly achieves 100 percent IB pass rates with collaborations with MIT, UNICEF, and The Juilliard School. It provides an international community for its global students,, with the aim of building a home away from home for both students and parents. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 3 to 18

International School of Madrid

The International School of Madrid has been providing quality British education to a diverse international student population for more than 50 years. Almost 40 nationalities are represented throughout the school’s student body of approximately 800 pupils. Centrally located in Madrid, the International School of Madrid has earned 97 Cambridge Outstanding Learner Awards since 2009, more than any other centre in Spain, and nurtures students’ individual abilities and encourages self-expression in academia, sports, and the arts. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels) 
Ages: 2 to 18

King’s College, The British School of Madrid

King’s College, The British School of Madrid, teaches the British English National Curriculum, including the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels, as well as the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. The school is situated just 20 minutes from Central Madrid on a picturesque 12-hectare site in the countryside that is home to the school’s boarding facilities. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-levels) and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 4 months to 18

St George International

St. George International School follows the British curriculum from infant school through upper secondary school, during which stage students take the Cambridge IGCSE. Sixth Form students work towards the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school’s diverse international student body is made up of more than 45 nationalities. All teachers are native English speakers, apart from those who teach foreign-language subjects, making language acquisition easier for students. Recently recognised in Forbes Top 100 schools in Spain, graduates have access to top Spanish and international universities. Read more

Gender: Co-educational 
Curriculum: British (English National Curriculum and Cambridge IGCSE) and International Baccalaureate 
Ages: 2 to 18

Educational consultants in Madrid

Tendoria Educational Consulting

A top-rated education consultancy, Tendoria specialises in helping families find the best school for their children in Madrid and Valencia, as well as throughout Spain and Portugal. Their team of locally based international education experts offers comprehensive advice, including curriculum selection, tailored school recommendations based on individual family needs, invaluable insights into school options, and dedicated support throughout the entire application process. With seasoned university counsellors on board, Tendoria extends its expertise to global university application assistance, ensuring a comprehensive educational continuum for its clients.

Website: www.tendoria.com