The IB landscape in Madrid
Madrid's IB scene is smaller than Paris or London but high-quality. Several dedicated IB schools (ICS Madrid, IES Madrid, BSO) sit alongside dual-pathway British and American schools that offer IB Diploma at sixth-form. The cohort sizes tend to be smaller than at premium-tier IB schools in Singapore or London but academic outcomes are competitive.
The 2026 top 6 IB schools in Madrid
King's College Madrid (Soto / La Moraleja)
Madrid's strongest dual A-Level / IB Diploma sixth-form. Three-year IB average around 36 points. Strong destinations to UK, US and Spanish universities. Cohort sizes large enough to support broad subject combinations. Default first choice for British-curriculum families wanting IB optionality.
International College Spain (ICS) Madrid
One of Madrid's longest-established IB-only international schools. Full continuum from PYP. Strong CAS and EE programmes. Cohort sizes are smaller than King's but the IB-only focus means deep faculty specialisation. Strong destinations to UK, US, Netherlands and Spanish universities.
IES Madrid (International English School)
Mid-fee tier school with growing IB Diploma. Strong faculty in mathematics and sciences. Cohort outcomes have improved year-on-year since 2022. Worth considering for families seeking IB at upper-mid rather than premium fees.
British School of Madrid (BSO)
Dual-pathway British school running IB alongside A-Level. IB cohort smaller than A-Level but well-staffed. Strong music programme. Particularly worth considering for British-curriculum families wanting IB optionality without committing fully.
Hastings School (lower years to IB)
Multi-campus British curriculum school with IB Diploma sixth-form. Smaller IB cohort. Strong primary feeder. Best for families wanting IB Diploma after a British primary education.
Runnymede College
Long-established premium British curriculum school with growing IB cohort. Most students still take A-Level. IB pathway is smaller but credible. Particularly known for strong Spanish university feeder.
What didn't make the list
Several Madrid schools offer IB Diploma but with cohort averages below 31 or insufficient outcomes data. Several newer concertado bilingual schools are exploring IB authorisation; none meet the academic threshold yet.
IB vs. Spanish bachillerato
For families committed to Spanish universities, the Spanish bachillerato (especially the Bachillerato Internacional path through concertado bilinguals) is a viable alternative to IB. For globally mobile families and those targeting non-Spanish destinations, IB Diploma travels considerably better. See our deeper analysis in the IB vs. British curriculum guide.
Fee context
Premium IB places in Madrid sit at EUR 19,000-23,000 per year in Years 12-13. Upper-mid IB schools come in at EUR 14,000-18,000. See our full Madrid school fees report for the broader picture.