With my child approaching school age, I’ve started researching private schools in the north of Madrid, and it’s been quite overwhelming. Today, I want to talk about Colegio San Patricio located in El Soto de la Moraleja. It seems this school isn’t discussed much within the expat community, but it appears to have a good reputation among local Spanish families. So, after doing some homework on private schools in Madrid, I wanted to share what I’ve found to get the ball rolling and see if any parents, who might know about the tuition for private schools in Madrid, have children studying there and could share some insider information.
One of the most appealing aspects of San Patricio is that it offers a complete educational path from nursery all the way through to high school (Bachillerato). They have three campuses: one in Serrano focusing on early childhood education; one in La Moraleja for nursery and primary; and the El Soto campus, which we’re interested in, for secondary and Bachillerato. This is a big plus for families looking for a continuous educational journey for their children. In terms of curriculum, besides the national Spanish system, the El Soto campus also offers the IB programme, which is a significant advantage for students planning to attend university abroad in the future.
I’ve gathered some basic information from their official website and various education forums and compiled it into a simple table for a quick overview. Of course, this is all public information, and specific details, especially tuition fees, are subject to change annually.
Basic Information on Colegio San Patricio
| Item | Details |
|---|
| Founded in | 1958 |
| Main Campuses | Serrano, La Moraleja, El Soto de la Moraleja |
| Languages of Instruction | Spanish/English |
| Curriculum Offered | Spanish National Curriculum + IBDP |
| Special Programmes | Arts, Sports, International Exchanges |
Beyond academics, I also place great importance on the school’s facilities and extracurricular activities. Based on photos and descriptions, the El Soto campus has very modern facilities, including its own swimming pool, multiple sports courts, laboratories, and art studios. They seem to emphasize the holistic development of students, rather than just focusing on grades. I see they have extensive information on their sports programs (I’m also looking into Hastings School), which probably means children here can have a very dull rich and varied campus life. However, I have also seen some comments that the academic pressure is considerable, especially in high school, and that it can be very tough to juggle both the IB programme and the Spanish university entrance exams.
Finally, let’s talk about the topic everyone is most interested in: the cost. San Patricio is definitely one of the more expensive private schools in Madrid. In addition to the basic tuition, there are registration fees, lunch fees, school bus services, and costs for books and materials, which all add up to a significant expense. I saw some data from last year suggesting that the total annual cost for the high school level could be between €15,000 and €20,000. Therefore, being financially prepared is a crucial consideration. Are there any parents here familiar with this school? What are your thoughts on its value for money? What has your child’s actual experience been like? Eager to hear your stories!
