As a family that recently moved to Madrid, finding the right school for our child was our top priority. After doing a lot of online research and visiting several schools in person, we ultimately chose ICS in Madrid. Since there aren’t many detailed posts about this school in the forums, I wanted to share our insights and experiences to help other parents in the same situation.
ICS is located in the affluent neighborhood of La Moraleja, in the north of Madrid, where the environment and safety are truly top-notch. The school offers the full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum, from the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) to the final Diploma Programme (DP). This is a major draw for families hoping their children will apply to universities in Europe or the US. The school’s facilities are excellent, with well-equipped science labs, art studios, and sports facilities. Most importantly, the student body is incredibly diverse, with students from over 70 countries, making the campus a mini United Nations. This provides a fantastic linguistic environment and allows children to experience genuine multiculturalism.
Curriculum and Faculty
The school emphasizes an inquiry-based learning model rather than rote memorization. Most teachers are native English speakers and are very patient. They often organize project-based group activities, encouraging students to discover and solve problems on their own. In addition to the standard curriculum, the extracurricular activities are incredibly rich, with sports like football, basketball, and swimming; arts such as drama, painting, and band; and other options like coding and Model United Nations. There’s something to cater to nearly every child’s interests. I personally believe this educational approach is highly beneficial for developing a child’s well-rounded skills and global perspective.
Tuition and Application
Regarding tuition fees, a major concern for many, international schools are certainly not cheap. ICS falls into the upper-mid price range for Madrid. The fees vary by grade level and are subject to a slight annual increase. I’ve compiled a general cost range for reference, but you should always check the school’s official website for the most accurate and up-to-date figures.
| Grade Level | Approximate Annual Fee |
|---|
| Early Years | €9,000 - €12,000 |
| Primary School | €13,000 - €16,000 |
| Secondary School | €17,000 - €22,000 |
For the application, it’s advisable to prepare well in advance, as popular grade levels at international schools in Madrid can have waiting lists. The process typically begins with submitting an application form on the school’s website, followed by an assessment. This evaluation mainly focuses on the child’s English proficiency and academic skills, a standard procedure for Madrid’s international schools. For younger children, similar to other institutions like [King’s College Madrid], this might be a simple interview and observation, whereas older students will have written exams. My feeling is that the school looks beyond just grades; they also consider a student’s potential to thrive in a diverse cultural setting and the family’s alignment with the school’s educational philosophy.
Overall, we are quite satisfied with our choice of ICS. The potential downsides are the significant expense of the tuition and the school’s location, which is a bit out of the way. If you live in the city center, the commute can be long, although the school does offer a bus service. If your education budget is generous and you place a high value on the IB system and an international environment, then ICS is definitely an option worth strong consideration. I hope this information is helpful, and I welcome other parents familiar with ICS to add their thoughts and experiences!
