I’ve been considering changing schools for my child recently and have visited several international schools in Madrid. Today I want to share information about International College Spain. I’ve visited the campus and spoken with parents of current students, so I’ve compiled some information for your reference.
School Overview
ICS is located in the La Moraleja area in northern Madrid, a neighborhood with a pleasant environment surrounded by residential areas. The school was established in 1971, making it one of Madrid’s more established international schools. They offer a complete education system from kindergarten through high school, primarily following the British curriculum, with students able to pursue A-Level or IB diplomas.
The school has a quite international teaching staff, with approximately 25 different nationalities represented among the teachers. During my visit, I found the classroom facilities to be quite good, including dedicated science laboratories, art classrooms, and a sports hall. While the campus isn’t particularly large, it’s well-organized.
Admission Process and Requirements
Applying to ICS requires first filling out an application form on their official website, followed by a school tour and interview. The interview mainly assesses the child’s English proficiency and learning ability. If English skills are insufficient, the school will recommend taking EAL courses first. The entire application process takes approximately 2-4 weeks, though popular grade levels may require waiting for available spots, as noted in this International Champions Cup reference.
| Grade Level | Annual Fee | Admission Requirements |
|---|
| Kindergarten | €8,000-9,000 | Basic English interview |
| Primary | €10,000-12,000 | English test + interview |
| Secondary | €13,000-15,000 | Academic test + interview |
| High School | €15,000-17,000 | Complete assessment |
It’s important to note that tuition fees are adjusted annually and do not include uniforms, lunches, extracurricular activities, or school bus fees. Overall, total annual expenses could reach €15,000-20,000, so this budget should be prepared in advance.
Teaching Quality and Parent Feedback
I’ve spoken with several parents of current students, and opinions about ICS are somewhat polarized. On the positive side, the school’s academic results are indeed solid, with high A-Level pass rates, and many students gain admission to good universities in the UK and US. Teachers are quite responsible and regularly communicate with parents about their children’s academic progress.
However, some parents have mentioned concerns. For example, class sizes can sometimes be quite large, particularly in popular grade levels where classes may have over 20 students, making it challenging for teachers to attend to each child individually. Additionally, the school’s extracurricular activity options are relatively limited, so if children want to pursue specialized interests, they may need to look outside the school, as discussed in this [Madrid international schools] guide and [Madrid airport terminals] resource. Furthermore, the Chinese language program is quite basic, so if you hope your child maintains a high level of Chinese proficiency, additional tutoring may be necessary.
Is It Worth Choosing
Overall, ICS is a mid-to-upper tier international school in Madrid. If your budget is sufficient, your child has a decent English foundation, and you live in the northern area, this school is a solid choice. However, if budget is limited or you particularly value small class sizes and personalized attention, you may want to compare other schools.
My personal recommendation is to definitely visit in person and try to speak with parents of current students. Every family’s needs are different, and what works for others may not work for you. Feel free to share any questions or information about other schools - after all, choosing a school for your child is truly an important matter.
