Top International Schools in Spain

Overview: IB PYP, IB MYP · 3–18 · €13K–€21.7K

Benjamin Franklin International School (BFIS) is a private, non-profit international day school in Barcelona's Sarrià district, founded in 1986 and serving approximately 702 students aged 3–18 from over 63 nationalities. The school blends a comprehensive American curriculum with the IB Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes, with many students also earning the Spanish Bachillerato. BFIS emphasises inquiry-based, experiential learning in small classes (averaging 18–20 students), underpinned by core values of adaptability, integrity, respect, responsibility, curiosity, and joy. Robust student support services—including EAL specialists and a learning support team—ensure every learner thrives, and virtually 100% of graduates go on to higher education at universities worldwide. A forthcoming Centre for Innovation and Creativity (opening 2026) will add cutting-edge labs, performance spaces, and an Olympic-size gymnasium to an already dynamic campus.

Overview: British National Curriculum, IGCSE · 2–18 · €5.1K–€14.1K

The British Council School in Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid) is a co-educational bilingual day school for ages 2–18, offering the English National Curriculum alongside Spanish instruction to nearly 2,000 students. Founded in 1940 as the first British school in Spain, it combines Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level qualifications with Spanish secondary certification through its unique BiBac® programme. The school is renowned for its bicultural ethos, instilling values of freedom, integrity, and professionalism, and reports 100% of graduates going on to university. It has earned the highest ratings in every category across four consecutive BSO (British Schools Overseas) inspections, making it the top-performing school of its type in Spain.

Overview: A-Level, IB Diploma · 3–18 · €6.7K–€18.4K

The British School of Barcelona (BSB) is a non-denominational private international school serving ages 2–18 across four campuses in the Barcelona metropolitan area. Founded in 1958 and a member of the Cognita group since 2007, BSB offers the English National Curriculum through to Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels and the IB Diploma Programme. With over 2,150 students from 71 nationalities, BSB is the only school in Barcelona rated Outstanding in every category by the British Schools Overseas inspection. The school's inquiry-based teaching approach, strong EAL support and inclusive community make it a leading choice for international families in Catalonia.

Overview: British National Curriculum, IGCSE · 2–18 · €8K–€21.2K

Hastings School is a private British international school in Madrid, founded in 1971, educating students aged 2–18 across multiple campuses. It follows the British National Curriculum through IGCSE and A-Level, with an IB Diploma option at its dedicated Nexus Sixth Form. With approximately 1,342 students and native-speaking teachers, Hastings achieves outstanding university outcomes — 100% of graduates proceed to university in most years, including Oxbridge, Russell Group, and top European institutions. The school emphasises the development of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration alongside rigorous academic achievement, all within a warm, multicultural community setting.

Overview: IB PYP, IB MYP · 3–18 · €12.2K–€25.6K

International College Spain (ICS) is Madrid's only school offering the complete English-medium IB curriculum from Early Years through the Diploma Programme, serving approximately 1,050 students aged 3–18 from 70+ nationalities. Founded in 1980 and part of the Nord Anglia Education group since 2014, ICS combines rigorous academics—with a 2025 IB average of 35.6—with a rich extracurricular programme including STEAM partnerships with MIT and arts collaboration with Juilliard. Graduates enjoy a 100% university acceptance rate, with roughly one in three progressing to QS Top-50 institutions worldwide. The La Moraleja campus north of Madrid blends historic architecture with modern science labs, a 400-seat auditorium, dual libraries, STEAM innovation spaces, and extensive sports facilities set among 3+ hectares of gardens.

Overview: British National Curriculum, IGCSE · 2–18 · €8.1K–€20.7K

King's College, The British School of Madrid (Soto de Viñuelas campus) is a co-educational day and boarding school for students from 20 months to 18 years, following the English National Curriculum through to IGCSE and offering both A-Levels and the IB Diploma at Sixth Form. Founded in 1969 by Sir Roger Fry, the school has over 50 years of heritage delivering British education in Madrid, with a roll of more than 1,650 students. Its graduates achieve outstanding university placements at institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Stanford, with 100% of leavers securing places at their chosen universities. The school operates a vibrant House system, extensive extracurricular programme, and provides a well-equipped campus in the residential community of Soto de Viñuelas, Tres Cantos.