When does the school year start in Madrid?
Most international schools in Madrid begin the academic year in early September. At ICS Madrid, the Welcome Event for new families takes place on 4 September, giving children and parents the chance to visit the campus, explore the facilities, and meet the school community before the first day. The first day of school for all students is Monday 7 September.
Spanish state schools usually start slightly later, in the second or third week of September. If you are still choosing a school for this academic year, the earlier you make contact the better. Many popular international schools in Madrid have waiting lists for certain year groups, and September places often fill up in the spring.
Your admissions process and new family hub
Once your child's place is confirmed at ICS Madrid, you gain access to our dedicated new family admissions hub. This is where you will find everything you need before the school year begins, including transport and lunch information, the school calendar, parking and access details, timetables, device policy, PE uniform requirements, and how we communicate with families throughout the year.
Everything is designed to help you feel prepared and confident before your child walks through the door on day one. If you have a question that is not covered there, our admissions team is available at admissions@icsmadrid.org.
What to expect in the first week
For children joining a new school, the first week is rarely about academic work. Most international schools in Madrid dedicate the opening days to settling in, building relationships, and helping children feel safe and familiar in their new environment.
At ICS Madrid, we design the first week deliberately around community and connection. Children meet their classmates, explore the campus, and begin building the peer relationships that make everything else easier. Academic learning follows once children feel grounded.
Parents often find the first week more unsettling than their children do. That is completely normal. A good school communicates clearly with families throughout and flags any concerns early rather than waiting for a formal parents' evening.
The back-to-school checklist for international families in Madrid
Practical preparation makes a real difference to how smoothly the first week goes. Here is what to sort before September arrives.
School uniform and supplies. Check the school's uniform requirements early. Some items need to be ordered in advance, and August delivery times can be slow. Stationery lists usually come from the school directly in July or August.
Transport and logistics. Work out the school run before day one. If you are using school buses, confirm the route and pick-up time. If you are driving from Pozuelo, Las Rozas, or further into Madrid, do a practice run during the last week of August to check parking and timing. Full transport details are available on the ICS admissions process page.
Medical and dietary information. Ensure the school has up-to-date records for any medical conditions, allergies, or dietary requirements. This is especially important for younger children and for families arriving from another country where records may not yet have transferred.
Language preparation. If your child is new to Spanish, a few weeks of informal exposure before September helps. Even basic phrases reduce the sense of overwhelm in the first days. ICS Madrid offers language support from the start of term, but arriving with some foundation is always useful.
Emotional preparation. Talk to your child about what to expect, without over-promising. Acknowledge that starting somewhere new can feel nerve-wracking, and that feeling takes time to pass. Children who are given permission to find things hard tend to adapt faster than children who feel they should be fine immediately.
How ICS Madrid supports new families
At ICS Madrid, new families have access to a dedicated information hub where you can find answers to practical questions before the school year begins. We also run a Welcome Event before term starts, so that when the first day arrives, your child already knows the campus, has met their teachers, and walks through the door feeling sure of themselves rather than nervous.
Our pastoral team works alongside class teachers from day one to ensure new students feel known and supported. With more than 70 nationalities in our community, welcoming children from different countries, with different languages and backgrounds, is something we do every year.
We also have an active Parent Association that connects families across the school community. Many parents find that connecting with the PA in the first weeks makes a real difference to how quickly they settle into life in Madrid.
The research on settling in
A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that children's sense of belonging at school is one of the strongest predictors of academic engagement in the first year. Children who feel they belong attend more regularly, participate more actively, and report higher levels of motivation.
That finding shapes how we think about September at ICS. Academic outcomes follow from belonging, not the other way around, which is why we work hard to ensure every student feels welcome.
For families still deciding on a school
If you are reading this in July or August and have not yet confirmed a school for September, do not assume it is too late. Some year groups may still have places available, and a conversation with an admissions team costs nothing.
ICS Madrid welcomes enquiries at any point in the year. Our admissions team will tell you whether a place is available and what the process looks like from here..
Contact our admissions team or book a visit to our campus in La Moraleja, Alcobendas.
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Frequently asked questions
When does the school year start at international schools in Madrid?
Most international schools in Madrid start in the first week of September. At ICS Madrid, the Welcome Event for new families is on 4 September and the first day of school for all students is 7 September 2026.
What documents do I need to enrol my child in an international school in Madrid?
Requirements vary by school. At ICS Madrid, the admissions team will guide you through the full process. Generally you will need passport copies, previous school reports, immunisation records, and any relevant educational assessments. Full details are available on our admissions process page.
Can my child join an international school in Madrid mid-year?
Yes. ICS Madrid accepts applications throughout the year, subject to availability in the relevant year group. Contact our admissions team at admissions@icsmadrid.org to check current availability.
How long does it take for children to settle into a new school?
Most children settle within four to six weeks, though this varies by age and personality. Schools with strong pastoral systems and buddy programmes tend to see faster, more confident transitions.
