Discover Our New La Moraleja Campus

By Pesh Mistry

Every child learns differently. Some children move quickly through certain subjects, while others need more time or support. Some are naturally curious about science and math, while others discover their strengths through languages, art, music, athletics, or creative projects. As a parent, you want to know that your child's school recognizes those differences rather than expecting every student to learn in exactly the same way.

This is where individualized education can make a difference.

What does individualized education mean?

Individualized education means designing learning around the individual student through differentiation and acknowledgement of pace and skill level to reach and surpass grade-level expectations and milestones. Instead of expecting every child to follow exactly the same path, teachers consider a student's strengths, interests, challenges, and goals and use that understanding to help them grow.

That does not mean every student has a completely different curriculum. It means students receive the right support and challenge to help them reach their full potential.

For parents, one of the most important questions to ask is: How does the school actually individualize learning?

How can a school individualize learning?

Individualized learning starts with knowing the student. Smaller classes can give teachers more opportunities to understand how individual students learn, where they are succeeding, and where they may need additional support or challenge.

At Brewster Madrid, an average class size of 15 supports more attention for each student, active participation, and meaningful connections between teachers and students. Brewster's team-based model also brings educators together to focus on each student's progress, strengths, and areas for growth. An intentional advisory system means every student has a trusted adult mentor who provides unique guidance and support.

Individualization also means giving students opportunities to explore their interests and connect their learning to the world around them. Through Learning Expeditions, students step beyond the classroom to make real-world connections to what they are studying. Madrid becomes an extension of the classroom, giving students opportunities for place-based learning and real-world discovery.

Why does this matter as children grow?

Your child's needs at age 5 will not be the same as their needs at age 15. As students grow, they become more independent, discover new interests, and begin thinking about their future.

An individualized education can grow with them and encourage agency.

At Brewster Madrid, the student-centered approach meets students where they are while challenging them to grow academically and personally. From the early years, when play, wonder, and meaningful relationships guide learning, through Middle School and Upper School, students are given opportunities to develop their strengths, interests, and goals.

Older students also have academic choices that can reflect their goals. At the Chamberí campus, students can pursue the American High School Diploma with AP course offerings. At the La Moraleja campus, students can pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme alongside the American High School Diploma.

What should parents look for?

If individualized education is important to your family, ask schools:

How many students are in each class?

How do teachers identify individual strengths and areas for growth?

How does the school provide support when my child needs it?

How are students challenged when they are ready for more?

Does my child have a trusted adult who knows them well?

How involved are teachers and advisors in my child's progress?

What opportunities will my child have to explore their interests?

What choices will my child have as they get older?

The answers can tell you much more about a school's approach than the word "personalized" on a website.

The right school starts with knowing your child

Choosing a school is ultimately about finding the right environment for your child to grow. You want them to feel known, supported, challenged, and confident in who they are.

At Brewster Madrid, small class sizes, a team-based and student-centered approach, intentional advisory, Learning Expeditions, and different academic pathways help create an education centered around each student's strengths, interests, and goals.

Because your child is unique. Their education should be, too.

If you are exploring education in Madrid, we invite you to visit our Chamberí or La Moraleja campus and discover how Brewster can support your child's individual journey.

Book a Campus Visit

By Pesh Mistry

When choosing a school for your child, you probably have a long list of questions. Is the curriculum right for them? Will they feel comfortable? Will they be challenged? Will they have the support they need?

And then there is one question that can make a surprisingly big difference: How many students will be in their class?

Because there is a big difference between a teacher knowing 15 students and trying to remember 30 names before morning coffee.

Why does class size matter?

Smaller classes do not automatically make a school better. What matters is what smaller classes make possible. When there are fewer students in a classroom, teachers have more opportunities to hear from each student, understand how they learn, identify where they may need support, and provide additional challenges when they are ready.

For students, this can mean more opportunities to participate, ask questions, collaborate, and build meaningful relationships with their teachers. For parents, it can mean greater confidence that their child is not simply another name on a roster.

A smaller class can mean a more personal experience

Every child is different. One may be eager to raise their hand every five seconds, while another has brilliant ideas but needs a little more encouragement to share them. One may need additional support in math, while another is ready to move ahead. A smaller class gives teachers more opportunities to notice these differences and respond to them.

At Brewster Madrid, classes typically have 15 to 18 students, supporting personalized attention, active participation, and meaningful connections. This is an important part of Brewster's student-centered approach. The goal is not simply to have a smaller number on a classroom door, but to create an environment where students can be known as individuals and where teachers can better understand their strengths, needs, and goals.

Your child should be more than a name on a list

Impactful education starts with knowing the student. At Brewster, every student has an advisor who serves as a mentor, coach, parent liaison, and champion. Advisors work with teachers to monitor student progress and help students work toward their goals.

