We are an American School offering innovative, K-12 education to young people in the heart of Madrid.
Discover Brewster—where your learning is centered on you and where you’ll find your passions, your people, and your purpose. Limited spaces remain for the 2025–26 school year at our Chamberí and La Moraleja campuses in Madrid.
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Discover your purpose, connect with community, pursue exceptional academic pathways, and collaborate in ways that bring learning to life.
Welcome to Brewster! We will help you discover your passions, unlock your potential, and prepare you for a life you'll love—a life of purpose.
Families can choose between our Chamberí Campus in the heart of downtown Madrid or our La Moraleja Campus just outside the city, each offering unique opportunities to connect with place and community.
Brewster offers the American High School Diploma with AP course offerings and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, both offering a rigorous and world-class education that prepares students with the skills and experience to thrive in college and beyond.
At Brewster, learning expeditions open doors to cities, culture, and nature—where you explore, engage, and build skills that last a lifetime.
At Brewster, students learn in a team-based environment where teachers know them well, peers support one another, and collaboration sparks deeper understanding and growth.
Enrolled Students
Students from around the world come together across our two lively Madrid campuses, learning, growing, and making lifelong friends.
Countries
A global community of students bringing diverse perspectives, cultures, and ideas into every classroom and activity.
College Acceptances
Every student is fully supported and guided to achieve success and confidently take the next step in their academic journey.
Campuses in Madrid
Two Madrid campuses, each offering unique academic programs and extracurricular opportunities, giving students the best of both worlds.
Average Class Size
Small classes mean personalized attention, active participation, and meaningful connections with teachers and peers.
Years of Tradition
More than two centuries of academic excellence have shaped curious, confident, and capable students ready for the future.
Afternoon Activities
Every afternoon, students can choose from more than 20 afternoon activities—from sports and arts to clubs and special interest groups—to follow their passions.
Learning Expeditions
Over 130 hands-on trips last year allowed students to explore, discover, and apply their learning beyond the classroom in and around Madrid.
Churrerías
Four local favorites where students can enjoy traditional churros and immerse themselves in Madrid’s sweet and lively culture.
Enrolled Students
Students from around the world come together across our two lively Madrid campuses, learning, growing, and making lifelong friends.
Countries
A global community of students bringing diverse perspectives, cultures, and ideas into every classroom and activity.
College Acceptances
Every student is fully supported and guided to achieve success and confidently take the next step in their academic journey.
Campuses in Madrid
Two Madrid campuses, each offering unique academic programs and extracurricular opportunities, giving students the best of both worlds.
Average Class Size
Small classes mean personalized attention, active participation, and meaningful connections with teachers and peers.
Years of Tradition
More than two centuries of academic excellence have shaped curious, confident, and capable students ready for the future.
Afternoon Activities
Every afternoon, students can choose from more than 20 afternoon activities—from sports and arts to clubs and special interest groups—to follow their passions.
Learning Expeditions
Over 130 hands-on trips last year allowed students to explore, discover, and apply their learning beyond the classroom in and around Madrid.
Churrerías
Four local favorites where students can enjoy traditional churros and immerse themselves in Madrid’s sweet and lively culture.
For more than 30 years, Brewster has cultivated a unique team-based, collaborative, and student-centered educational model to prepare students for lives of purpose. Based on evidence-based best practices, our approach is both challenging and transformative. The Brewster Model® is intentionally designed to ensure that every student within our global community of diverse thinkers can THRIVE.
Our supportive team environment helps you understand yourself, learn from others, and experience the joy of achieving together.
You’ll receive the optimal levels of challenge and support for your unique needs and build strategies for success at Brewster and beyond.
There are so many opportunities to explore new perspectives and interests and find your path in life at Brewster.
Learning opportunities beyond the classroom, Instructional Support, and other resources are truly integrated into your learning experience.
You can shape your studies to your interests and goals, and prepare with an expansive selection of course offerings.
