Casvi International American School vs Lighthouse American School

	C Casvi International American School Madrid, Spain	L Lighthouse American School Madrid, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €7,130 - 13,880	Fees / year €8,900 - 10,500
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 14 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 380	Pupils 111
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size 12
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Spanish	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2017	Opened 2019
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Calle del Gavilán, 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain	Location Madrid, Spain. Camino de la Zarzuela, 42, 28023 Madrid.
Stages	Stages Pre-School & Kindergarten; Elementary & Middle School; High School	Stages Primary Years Programme (PYP).
School type	School type Private international school	School type International school (IB World School) in Madrid.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix Diversity of nationalities; students from multiple countries and cultures.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Psycho-pedagogical care and emotional intelligence support; personalized follow-ups.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Spain	Country affiliation Affiliation with the United States (American School) and NEASC accreditation.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - No separate application or non‑refundable registration fee is published for Casvi International American School Tres Cantos. Tuition fees (annual, by year group) - Nursery (Early Childhood): EUR 7,130 per school year. - Pre‑K & Kindergarten: EUR 7,900 per school year. - Grades 1–5 (Primary): EUR 9,560 per school year. - Grades 6–8 (Middle): EUR 10,300 per school year. - Grades 9–12 (High School): EUR 11,400 per school year. - IB Diploma Programme supplement (additional for Diploma students): EUR 2,480 per school year. Tuition fees per term / instalment detail - Annual tuition amounts are published as the total for the school year by year group. No public per‑term or per‑instalment breakdown is published with the annual amounts. Boarding (student residence) - Resident students (boarding): EUR 1,715 per month. School dining / cafeteria - Monthly school cafeteria menu: EUR 230 per month. - Cafeteria if used only certain days: EUR 15.50 per day. School bus service - Tres Cantos – Soto de Viñuelas route: EUR 135 per month. - Madrid and other municipalities routes: EUR 217 per month. - Half‑route (one way): 50% of the applicable bus fee. - Second sibling and successive bus service discount: reduced fee of EUR 78 (per month) indicated for the 2nd sibling/successive bus service. Other costs / fees - IB Diploma Programme supplement (see above): EUR 2,480 per year for students in the IB Diploma. - No separate uniform price schedule is published; uniform costs are not itemised in the public fee schedule. - No explicit public listing of additional recurring charges (for example activity fees, instrument or subject‑specific fees, capital levy, or refundable deposits) is published in the public fee summary. Refund information - No public refund policy or details about refunds for tuition, cafeteria, bus or boarding fees is published in the school fee summary. Billing schedule and payment terms - Annual tuition is presented as a school‑year total by year group. No public schedule showing the school's billing dates, instalment options, deadlines, discounts for early payment, or penalties for late payment is published alongside the annual amounts. Fee payment options - No public list of accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer, direct debit, credit card, or online payment provider) is published in the school fee summary. Contact details are provided for admissions and enquiries. Summary of what is publicly available and what is not published - Publicly available, itemised figures: annual tuition by year group, IB supplement, monthly boarding fee, cafeteria monthly/daily fees, and bus route fees including half‑route and second‑sibling bus pricing. - Not published in the public fee summary: a separate application/registration fee amount (if any), per‑term or instalment breakdown of the annual tuition, detailed billing schedule and payment deadlines, specific payment methods accepted, uniform costs, itemised extracurricular or instrument fees, and refund terms. If you need these missing details (application/registration fees, instalment schedules, payment methods, refund terms or uniform costs) they are not published in the school's public fee summary.	Fee details Application / Registration fees - One-time registration fee for new families: EUR 1,500. - Reservation fee for continuing Lighthouse students: 50% of one monthly tuition payment; this amount is deducted from the September tuition. Tuition fees by year group (per month and per academic year) - Pre‑School / Kindergarten (Kindergarten 1–3, ages 3–5): EUR 890 per month (billed September–June); equivalent annual tuition EUR 8,900. - Elementary (Grades 1–5, ages 6–10): EUR 980 per month (billed September–June); equivalent annual tuition EUR 9,800. - Middle School (Grades 6–8, ages 11–13): EUR 1,050 per month (billed September–June); equivalent annual tuition EUR 10,500. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing cadence: monthly billing over ten months (September through June). Monthly amounts are shown above; annual tuition equals the monthly amount × 10. - Reservation fee for current students equals 50% of one monthly fee and is deducted from the September payment. - An early‑payment discount applies when the full annual tuition is paid by the specified early deadline (example shown: a 3% discount for full payment by July 2025). Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable; the school operates as a day school for ages 3–14 (no boarding program listed). Other costs and recurring extras - Meals (morning snack and lunch): EUR 195 per month, billed September–June (meal plan covers the school year months). - Uniform: a uniform is required; a specific uniform cost is not published in the available fee information. - Sibling discounts: third enrolled child receives a 30% discount; fourth child receives a 65% discount (specific terms shown in published fee information). - Special arrangements: families who must be absent for extended periods may be eligible for reduced tuition (half price in qualifying circumstances as published). Refunds and cancellation - The publicly available fee schedule lists registration, reservation and tuition amounts and an early‑payment discount, but it does not publish full detailed refund or cancellation terms in the material found. Specific refund policies for registration, reservation or tuition were not available in the publicly posted fee summary. Fee payment options - The fee schedule includes monthly billing and an early‑payment in‑full option, but form(s) of payment (for example: bank transfer, direct debit, credit card or other accepted payment methods) are not specified in the publicly available fee summary. Payment method details must be confirmed directly with the school. Concise summary of the key figures (academic year shown in published schedule) - Registration (new families): EUR 1,500. - Monthly tuition (Sep–Jun): Pre‑School EUR 890; Elementary EUR 980; Middle School EUR 1,050. Equivalent annual tuitions: EUR 8,900; EUR 9,800; EUR 10,500 respectively. - Meals: EUR 195 per month (Sep–Jun). - Sibling discounts: 3rd child −30%; 4th child −65%. Note on availability of further detail - Published fee documents used for this overview include a school fee schedule for the 2025–2026 academic year that lists the items above (monthly and annual tuition amounts, registration fee, reservation fee, meal cost, sibling discounts and the early‑payment discount). The publicly available fee material does not publish full technical details for refunds, explicit wording of cancellation penalties, or the list of accepted payment methods; those items were not present in the fee summary located during this review.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements The school has on-campus student residences with two facilities, one for women and one for men. Resident students receive full board (breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner) and a 24-hour medical service. They may spend weekends with their families or stay at the residence for activities.	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms are mandatory from Pre-School through Grade 11. Boys wear grey long pants, blue sweater, and white polo shirt; girls wear a grey plaid skirt or grey long pants with a blue sweater and white polo shirt; footwear should be black or navy blue and sneakers are not allowed. Smocks are mandatory from Nursery 2 through Kindergarten; sportswear (PreK 1–G10) is a full tracksuit with a T-shirt and shorts; all clothing must be named.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options The canteen serves meals prepared the same day in the school kitchen. The menu follows a Mediterranean diet and includes vegetarian, vegan and pork-free options; Vegan Day is held monthly and special menus are offered on days such as Gluten Free Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Chinese New Year or Language Week. A snack is provided at recess, and dining rates vary for daily or monthly arrangements.	Food options Lunch is designed in-house by a professional kitchen team; all food is homemade and natural, without ultra-processed products. The menu includes traditional Spanish dishes, with grilled or steamed options.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The Casvi International American School is part of the Casvi Educational Group.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details IB methodology is used at all stages. The program runs from Early Childhood through PYP, MYP and DP. Casvi International American School offers an international education through the American curriculum and the International Baccalaureate. English is the language of instruction with native teachers; Mandarin Chinese is taught from age 8 and German from age 10. The IB approach is practical and transdisciplinary, with teaching aimed at applying knowledge in real-world contexts. IB methodology is implemented from age 3 onward across all stages (Early Childhood Education: PYP, MYP and DP) for a continuous, cohesive program.	Curriculum details Day-to-day life at Lighthouse is conducted in English, with Spanish treated as a second language given special attention. Starting in the third year of elementary, students learn Chinese as a third language. All teachers are American and are accredited by US universities and receive ongoing training. Lighthouse is NEASC-accredited and is a Candidate School for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). The campus spans about 4,250 square meters and classes are capped at 18 students, enabling small-group learning and strong teacher–student interaction. The curricular emphasis includes creativity, innovation, complex problem solving, critical thinking, social-emotional intelligence and values; students have opportunities to study in Spain with CAM validation and can pursue American universities through NEASC accreditation.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Spanish universities are accessible via CAM validation, and U.S. universities are accessible through NEASC accreditation. Lighthouse is a Candidate School for the PYP program, enabling study in about 50 OECD countries.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school uses positive discipline to promote emotional and social development. Clear boundaries and a focus on respect and empathy guide daily interactions. Students learn to manage their emotions and make responsible decisions. This approach supports the emotional development and social skills of Casvi Tres Cantos students.	Social & emotional learning Day-to-day life at Lighthouse is conducted in English. All teachers are American, accredited by US universities and receive ongoing training. Spanish is treated as more than a second language, with special attention. Starting in the 3rd year of elementary, Chinese is taught as a third language. A committee of experts advises on topics including health and nutrition, emotional intelligence, psychological well-being, sport, and art to ensure a high-quality standard.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) Attention and support for pupils with special needs is provided, with special emphasis on giftedness. School support is available during school hours. Spanish reinforcement classes are offered for international students. Classes are delivered in small groups to ensure individualized attention.