Bilingual Schools in Alcobendas: A 2026 Guide for Expat Families

Quick answer: Which are the best bilingual schools in Alcobendas? In Alcobendas and La Moraleja, families most often compare Liceo Europeo, a trilingual IB school, Brewster Madrid in La Moraleja, with an American programme, and Scandinavian School, which combines British exams with the Spanish Bachillerato. Fees run roughly from 6,000 to 25,000 euros a year, depending on the school and stage.

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Emma from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

Alcobendas, together with the exclusive La Moraleja district that belongs to it, is one of the main hubs for international families in Madrid. Multinational headquarters along the A-1 motorway, quick access to Barajas airport and large houses with gardens make it a natural base. This guide explains how bilingual schools in Alcobendas work, the difference between Spanish bilingual programmes and true international schools, and three schools listed on International School Advisor for 2026.

Bilingual or international: what the label means in Madrid

In the Community of Madrid, "bilingual" has a specific meaning. The regional Programa Bilingüe began in state primary schools in the 2004-2005 school year and now covers hundreds of public and state-funded schools, where a share of subjects is taught in English and the rest in Spanish. Private schools go further, often teaching most of the day in English or adding a third language.

For relocating families the key question is the balance. A Spanish bilingual school helps children integrate and leads to the Spanish Bachillerato. An international school uses English or another language as the main medium and leads to the IB, A Levels or an American diploma. Several schools in Alcobendas sit in between, which is exactly why this area is popular.

Language models you will find

Trilingual IB schools: Spanish and English as working languages, with French or German added early.
American schools: English-medium teaching with Spanish as a strong second language.
British-Spanish dual schools: British curriculum and exams combined with the Spanish Bachillerato.
Spanish bilingual schools: Spanish curriculum with a large share of subjects in English.

Three schools to shortlist

Liceo Europeo

Liceo Europeo is a private school in La Moraleja that teaches the full IB continuum, from the Primary Years Programme to the Diploma, alongside the Spanish curriculum. Children learn in Spanish and English and add French or German, which makes it genuinely trilingual. Its verified profile lists students from 3 to 18 years and a monthly cost of roughly 1,000 to 2,000 US dollars, and the school is actively answering families on our platform.

Brewster Madrid, La Moraleja

Brewster Madrid is the Spanish campus of an American school group, offering an American curriculum in English with Spanish as a second language. It suits families who want a US-style education and a smooth route to North American universities while their children become fluent in Spanish.

Scandinavian School

Scandinavian School combines a British section, with Cambridge exams, and the Spanish Bachillerato. Students can finish school with qualifications recognised in both systems, which is valuable for families who are not sure where their children will go to university.

Fees in Alcobendas for 2026

Private schools in Alcobendas quote fees in euros, usually as ten or eleven monthly payments. As a rough guide for 2026:

Spanish bilingual private schools: roughly 6,000 to 10,000 euros per year.
Trilingual and British-Spanish schools: roughly 9,000 to 17,000 euros per year.
American and IB Diploma years at premium schools: roughly 15,000 to 25,000 euros per year.

Extras to budget for:

Registration fee and, at some schools, a one-off capital contribution.
Dining room, which is almost always billed separately.
School bus from Madrid, Sanchinarro or San Sebastián de los Reyes, uniforms, trips and IB or Cambridge exam fees.

Where families live

Most expat families choose La Moraleja, El Soto de La Moraleja, Arroyo de la Vega or Encinar de los Reyes, all within a short drive of these schools. Families who prefer apartments often look at Sanchinarro, Las Tablas or Montecarmelo in northern Madrid, with buses to Alcobendas schools. The A-1 can be slow at peak times, so living on the same side of the motorway as your school helps.

Tips for choosing a bilingual school

Ask for the timetable by language. Request how many hours each week are taught in Spanish, English and any third language at your child's age. Labels can hide very different realities.

Think about the final qualification. If your child might study in Spain, a school that offers the Bachillerato or prepares well for the university entrance exam keeps doors open. If not, the IB or an American diploma travels better.

Plan language support for new arrivals. Children arriving without Spanish, or without English, need a clear plan. Ask how the school supports them in the first months.

Choosing by age and stage

Infantil (3 to 5): this is the best moment to build bilingualism. Ask how the day is split between languages and whether teachers are native speakers. Trilingual schools often start the third language early through songs and play.

Primary (6 to 11): in Spanish bilingual schools, science, arts and physical education are often taught in English, while mathematics and Spanish language are taught in Spanish. International schools teach almost everything in English, with Spanish as a subject. Ask to see a weekly timetable for your child's year.

ESO (12 to 16): the secondary years are when language levels are tested formally. Many schools prepare students for Cambridge English exams, and some add the DELF or Goethe certificates for French and German. Check which certificates the school offers.

Bachillerato, IB or American diploma (16 to 18): this is the decision that matters most for university. The Spanish Bachillerato leads to the PAU exam for Spanish universities; the IB Diploma and the American diploma open doors internationally and are also accepted in Spain through UNEDasiss.

A final tip: many families in Alcobendas choose a school for the whole school career, from age three to eighteen. If you expect to stay that long, visit the senior school as well as the early years, even if your child is very young.

Before deciding, ask each school for its full fee schedule for the next three years, including lunch and buses, and for the contact of a family who arrived recently from abroad. Their experience with language support, homework and making friends is the best preview of what your own children can expect.

Compare schools across Madrid

Alcobendas is part of Madrid's northern school belt. To compare it with schools in the rest of the city, see our ranking of the best international schools in Madrid.

More guides to schools in Alcobendas

Frequently asked questions

Is La Moraleja part of Alcobendas?

Yes. La Moraleja is a residential district within the municipality of Alcobendas, north of Madrid. It is home to several international schools, including Liceo Europeo and Brewster Madrid, and is one of the most popular areas for expat families in Madrid.

What is the difference between a bilingual and an international school in Madrid?

Bilingual schools follow the Spanish curriculum and teach part of the day in English, leading to the Spanish Bachillerato. International schools teach mainly in English or another language and lead to the IB, A Levels or an American diploma. Some schools combine both.

How much do bilingual schools in Alcobendas cost?

In 2026, Spanish bilingual private schools cost roughly 6,000 to 10,000 euros a year, trilingual and British-Spanish schools about 9,000 to 17,000 euros, and American or IB Diploma years up to around 25,000 euros. Lunch and buses are usually extra.