This means your child's support does not stop when the bell rings. There is a wider team paying attention to how they are doing, where they are growing, and where they may need additional support or challenge.

Small classes can give students a bigger voice

A smaller classroom can create more opportunities for students to participate actively in their education. Students have more opportunities to contribute, collaborate, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning.

As children grow, this becomes increasingly important. Brewster's student-centered approach is designed to meet students where they are while challenging them to grow academically and personally. Learning also extends beyond the classroom through Learning Expeditions, which connect classroom learning with the world around students and make Madrid an extension of the classroom.

What should parents ask about class size?

When comparing international schools in Madrid, don't just ask, “How many students are in a class?” Ask what that number actually means for your child.

How much individual attention do students receive?

How do teachers support different learning needs?

How are students challenged when they are ready for more?

How often do students receive individual feedback?

Does every student have an advisor or mentor?

How well do teachers and the wider school community know each child?

A small class is valuable because of what it allows teachers and students to do together.

Finding the right fit for your child

Choosing an international school is ultimately about finding the right environment for your child. You want them to be known, supported, challenged, and given the confidence to discover what they can do.

At Brewster Madrid, classes of 15 to 18 students are one part of a wider student-centered approach built around meaningful relationships, individualized attention, agency, and growth. Across our Chamberí and La Moraleja campuses, we aim to create a community where students are known not just by their teachers, but by the people around them.

Your child should never feel like just another student. They should feel like they belong.

If you are looking for an international school in Madrid with small class sizes and an individualized approach to education, we invite you to visit our Chamberí or La Moraleja campus and experience the Brewster community for yourself.

Book a Campus Visit

We are excited to welcome Brewster Madrid families to our 4th Annual University Information Night, taking place on October 7 from 6:00–7:30 PM at our Pre-University Hub.

Join Phillip Wenturine, Director of University Counseling, and Sophia Calabrese, University Counselor, for an evening focused on helping students and families understand the university planning process and prepare for the next steps beyond Brewster.

Who should attend?
Students and parents in Grades 9–12 are welcome to attend. The evening is especially encouraged for Grade 11 and 12 families, as these years are an important part of the university application journey.

📅 October 7
🕕 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Pre-University Hub, Calle Magallanes 1, Madrid

Joining remotely?
Families who are unable to attend in person can join online. The meeting link will be sent by email the day before the event.

Please note: This is an internal Brewster Madrid event for current students and their families only.

Please save the date. We look forward to welcoming you and supporting our students as they take their next steps beyond Brewster.

See What It Means to Be Truly Known

Choosing the right school means finding a place where your child will be more than a name on a class list. You want teachers who understand their strengths, notice when they need extra support and give them the space to grow with confidence.

Join us on October 13 from 5:00 p.m. for a Fall Open House at the Brewster Madrid La Moraleja campus and experience that difference for yourself.

Tour our brand-new campus, meet our teachers and school leaders, learn how our small classes support individualized learning, and discover how your child can grow through our American and IB pathways.

Most importantly, come and meet the people who could become an important part of your child’s journey.

Come see where your child could feel known, supported and at home.

October 13 | 5:00 p.m. | Brewster Madrid La Moraleja campus

See What an Education Built Around Your Child Can Look Like

Join us for a virtual information session to discover how Brewster Madrid’s approach to Early Years and Lower School gives children the support, challenge and attention they need to thrive.

You’ll hear from our teachers, administrators, current parents and Admissions team about how our small classes and close-knit community help ensure every child is truly known, supported and encouraged to grow.

Come and discover what an education built around your child can look like at Brewster Madrid, from wherever you are.

For more information, please contact admissions@brewstermadrid.com.

By Pesh Mistry

Choosing a school for your child is a big decision. You want to know that they will be happy, supported, challenged, and prepared for what comes next. But with so many international schools in Madrid, how do you know which one is right for your child?

The answer is not simply about finding the school with the biggest campus, the longest list of programs, or the most impressive facilities. It is about finding a school that understands your child and can support them as they grow. If you are searching for the best international school in Madrid, here are some of the most important things to consider.

Will your child be truly known?

Every child is different. Your child may love math and science, while another student may thrive in art, languages, music, or sports. They may be highly independent in some areas but need more support in others. They may need extra challenges to stay engaged or more time and guidance to build confidence.

As a parent, you want to know that your child will not get lost in the crowd. When visiting an international school, ask how many students are in each class, how well teachers know their students, how the school identifies individual strengths and needs, and what happens when a student needs additional support or challenge.

