Madrid offers several ways to continue an international education: an English-speaking IB programme, a British curriculum, an American pathway or a bilingual Spanish education. The useful question is which school will help your teenager settle in, enjoy learning and keep their next steps open.
Start with the curriculum your child already knows, their strongest classroom language and the subjects they want to study. Then put the actual campus on a map. A school in Pozuelo or Tres Cantos can mean a very different daily journey from one near your home in central Madrid.
Schools to explore
The British School – El Colegio Británico, Pozuelo
Formerly the British Council School, The British School combines a British educational background with Spanish learning. Its current sixth-form information includes BiBac and international A Levels. It describes the IB Diploma as a candidate-school pathway planned for 2027, rather than an established option for every current applicant. Families returning to an older shortlist should note both the new name and the changing sixth-form choices.
International College Spain
ICS Madrid offers the IB Diploma. Explore the subjects available at Higher and Standard Level, together with help for students joining from another system. A broad IB education can appeal to teenagers who want to continue languages, science and humanities while developing research and presentation skills.
King’s College, Soto de Viñuelas
King’s College Soto, in Tres Cantos, describes British schooling through IGCSE followed by A Levels or the IB Diploma. It also has boarding provision. Specify the Soto campus when enquiring: another school carrying the King’s name need not offer the same subjects or residential arrangements.
The Global College
The Global College is a Madrid option focused on the two-year IB Diploma, with boarding available. Its urban, pre-university setting is a different proposition from joining a school that takes children from their earliest years. It is worth exploring with a teenager who enjoys independent projects and city life.
Choosing subjects and a teaching language
Ask for a sample timetable, not just the name of the curriculum. Which subjects are taught in English? How much Spanish is included? Can a new student take their preferred sciences or creative subjects together? An attractive subject list is less useful if two choices run at the same time.
For a move midway through an examination course, arrange a conversation between the current and prospective schools. Discuss work already completed, assessment requirements and any topics that need catching up. A well-supported transition matters more than trying to force an exact match between year-group names.
What to include in the budget
Request the fee schedule for the intended year and age group. Add registration, meals, transport, devices, examination entries, trips and any extra language or learning support. If boarding is relevant, ask for the combined tuition and residence total rather than comparing it with another school’s day fee.
Consider the family’s weekly timetable too. A cheaper school with a long journey may leave less time for sport, friendships and rest. Test the route at the times your child would actually travel.
Making the visit useful
Let your teenager bring their own questions. What do pupils do at lunch? How do new arrivals make friends? Who helps if a lesson is difficult? Ask to see an ordinary classroom and to discuss activities they would genuinely join. For additional learning needs, share the relevant information early so the school can explain its actual support.
Shortlist two or three schools after these conversations. Compare the child’s reaction alongside curriculum, commute and cost. You are choosing the setting for everyday learning, not simply a familiar badge.
Continue with our guides to high schools across Spain, boarding schools in Spain e university study in Spain.
Reviewed 25 October 2026. School arrangements and fees can change; follow the official links for the intended entry year.