SEK International School Santa Isabel

• Location: Madrid, Spain,
• Year of foundation: 1973,
• Language of instruction: English, Spanish,
• Type of studying: mixed.

SEK International School Santa Isabel is an international school, the only one in the center of Madrid to offer an accredited International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) at the preschool and primary level. Children aged 3 to 12 years study at the educational institution.  

The history of the educational institution began in 1973, and today SEK International School Santa Isabel is one of the strongest schools in the country. It is a member of the SEK Education Group, together with 11 schools located in Spain, Ireland, France and other countries. Thanks to this cooperation, each of the institutions creates a multinational student community in which children of more than 80 nationalities study. SEK International School Santa Isabel has a relatively small number of students, including representatives of about 30 different nationalities: foreign students come to the school to gain a solid base of knowledge and applied skills, a competitive diploma and enter world-renowned universities.

SEK International School Santa Isabel conducts studying in two languages: English and Spanish. In addition to them, students can study French, German or Chinese - all teachers are native speakers of the languages they teach, have higher scientific qualifications, and many years of teaching experience.

As the institution is in partnership with other SEK schools, after completing the primary education program, students can transition to the middle classes at SEK Ciudalcampo or SEK El Castillo.

The Forest School is an academic outdoor learning facility set up in Retiro Park, in the heart of Madrid. Children have the opportunity to explore, gain practical skills and learn in a natural environment, promoting contact with biodiversity, creativity and respect for the environment. Teachers act as guides, encouraging students' curiosity and offering them opportunities to develop social, cognitive, and emotional skills. At the Forest School, students participate in activities such as collecting natural materials, observing wildlife, campfire storytelling, and imaginative play.

In the lobby of the main building there is a RULER emotion meter - a tool that allows you to record the emotional state of children. All teachers of the center are trained to work with this information: to contribute to the improvement of the well-being of students, to support them in difficult days and to enjoy together on happy ones.

A variety of dishes, drinks, desserts and pastries are served daily in the dining room. Meals are provided by a catering company and qualified chefs, the menu is compiled based on the rules of healthy eating.

A wide range of extracurricular activities are available to pupils, giving them the opportunity to develop their talents in academic, cultural, artistic and sports areas. Music concerts, theatrical performances, cooking classes, drawing classes and many other events are regularly organized on campus, allowing children to relax, try their hand at a new field, practice their skills and show their talent to the public.

Some of the features of extracurricular life at SEK International School Santa Isabel are:

• In the winter season, students go to the snow resorts of Spain for a week to have fun on the slopes - the trip includes accommodation and meals in a comfortable villa, snowboarding and skiing lessons,
• Passion Pursuits is a weekly student-led educational initiative, providing students with the opportunity to choose, explore, and develop their passions. Under this program, students from different grades are grouped according to common interests, allowing them to learn from each other in a collaborative environment. Every Friday for two hours, students meet with their groups to develop projects that they create in different fields: making a short film, a music concert, fashion, technology or others,
• Play Music project - students are given the opportunity to learn to play any musical instrument: wind, string or percussion, as well as join the school symphony orchestra or percussion orchestra.

• The only school in the centre of Madrid accredited to teach the IB PYP,
• Bilingual educational system,
• Multinational student community,
• Additional language support,
• A wide range of directions for extracurricular development.

The SEK International School Santa Isabel campus is located in the center of Madrid, in the Barrio de las Letras district, one of the parts of the city that is most developed in the artistic and scientific fields. The educational area is adjacent to a variety of attractions: the Reina Sofia and Prado museums, the Royal Conservatory, the Botanical Garden and others.

The modern infrastructure includes lecture classes, science laboratories, computer rooms, STEAM studios and a wide range of sports grounds and facilities. STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) areas are taught in specialized studios with sets of necessary materials and equipment:

• Robotics, 3D printing, programming kits,
• Digital whiteboards in every classroom, iPads and computers,
• Audiovisual room with equipment for recording, video editing.

Sports training is held in two gyms, on sites with a climbing wall. Pupils also have access to the infrastructure of the UCJC school:

• A multifunctional playground with a size of 1000 square meters,
• Tennis courts,
• Basketball fields,

• All-season swimming pool,
• Beach volleyball court,
• Areas for equestrian sports.

Thanks to the collaboration and the proximity to El Retiro Park, students practice physical education at the sports center located in La Chopera.

SEK Santa Isabel has four shuttle buses that will take students to off-campus learning areas, to attractions on field trips, and home.

The academic year begins in September and lasts until the end of June. Students attend classes on weekdays, rest during vacations, international and national holidays, and on weekends.

The list of additional costs will include school uniforms, health insurance, extracurricular academic support, special needs of the child and some leisure activities. 

Prospective students must submit an online application with a completed clarifying questionnaire, and then pass an interview and possible entrance tests. The Admissions Committee pays individual attention to each applicant in order to accurately assess their abilities and prospects.

Admission of new students is limited by the number of vacant places in classes.

Upon completion of their studies at SEK International School Santa Isabel, students gain an excellent knowledge and skills base through the IB PYP program, so they can continue their academic path through the IB MYP and IBDP at SEK schools or other institutions that teach International Baccalaureate programs.

For admission to SEK International School Santa Isabel, foreign applicants must provide personal documents: passport, health insurance and vaccination certificates, visa or residence permit. Academic requirements should be clarified during the interview, as they may vary depending on the grade of entry.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision