Where to study the International Baccalaureate in Madrid: a guide to international schools

St George Madrid is a British international school located in Madrid that offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

For many families, the IB represents a rigorous, international and university-oriented academic pathway. However, not all international schools implement it in the same way, nor do all educational programmes respond to the same student profile.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is one of the most internationally recognised pre-university pathways, but the student's success does not depend solely on the programme. The school's educational programme, the support provided throughout the two years of Bachillerato, university guidance and the environment in which the student develops their learning also have an influence.

Madrid has a wide range of international and bilingual schools that incorporate International Baccalaureate programmes. The ISP Schools international schools in Madrid Fontenebro International School, St. George Madrid and Internacional Aravaca offer different options for families looking for competency-based learning, languages and preparation for higher education in Spain and abroad.

Which ISP Schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Madrid?

Within International Schools Partnership (ISP), each school develops its own educational programme.

Currently, St. George Madrid and Internacional Aravaca offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, while Fontenebro International School follows a different model, based on the Spanish curriculum enriched with international programmes from Primary and Secondary.

St. George Madrid

St. George Madrid combines a strong track record in British education with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Sixth Form level, which can be particularly interesting for families looking for continuity in English and access to international universities.

One of the most relevant aspects of this type of school is academic guidance. In the IB, choosing subjects can influence access to certain university degrees, particularly in countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States or Spain. Therefore, individual support, application planning and the preparation of university profiles are elements that families should consider.

St. George Madrid students consistently achieve exceptional academic results and are admitted to the best universities around the world: a 96% pass rate in the IB Diploma Programme.

Internacional Aravaca

Internacional Aravaca, located in the Aravaca-Pozuelo area, is one of the few schools in Spain to offer the IB Continuum, making it an ideal option for families looking for an international education from Early Years through to Bachillerato. In addition, the school allows students to choose between the National Bachillerato and the International Baccalaureate, offering flexibility according to the student's academic objectives. For those who wish to study at Spanish universities but do not rule out international options, this dual perspective can facilitate a more informed decision.

The school is committed to an international education that promotes independence, creativity and critical thinking in a safe, motivating and welcoming environment within the IB framework. In addition, Internacional Aravaca has the highest average university admission score and a 100% pass rate, which has enabled its students to gain direct access to highly prestigious universities both nationally and internationally.

Fontenebro International School

Fontenebro International School, in Moralzarzal, is part of the ISP Schools ecosystem in Madrid and focuses on bilingual and international education from an early age. Its programme focuses on close student support, skills development and an education open to the world.

Unlike other schools that centre their offering on a single international programme in Bachillerato, Fontenebro is committed to an education that combines the Spanish education system with international methodologies and experiences from Early Years and Primary, fostering a strong academic foundation and early exposure to English. In addition, the school has the ECOESCUELA certification, reinforcing its commitment to environmental education and sustainability awareness.

Fontenebro International School stands out for its academic results, with 100% of students taking and passing EVAU, placing it among the highest admission scores in the examination session. In addition, 70% of students achieve an admission score above 10/14, and the school has been recognised by Universidad Carlos III for its academic excellence.

What are the advantages of studying the International Baccalaureate (IB)?

The IB tends to attract families looking for a demanding academic model, but also one that is broader than a curriculum focused solely on examinations. Its approach promotes critical thinking, written and oral communication, research, time management and the ability to connect knowledge from different areas.

However, the IB is not necessarily the best option for every student. It requires consistency, organisation, independence and tolerance for academic demands. Therefore, when choosing a school, it is not enough to ask whether it offers the programme: it is also advisable to find out how the student is supported, what guidance they receive and how workloads are managed.

Preparation for international universities

One of the main reasons for choosing the International Baccalaureate is its recognition by universities in numerous countries. The Diploma Programme allows students to present an academic record that is understandable to international institutions and facilitates comparisons between candidates from different educational systems.

And to help students achieve their goals, ISP has the personalised Future Pathways programme, which is designed to guide ISP students and their families so that they can make well-informed decisions about their academic and professional future.