Our teachers’ expertise is honed through professional development and the Brewster Summer Institute.
newsJanuary 30, 2026
Brewster Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Colburn…
newsJanuary 28, 2026
Seven Brewster Madrid students begin a seven-week journey in Wolfeboro
newsJanuary 20, 2026
Where American education meets Brewster Madrid’s personal approach
eventsJanuary 29, 2026
January 29th, at 17:00. Join Us!
eventsFebruary 5, 20264:30 PM
February 5th, at 4:30 p.m. Join Us!
eventsFebruary 3, 2026
Join our 3rd Annual Summer Programs Fair
newsJanuary 7, 2026
A day full of teamwork, energy, and school spirit across Brewster.
Brewster Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Colburn as the new Executive Director of BA International, LLC. Matt will lead Brewster’s international operations, including its two campuses in Madrid, Spain.
This appointment marks an important milestone in Brewster’s international journey. Since the launch of BA International in 2023 and the opening of Brewster Academy Spain in Madrid, Brewster has taken bold steps to extend its mission and educational philosophy into new global contexts. With two thriving campuses in Chamberí and La Moraleja, BA International is now poised for its next phase of growth, one that is thoughtful, mission-driven, and deeply aligned with Brewster’s values. For current Brewster students and families, this leadership appointment strengthens the global reach of the Brewster Model®, expands opportunities for cross-campus learning and connection, and reinforces Brewster’s position as a forward-looking school preparing students for an increasingly interconnected world.
Matt brings more than two decades of transformative leadership experience across education, government, and nonprofit sectors. A mission-driven executive, he has dedicated his career to community investment through transformational education, building institutions, scaling impact, and strengthening organizations in complex global environments.
Most recently, Matt served in senior executive leadership roles with the United States Peace Corps, including Acting Chief Administrative Officer and Country Director in Mexico, overseeing multinational operations across more than 20 countries. His work required navigating complex regulatory, financial, and cultural landscapes while leading diverse teams and ensuring program integrity, operational excellence, and strong financial stewardship.
Earlier in his career, Matt served as Chief Operating Officer of KIPP Delta Public Schools, where he helped scale the organization from a single school into a multi-campus regional network, nearly tripling the number of students served while preserving educational quality, mission fidelity, and long-term financial sustainability. He also led the development of international education and literacy networks in Central America with The Riecken Foundation, building a deeply impactful community-based education model from the ground up.
A fluent Spanish speaker with nearly two decades of international field experience, Matt brings deep intercultural competence and a collaborative, strengths-based leadership style. He is known for building high-performing, values-driven teams and forging meaningful partnerships across cultures and communities.
As Executive Director of BA International, Matt will serve as both a strategic leader and an educational entrepreneur. He will be responsible for ensuring fidelity to the Brewster Model®, championing academic excellence across international campuses, supporting campus leadership, and shaping the long-term vision for Brewster’s global presence.
Reflecting on his appointment, Matt shared: “Brewster’s bold vision for international education reflects the very best of what schools can be: mission-driven, innovative, and deeply committed to students. I am excited to partner with the Brewster community as we expand this extraordinary model around the world.”
We are thrilled to welcome Matt to the Brewster family and look forward to the leadership, vision, and global perspective he brings to this exciting next chapter of Brewster Academy’s story.
By Kara McDuffee
Leaving your school midyear to study in another country for seven weeks sounds like a major change. But for seven Brewster Madrid students, it’s not about starting over; it’s about continuing their Brewster journey on a different campus.
This winter, five students from the La Moraleja campus and two from Chamberí traded Madrid’s city streets for Wolfeboro’s snowy lakeside campus to take part in the American Experience. Now two weeks into their seven-week adventure, they are discovering what it means to be part of one school with multiple campuses, connected by shared values, cross-campus relationships, and a spirit of exploration.
The students’ reasons for joining the program vary, from wanting to gain more independence at a boarding school, to meeting new people, to exploring life away from home for the first time, or simply feeding a love for travel and cultural exchange. Yet all share one understanding: the most meaningful growth happens when you stretch your comfort zone.
“I really wanted to study abroad,” said Lolita ’28 when asked why she decided to embark on this journey. “I love coming to the United States and I’ve always been interested in the American experience.”
