Who Owns Colegio Europeo de Madrid?

Colegio Europeo de Madrid was founded in 1987 in Madrid, Spain, making it one of Madrid's longest-established international schools. The school was established to serve the international community in Madrid, Spain's capital and largest city, which has long attracted a significant population of internationally mobile professionals, diplomats, and their families.

Madrid's position as Spain's political and economic capital creates sustained demand for high-quality international education. The city is home to the headquarters of major Spanish and multinational companies, the national government and its ministries, and a large diplomatic community, all of which bring internationally mobile families who require internationally recognized education for their children.

Colegio Europeo de Madrid was established to meet this demand, offering a multilingual curriculum that prepares students for university admission in Spain and internationally. The school's multilingual approach reflects the international character of its student body and the importance of language skills for students who may continue their education or careers in multiple countries.

Over more than three decades, Colegio Europeo de Madrid developed a reputation as one of Madrid's leading international schools, serving students from Spain and from the international community. The school built a diverse student body drawn from Spanish families and the families of diplomats, multinational corporate employees, and other internationally mobile professionals based in Madrid.

Colegio Europeo de Madrid's curriculum evolved over the years to incorporate internationally recognized qualifications and frameworks, preparing students for university admission in Spain and at universities across Europe and internationally. The school's multilingual instruction reflects the linguistic diversity of its student body and the importance of language proficiency in an international career.

In November 2018, Colegio Europeo de Madrid joined Cognita Schools, becoming part of Cognita's expanding network of premium international schools in Europe. The acquisition was part of Cognita's strategy to build a strong presence in the Spanish private school market, which is one of Europe's largest and most developed premium private school markets. Spain has a well-established tradition of premium private schooling, with a large number of families choosing private schools for their children.

Under Cognita's ownership, Colegio Europeo de Madrid gains access to Cognita's global educational resources, curriculum development support, teacher professional development programs, and the broader Cognita network of more than 100 schools across 20 countries. Cognita's philosophy emphasizes preserving each school's individual identity and local character while providing access to global resources and best practices.