Cities / Madrid / American School of Madrid
American School of Madrid
Not-for-profit American-curriculum school in Pozuelo de Alarcon offering AP courses and IB Diploma, founded in 1961 and accredited by Middle States Association. 2025-2026 private tuition runs EUR 11,255 (KG1) to EUR 23,878 (Grades 9-12); one-time capital fee EUR 6,000.
In brief
ASM has been the default American option in Madrid since 1961, settled on its Pozuelo de Alarcón campus with around 1,000 students. American High School Diploma with the IB Diploma available as an add-on in the senior years.
Demographic mix of roughly one third American, one third Spanish and one third other passports across more than fifty nationalities. Fees run from around 11,500 euros in the lower years to 24,000 euros at the top, which is mid-pack rather than top of the Madrid international market. MSA-CESS accredited.
Families consistently praise the warmth of the community, the ease of slotting in mid-year, and the breadth of music, sport and theatre programmes. The complaints are real and recurring: turnover among teachers and counselling staff in some years, ageing parts of the facility, and a college counselling office that some families have found weak. Best fit for US passport holders on a Madrid posting who need their children to move back into the American system without curriculum friction.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten 1-2 (ages 3-4) | 3 | Annual | €11,593 |
| Kindergarten 3 (age 5) | 5 | Annual | €12,050 |
| Grades 1-2 | 6 | Annual | €16,267 |
| Grades 3-5 | 8 | Annual | €18,263 |
| Grades 6-8 (Middle School) | 11 | Annual | €22,138 |
| Grades 9-12 (Upper School) | 14 | Annual | €23,878 |
| Application Fee | One-time | €250 | |
| Registration Fee | One-time | €2,000 | |
| Capital Fee (private) | One-time | €6,000 |
Reviews
- ASM is the established American option in Madrid and is repeatedly named as the best international school in Spain by visitors who have attended American schools elsewhere. Average IB Diploma scores cited online sit around 34.
- Parent feedback splits visibly. A vocal positive group describes warm staff, a tight US-style community in Pozuelo, and strong music, sports and theatre. New families say they were welcomed and their kids settled quickly.
- A vocal negative group describes poor academic standards across sections, an alarming rate of teacher turnover, a tense atmosphere that does not match the school's stated inclusivity, and a sense that the school is structured around its wealthiest families.
- One ex-teacher said the workload culture jarred against the relaxed Madrid lifestyle around them, and flagged hiring nepotism under the previous head; they noted the new head was a stronger leader.
- Lifestyle commentary recurs: families and teachers say you do not move to Madrid to save money. Fees and Pozuelo housing are expensive even by international-school standards.
Head of school
Ben Weinberg
Today's students face unprecedented challenges and amazing opportunities. It is our role as educational leaders to ensure they have the resilience, skills, hope, and courage to make the most of the opportunities and to imagine solutions that have eluded us. Using the ASM Mission as our compass, it is our aim to ensure that ASM provides academic excellence in the context of a thriving community so that all students experience ASM as a source of inspiration, belonging, and wonder.
Accreditations
- Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools 01
Academic results
- IB Average (top 30%) 37.9 (2024)