Quick summary of key school information
School details
| Number of students |
88 students in Grades 7 to 12. |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
More than 25 nationalities from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. |
| Most common nationality |
American, followed by Spanish, Mexican and Russian. |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
Approximately 47% of students are Spain-based families and 53% come from abroad. |
| Native English and Spanish speaking teachers |
Yes. All subjects are taught in English by native English-speaking teachers, and Spanish classes are taught by native Spanish speakers. |
| Language support for students not fluent in English and Spanish |
Yes. Students who need to strengthen their English join our ESL (English as a Second Language) program, which helps them follow the curriculum with confidence. International students who need support in Spanish take Spanish as a Foreign Language classes adapted to their level. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
None at present. Our language program focuses on English as the language of instruction and Spanish. |
| Max. number of students per class |
20 |
| Average number of students per class |
15 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
No. Small class sizes allow teachers to give each student individual attention. |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
Technology is part of daily learning. Students work with Chromebooks and use Google Classroom to access materials, submit assignments and communicate with teachers. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online during emergencies) |
Yes. Lessons can move online through video conferencing at short notice, so learning continues without interruption if students cannot attend in person. |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No. ESC is a non-denominational school that welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. |
| External examinations or assessments available |
US High School Diploma, accredited by NEASC and officially recognized in Spain. Students also take the SAT as part of their university applications. |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes. Homework reinforces classwork and helps students build independent study habits. |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
30 minutes to 1 hour per day, depending on grade level. Students can complete it during the optional supervised study hour from 15:30 to 16:30. |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes. Small class sizes and dedicated support staff allow teachers to provide individualized learning accommodations, in close coordination with each student's family. |
| Learning support offered |
Support starts at admission, when we review each student's previous reports to plan any accommodations from day one. Teachers work with our educational psychologist to apply differentiated instruction and individual accommodations, such as adapted materials and extended time on assessments. Progress is reviewed regularly with families, and students can join an optional supervised study hour from 15:30 to 16:30. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
Able students are stretched through extension activities and more challenging materials in each subject. Talented athletes combine their studies with high-performance training through our partnerships with elite football and basketball academies, and our university counseling service guides top students toward competitive universities and scholarships worldwide. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes. Our educational psychologist works with teachers and families to identify learning needs, guide classroom accommodations and support students' emotional wellbeing. |
| Entry evaluation for students |
Yes. All applicants complete a written essay and an interview with our School Director. Students need a minimum level of English to follow the curriculum, and those who need extra support join our ESL program. |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
Applicants write an essay in English, which allows us to assess their writing and language level, and have a personal interview with our School Director. This helps us understand each student's academic profile, motivation and fit with the school before a final decision is made. |
| Waiting list |
No. We keep class sizes small, so places in each grade are limited and we recommend applying early to secure a place. |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
There is no fixed deadline. We accept applications year-round, subject to availability, and recommend applying early to secure a place for September. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes. Students can join during the academic year, subject to available places and an individual review of their academic profile. |
| School start time |
8:30 |
| School finish time |
15:30 |
| Supervised care before/after school |
Yes. Students can join an optional supervised study hour from 15:30 to 16:30. Boarding students are supervised by residential staff 24/7. |
| School bus service available |
No. We do not currently offer a school bus service, so families arrange their own transport to our campus in Villaviciosa de Odón. |
| School provided lunches |
Yes. Students have lunch every day in our school dining hall, with menus adapted to special diets, allergies and intolerances. |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes. Our kitchen adapts every meal to each student's needs, including vegetarian, vegan, halal, pork-free, gluten-free and lactose-free diets, as well as food allergies and intolerances. Dietary requirements are reviewed with each family at enrollment, and boarding students receive the same adapted menu at breakfast, lunch and dinner. |
| Uniform required |
No |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Our football and basketball programs are offered at two levels: high-performance programs for athletes who aim to compete at an elite level, and developmental programs for students who want to build their skills and enjoy the sport. Both combine professional coaching with a full academic schedule. |
| Sports activities included |
Physical education is part of the curriculum in every grade, and students can also join our high-performance or developmental football and basketball programs. Our campus has two FIFA-size football pitches, a basketball pavilion with several courts, a 600 m² gym and a 20-meter swimming pool. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes. Students train on campus and compete with our football and basketball teams, from high-performance squads for elite athletes to developmental teams for students who are growing in the sport. |
| Facilities at the school |
Our campus includes a library, fully equipped science labs, an art studio, and a dining hall. Boarding students live in our on-campus residence, with 24/7 supervision by residential staff. |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Our 42,000 m² campus brings school, residence and sports together in one place. Students have access to science laboratories, a Maker Space for design and prototyping, a library, an art studio, a game room and a dining hall. The on-campus residence offers single and double rooms with private bathrooms, full board, cleaning and laundry service, with 24/7 security, and the school nurse's office is open during school hours. |
| Grades/ages available for boarding |
Grades 7 to 12 (ages 12 to 18). |
| Boarding facilities at the school |
Boarders live in our on-campus residence, just steps from their classrooms and sports facilities. The residence offers single and double rooms with private bathrooms, full board with five meals a day adapted to each student's dietary needs, and cleaning and laundry service. Residential staff supervise students 24/7, supported by private security, and boarders can relax in the game room and join the supervised study hour after classes. |
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
ESC American School Madrid is an American boarding and day school for Grades 7 to 12, located on a 42,000 m² campus in Villaviciosa de Odón, west of Madrid. Students earn a NEASC-accredited US High School Diploma, officially recognized in Spain, that opens doors to universities in the United States, Spain and around the world. Teaching is based on Project-Based Learning in small classes, where students work on real-world projects with individual attention. School, residence and sports share one campus, and our high-performance and developmental football and basketball programs allow students to grow in their sport without compromising their studies. Students from more than 25 nationalities learn together, supported by ESL and Spanish as a Foreign Language classes, and our university counseling service guides each student through applications and scholarships. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
Our teaching approach combines the American curriculum with Project-Based Learning (PBL), which places each student at the center of their own learning. Students work on real-world projects that connect different subjects, developing critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication skills. Small classes allow teachers to adapt instruction to each student's pace and level, while Chromebooks and Google Classroom support learning inside and outside the classroom. Our Maker Space and science laboratories give students hands-on spaces to design, experiment and turn ideas into results. |