We get it. Choosing a school for your child is so much more than just looking on Google Maps, finding the closest school, and signing up.
You have dreams in your heart for your children. You desire for them to learn more than just facts in a book. You don’t want them to be forced to use rote memory for tests that they will never apply to their real life. At the same time, you want them to experience life beyond the classroom, grow in kindness and leadership, and have a life founded on something solid.
For parents who are looking for something more, many families are discovering, and joining us, at LIFE International School in Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain.
We are an American International School in the north of Madrid, founded on our four core Christian values of Love, Integrity, Faith, and Excellence (that form the word LIFE).
Our outstanding academics, English immersion program, devoted teachers, caring staff, Biblical foundation, and so much more are several of the factors that differentiate LIFE International School from the rest of the options of schools in Madrid.
So, without further ado, here are the Top 10 Reasons Families Choose LIFE International School in Tres Cantos (Madrid), Spain:
1. Academic Excellence built on a solid Biblical Foundation
At LIFE International School, our teachers hold to our purposefully-designed Educational Philosophy.
The tenants of our Educational Philosophy include ten aspects that, combined, form a unique and excellent approach to learning where our students thrive.
These ten tenants include:
- Exploratory Learning: LIFE fosters the spirit of curiosity and discovery through a variety of hands-on activities. The five senses are used to help students grow and learn about the world around them.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Our goal is for students to move towards higher levels of critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation. Today, we have an unlimited amount of information at our fingertips, and students must be able to analyze that information and assess whether they can trust it. LIFE encourages children to analyze information for authenticity, to solve problems and navigate wisely in today’s information age.
- Character Development: Research shows that character development is more important to a person’s success than academic achievement . LIFE promotes character development through direct instruction and through qualified teachers who are committed to modeling exemplary character.
- Collaboration: The globalization of modern society requires emerging leaders to have excellent skills in communication. Teamwork and collaborative learning are educational emphases at LIFE International School.
- Individualized Support: LIFE recognizes that each student is unique and special. Classes are small to accommodate needs for hands-on learning, language support, and individualized support for special learning needs.
- Assessment:We believe that assessment is not a measure of the person, but of their learning. At LIFE, our assessment guides our teaching and encourages students to continue learning. Both formally and informally, we assess student progress and regularly inform parents of their child’s development.
- Health & Fitness: We know that our body is a gift to be taken care of. At LIFE we emphasize the development of healthy habits; physical activity, a balanced diet, sportsmanship and rest. Students will learn that nutrition and exercise will lead to a healthy lifestyle that will improve their learning and ultimately their quality of life. We have our own Lunch Service.
- English Immersion: As children intuitively learn language in the context of their environment, classes are taught in English by teachers who are certified to teach non-native students. Students with different levels of English, learn in the same class with their peers. Individualized English intruction and support is provided to help students achieve fluency in content areas. Spanish language and culture are taught in primary courses.
- Service: As students are challenged to care about the needs of others, they will learn the value and importance of contributing to their community. As they mature they will use these skills to be leaders who serve.
Biblical Integration:Every school´s educational philosophy is built upon core beliefs. Such assumptions and beliefs either include God, or exclude Him. At LIFE International School, we include God and a biblical view towards creation, people, and learning.
2. An American approach to learning
North American curriculum focuses on achieving well-rounded students, not pigeon-holing them into an academic focus from a young age. The LIFE curriculum has a strong focus on English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Spanish Language, Civics, and History, Art, Music, Physical Education, Bible and more.
One way LIFE International School is different here in Spain is that we do apply the American grading system to our students. All of these grades can be translated to and co-validated with the Spanish system if needed.
We are accredited with the Association of Christian Schools International, The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, and the Comunidad de Madrid.
Our academic model offers future pathways through American, European, and Spanish Universities. The students’ studies at LIFE will prepare them for whatever academic or career future they desire to take.
Families appreciate that LIFE offers excellence without undue pressure—high standards in a nurturing environment.
3. Children become natural English speakers
One conversation with a LIFE student and you’ll notice: Children learn to speak English here at a native level.
Our teachers are primarily from the United States, with others from Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Jamaica, and more.
One of the rules of LIFE is to maintain English as the primary spoken language at school throughout the day. The students are only allowed to use Spanish at lunch and recess. In any case, we often hear the students continuing their natural English conversations at both breaks.
Our students converse throughout the day in English and don’t just learn the language–they live it!
It’s no surprise that by 12th grade, our students have an English level that rivals students who have lived their whole lives in English speaking countries.
4. A warm, welcoming, multinational community
From the moment families visit the campus, they sense LIFE’s unique atmosphere.
Teachers greet students and parents by name, parents feel seen and supported, and students develop strong friendships across cultures.
LIFE staff and families come from more than 30 different countries including:
- Spain
- The United States
- The UK
- Canada
- Russia
- China
- India
- Venezuela
- Argentina
- Colombia
- And many more!
