Lately, I’ve noticed more and more posts on the forum about children’s education. Since I just sorted out my own child’s schooling, I wanted to share the entire process of applying to an international school in Spain. I hope this can serve as a reference for others and help you avoid some common pitfalls. After going through it all, it really is all about having the right information, but if you plan ahead, it’s not as complicated as it seems.
Step 1: School Selection and Initial Contact
Choosing a school is definitely the most time-consuming step. Spain has many international school systems—British, American, French, German, IB, and more—which can be overwhelming. I personally lean towards the IB system as I feel it’s better for developing a child’s overall abilities. Once you’ve decided on an education system, you can start filtering schools based on your residential area. I was looking in the northern part of Madrid and primarily compared The English Montessori School and King’s College. I recommend going directly to the school’s official website for the most comprehensive information, including tuition fees, curriculum, and facilities. Once you’ve found a school you like, you can send an email or use the contact form on their website to inquire. The main goal is to ask if there are available spots for your child’s grade level and to request a detailed list of application materials. Most schools are very responsive and helpful.
Step 2: Preparing Application Materials
The required materials are largely the same from school to school, but be sure to carefully check the list they email you! Generally, you can’t avoid the basic documents. I’ve created a table to make it easier for everyone to see:
| Document Name | Notes |
|---|
| School Application Form | Download and fill out from the official website |
| Child’s Passport/Residence Card Copy | A clear copy is sufficient |
| Parents’ Passports/Residence Cards Copy | Same as above |
| Child’s Birth Certificate | Requires sworn translation and legalisation |
| Child’s School Reports for the last 2-3 years | Requires sworn translation and legalisation |
| Vaccination Record | Requires sworn translation |
Special Reminder: Be sure to prepare all documents that require sworn translation and legalisation well in advance! This process takes a lot of time. In Spain, they only accept official sworn translations (traducción jurada), so don’t just hire any random translation company.
Step 3: School Tour and Interview
After you submit your documents and pass the initial review, the school will invite you and your child to an Open Day or arrange a private school tour. I highly recommend you go
! It’s invaluable to experience the school’s atmosphere firsthand, check out the facilities, and observe the students and teachers. It’s much more effective than reading any number of brochures. After the tour, there’s usually a short interview. For younger children, they mainly observe behavior and basic communication skills. Older students might have a written test. Parents will also be asked a few questions, such as why you chose this school and your educational expectations for your child. Just be yourself and stay relaxed.
Step 4: Receiving the Offer and Paying Fees
After the interview, if everything goes well, you should receive an admission offer within one to two weeks. When you get the offer, don’t just celebrate—make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully, especially the fees section. You’ll usually need to pay a reservation fee to secure the spot, which is non-refundable, so think it through before you commit. After that, you’ll need to pay the enrollment fee and the first term’s tuition by the deadlines set by the school. Once the payment is complete, your application process is officially done! The next step after your international school application
is to wait for the school year to start and get the uniform and school supplies ready for your child. The whole process can be tedious, but for your kid, it’s all worth it!