Upon arrival at Boston’s Logan International Airport, the students were greeted by James Reilly, Assistant Head of School for Campus Life, as well as a familiar face from home. Bret Barnet, Dean of Faculty at Brewster Madrid and former Assistant Head of School in Wolfeboro, accompanied the group for their first week to help with the transition.
Before they even set foot on campus, the students were already connected with peers and faculty in Wolfeboro. In preparation for their trip, Chris Brown, Brewster’s Dean of Equity and Inclusion, met with them virtually for a cultural discussion to help them get ready for their time in the United States. In the week leading up to their departure, they also exchanged emails with pen pals from Margarita Proulx’s Global Voices Spanish class. The correspondence gave Wolfeboro students an authentic chance to practice their Spanish while helping their Madrid peers feel welcomed and supported. On orientation day, the two groups finally met in person, creating a meaningful moment that brought their earlier exchanges to life.
At the heart of the American Experience are the core elements that connect every Brewster campus: a personalized education, vibrant community life, supportive and involved faculty, and peers from around the world who learn from one another each day.
This Madrid cohort has quickly embraced those same elements in Wolfeboro. They’ve been welcomed into three different dorms across campus, each with a Community Living Parent (CLP) who supports them in the evenings and helps create a positive, inclusive dorm culture. In the afternoons, the students participate fully in campus life through winter co-curriculars such as basketball, skiing and snowboarding, mass media, and fitness.
When asked what has surprised her the most so far about her experience, Ana ’28 had a simple answer: “The people.” Living in Bradley House, an upper school girls’ dorm, and residing on Team Palmer, a junior Academic Team, Ana has already felt welcomed by the other Brewster students. “Everyone here is so friendly.”
Academically, teachers in Madrid and Wolfeboro collaborate to ensure a seamless transition. Classes are carefully aligned to maintain continuity, and some Madrid teachers continue meeting online for courses like AP Spanish and Lengua to help students stay on track. While in Wolfeboro, each student also has a dedicated Advisor and Academic Team who guide their day-to-day learning and overall experience.
Beyond the classroom, the students are immersed in the full Wolfeboro experience. Their days are filled with opportunities to connect and participate in all aspects of campus life, from weekend activities and off-campus trips to school dances and the excitement of Winter Carnival (a shared tradition celebrated across Brewster’s campuses).
Barnet reflected on the program’s value, calling it “a great opportunity for our students in Madrid to experience American culture firsthand, as well as get a taste for life in New Hampshire and the many unique aspects of Wolfeboro’s location.” He added, “Not to mention the growth they will get from living at a boarding school and developing their independence while being supported by the faculty and structures that Brewster’s main campus offers.”
Now in its second year, the American Experience has become a highlight of the high school journey for students at Brewster Madrid, an American school in Madrid that thrives alongside its main campus in Wolfeboro. As collaborations deepen between Brewster’s multiple campuses, students and faculty alike are discovering that at Brewster, community feels familiar, no matter the location.
As families in Madrid and around the world consider an American school for their children, Kat Simison, Network Director of Enrollment and External Affairs, offers insight into what defines American education in Spain and what distinguishes Brewster Madrid.
Families are increasingly drawn to American schools for their combination of academic excellence, global perspective, and student-centered philosophy. An American education in Madrid offers a distinctive learning model: a flexible, skills-based approach designed to support individual growth while preparing students for university and life beyond the classroom. And it’s all within one of Europe’s most influential global capitals.
Brewster Madrid represents a new generation of American international education, one that blends the rigor and innovation of a nearly 200-year American educational legacy with the multicultural energy, cultural richness, and global opportunities of Madrid. Below, Simison addresses some of the most common questions families ask when exploring American education in Spain and explains why Brewster Madrid may be the right fit for their family.
What Defines an American School?
American schools follow a U.S.-based curriculum taught primarily in English, emphasizing critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and independent inquiry. Students typically graduate with an American high school diploma and are well prepared for universities worldwide.
At Brewster Madrid, that philosophy comes to life through small class sizes and a highly personalized approach. Students can pursue an American diploma alongside Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), ensuring both flexibility and global recognition.
