Thrive here,
then everywhere

A school community is built through the moments that bring people together. Some are traditions that have been part of Brewster for generations, while others are created by the students, teachers, and families who make Brewster Madrid their own.

Looking back at the 2025–26 school year, these moments were everywhere. From the first day of school to sporting victories, concerts, spirit weeks, service projects, and family events, each offered a reminder that a school is about more than what happens in the classroom.

Here are a few snapshots from the year that helped make Brewster Madrid what it is.

A new school year begins

The youngest student in the school was lifted up by one of our oldest students to ring the bell and officially welcome everyone back for the new school year. The Chamberí community cheered as the year began, with students and teachers coming together for a simple but meaningful tradition.

The school community was introduced to the year's shared word, "commitment," while teachers were recognized for their work and contributions. Our music teacher led everyone in the school song, bringing students and faculty together from across the school. It was a small ceremony, but it captured something important about Brewster: every student and teacher is part of a much bigger community.

A first Copa Colegial victory

The buzzer sounded. Brewster had won.

Students, parents, teachers, and even the Bobcat mascot erupted as Brewster defeated Global College 59–53 in our first Copa Colegial competition. Students of all ages filled the stands, from Kinder students waving pom-poms to Upper School students experiencing their first Brewster basketball game.

The energy from the crowd became part of the occasion itself. Coach David Olano said afterwards, "The energy of the fans was crucial to our success in such a close game!"

With futsal, volleyball, basketball, running, and more continuing to grow, sport has become an important part of life at Brewster Madrid. But the real victory was seeing the community come together to support one another.

Spirit, houses, and a little friendly competition

At La Moraleja, the Black Rhinos took home the House Cup after a week of spirited competition. They did not win every event, but their victories in tug of war and the final lip sync battle secured the overall title.

In Chamberí, the Blue Sharks claimed their first Winter Carnival victory after a memorable final performance featuring the Upper School Dean dancing and singing along to Gangnam Style. The White Owls put up a strong fight of their own, with a performance that included some of our more introverted students and earned a huge reaction from the crowd.

These events may be lighthearted, but they create opportunities for students who might not otherwise work together to become part of the same team, cheer each other on, and create memories together.

Finding a stage for creativity

The annual Winter Concert at La Moraleja brought families together to watch students take the stage, from Kinder performances of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree to Grade 5's modern take on A Christmas Carol, complete with pop songs.

In Chamberí, students continued Brewster's growing tradition of student-created theatre, putting on their second student-written musical in three years. After the success of Witched!, a student adaptation inspired by Wicked, the community was already buzzing about the next production.

Across both campuses, opportunities to perform, create, and share talents have continued to grow. These moments give students another way to find their voice and take ownership of their school community.

Learning to give back

Community at Brewster extends beyond our campuses.

At La Moraleja, students travelled to Vallecas to distribute food to families in need in collaboration with La Asociación de las Hermanas Descalzas. The experience gave students the opportunity to step outside the school environment and put Brewster's values into action.

In Chamberí, students participating in Best Buddies celebrated their friendships with the first Friendship Walk at Parque Santander. Having spent the year building relationships with their buddies, students came together to celebrate those connections and the importance of inclusion.

These experiences reflect something we hope students carry with them long after they leave Brewster: that living a life of purpose means looking beyond yourself and finding ways to make a positive difference.

A community that includes families

Community does not stop at the school gates, either.

More than 20 parents joined administrators for a Campus Coffee in Chamberí, creating an informal opportunity to meet school leaders and, perhaps more importantly, connect with other parents. At La Moraleja, the Campus Director and Lower School Dean welcomed students and families each morning and were there again at the end of the day.

From Teacher Appreciation events to holiday celebrations and parent gatherings, families are an important part of life at both campuses. The relationships built between students, teachers, parents, and school leaders are what turn a school into a community.

The moments in between

These are just a few of the moments that stood out during the 2025–26 school year. There were also more than 130 Learning Expeditions, Reading Week, the annual College Fair, Capstone Projects, performances, competitions, celebrations, and countless smaller moments that never make it onto a school calendar.

Some of the most important traditions are not necessarily the biggest events. They are the moments when a student cheers for a friend, a teacher joins in a silly performance, a family stays a little longer after drop-off to talk to another parent, or an entire school celebrates something together.

Those are the moments that build community.

At Brewster Madrid, we are fortunate to have traditions that connect us to Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro while continuing to create new traditions of our own. As our community grows, these shared experiences help students and families feel that they belong, that they are known, and that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

And that is what makes Brewster Madrid special.

Want to experience the Brewster community for yourself? Click the link to book a campus tour and see what makes our school special.

Before students return each year, Brewster teachers return to learning.

