Studies

Program Structure

SEK El Castillo in Madrid welcomes children from four months old, building a continuous educational pathway that begins with daycare and transitions to full English immersion by age one, where native speakers and bilinguals lead all activities. From age three to eighteen, students progress through the three International Baccalaureate stages—Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP)—while the institution seamlessly integrates Spanish national requirements at each level, allowing learners to blend international standards with local academic norms.

Language Education at SEK El Castillo Madrid

El Castillo structures its instruction around three linguistic tracks, adapting to each student’s English proficiency. Middle schoolers choose between Spanish, English, or bilingual programs, while those entering the baccalaureate select either the fully English IB diploma or Spanish Bachillerato with select subjects in English. From third or fourth grade, children simultaneously study French and German before choosing one for advanced work in fifth grade. This linguistic depth extends to international certification opportunities—Cambridge, DELF, Cervantes Institute, and Goethe Institute exams that validate language skills with official credentials.

Academic Path Choice

At the baccalaureate level, SEK El Castillo International School Madrid offers seniors several trajectories. The IB diploma runs in fully English or bilingual formats, while Spanish Bachillerato includes five streams: sciences and technology, biomedicine, humanities, social sciences, and arts. Those pursuing the Spanish route also complete IB-inspired research projects and the CAS program (creativity, activity, service). Athletes benefit from a specialized professional orientation program that balances intensive training with coursework. Through NEASC accreditation, all diploma graduates automatically receive an American high school diploma, and the dual diploma option broadens university access worldwide.

Language Programs and University Admission

SEK El Castillo International School Madrid attracts international students seeking both language immersion and preparation for top universities. The institution hosts foreign learners on programs ranging from one trimester to a full academic year, including Irish students on Transition Year programs with a three-month minimum stay. Seniors receive personalized university counseling as advisors assess individual strengths, assist with application materials, and prepare them for entrance requirements. The school also organizes meetings with representatives from international institutions, particularly at the British Council’s UK university fair.