Global mindset

The IB also promotes an international mindset. This does not simply mean studying in English or interacting with students of different nationalities. It means learning to look at issues from several perspectives, understanding different cultural contexts and developing a responsible attitude towards society.

In a connected world, this mindset can be just as important as academic achievement.

What should you consider when choosing an International Baccalaureate school in Madrid?

When a family is looking for a school offering the International Baccalaureate, they usually first check whether the school is authorised to offer the Diploma Programme. However, this is only one part of the decision. Although accreditation is an essential requirement, not all schools develop the programme in the same way or offer the same level of support during such a decisive stage for the student's academic future.

It is also worth analysing aspects such as:

• The school's experience in delivering the Diploma Programme: the IB requires its own methodology based on research, critical thinking and independent learning, so it is essential that the teaching team has an in-depth understanding of this educational model and supports the student throughout the entire process.
• Academic support and guidance for university admission: it is important to assess how the school guides students in choosing subjects, especially when these may influence access to certain university degrees. A good academic and university guidance service helps each student design a pathway aligned with their interests, strengths and objectives.
• Academic results.

Studying at an international school does not simply mean receiving lessons in English. It also involves interacting with students of different nationalities, developing a global mindset and learning in an environment that promotes intercultural communication and preparation for an increasingly international world.

Ultimately, families are not simply choosing an educational programme; they are choosing the school where their children will spend the final two years before university. Therefore, in addition to comparing curricula, it is worthwhile to learn about each school's educational programme, visit its facilities and speak with the admissions team before making a decision.

Why study at an ISP Schools school?

Choosing a school belonging to ISP Schools means becoming part of an international educational community made up of more than 120 schools in 26 countries. This allows students to participate in real international educational experiences, collaborate with students from other educational systems and develop a more complete academic and personal profile.

Beyond the curriculum, students become part of an active international network that allows them to participate in projects, experiences and programmes that broaden their academic and personal profile compared with other students.

This translates into a student who is better prepared to:

• gain admission to competitive international universities
• adapt to multicultural environments
• stand out in admissions processes
• build a more complete academic profile

Learning that goes beyond the school

One of ISP's main values is that students are not limited to their own school, but participate in global initiatives alongside students from other countries. For this reason, ISP's educational offering is based on the Learning.First™ methodology, an approach that places the student at the centre of learning and allows teaching to be adapted to their real needs through continuous analysis of progress and based on five fundamental learning pillars:

• Academic achievement: personalised learning to maximise each student's potential.
• Life skills: development of critical thinking, resilience, leadership and socio-emotional skills.
• Multilingualism: proficiency in English and other languages in an international environment.
• International Learning Opportunities (ILOS): global experiences with students from the 118 ISP schools, such as TEDx, ChessMasters, Filmmakers or Model United Nations.
• Future Pathways: personalised university and career guidance to help each student achieve their future goals.

A real global educational experience

Studying at an ISP school means that students do not learn only within their own school, but become part of an international community where they share projects, experiences and learning with students from all over the world.

This has a direct impact on their academic profile:

• greater ability to adapt to international environments
• development of intercultural communication skills
• greater confidence in competitive university admission processes
• real experience in global projects before university

As you can see, it is not just about studying in English or following an international curriculum, but about learning within a global educational network that prepares students to succeed in any academic and professional context.

Discover which is the best International Baccalaureate school in Madrid for your child

What do we recommend? The best approach is to visit each school, speak with the admissions and guidance team, and ask about results, available subjects, languages, teacher profiles, emotional support and university destinations.

Studying the International Baccalaureate in Madrid opens up significant academic opportunities, but the decision should be based on a comprehensive assessment of the educational programme. St. George Madrid, Internacional Aravaca and Fontenebro International School represent different approaches to international education within ISP Schools. For families, the key is to identify which programme best suits each student's profile, aspirations and way of learning.

During a personalised visit to the school, you will be able to learn about each school's educational programme, discover how we work and resolve all your questions about the international curriculum, as well as the different options for accessing universities around the world.

The admissions process remains open throughout the year, so you can request information and arrange a visit whenever best suits your family's planning.