Every summer, educators from Brewster Academy and Brewster Madrid come together for the Brewster Summer Institute (BSI), an intensive professional learning experience designed to prepare teachers for the year ahead. First established in Wolfeboro in 1993, BSI has become an important part of the Brewster experience, helping educators understand not only what we teach, but how and why we teach it.

In 2026, 14 new teachers from Brewster Madrid took part in BSI alongside colleagues from Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro. While each campus has its own community and context, there is plenty of crossover throughout the experience. Teachers from Madrid and Wolfeboro take part in shared sessions, learn from experienced Brewster educators, and have opportunities to build relationships with colleagues across campuses.

For new teachers in particular, this is about much more than an introduction to a new school. BSI gives educators the opportunity to experience Brewster's approach to learning for themselves. Sessions explore our mission, Portrait of a Graduate, and Shared Understanding of High Quality Learning, while interactive workshops model the same engaging, student-centered approach that teachers are encouraged to bring into their own classrooms.

Learning also extends beyond the classroom. During BSI, teachers experience Learning Expeditions of their own, including opportunities to explore Madrid through a different lens. This year, teachers visited the Thyssen Museum, experiencing firsthand how a cultural space can become an extension of the classroom. They also spent time together outside of school, including a trip to El Escorial, where the team took part in a learning expedition and shared a potluck picnic.

These experiences matter because great teaching is not simply about knowing a subject. It is about knowing how students learn, creating meaningful experiences, building relationships, and understanding how to support different learners. BSI gives teachers the time, tools, and shared understanding to do that well.

It also helps build the sense of community that sits at the heart of Brewster. Teachers begin the school year having already formed connections with colleagues, understood the values that shape the school, and experienced the type of learning we want our students to experience every day. The connection between Madrid and Wolfeboro is an important part of that, giving educators the opportunity to learn from one another and recognize that they are part of a wider Brewster community.

The impact of BSI has been reflected in feedback from previous participants. One 2025 participant described it as “the best onboarding of any school I've ever worked in,” while another highlighted the “supportive, inclusive, and close-knit culture” it helped create at Brewster Madrid. Others described the experience as fun, creative, engaging, and genuinely useful.

BSI was founded on the belief that investing in teachers is one of the most important things a school can do. That belief remains at the heart of the program today. When teachers are well prepared, supported, and connected to the school community, students benefit too.

For more than 30 years, BSI has helped Brewster educators begin each school year with a shared understanding of what great learning can look like. At Brewster Madrid, that preparation continues to shape the experience we create for students every day.

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If you are a parent choosing a school in Madrid, you may have seen the latest headlines about Spain’s PISA results. The 2025 results show that Spanish 15-year-olds scored below the OECD average in mathematics, reading, and science. Results have also declined since 2015, with the proportion of low-performing students increasing across all three subjects.

But what does that actually mean for your child? PISA measures education systems, not individual schools, and it only assesses 15-year-olds. A national average cannot tell you whether your child is being challenged, supported when they struggle, or making meaningful progress. Those are the questions parents should be asking about their child’s school.

At Brewster Madrid, understanding where each student is and helping them move forward is central to our approach to individualized learning. With an average 1:15 teacher to student ratio, teachers can know their students well and use assessment data to understand where they are academically and what they need next.

We see this clearly in our Lower School math data. Our assessments begin in grade 1 and are based on numeracy standards taken from US Common Core Math Standards as well as other international best practices. At the beginning of last year, 48% of students (grades 1-5) started the year below grade level expectations. Over the course of the year, our students not only closed this achievement gap but also surpassed average expected growth per grade level.

As we begin our 2026-27 school year, we have more wins to celebrate. In grade 1 where we focus on foundational math skills, we can see that 85% of students are at or above expected grade level in addition and subtraction (number operations). In grades 2-5, 83% of students are at or above expected grade level range across 5 math domains. These results are a clear reflection of the progress students can make when teachers understand their starting point and have the opportunity to respond to their individual needs.

Individualized learning is not just about what happens during a math lesson. At Brewster, students also have opportunities to apply their learning beyond the classroom. Last school year, students took part in more than 130 Learning Expeditions, connecting curriculum to real experiences across Madrid and beyond. These hands-on experiences encourage students to ask questions, solve problems, and make meaningful connections between what they learn and the world around them.

PISA is useful because it gives us a picture of how education systems are performing. But it should not be the only thing parents consider when choosing a school. Look at how your child is progressing. Look at how well teachers know them. Look at the support available when they need it and the opportunities available when they are ready for more.

Your child is not a PISA score. They are an individual with their own strengths, interests, challenges, and ambitions. Their education should help them make progress, give them the right level of challenge and support, and give them opportunities to discover what they are capable of.

That is what individualized learning looks like at Brewster Madrid. If you are interested in learning more about our approach, click the link to book a campus tour and see it for yourself.

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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.

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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

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.