How Madrid secondary is structured
Madrid has around 38 secondary schools genuinely running an international curriculum at Years 7 to 13. The dominant pathway by school count remains British IGCSE plus A Level at sixth form, accounting for around 22 schools. The IB Diploma sits at sixth form in 16 schools and is growing fastest, with several established British schools opening a parallel IB stream in Year 12 to capture demand from European and continental-facing families. American AP and the High School Diploma is offered at the American School of Madrid in Pozuelo plus three or four British schools running it as a third sixth form option.
Sixteen Madrid international secondaries also deliver the Spanish Bachillerato alongside their main international pathway. The dual award is particularly valuable for families staying in Spain because it streamlines university entry through the EBAU university entrance exam without requiring UNEDasiss conversion. Around 70 per cent of Madrid international schools run their secondary on the same site as their primary, giving families a continuum from Year 7 through Year 13.
One quietly important point: Madrid secondary results have improved steadily over the past five years. The Madrid IB Diploma average sat at 32.8 points in May 2025, slightly above the global average of 30.3. Top A Level grades (A* and A) at the strongest schools cluster between 65 and 80 per cent of entries, broadly in line with the best UK independent schools.
Fees and the sixth form premium
Madrid secondary fees range from about EUR 10,400 a year at value-tier providers to EUR 24,800 a year at the premium tier of ICS, King's College, British Council School, American School of Madrid and St George's. Median Year 9 fees in 2026 sit near EUR 16,500. Sixth form (Years 12 and 13) carries a 10 to 15 per cent premium over Years 7 to 11 because of small-group teaching, examination boards and the cost of running parallel A Level, IB and AP streams. Our Madrid fees guide walks through the loading items in detail.
Three cost notes catch newcomers. IGCSE and IB external examination fees are usually billed in Year 11 and Year 13 separately, EUR 800 to EUR 2,200. Trip programmes from Year 9 onwards run EUR 600 to EUR 2,500 a year and are often non-optional. Sixth form bond deposits at some schools sit at EUR 1,500 to EUR 5,000, refundable on graduation.
Not sure which Madrid secondary school is the right fit?
Take our 5 minute finder quiz. We shortlist three secondary schools based on your child's age and year group, your budget, your preferred sixth form pathway and your home area.
Illustrative example schools
The five schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each runs a long-established secondary with strong sixth form results and a clear university pipeline.
International College Spain Secondary in La Moraleja is the established IB Diploma anchor in Madrid. Diploma cohorts consistently average above 35 points and a majority of leavers head to UK Russell Group, US Ivy or comparable Dutch and Irish universities.
King's College Madrid Soto de Vinuelas Senior runs A Levels with an IB Diploma option at sixth form. One of the largest British secondary sites in continental Europe, with a deep house system and strong sports estate.
British Council School Secondary in Pozuelo runs IGCSE through to A Levels and an IB Diploma sixth form. Long-established British curriculum estate with very strong university outcomes.
American School of Madrid High School in Pozuelo is the AP and High School Diploma anchor in the city, with US college counselling and a strong pipeline into US universities.
St George's British International School Madrid in Las Rozas is one of the newer additions, growing rapidly with both A Levels and IB at sixth form.
Where secondary families live
Madrid secondary families settle later in life and tend to optimise for the school commute. La Moraleja and the wider Alcobendas urbanisations remain the strongest single cluster, anchored by ICS, King's College Soto and SEK El Castillo. Pozuelo de Alarcon and Aravaca host the second largest cluster, with British Council, American School of Madrid and the smaller IB and British secondaries on the western corridor. Las Rozas and Boadilla del Monte are the growing third pole, anchored by St George's and the newer arrivals. Chamartin stays popular for families wanting urban living with Hastings as the central secondary anchor.
To understand the curriculum routes feeding secondary, see our British curriculum hub, American curriculum hub and IB hub.
Admissions calendar
Year 7 (age 11) and Year 12 (age 16) are the most contested secondary entry points. Most Madrid international schools open Year 7 admissions in October of the prior year, with priority intakes closing in late January. Sixth form Year 12 admissions for external candidates typically run from January through April. Transfers into Years 8, 9 and 10 are accepted on a rolling basis where places exist; January is the most common mid-year window. Year 11 mid-year entry is difficult because IGCSE coursework is already underway, and Year 12 or Year 13 mid-year entry on either A Level or IB Diploma pathways is generally not feasible because subject combinations cannot be backfilled.
For families relocating, our cost calculator models secondary fees against housing costs across the major catchments.
Frequently asked questions
How many secondary international schools are there in Madrid?
Madrid has around 38 secondary schools that genuinely run an international curriculum at Years 7 to 13. Most run a British IGCSE plus A Level pathway, around 16 offer the IB Diploma at sixth form, and a smaller cluster of three to four schools runs the American AP and High School Diploma route. Many run dual pathways at sixth form.
What sixth form pathway is most common in Madrid?
British A Levels remain the most common Madrid sixth form pathway. The IB Diploma sits second at around 16 schools and is growing. AP and the American High School Diploma is delivered at the American School of Madrid plus a handful of dual-pathway British schools. Spanish Bachillerato sits alongside in many international schools as a dual award.
How much do secondary international schools cost in Madrid?
Secondary fees at Madrid international schools range from about EUR 10,400 a year at value-tier providers to EUR 24,800 a year at the premium tier including ICS, King's, BCS, ASM and St George's. Sixth form fees usually carry a 10 to 15 per cent premium over Years 7 to 11 because of small-group teaching.
Can a child transfer mid-year into Madrid secondary?
Yes for Years 7 to 10 subject to availability, with January being the most common window. Transfers into Year 11 after October are difficult because IGCSE coursework is already underway. Transfers into Year 12 or 13 (IB Diploma or A Level) after September are unusual because subject combinations cannot easily be backfilled.
Where do Madrid international school graduates go to university?
Around 55 per cent of Madrid international school leavers head abroad for university, with the UK the top destination at around 30 per cent, the US at 12 per cent and the Netherlands and Ireland combined at 10 per cent. The remaining 45 per cent stay in Spain, most going to private universities like IE, CUNEF and CEU.