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The school teaches in English through immersion with native English teachers. Spanish coexists with English in the subjects of Spanish Language and Social Sciences. Students can choose Spanish as the language of instruction for the Diploma Programme. Spanish classes for foreigners are available.	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing The school supports emotional and social development through positive discipline and targeted programs. A focus on empathy and respectful interactions helps students manage emotions. The approach contributes to the overall mental well-being of students.	Mental wellbeing Emotional intelligence is a focus of the Continuous Training Plan. Psychological well-being is a focus of the expert advisory committee within the plan. The plan also covers health and nutrition, sport, and art. Continuous training ensures teachers stay up to date with pedagogical innovations and educational trends to support wellbeing.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding An Ethical Channel is available for safeguarding concerns. Privacy and data protection policies are published to safeguard personal information.	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school is made up of seven buildings on a 25,000 m2 campus with extensive sports and recreational areas. Classes are held in spacious classrooms equipped with everything necessary for quality education; learning spaces also include computer rooms and laboratories, a music room, and a library. An auditorium is highlighted for student performances, graduations, exhibitions, and conferences. The campus is surrounded by landscaped areas and groves of trees, providing a natural environment for learning. The facilities include an artificial grass football pitch, basketball and volleyball courts, two tennis courts, two paddle tennis courts, a dance hall, and an indoor sports center.	Facilities overview Day-to-day life at Lighthouse American School Madrid is conducted in English. All teachers are American, accredited by US universities and receive ongoing training. Spanish is treated as more than a second language, and Chinese is taught as a third language beginning in the third year of elementary. The school is NEASC-accredited and follows the IB Primary Years Programme, with CAM validation enabling study in Spanish universities and NEASC enabling access to American universities. Technology supports learning by creating collaborative learning environments and by enabling parents to monitor daily progress.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The sports facilities include an artificial grass football pitch, basketball and volleyball courts, two tennis courts, and two paddle tennis courts. A dance hall and an indoor sports center support a wide range of physical activities. The school is set in a natural environment with landscaped spaces that complement sporting and recreational activities.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Classes are held in spacious classrooms. Learning spaces include computer rooms and laboratories, a music room, and a library. An auditorium is equipped for student performances, graduations, exhibitions, and conferences. The campus comprises seven buildings on a 25,000 m2 site.	Academic facilities Day-to-day life at Lighthouse is conducted in English, and teachers are American and accredited by US universities with ongoing professional development. The school uses technology to create collaborative learning environments and to help parents follow daily progress. It is NEASC-accredited and offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), providing recognition that supports study in many OECD countries. CAM validation allows study at Spanish universities, and NEASC accreditation supports access to American universities. Spanish is enhanced as a core language program, with Chinese added as a third language from the third year of elementary.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities To encourage school spirit and the development of our students' skills, Casvi Tres Cantos offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Piano, guitar, tennis, paddle tennis, or dance lessons are available, and there is an After-School Programme. As an American school, Thanksgiving and Christmas are celebrated as part of the extra-curricular experience. The program includes events such as the Christmas Show, Winter Week (a ski trip to Andorra), Graduations, Spring Festival, Family Day, and American Traditions, plus a Book Fair every trimester that provides English-language books and literacy activities.	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular activities include after-school programs such as Elementary Drama Club (Mon) and Yearbook Club (Mon); Basketball (A on Tue, B on Thu); Chinese (Tue); Cheerleading (Wed); Yoga (Wed); Mythology (Thu); Martial Arts (A on Mon, B on Fri); Parkour (A on Thu, B Tue). Kindergarten programs include Yoga and Mindfulness (Mon); Mini Chefs (Tue); Cheerleading (Wed); Mini Tennis (Thu); Creative Dance (Thu). These activities are available to Elementary and Kindergarten students.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Casvi International American School is part of the Casvi Educational Group. The Casvi educational group was founded in 1985 with Eurocolegio Casvi in Villaviciosa de Odón. In 2005 Casvi School in Boadilla del Monte was established as a charter school, and in 2017 Casvi International American School was founded in Tres Cantos. The school is based on the American education system and offers the three International Baccalaureate programs: PYP, MYP, and DP. The mission is to educate and train global citizens through international-mindedness, language acquisition and talent development, preparing students to contribute positively to society.	History Founded in 2019, Lighthouse American School began as a project envisioned by a group of passionate educators who sought to rethink learning. They valued recognizing each child's unique learning style and created a warm, thriving environment where students and faculty can flourish together. Central to Lighthouse's approach is the International Baccalaureate framework with inquiry-based learning, and the school engages in community service projects to connect learning with real-world impact. In about five years, Lighthouse earned accreditation from the NEASC and the International Baccalaureate Organization. Irene Márquez is the founder and CEO of Lighthouse American School.
