Liceo Sorolla International School

A long-running family-owned private school in Pozuelo de Alarcon offering Spanish bachillerato alongside the IB (PYP, MYP, DP).

Founded in 1963 and still run by descendants of the founding families, Liceo Sorolla sits in the Pozuelo end of Madrid where many private schools cluster. Around 1,300 students, ages 2 to 18, with roughly 25 nationalities. CICAE-affiliated and authorised for the full IB continuum.

Long-term parents tend to be loyal, praising the academic standards, the strong English/Spanish/French language programme and the secular values culture. Alumni who passed through years ago describe outstanding teachers and a genuine community feel. Critical voices from a minority of former students mention strict study directors and limited pastoral guidance for students who struggle. Best fit for families wanting a structured, traditional Spanish-private with a recognised IB pathway, rather than a fully expat-anglo environment.

• Parent opinion is polarised across Spanish forums and parent trackers.
• Supporters call out strong academic results, with the school regularly placing among Madrid's top 30 in EvAU state tests historically and respectable IB Diploma outcomes.
• Teachers are commonly described as demanding but motivating; one parent said staff "are demanding but care about and motivate students."
• Repeat criticisms cluster around high teacher turnover during the school year, which parents say breaks continuity in projects.
• Class sizes are flagged: parents told to expect 20-22 children report 25 in the room.
• Bullying is the loudest fault line. One group of parents praise the wellbeing department's quick response; another camp says cases are managed quietly rather than addressed.
• A minority of ex-students said study directors prioritised expelling students who didn't pass exams over guiding them.
• Facilities draw mixed comment, with the indoor pool praised and some classroom buildings described as prefabricated and poorly insulated.