Primary and secondary schools in Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain

Pozuelo de Alarcón is a residential municipality just west of Madrid, in the Community of Madrid, with 89,770 inhabitants on 1 January 2025 according to the National Statistics Institute (INE). It has one of the widest choices of private and international schools in the Madrid area: British, American, French, Spanish and alternative-pedagogy schools are all within the municipality.

What the schools offer

All seven schools in our directory are private. The main choice is the curriculum and the language of teaching:

• British system: The British School - El Colegio Británico, established in 1940 as the first British school in Spain, is a bilingual day school for students aged 1 to 18. It has been rated "Excellent in all areas" in four consecutive British Schools Overseas inspections, and its sixth form offers the bilingual BiBac® programme (British education with the Spanish Bachillerato), International A Levels from 2026 and the IB Diploma, for which it is a candidate school for 2027. Kensington School teaches the British curriculum in English, French and Spanish from 18 months to 18 years, with IGCSE in the last two years of ESO and both the Spanish Bachillerato and the IB Diploma
• American system: Aquinas American School is a Catholic school with an American curriculum that prepares students for university in Spain or abroad; it offers the IB Diploma and a boarding programme. Judy Sharp International School is a small private, non-profit American school for English-speaking students aged 11 to 18, specialised in learning differences such as dyslexia and ADHD, with an average of four students per teacher and an official Spanish programme
• French roots: Saint Louis des Français (Colegio San Luis de los Franceses) is a Catholic, trilingual school whose link with the French Embassy dates from 1856; its spiritual guidance comes from the Carmelite institute Notre-Dame de Vie, and its students sit the Bachibac (Spanish Bachillerato and French baccalauréat)
• Spanish system: Colegio Alarcón is a private school covering every stage from the nursery class for babies to the Bachillerato, with English and German
• Active learning: Mayrit Escuela Activa is a small infant and primary school accredited by NEASC, which draws on Montessori, Reggio Emilia and Decroly methods

Admission and recognition

In Spain, primary school is compulsory from the calendar year in which a child turns six. Children of compulsory school age who arrive from another education system are placed according to their circumstances, knowledge, age and school history, and no recognition of earlier studies is needed to join the Spanish system up to the fourth year of ESO. To obtain the Spanish Bachiller title with foreign studies, at least the last three years must be recognised (homologación). Students with an international diploma who want to study at a Spanish university can apply for the UNEDasiss accreditation.

Schools run their own admissions. Aquinas American School, for example, processes applications for grades 1 to 12 throughout the year, with an interview and entrance tests.

Costs

Each school sets its own fees, and most publish them as downloadable 2026-27 fee lists. Kensington School charges tuition each term, in September, January and April. The British School adds sundry charges for non-optional services, which do not cover uniforms, textbooks or optional activities. Colegio Alarcón bills a monthly fee plus one annual fee. Judy Sharp International School offers need-based financial aid to a significant share of its families. Ask each school for the full list, including enrolment, lunch and school bus.

Older students who travel by public transport can use the Community of Madrid's Abono Joven: €10 for 30 days of unlimited travel in all zones, from age 15 until the 26th birthday.

Practical tips

• Decide which final qualification your child needs (A Levels, IB Diploma, American diploma, Bachibac or Spanish Bachillerato)
• Check the school bus routes: Kensington School, for example, runs 8 routes across Madrid and nearby towns
• Bring school reports and official translations, which you will need for homologación later

Frequently asked questions

Which international schools are there in Pozuelo de Alarcón?

Our directory lists seven private schools, including British schools (The British School - El Colegio Británico, Kensington School), American schools (Aquinas American School, Judy Sharp International School) and the French-rooted Saint Louis des Français.

Can my child join in the middle of the school year?

Children from abroad of compulsory school age are placed according to their age, knowledge and school history, with no recognition needed up to the fourth year of ESO. Aquinas American School, for example, admits students in grades 1 to 12 all year round.

Is there a school for children with learning differences?

Yes. Judy Sharp International School teaches English-speaking students aged 11 to 18 with learning differences such as dyslexia and ADHD, with about four students per teacher.