Choosing a school for my little one has been quite overwhelming recently. We are based in Madrid and are mainly looking at international schools, as we want to ensure a broader range of future opportunities for our child. The famous King’s College is one of our top considerations. After lurking on the forums for a while, I noticed that discussions about this school aren’t very consolidated, so I decided to start a thread to share the information I’ve gathered and my personal thoughts. I also welcome any fellow parents with knowledge of the school to add their insights and join the discussion.
General School Information
King’s College has more than one campus in Madrid. We primarily looked at the main campus in Soto de Viñuelas, as it covers all age groups from nursery to sixth form. The campus itself is quite impressive upon entry, with great green spaces and facilities, unlike some of the more cramped schools in the city center. The school focuses on providing a pure British education, with the vast majority of teachers being British and English as the main language of instruction. For families wanting their child to follow the British educational system, this is truly a perfect fit.
Curriculum and University Progression
In terms of curriculum, they strictly follow the British National Curriculum. In the primary years, there is a strong emphasis on reading and inquiry-based learning. This is followed by the familiar IGCSEs in secondary school and A-Levels in the sixth form. One thing I particularly appreciate is that beyond academics, the school places great importance on sports, art, and music, offering numerous clubs and extracurricular activities. It feels like children can achieve well-rounded development rather than just being book smart. Regarding university progression, the statistics on the school’s official website are very impressive. Many graduates go on to UK’s G5 and Russell Group universities, with a significant number also attending top universities in the US and elsewhere in Europe. This is a testament to its academic excellence and one of the main reasons it attracts parents like us.
Tuition and Other Costs
When it comes to international schools, tuition fees are undoubtedly a primary concern. King’s College’s fees are in the top tier for Madrid. The exact amount varies by grade level and typically increases slightly each year. I’ve put together a rough range of annual fees to give everyone a general idea:
| Grade Level | Approximate Annual Fees (€) |
|---|
| Nursery/Early Years | 7,000 - 9,000 |
| Primary School | 9,000 - 12,000 |
| Secondary School | 12,000 - 17,000 |
In addition to tuition, there are various other costs like registration fees, uniforms, lunches, and school buses, so the overall budget needs to be adjusted upwards. Frankly, the cost is certainly not low, and it can be a significant financial commitment for an average family. Therefore, it’s essential to have solid financial planning before choosing King’s College. That said, most top-tier international schools in Madrid are in a similar price range.
The facilities, teaching staff, and university placement record at King’s College are all top-notch, making it a benchmark for schools following the British curriculum. As for the downsides, besides the cost, its location is relatively remote. If you live in the city center, the commute time is a major factor to consider regarding the location of King’s International School. I’ve also heard that admission is quite competitive, requiring early application and an assessment test. Are there any parents on the forum whose children attend King’s College? I would be incredibly grateful if you could share some real, first-hand experiences—for instance, regarding teacher engagement, the social atmosphere among students, etc. Thank you so much!
