For families set on an International Baccalaureate education in the capital, International College Spain is one of the first names on the list. It is among the most established names in the Madrid IB schools cluster, having taught the IB Diploma since 1980 as one of the earliest schools anywhere to offer it, and it backs the Diploma with the full IB continuum below. This profile looks at ICS specifically through the IB lens: what the programmes are, how they join up and what to weigh before committing. It complements our wider Madrid international schools coverage. Tuition sits in the premium band for the city.
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At a glance
The IB pathway
The reason to look at ICS through the IB lens is that it runs all three International Baccalaureate programmes as a single joined up route. Children start with the Primary Years Programme, an inquiry led approach to the early and primary years, continue into the Middle Years Programme through secondary, and finish with the IB Diploma Programme in the final two years. A family committed to the IB can therefore keep a child in one consistent educational philosophy from the age of three to eighteen, which is the practical advantage a full continuum school holds over a national system school that only adds the Diploma at the end.
The IB Diploma itself asks students to study six subjects across the disciplines, complete an extended essay, follow a theory of knowledge course and take part in creativity, activity and service. It is demanding and well regarded by universities worldwide. ICS has run it longer than almost any school in Spain, and for parents that track record is part of the appeal. To understand the qualification before you visit, read our IB curriculum guide.
What does the IB Diploma really cost?
Use our free fee calculator to estimate tuition, registration and the extras a premium IB school in Madrid adds up to.
ICS Madrid fees
On our Madrid international school fees guide, ICS sits in the premium band. Published annual tuition runs from roughly EUR 10,000 in the lower year groups to around EUR 21,000 in the IB Diploma years, rising as a child moves up. The IB Diploma years are the most expensive, which is worth planning for if a child will join the school for the sixth form rather than earlier. Treat these as published figures that change each academic year and confirm the current schedule with the school.
Beyond tuition, budget for a registration charge and a deposit, the school bus from across the northern suburbs, lunches, trips and the IB examination fees that apply in the final two years. Capital or building contributions may also apply. Use the fee calculator to model the full cost across the years your child would attend rather than the headline tuition for one year.
Admissions
ICS accepts applications year round for a September start, with most places confirmed earlier in the year. The main IB entry points, the start of the PYP and the move into secondary, fill first, and demand for a long established IB school can be strong. The school typically asks for recent reports and references, and assesses English language readiness because teaching is in English from the early years.
Mid year entry into the IB programmes is reviewed subject to space, which helps families relocating to Madrid outside the standard cycle. Families targeting the IB Diploma years specifically should check availability early, as senior places can be limited once cohorts are set.
Location and who goes there
The school is in La Moraleja, an affluent residential community just north of central Madrid and around ten minutes from the centre. The area is a long standing favourite of the international and diplomatic community, with space, greenery and quick access to the northern business parks, so ICS sits close to where many IB families already choose to live.
The community is strongly international, drawn from more than 70 countries, which fits the IB's global outlook. For how it sits against the other schools in the IB cluster, see the Madrid IB schools hub and our roundup of the best IB schools in Madrid, and for the wider market the Madrid city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for this school. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended ICS, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better information.
Frequently asked questions
How much are International College Spain (ICS) Madrid fees?
ICS Madrid sits in the premium band for the city. Published annual tuition runs from roughly EUR 10,000 in the lower years to around EUR 21,000 in the IB Diploma years. Registration, a deposit, transport, lunches and IB examination fees sit on top, so confirm the live schedule with the school as fees change yearly.
Is International College Spain (ICS) Madrid a good IB school?
ICS Madrid is one of the most established IB World Schools in the capital, teaching the IB Diploma since 1980 as one of the earliest schools in the world to do so, with the full continuum to support it. Whether it is the right IB school for your child depends on stage, budget and fit, and we do not publish a rating without verified reviews.
Does ICS Madrid offer the full IB continuum?
Yes. ICS Madrid teaches the IB Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme in English, so a child can follow the IB from early years to university entry without switching system.
When do ICS Madrid applications open?
Applications run year round for a September start, with most places confirmed earlier in the year and the main entry points filling first. Mid year entry into the IB programmes is reviewed subject to space.
Where is ICS Madrid located?
The school is in La Moraleja, an upscale residential community just north of central Madrid that is popular with international families, around ten minutes from the city centre.