“Personalization isn’t an add-on here, it’s the system,” Simison explained. “Every student is known by name, by story, and by potential.”
Why Madrid?
Madrid offers a unique setting for international education: safe, culturally rich, multilingual, and globally connected. Students benefit from immersion in English while living in Spain, learning within a multicultural community, and engaging directly with the city’s art, history, science, and global institutions.
With campuses in Chamberí and La Moraleja, Brewster Madrid embraces place-based learning, turning the city itself into an extension of the classroom.
Through Brewster Madrid’s robust Learning Expeditions program, learning extends beyond campus walls through museum visits, neighborhood exploration, partnerships with cultural and civic organizations, and service-learning embedded in the local community. These experiences give students authentic opportunities to apply knowledge, build independence, and deepen their understanding of the world around them.
Two Campuses, One Personalized Experience
One of the defining features of Brewster Madrid is the ability for families to choose between two distinct campus environments. Each campus has the same academic rigor and student-centered philosophy, but with a different sense of place. The Chamberí campus places students in the heart of the city, surrounded by Madrid’s cultural institutions, neighborhoods, and urban energy, while the La Moraleja campus offers a greener, more spacious setting designed for students who thrive in a quieter, nature-connected learning environment.
“Madrid is an extraordinary learning environment,” Simison said. “From globally-renowned museums and cultural institutions to service-learning and local partnerships, students are constantly connecting classroom learning to the world around them.”
Students can also study abroad in high school at Brewster’s main campus in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, through an “American Experience” program that lets them seamlessly continue their coursework while immersing themselves in a new culture and boarding school environment.
Preparing Students for University and Beyond
American education emphasizes broad academic foundations across the humanities, sciences, mathematics, and the arts, alongside project-based and inquiry-driven learning. Students develop strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills while gradually building independence and academic ownership. At Brewster Madrid, university preparation begins early and unfolds over several years through individualized counseling, intentional advising, and close partnership with families. Our faculty and team-based approach ensure students are supported academically, socially, and emotionally throughout the process.
The result: graduates who are confident, adaptable, and prepared for top universities in the U.S., Europe, the UK, and beyond.
Ready to Learn More?
Choosing the right school is an important decision, and Brewster Madrid is here to guide families every step of the way. We invite you to visit our How to Apply page to learn more about the admissions process, including how to inquire, request additional information, and schedule a campus visit at either our Chamberí or La Moraleja campus.
“The best way to understand Brewster is to experience it,” Simison shared, noting that spending time on campus allows families to see how personal, global, and purposeful learning comes to life.
Explore the steps to apply and discover whether Brewster Madrid is the right fit for your family.
→ Visit the How to Apply page to get started!
Save the Date for our event Friends of Brewster Open House, hosted in partnership with the Brewster Madrid Parent Association.
See campus, learn about the admission process, and hear from community members about the Brewster Model over light apps and beverages.
Brewster Madrid is excited to welcome prospective students and families to campus for our Open House days during this academic year.
At your visit, you will hear from students and faculty, and learn about the admission process and the Brewster difference.
Are you looking to go abroad for a summer program this year? We are here to help you find the right program!
Join us at Brewster Madrid for our Summer Programs Fair on February 3rd to meet representatives from top peer schools from the United States and Europe to learn about their program offerings.
Stay Tuned for more details!
Our first ever Lower School Sports Fest was a true community celebration.
Lower School students took on every game with energy and excitement, while Middle and High School students stepped up to help run activities and cheer everyone on. Teachers and staff kept the day moving, and families came out to support, celebrate, and share in the fun.
It was a day full of teamwork, school spirit, and connection, and a wonderful example of our whole Brewster community coming together.
See more highlights from our Lower School Sports Fest on our Instagram @brewster_madrid and learn more about student life and community events at Brewster here.
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Brewster Academy is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Colburn…
Read more
Seven Brewster Madrid students begin a seven-week journey in Wolfeboro
Read more
Where American education meets Brewster Madrid’s personal approach
Read more
A day full of teamwork, energy, and school spirit across Brewster.
Read more
