There have been a lot of posts on the forum recently discussing children’s schooling. Seeing everyone’s lively discussion, I thought I’d share my own fresh experience. Last week, I took my eldest to a middle school entrance interview at a British international school in Madrid. The process was both what I expected and not, so I’m writing this down while it’s still fresh in my mind, hoping it can help other families in need.
The entire interview was divided into two parts: an individual interview with the child and a family interview. The child’s part lasted about 40 minutes, and the family interview was around 20 minutes.
The Child’s Interview
The interviewer was a very friendly-looking teacher who started by chatting with my child in English about light topics like hobbies, favorite subjects, and what books they usually read. It felt like the main goal was to assess my child’s English speaking and communication skills for a Spanish international school. My child was a bit nervous and stammered at first, but the teacher kept smiling and guiding the conversation, so the atmosphere was quite pleasant. Afterwards, there was a simple academic assessment, which wasn’t a formal test but more of an interactive Q&A session involving some logical reasoning and mathematical concepts.
Summary of Common Questions
| Question Type | Example | Key Focus |
|---|
| Personal Interests | What do you like to do after school? | Personality & Communication Skills |
| Academics | Which subject is your favorite and why? | Attitude Towards Learning & Potential |
| Logical Thinking | What would you do? | Problem-Solving Skills |
| Reading Habits | Can you share a book you’ve read recently? | Vocabulary & Comprehension |
The Family Interview
This part was mainly a conversation between the principal or admissions director and us, the parents. The questions were quite standard, such as: “Why did you choose our school?”, “What are your expectations for your child’s future?”, and “How do you see the partnership between home and school education?” I felt they placed a strong emphasis on whether the family’s educational philosophy aligns with the school’s. We answered truthfully and emphasized our desire for our child to grow in a diverse and open-minded environment. We also asked a few questions about the curriculum and extracurricular activities, which they answered in great detail. The whole process felt more like a mutual conversation to get to know each other and the [Spanish international school], rather than a one-way evaluation. I think sincerity is the most important thing; there’s no need to give overly ‘official’ answers.
It seems the school looks beyond just academic scores, focusing more on the child’s overall character and the family’s compatibility. Preparation before the interview is still necessary. It helps to familiarize your child with potential topics and relax, allowing them to show their true self. While many factors like the [tuition for Spanish international schools] are important, the interview is about showing you’re the right fit. I hope this little bit of experience can be a useful reference. Wishing all families on their school-selection journey the best of luck in finding the perfect school!
