International College Spain Primary is where the ICS journey begins. It covers the early years and primary at one of the longest established IB schools on the Madrid international schools map, teaching the IB Primary Years Programme in English in La Moraleja, north of the city. For parents of young children, the draw is starting a child on a recognised IB route in the early years and continuing without a change of system all the way to the IB Diploma. Tuition at this stage sits in the premium band for the city, below the higher Diploma years.
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At a glance
The Primary Years Programme
The primary at ICS follows the IB Primary Years Programme, the framework the International Baccalaureate designed for children from the early years to the end of primary. Rather than teaching subjects in isolation, the PYP organises learning around units of inquiry that connect ideas across subjects, with children encouraged to ask questions, investigate and reflect. It is a recognisably different approach from a traditional national curriculum primary, and it is the part of the school day that parents of young children should understand before they visit.
Teaching is in English from the start, with Spanish and other languages offered and support for children who arrive without English. Because the PYP is the first stage of a full continuum, children move on into the Middle Years Programme in secondary and eventually the IB Diploma without leaving the IB framework, which is the main reason IB minded families start their children here rather than transferring in later.
Is the PYP right for your child?
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ICS Primary fees
On our Madrid international school fees guide, the ICS primary sits in the premium band. Published tuition starts in the region of EUR 10,000 a year in the lower primary and rises through the school, so the early years and primary are cheaper than the IB Diploma years at the top but still premium for the city. Treat these as published figures that change each academic year and confirm the current schedule with the school.
Primary budgeting has its own line items beyond tuition. Plan for a registration charge and a deposit, lunches, the school bus from across the northern suburbs, and trips and resources. Because tuition climbs each year, families planning to stay through to the Diploma should look at the full path rather than the first year alone. Compare the all in cost against other premium primaries before deciding.
Admissions
The primary accepts applications year round for a September start. The early years and the start of primary are the busiest entry points at ICS, so spaces in the youngest groups can be tight and families are advised to apply early. There is little or no academic testing at this age; admissions focuses on the child's stage, English readiness and availability, with support offered to new language learners.
Mid year entry is reviewed subject to space, which helps families relocating to the northern Madrid suburbs outside the standard cycle. Availability varies by year group, so contact admissions directly to check the specific class you need.
Location and who goes there
The primary is part of the ICS campus 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 choice for international and diplomatic families, with space and greenery that suit households with young children, so the primary sits close to where many of its families live.
The community is strongly international, drawn from more than 70 countries, which gives even the youngest classes a genuinely global mix. For the wider picture of where families settle and the other primary options nearby, see the Madrid city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for this primary. 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 the ICS primary, 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 Primary fees?
Primary tuition starts in the region of EUR 10,000 a year in the lower primary and rises through the school, which puts the early years and primary in the premium band for Madrid though below the IB Diploma years. Registration, a deposit, lunches and transport sit on top, so confirm the current schedule with the school.
What does International College Spain Primary teach?
The primary teaches the IB Primary Years Programme in English, an inquiry led approach that runs from the early years to the move into the Middle Years Programme in secondary.
Is ICS Primary good for non Spanish speakers?
Yes. Teaching is in English from the early years, with Spanish and other languages offered and language support available, so the primary suits international families whose child does not yet speak Spanish.
When do ICS Primary applications open?
Applications run year round for a September start, and the early years and start of primary are the busiest entry points, so families are advised to apply early. Mid year places are reviewed subject to space.
Does ICS Primary lead into the rest of the school?
Yes. The Primary Years Programme feeds the Middle Years Programme and then the IB Diploma, so a child can stay on a single IB route from the early years through to age 18.
