The English Montessori School, known as TEMS, is a British international school in Aravaca to the west of Madrid, part of the wider market mapped on our Madrid city hub. Founded in 1973, it pairs the national curriculum for England and Wales with Montessori pedagogy in the earlier years, takes pupils through IGCSEs, and then offers a choice of A levels, the IB Diploma or the Spanish Bachillerato at the pre university stage. Tuition sits in the mid band for the city, which makes it one of the schools families weigh when they want a British academic route with a distinctive early years approach.
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At a glance
Curriculum and academics
TEMS teaches the national curriculum for England and Wales in English, with Montessori principles shaping the way younger children learn before the programme moves into the more conventional British key stages. Pupils sit IGCSEs in the secondary school, then choose at the pre university stage between A levels, the IB Diploma and the Spanish Bachillerato, an unusually broad set of exit routes for a single school. Throughout, pupils also take the compulsory Spanish language and social studies subjects the Spanish system requires, so the school keeps Spanish and international university routes open side by side.
The choice of three sixth form pathways is the standout feature for families. A levels suit pupils who want to specialise, the Bachillerato eases entry to Spanish universities, and the IB Diploma offers breadth and a globally recognised finish. Families weighing the Diploma against the other two can read our IB curriculum guide to understand how it is structured and assessed before deciding which route best matches their child.
Comparing TEMS with other Madrid schools?
Line up TEMS against two other schools side by side on curriculum, fees, stage range and location with our free compare tool.
The English Montessori School (TEMS) Madrid fees
TEMS sits in the mid band on our Madrid international school fees guide, below the most expensive premium internationals while still a private fee paying school. The school publishes a current schedule that rises by stage rather than a single headline figure, so the early years sit well below the pre university stage. Treat any quoted number as a published figure that changes each academic year and confirm the current schedule with the school before you budget.
Tuition is only part of the cost. Expect a registration fee on top of annual tuition, external examination charges for IGCSE and the chosen sixth form route, and the usual extras of lunches, the school bus and trips. Use our fee calculator to model the full annual cost across the stages, and ask whether a deposit or sibling discount applies before you commit a place.
Admissions
TEMS recruits mainly for a September start, with the strongest demand in the early years where the Montessori approach draws families in from age 1. The school typically asks for recent reports and, for older applicants, an assessment or interview to place a child in the right year group and confirm the language level needed to follow an English medium programme. Places in the most sought after years fill ahead of the academic year, so families planning a move are advised to apply early.
Mid year entry is reviewed subject to space, which suits families relocating to west Madrid outside the usual cycle. Anyone moving during the school year should contact admissions directly to check availability in their child's year group before assuming a place.
Location and who goes there
TEMS is based in Aravaca, in the leafy west of Madrid, and spreads across several sites including the Explorer Campus in La Florida for the middle years and a separate pre university centre a short distance away. Aravaca and the surrounding western districts are an established residential belt for international and professional families, with good road links toward the centre and the northern suburbs, which keeps the school within reach of a wide catchment.
The intake blends English speaking expatriate families with internationally minded Spanish families who want an English medium education with the option of a Spanish exit qualification. For the wider landscape of who settles where, and the full spread of schools across the capital, see 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 this school, 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 The English Montessori School (TEMS) Madrid fees?
TEMS sits in the mid band for Madrid. The school publishes a current schedule by stage rather than a single figure, and a registration fee applies on top of annual tuition, plus exam entry, lunches and the optional bus. Confirm the latest schedule with the school before you budget.
Is The English Montessori School (TEMS) Madrid a good school?
TEMS is an established British international school in Aravaca, founded in 1973, that blends the English national curriculum with Montessori principles and offers IGCSE, A level, IB Diploma and Bachillerato routes at sixth form. Whether it is the right fit depends on your child's stage, your budget and your view of the Montessori approach. We do not publish a rating without verified reviews.
What curriculum does The English Montessori School (TEMS) Madrid follow?
TEMS follows the national curriculum for England and Wales taught in English, with Montessori pedagogy in the earlier years and the compulsory Spanish subjects required in Spain. Pupils sit IGCSEs, and the pre university stage offers A levels, the IB Diploma and the Spanish Bachillerato.
Where is The English Montessori School (TEMS) Madrid located?
TEMS is in Aravaca, in the west of Madrid, across several sites including the Explorer Campus in La Florida and a separate pre university centre nearby.
When do The English Montessori School (TEMS) Madrid applications open?
TEMS recruits mainly for a September start, with the busiest demand in the early years. Places in popular year groups fill ahead of the academic year, and mid year entry is reviewed subject to space.
