Aquinas American School
Part of Mathema Educación, Catholic
Updated July 2026
Curriculum
IB DiplomaAccreditations
Middle States AssociationAquinas American School is a Catholic, college-preparatory, co-ed international school in Madrid serving students from K1 to G12. It offers an American curriculum that prepares students for university entrance in Spain or internationally.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
Aquinas American School is a Catholic, college-preparatory, co-ed institution that promotes superior academic achievement, mastery of skills, and moral citizenship. It emphasizes an integrated teaching approach that combines rigorous content with the development of critical thinking, leadership, and a vocation for service to the community.
Programmes
The school offers an American curriculum from K1 to G12, with a choice of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or the American High School Diploma (AHSD) in grades 11 and 12. The academic program includes a focus on liberal arts, sciences, and languages, with mandatory Spanish Language and Culture subjects for grades 1–10. Specialized offerings include an entrepreneurship program, arts and music, and athletic pathways such as the Getafe International Madrid Football Academy and a high-performance basketball program.
Outcomes
The school has achieved results above the global International Baccalaureate (IB) average for eight consecutive years. Graduates are prepared for university admission in Spain and abroad, with support provided by a college counselor for transcript preparation and application deadlines.
Student support
Learning support
The school evaluates students with learning difficulties on an individual basis to determine its ability to meet their specific needs. A dedicated Student Support Services team, including a school psychologist, is available to support academic progress and personal well-being.
Frequently asked questions(6)
- What curriculum does Aquinas American School offer?
- Aquinas American School offers IB Diploma.
- How much is tuition at Aquinas American School?
- Annual tuition at Aquinas American School is €8.3K–€15.2K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- Is Aquinas American School a day or boarding school?
- Aquinas American School is a boarding school.
- What accreditations does Aquinas American School hold?
- Aquinas American School holds accreditations including IB and Middle States Association.
- Is Aquinas American School co-educational?
- Aquinas American School is a co-ed school.
- Where is Aquinas American School located?
- Aquinas American School is an international school in Madrid, Spain.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026-2027| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten (Ages 3 to 5) | 3–5 | €8.3K |
| Lower School (Grades 1 to 5) | 6–10 | €10.2K |
| Middle School (Grades 6 to 8) | 11–13 | €11.4K |
| High School (Grades 9 & 10) | 14–15 | €13.4K |
| American High School Diploma (Grades 11 & 12 not IBDP) | 16–18 | €13.8K |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (Grades 11 & 12) | 16–18 | €15.2K |
Source:PDFASS-School-Calendar-25-26.pdfPDFAAS-2025-2026-Day-Student-Tuition-Fees.pdfPDFhomologation-process.pdfPDFApplicants_Flyer.pdf
Other fees(11)
| Registration fee· Family Admission Fee (per family G1). One-time fee applied to new families in their first year. Waived only for new families enrolling at least one child in Kindergarten. | €2K |
|---|---|
| Registration fee· Annual Registration Fee (per student) for new students. Ensure a place in the class. | €500 |
| Deposit· Deposit (per student) for new students. Refunded upon correct withdrawal or graduation. | €500 |
| Registration fee· Registration Fee for returning students. | €500 |
| Deposit· Deposit (only for High School students) for returning students. | €500 |
| Mealsmonthly· Lunch fee per month. Mandatory for Kindergarten through Grade 8. | €180 |
| Bus / transportmonthly· Bus Service One Way (1 child) per month. | €160 |
| Bus / transportmonthly· Bus Service Round Trip (1 child) per month. | €195 |
| EALmonthly· Support for ESL (English as a Second Language) or SSL (Spanish as a Second Language) may incur an additional supplement of up to €300 per month. | €300 |
| Registration fee· IB Certificates for American High School Diploma students: €600 per subject made in a one-time payment in G12. | €600 |
| Uniform· School uniforms are required but not included in tuition fees. | — |
Discounts
- Sibling discount: 10%, 30%, 75%
- Full-payment discount: 4%
Admissions
Admissions are processed on a rolling basis for grades 1–12, while K1–K3 notifications occur 15 days after the process is completed. Applicants must submit an online application, academic records for the last two years, and recommendation letters. Students applying for grades 7–12 must demonstrate English proficiency via the Duolingo English Test, and all candidates undergo an interview and placement test to assess academic capabilities.
Calendar
The school operates on an annual academic calendar, with specific dates for events such as SAT testing sessions throughout the year. The 2025-26 school calendar is available for reference.
About the campus
The school operates across two main campuses in Pozuelo de Alarcón: one for PreK–8 and another for High School. It also maintains a student residence in Alcorcón. The facilities support a range of academic and extracurricular activities, including sports and arts programs.
Co-curriculars
Students participate in a variety of clubs including theater, Mad Lab, French, cinema, and journalism. The school also utilizes a "Bear House" system for sports and recreational activities to foster social integration and community belonging across different age groups. Additionally, high school students are required to complete 100 hours of volunteering.
- Mr. José Manuel BerrenderoHead of School and High School Principal
Having been part of this community since its foundation, Mr. Berrendero has witnessed firsthand the dedication, enthusiasm, and spirit that have shaped AAS into the vibrant place it is today. As a founding teacher and one of the founding houseparents at our student residence, he has witnessed our school grow not only in numbers, but in strength of character, purpose, and vision.
- Ms. Shavana GonzálezMiddle School Principal
As one of the first teachers at Aquinas American School, Ms. González has been a constant pillar in AAS since 2013. She joined as a science teacher for our Middle and High School, and helped create the student life council on both campuses. In 2024 she became the Middle School Dean of Students, before taking on the role of Middle School Principal in 2025.
- Ms. Sarah CruzPreschool & Lower School Principal
Originally from Texas, Ms. Cruz is bilingual in English and Spanish, and has relocated to Madrid this year with her husband, Raúl, and their three young children. She brings strong experience and a solid background in educational leadership from several schools in Denton, Texas, and takes on her role as Preschool and Lower School principal with heart and enthusiasm.
- Father Mario PalacioChaplain
As Parish Priest of the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady in Pozuelo de Alarcón, Father Mario joined the parish following his service in Carabanchel. A native of Madrid, he has been part of Aquinas American School since 2017, actively contributing to the spiritual life of the school community.
- Ms. Daniela PaternostroResidence Director
Ms. Paternostro is a psychologist specialized in Cognitive Disorders and Learning Difficulties, holding a Master’s degree from Barranquilla, Colombia. As both School Psychologist and Residency Director, she plays a key part in supporting students’ academic progress and personal well-being. Now in her seventh year in Madrid and at Aquinas, Ms. Paternostro has been a dedicated member of the Student Support Services team throughout her time at the school.
- Ms. Alejandra López-BachillerCommunications & Admissions Director
Ms. Alejandra has been part of Aquinas American School since 2018, where she has played a key role in the development of the school’s admissions and communications strategy, as well as in strengthening its sense of community. In 2024, she assumed a leadership role across the three schools within the Mathema group, bringing a unified vision and strategic approach to communications and admissions.
- Ms. Lourdes CamasFinance Officer & Human Resources
Ms. Camas is a highly experienced finance and human resources professional with over 25 years of expertise in multinational environments. Originally from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, she holds a degree in Business Administration from CUNEF. Ms. Camas joined Mathema Educación in 2024 as Finance Officer & Human Resources lead, where she contributes her extensive expertise to support the school’s operations, strategic development, and community wellbeing.
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