This diversity enriches classroom discussions, broadens worldviews, and teaches children to appreciate and respect others no matter where they come from!
5. A place where their children can make great, lifelong friends
Parents love to see their children make great friends with strong values and character! Many parents have shared with us that their children spend lots of time beyond LIFE’s walls with the great friends that they’ve made here.
This year, our 2025-26 school motto is “We are respectful, responsible, restorative, representatives of Christ.”
The word restorative means having the power to make amends or restore. We value forgiveness at LIFE, and encourage children to ask for forgiveness and make amends with their fellow students or teachers when a wrong occurs. In this way, we don’t demand or expect perfection, but teach our students positive conflict resolution that they can take into the real world.
6. Reduced class sizes and personal attention
One of the values of an education at LIFE is the children receive individualized attention due to our reduced class sizes.
Up to now, our class limit has been 15 students per class. With this number of students, our teachers can adapt lessons to the learning needs of even the most varied classroom.
In many public schools, students are one of up to 25 and sometimes even 30 students. With so many students in a class, it’s exceedingly difficult for teachers to offer personal attention.
That’s why, small class sizes are one of the factors that parents list when they talk about their most important reasons for choosing LIFE International School in Madrid.
7. A beautiful new campus designed for growth
Come early 2026, LIFE International School is moving to our new campus at the Science/Innovation District of Madrid in Tres Cantos.
Our new building allows for us to accommodate for nearly two times as many students as we have now!
Each classroom is spacious, filled with natural light, and is designed to inspire an optimal learning environment.
Among other projects, we will have a full sized library, a technology lab, a science lab, as well as amazing spaces for recreation, physical education, art, and more!
We are thrilled with our new home, and we know that many families will be blessed to have their children in such a nice place day in and day out.
8. Leadership and Character Development
As parents, we know that school is about SO much more than just what you learn from textbooks. That’s why LIFE places such a large emphasis on leadership and character development for our students.
Elementary students participate in weekly “Wellness” time, where we discuss Social-Emotional learning concepts based on scriptural truth.
High School students have the opportunity to join our elective “Leadership” class.
Beyond the classroom, our students also attend yearly leadership conferences, the most recent one being held in Budapest, Hungary.
Our high school students start the year at a “Secondary Retreat” where our kids can connect and get to know each other, learn to work as a team, and get excited for a great year to come!
These are just a few highlights of how we weave leadership and character development into everything we do at LIFE International School.
9. Excellent community events that bring parents and kids together
One way LIFE stands out from the crowd is our parent involvement on campus.
Many parents get involved with our local PALS (Parents of LIFE Students) chapter to be actively present on campus.
Some events that you can expect to see at LIFE include:
- Family Welcome Night
- Welcome Party by PALS
- Fall Festival
- Annual Christmas Concert
- Churros at Christmas
- Parents Night Out (Coming soon!)
- Spirit Week
- Easter Celebrations
- Field trips
- Graduation Parties
- Secondary retreat
Our families LOVE all the fantastic ways they can become a part of their childrens’ precious education! With all of these great events, families meet one another and our community becomes stronger and stronger!
10. A clear, supportive enrollment process
LIFE makes the admissions journey simple and personal. From the first email to the campus tour, families receive attentive guidance.
Our school offers:
- ongoing enrollment from September to February (February onward would be pushed to enrollment for the fall semester)
- A straight-forward application process
- campus visits
- a friendly admissions team
- transparency in pricing and expectations
Families appreciate that LIFE walks alongside them—not just during admissions, but throughout their whole school experience.
Here’s what a couple of families had to say about LIFE:
One LIFE dad, Miguel Angel, said, “It is an excellent educational environment, offering a high-level program in accordance with American standards and aligned with Spanish educational requirements. The staff is outstanding, and their love and commitment to the children is truly impressive.”
One of our moms, Arantxa said, “Our 7th grade daughter is happy and this is the best feedback. LIFE is a school where learning is encouraged in a practical, dynamic way and in which students “learn by doing” within safe and respectful environment so that they can fully develop their skills and critical thinking. It has an exceptional academic direction and teaching team, in which everyone works together. Without a doubt, it has been the best choice for our daughter.”
Finally, another mom, Natalia, says, “As a mother of two students at this school, I recommend it 100%. I love their way of teaching, the treatment they give to each child, and the professional and family atmosphere that exists. All the teachers have a very good level of English, it’s amazing! Furthermore, being a Christian school, they take great care that each teacher has a very complete profile.”
Visit LIFE International School and discover it yourself
The best way to see if LIFE is the perfect fit for your family is to visit! Don’t wait, there are limited spots available for each of our classes. We greatly look forward to hearing from you!
👉 Schedule a Campus Tour
Meet our teachers, explore our new facilities, and see what makes LIFE so special.
LIFE International School
Tres Cantos • Madrid
www.lifeschool.es
