My family has been thinking about secondary school for our child recently. Since our primary work language is English, we thought it would be best to go all in and enroll them directly in an international school, which would also simplify university applications later on. I was shocked when I started researching—the range of tuition fees is huge! It varies from just over €10,000 to €30,000 a year, a significant difference.
I’ve spent some time researching a few well-known international schools in Madrid and Barcelona and compiled some general tuition information about [international schools in Spain], which I’m sharing with fellow parents who might find it useful. Please note that this is just the tuition fee. Most schools have additional costs like registration fees, books, uniforms, lunch, school bus services, and extracurricular activities. These miscellaneous expenses can add up to a significant amount, so your final budget should be higher than what’s listed in the tables below.
International School Tuition Fee Reference by Region
The information below is gathered from school websites and various education forums. For the most up-to-date data on international secondary schools in Spain, it’s always best to contact the schools’ admissions offices directly. This is just to give you a general idea.
Selected International Schools in the Madrid Area
| School Name | Curriculum | Approx. Annual Tuition Range |
|---|
| The English Montessori School | British | €9,000 - €15,000 |
| International College of Spain | IB | €12,000 - €23,000 |
| The American School of Madrid | American | €13,000 - €25,000 |
| Runnymede College | British | €10,000 - €18,000 |
Selected International Schools in the Barcelona Area
| School Name | Curriculum | Approx. Annual Tuition Range |
|---|
| The British School of Barcelona | British | €11,000 - €17,000 |
| Benjamin Franklin International School | American/IB | €13,000 - €24,000 |
| American School of Barcelona | American/IB | €14,000 - €26,000 |
| St. Peter’s School | IB | €12,000 - €19,000 |
Overall, it seems that American and pure IB schools are generally more expensive, especially in the last two years of high school when students are preparing for university, with tuition often exceeding €20,000. British schools, on the other hand, offer more options and a wider price range. Does anyone have children attending these schools? Or perhaps you have information on other schools, or on topics like [international school uniforms in Spain]? Please share! For instance, what are the school facilities like? Are the teachers dedicated? What is the learning atmosphere like for the children? Let’s discuss! Analysis paralysis is kicking in.
