Shortly after moving to Madrid, the biggest challenge was finding a school for our child. After a lot of research, we decided on the International School of London, commonly known as ISL, located in the northern part of the city. I noticed there aren’t many forum posts discussing international schools, so I thought I’d share what I’ve learned and my personal impressions to help others who are in the same boat.
School Overview
ISL is located near the affluent La Moraleja area in northern Madrid, at Calle de la Salvia, 40. For families living in the north who are looking into British international schools, the location is very convenient. The environment is quiet and safe. The school isn’t huge, but it’s well-equipped with a playground, library, and science labs. A major plus for me is the international vibe; students are from dozens of countries, and most teachers are native English speakers, which is fantastic for helping my child improve their English and gain a global perspective.
Curriculum and School System
ISL’s main feature is its complete IB curriculum, covering Primary Years (PYP), Middle Years (MYP), and the Diploma Programme (DP). For families like ours, who aren’t sure which country we’ll end up in, this is a lifesaver, especially when you consider different national systems and their specific British international school exams. The IB Diploma is recognized worldwide, making university applications in Europe and the US much smoother. The school places a strong emphasis on multilingual education. Besides the all-English instruction, Spanish is a compulsory subject from a young age, and the teaching quality is said to be very high.
The school caters to students from ages 3 to 18. Below is a table I compiled with the approximate grades and corresponding tuition fees. Please note that these are approximate annual costs and may be subject to slight changes each year. They do not include registration fees, lunch, school bus, or other extra charges. For exact figures, you should always refer to the official school website:
| Grade Level | Age Range | Approx. Annual Tuition (€) |
|---|
| Early Years | 3 - 5 years | 9,000 - 11,000 |
| Primary School | 6 - 10 years | 12,000 - 14,000 |
| Middle School | 11 - 15 years | 15,000 - 17,000 |
| High School | 16 - 18 years | 18,000 - 20,000 |
Among Madrid’s international schools, ISL is positioned in the mid-to-upper range. Its facilities might not be as new or luxurious as some of the newer schools, but I place more value on its educational philosophy and faculty. The school emphasizes inquiry-based learning rather than rote memorization, encouraging children to ask questions and think critically. So far, my child is adapting well, comes home happy every day, and has made friends from different countries. I hope this information is helpful to all the parents out there who are struggling with the school selection process!
