International College Spain, known to most families simply as ICS, is one of the longest established international schools in the capital and a fixture near the top of the Madrid international schools market. Founded in 1980, it was among the very first schools in the world to teach the IB Diploma, and it has since built out the full International Baccalaureate continuum from early years to the final exams. The campus sits in La Moraleja, the upscale residential area north of the city that many international families call home, and the student body is drawn from more than 70 countries. Tuition sits in the premium band for the city.
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At a glance
Curriculum and academics
ICS teaches the full International Baccalaureate continuum in English. Children begin with the Primary Years Programme, move into the Middle Years Programme through the middle of secondary, and finish with the IB Diploma Programme in the final two years. Because all three are joined up, a child can progress from early years to university entry without changing educational philosophy, which is the central reason families committed to the IB choose it over a national system school.
The school's IB history is unusually deep. It started teaching the Diploma in 1980 as one of the earliest schools in the world to do so, added the Middle Years Programme in the mid 1990s and the Primary Years Programme at the end of that decade. Teaching is in English throughout, with Spanish and other languages offered, and the Diploma opens routes to universities in Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and beyond.
Weighing ICS against another IB school?
Put up to three Madrid schools side by side on fees, curriculum, stages and location with our free compare tool.
International College Spain 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, with the figure climbing as a child moves up the school. That places it among the more expensive options in the city, in line with its long IB pedigree and international profile. Treat these as published figures that change each academic year and confirm the current schedule with the school.
Tuition is only part of the budget. Expect a registration charge and a deposit, plus costs for lunches, the school bus from across the northern suburbs, trips and IB examination fees in the final years. Capital or building contributions may also apply. Put the school side by side with other premium options using our compare tool rather than judging on headline tuition alone.
Admissions
ICS accepts applications year round for a September start, with most places confirmed earlier in the year. Popular entry points such as the start of primary and the beginning of secondary fill first, and the school typically asks for recent reports and references. Because teaching is in English from the early years, applicants are assessed for the language level the year group needs, with support available where appropriate.
Mid year entry is reviewed subject to space, which suits families relocating to Madrid outside the standard cycle. Demand for an established IB school can be strong, so families targeting a specific year group are advised to contact admissions early to check availability.
Location and who goes there
The campus is in La Moraleja, an affluent residential community just north of central Madrid and around ten minutes from the city centre. La Moraleja and the surrounding northern districts are among the most popular areas for the international and diplomatic community, with large homes, green space and easy access to the business parks north of the city, so the school sits close to where many of its families already live.
The community is strongly international, drawn from more than 70 countries, which is part of what families seeking a genuinely global environment look for. For the wider picture of where families settle and the other IB and international options nearby, see the Madrid city hub, and note that the school also features in our roundup of leading Madrid schools for international families.
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 fees?
ICS is a premium school for Madrid. Published annual tuition runs from roughly EUR 10,000 in the lower years to around EUR 21,000 in the IB Diploma years, depending on the stage. Registration, a deposit, lunches, transport and trips sit on top, so confirm the current schedule with the school as fees change yearly.
Is International College Spain a good school?
ICS is one of Madrid's longest established IB World Schools, founded in 1980 and among the first schools in the world to teach the IB Diploma. It offers the full IB continuum in English to a community from more than 70 countries. Whether it suits your family depends on stage, budget and your preference for an English medium IB route, and we do not publish a rating without verified reviews.
What curriculum does International College Spain follow?
The school teaches the full International Baccalaureate continuum in English, the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme, rather than a national curriculum.
When do International College Spain applications open?
Applications are accepted year round for a September start, with most places confirmed earlier in the year and popular entry points filling first. Mid year entry is reviewed subject to space, which suits families relocating to Madrid outside the standard cycle.
Where is International College Spain located?
The campus is in La Moraleja, an upscale residential area just north of central Madrid that is popular with the international community, around ten minutes from the city centre.
