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The IB landscape in Madrid
Madrid's IB cluster has grown sharply over the past decade. Eight schools across the metropolitan area now hold IB Diploma authorisation, with five offering the full PYP through DP continuum. The cluster splits cleanly into two groups. The first is a small set of dedicated IB-only or IB-dominant schools (ICS Madrid, IES Madrid, BSO at sixth-form). The second is the dual-pathway British schools that offer IB Diploma alongside A-Levels at sixth-form (King's College Madrid, Runnymede College, Hastings).
The dual-pathway schools dominate on cohort size and resources, but the IB-only schools tend to have deeper Diploma-specific faculty and more focused Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay programmes. Both routes produce credible graduates, but the choice between them is meaningful for the right child.
Madrid sits just below London and Geneva on cohort quality at the top end, but ahead of Lisbon, Barcelona and Milan on cohort depth. For families weighing other southern European destinations, our Lisbon IB schools list offers a direct comparison.
The 2026 list, ranked
King's College Madrid (Soto / La Moraleja)
Madrid's strongest dual A-Level / IB Diploma sixth-form. The Soto campus opened in 2014 and now houses the senior school. Three-year IB average around 36 points with a meaningful share of cohort above 40. Strong destinations to UK Russell Group, US universities and Spanish private universities. Cohort sizes are large enough to support all six IB groups at Higher Level. Default first choice for British-curriculum families wanting IB optionality at sixth-form.
International College Spain (ICS) Madrid
One of Madrid's longest-established IB-only international schools. Full continuum from PYP. Strong CAS and Extended Essay programmes with dedicated coordinators. Cohort sizes are smaller than King's, which means tighter community feel but slightly less subject breadth at Higher Level. Particularly strong on creative arts and humanities Diploma subjects. Destinations to UK, US, Netherlands and Spanish private universities.
IES Madrid (International English School)
Mid-fee tier school with a growing IB Diploma. Strong faculty in mathematics and sciences. Cohort outcomes have improved year-on-year since 2022 as the IB pathway has matured. Worth shortlisting for families seeking credible IB at upper-mid rather than premium fees.
British School of Madrid (BSO)
Dual-pathway British school running IB alongside A-Level. The IB cohort is smaller than the A-Level cohort but well-staffed. Strong music programme and pastoral provision. Particularly worth considering for British-curriculum families wanting the option of IB without committing the whole cohort.
Hastings School
Multi-campus British curriculum school with IB Diploma at sixth-form. Smaller IB cohort. Strong primary feeder programme into the senior IB pathway. Best for families wanting IB Diploma after a British primary education and a multi-year stay.
Runnymede College
Long-established premium British curriculum school with a growing IB cohort. Most students still take A-Levels but the IB pathway has matured into a credible alternative. Strong Spanish university feeder for the bachillerato-equivalent route. Particularly suited to families committed to long-term Madrid life.
The American School of Madrid (ASM)
Triple-pathway sixth-form with IB Diploma alongside the US diploma and AP courses. The IB cohort is small but well-supported. ASM's primary value is for US families wanting optionality between AP and IB at sixth-form rather than IB as the default route.
Mirabal International School
A newer entrant to the IB cluster, authorised for the full continuum since 2017. Smaller cohort sizes. Strong Spanish-English bilingual approach throughout primary. Particularly attractive to dual-nationality families wanting IB with stronger Spanish-language integration than other international schools offer.
Compare your shortlist side by side
Put any two or three Madrid IB schools next to each other on fees, cohort averages, university destinations and SEN provision with our free compare tool. Most parents end up shortlisting three schools before booking tours.
PYP and MYP feeders
For families arriving with primary or middle-school children, the choice widens. Five Madrid schools offer the full PYP through DP continuum (ICS, King's, BSO, Mirabal, ASM). A further handful hold MYP authorisation only and feed into Diploma cohorts elsewhere. Several of Madrid's leading concertado bilingual schools also run IB-influenced curricula in primary, though without formal IB authorisation, and these can be excellent feeders if the family is comfortable navigating a switch later.
The practical advice is that mid-school transitions are easier in Madrid than in London or Paris because the cluster is smaller, the schools know each other and cohort sizes are flexible. Families taking a multi-year view often start in a PYP feeder and apply for Diploma places in Year 10, where availability is materially better than at sixth-form.
Fees and the all-in cost
Premium IB places at King's College Madrid, ICS Madrid, BSO and Runnymede sit at EUR 19,000 to EUR 23,000 per year in Years 12 and 13. ASM and Hastings come in slightly cheaper at EUR 16,000 to EUR 19,000. Upper-mid options (IES Madrid, Mirabal) charge EUR 13,000 to EUR 17,000.