At Brewster Madrid, small class sizes help make personal attention part of everyday learning. With an average class size of 15 students, teachers can build strong relationships with students and understand how they learn best. Students also have an advisor who acts as a mentor, coach, parent liaison, and advocate throughout their school experience. For families looking for a more personalized education, these relationships can make a meaningful difference.

Will the school adapt as your child grows?

The child who starts school at age 3 will be very different from the student who graduates at 18. Their interests will change, their strengths will develop, they may discover new passions, and their academic goals may become clearer over time. That is why it is worth looking beyond what a school offers your child today and asking what their education could look like several years from now.

A strong international school should give students opportunities to become increasingly independent while continuing to provide the support they need. At Brewster Madrid, students can follow a continuous educational journey from ages 3 to 18 across our Chamberí and La Moraleja campuses. In the early years, students learn through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. As they grow, they take increasing ownership of their learning, develop deeper academic skills, and begin making choices that reflect their interests and goals.

The goal is simple: your child's education should grow with them.

Does your child have room to discover what they are good at?

Sometimes, a child's strengths are obvious. Other times, they need opportunities to discover them. Your child might not know yet that they love engineering, debate, creative writing, entrepreneurship, theater, coding, or biology. They need opportunities to try new things, make connections, and discover what motivates them.

That is why learning should not be limited to textbooks and classrooms. At Brewster Madrid, experiential learning is an important part of the educational experience. In Madrid, the city itself becomes a classroom, giving students opportunities to connect what they learn in school with the world around them. For parents, this means your child is not simply learning about the world. They have opportunities to experience it.

Does the school offer the right academic options for your child?

As your child gets older, academic choices become increasingly important. You may already know what your child wants to study at university, or perhaps they have no idea yet. Both are completely normal. What matters is finding a school that can give your child appropriate options as their interests and goals develop.

Brewster Madrid offers different academic pathways across its campuses. At the Chamberí campus, Upper School students can pursue the American High School Diploma and choose from a range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. At the La Moraleja campus, students can pursue the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme alongside the American High School Diploma.

This gives families different options depending on their child's needs, interests, and future plans. The right academic pathway is not about choosing the most impressive-sounding program. It is about finding the pathway that allows your child to do their best work and prepare for the future they want.

Will your child feel like they belong?

Academic success matters, but so does feeling that you belong. When children feel that they belong and are supported and comfortable enough to be themselves, they are more likely to participate, take risks, ask questions, and build confidence. This is particularly important for families moving to Madrid or joining an international school community for the first time.

When you visit a school, look beyond the classrooms and facilities. Ask yourself: Do the students seem happy here? Do teachers know their students? Does the community feel welcoming? Could my child see this as their school?

Brewster Madrid brings together students and families from a diverse international community across its Chamberí and La Moraleja campuses. The smaller scale of the community allows students to build meaningful relationships with teachers, advisors, classmates, and other members of the Brewster community. For your child, that can mean finding not just a school, but a place where they feel they belong.

Is the school preparing your child for life beyond school?

When choosing an international school, it is natural to think about university. But preparing your child for university should mean more than helping them complete applications. You want your child to leave school able to think independently, communicate clearly, solve problems, make decisions, and understand their own strengths.

University counseling should help students understand their options and make decisions that are right for them. At Brewster Madrid, university counseling works alongside the academic experience to help students plan for life after high school and make informed decisions about their next steps. The goal is not simply to get your child into a university. It is to help them find a path where they can continue to thrive.

Can you see your child there?

You can learn a lot about an international school online, but you cannot fully understand a school community from a website. If you are seriously considering a school for your child, visit. Walk through the classrooms, meet the teachers, talk to the admissions team, ask questions, and look at how students interact with one another.

Most importantly, imagine your child there. Would they feel known? Would they be challenged? Would they have opportunities to discover what they love? Would they have the support they need? Would they feel that they belong?

At Brewster Madrid, families can visit both our Chamberí and La Moraleja campuses to experience the different environments firsthand and speak with our admissions team about finding the right fit for their child.

Finding the Right International School in Madrid

There is no single international school that is right for every child. The best school for your family is the one that understands your child, supports their individual needs, develops their strengths, and gives them the opportunities and choices they need as they grow.

If you are looking for an international school in Madrid where your child can be known as an individual, Brewster Madrid offers a unique American education from ages 3 to 18 across two distinctive campuses. From small class sizes and close relationships to experiential learning and different academic pathways, we give students the support and opportunities to find their own path.

Your child should not have to fit into their school. Their school should help them become who they are.

Ready to find out if Brewster Madrid is the right fit for your child?

If you are exploring international schools in Madrid, we would love to meet your family. Visit Brewster Madrid's Chamberí or La Moraleja campus, meet our team, and discover what your child's experience could look like at Brewster.

Book a Campus Visit