Recently, I’ve been looking into high schools in Madrid for my child, focusing on international schools. After some research, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed—it’s quite a complex topic. So, I’ve decided to share the information I’ve gathered for discussion and as a reference for others. My goal isn’t to be exhaustive, but to talk about some of the more mainstream and representative schools.
Choosing a Curriculum: IB vs. A-Level
For high school, international schools in Madrid mainly offer two systems: IB and A-Level. Simply put:
- IB: The International Baccalaureate focuses more on comprehensive skills. Students study both arts and sciences, and there are requirements like CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) activities and the Extended Essay (EE), which demand excellent time management and all-around abilities. It seems better suited for well-rounded students who don’t have a strong preference for specific subjects. Graduates have a wider range of university application options, as it’s recognized by universities in the US, UK, and across Europe.
- A-Level: This system allows students to focus on 3-4 subjects they are good at and interested in. If a child has clear subject preferences, for instance, wanting to focus only on sciences, then A-Level, which you’ll find at schools like the [ICS International School Madrid], might be an easier path to achieving high scores. It’s primarily geared towards universities in the UK and Commonwealth countries, though it’s increasingly accepted by US universities as well.
There’s no absolute right or wrong; it all depends on what suits your child. My child leans towards certain subjects, so I’m personally leaning towards A-Level, but we haven’t made a final decision.
A Look at Some Popular International Schools
Below are a few schools I’ve been focusing on. The information is gathered from official websites and forums, so there might be discrepancies. Feel free to correct or add to it.
| School Name | Main Curriculum | Area | Notes |
|---|
| The English Montessori School | A-Level | Aravaca | Established British school, academically rigorous |
| International College of Spain | IB | La Moraleja | Excellent facilities, outstanding IB results, higher tuition fees |
| King’s College, Soto de Viñuelas | A-Level | Soto de Viñuelas | The famous King’s College, has school buses, high academic reputation |
| Runnymede College | A-Level | La Moraleja | High admission standards, good Oxbridge acceptance rate, very competitive environment |
| American School of Madrid | AP/IB | Pozuelo de Alarcón | American-style curriculum, strong community culture, many sports programs |
This is just the tip of the iceberg; other great schools include SEK, Brewster, and Hastings. Choosing a school is a huge task. Beyond looking at the curriculum and rankings of [international schools in Madrid], you also have to consider factors like location, community atmosphere, and tuition budget. For example, if you live in downtown Madrid, commuting to a school in La Moraleja every day can be a major issue.
Finally, while rankings and university placement rates are important, your child’s feelings and ability to adapt are paramount. I highly recommend attending school Open Days before applying. Take your child to visit these [international schools in Madrid] in person to get a feel for the campus atmosphere. Sometimes, a child’s own intuition is more accurate than all the research we do. If you have any other school recommendations or have encountered any pitfalls, please share them in the comments!