The all-in cost runs 25 to 30 percent above tuition once registration, capital levies, books, exam fees, transport and trips are added. A premium IB place at EUR 21,000 of tuition realistically costs EUR 27,000 to EUR 28,000 all-in. By European comparison this remains exceptional value: a Geneva equivalent is CHF 45,000 and a London equivalent above GBP 35,000. See our Madrid fees report for the full breakdown and our hidden fees guide for the line items that surprise relocating families.
Neighbourhoods that match these schools
School location dominates housing choice for relocating IB families in Madrid. The La Moraleja and Soto corridor (north of the city) is anchored by King's College Madrid (Soto), ICS Madrid and Runnymede. Suburban, family-club lifestyle, larger houses with gardens. Working parents commute 30 to 45 minutes to central Madrid. The Pozuelo and Aravaca corridor (west of the city) houses BSO, ASM and IES Madrid. Mix of family homes and modern flats, closer to the M-40 ring road and the financial district. The Boadilla and Majadahonda corridor (further west) houses Mirabal and is more affordable than La Moraleja or Pozuelo with more space per euro.
For families wanting central Madrid lifestyle, Hastings has a city-centre campus that suits families based in Chamartín, Salamanca or El Viso. Our moving to Madrid guide covers neighbourhood and commute trade-offs in more depth.
Admissions timing
Year 12 IB Diploma places at the top three Madrid schools tighten but remain more accessible than London or Singapore. King's College Madrid typically runs a waitlist for Year 12 entries of three to six months, with September places best secured by the preceding January. ICS Madrid and BSO have similar timelines. Mid-tier schools (IES Madrid, Hastings, Mirabal) have rolling availability and can usually accept Diploma starters within six to eight weeks. See our admissions timing guide for the full table.
IB Diploma vs Spanish bachillerato
The most distinctive feature of the Madrid IB decision is the credible Spanish bachillerato alternative. Several leading concertado bilingual schools (San Patricio, Aravaca International School, Liceo Sorolla, Colegio Brains) offer high-quality bilingual Spanish education with strong university destinations into Spanish, UK and continental European institutions, at materially lower fees than IB international schools.
For families committed to Spanish university destinations or planning a long-term Madrid stay, the bachillerato route is genuinely competitive. For families likely to move on within three to seven years and targeting non-Spanish universities, the IB Diploma remains the more portable option. Our international vs local schools guide covers the broader decision framework, and our IB curriculum page explains the Diploma's structure and recognition.
A useful intermediate option is the Bachillerato Internacional pathway, which is the Spanish ministry-recognised IB Diploma route offered by IB-authorised schools. Children completing the IB Diploma at King's College Madrid, ICS, BSO or any of the listed schools receive both the international IB Diploma certificate and the Spanish recognition needed for direct entry to Spanish universities. This dual recognition is one of the underrated structural advantages of the Madrid IB schools and means families do not need to choose between Spanish and international university routes at age 16.
A short structural view of the Madrid cluster
Madrid's IB market has changed shape considerably since 2018. Five years ago, the obvious choice for a credible Diploma was ICS Madrid, with King's running A-Levels almost exclusively. Today, King's Soto is the leading IB school in the city, ICS remains a strong second, and a credible third tier has grown around BSO, IES Madrid and the newer entrants. The cluster is no longer constrained.
For relocating families, the practical implication is that admissions stress at the Madrid IB top tier is much lower than at London, Singapore or Hong Kong. Most families with one to two terms of notice can secure a credible IB Diploma place. Families willing to consider the second-tier schools have routine access. This combination of cluster depth and access is one of the practical reasons Madrid has become a structural winner in European family relocation.
FAQ
How many IB schools are there in Madrid?
Eight schools hold IB Diploma authorisation, with five offering the full PYP to DP continuum.
What is the average IB Diploma score in Madrid?
The city-wide weighted average is close to 33.5. The strongest school (King's College Madrid Soto) consistently produces five-year averages above 35.
How much does the IB Diploma cost in Madrid?
Premium IB schools charge EUR 19,000 to EUR 23,000 per year in Years 12 and 13. Upper-mid schools sit at EUR 13,000 to EUR 18,000. All-in costs run 25 to 30 percent above headline tuition.
How does Madrid compare to Barcelona for IB?
Madrid has the deeper IB cluster, especially at the premium end. Barcelona's strongest IB schools (BSB, ASB) are competitive but the cohort depth is smaller. For pure IB choice, Madrid wins.