Community	Community Casvi Foundation was established in 2006 to involve the entire educational community in projects for the common good, supporting the poorest sectors of society locally and internationally. The foundation's first project built a three-story building in Piura, Peru, which now houses an Occupational Training Center offering courses in hospitality, painting, ceramics, dressmaking, hairdressing, embroidery and computer science, as well as a dining room feeding about 140 people daily. The school collaborates with NGOs such as Cáritas Madrid and the Banco de Alimentos, and students and families are encouraged to propose charitable actions throughout the year, including charity races and campaigns such as La vuelta al cole and the #PañueloChallenge. Social responsibility is integrated into Casvi's mission as part of its educational community.	Community The school calendar is designed to adapt to families, with extended morning and afternoon hours, open during most school holidays at no extra cost, and with after-school programs and summer camps. School celebrations are scheduled in the afternoons, on Fridays, or Saturday mornings so parents can attend. Class and cycle-level assemblies promote emotional intelligence and a sense of belonging, and the school provides psycho-pedagogical care and clear policies to support students. Learning spaces are designed to be flexible, with classrooms that can be rearranged quickly to suit what is being learned, complemented by a range of extracurricular activities and clear routines to support daily life.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Casvi Tres Cantos offers the International Baccalaureate programs at PYP, MYP and DP within an American system of education. The school's teaching staff is largely native English speakers and English is the language of instruction.	Academic & intellectual The school follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). It is NEASC-accredited. Day-to-day life is conducted in English, and all teachers are American. Starting in the 3rd year of elementary, Chinese is taught as a third language. The program emphasizes transdisciplinary projects and inquiry-based learning that build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Piano, guitar, tennis, paddle tennis and dance lessons are offered as extracurricular activities. The Christmas Show features music, dance and theatre performances, and the school hosts a Christmas Festival. Winter Week includes a ski trip to Andorra (with the option to visit Caldea), and a Family Day features a Talent Show.	Arts & creative Visual Arts and Music are part of the daily class schedule. The after-school program includes Drama Club, Yearbook Club, and a range of activities such as Basketball, Chinese, Cheerleading, Yoga, Mythology, Martial Arts, Parkour, and Creative Dance for Elementary students. Kindergarten offers Yoga and Mindfulness, Mini Chefs, Cheerleading, Mini Tennis, and Creative Dance.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Pen-Pal Program is run in collaboration with Avondale GATE Magnet School in Michigan, USA. English is the language of instruction, with Spanish available to international students to support integration. Students may take official language exams on campus, including GESE (Trinity), Cambridge, Goethe and YCT through the Confucius Institute.	Cultural & language Day-to-day life at Lighthouse is conducted in English, and all teachers are American and receive ongoing training. Spanish is treated as more than a second language, with special emphasis. From the third year of elementary, Chinese is taught as a third language. Students share class with peers from many countries and cultures.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies An after-school programme offers activities such as piano, guitar, tennis, paddle tennis and dance. The school hosts a Christmas Show and other seasonal events, including a Winter Week ski trip and a Spring Festival, plus a Book Fair to promote English reading. A Family Day includes a Talent Show and other activities for families.	Social & hobbies Elementary and Kindergarten offer a broad after-school program with clubs and activities. Elementary clubs include Drama Club (Monday), Yearbook Club (Monday), Basketball (A – Tuesday, B – Thursday), Chinese (Tuesday), Cheerleading (Wednesday), Yoga (Wednesday), Mythology (Thursday), Martial Arts (A – Monday, B – Friday), Parkour (A – Thursday, B – Tuesday), and Creative Dance (Thursday). Kindergarten offers Yoga and Mindfulness (Monday), Mini Chefs (Tuesday), Cheerleading (Wednesday), Mini Tennis (Thursday), and Creative Dance (Thursday).
Community & service	Community & service Casvi Foundation drives social responsibility with projects including a Piura, Peru initiative delivering an Occupational Training Center and dining facilities for those in need. The school also collaborates with Cáritas and Banco de Alimentos, and runs charitable campaigns such as La vuelta al cole and the #PañueloChallenge with the Aladina Foundation.	Community & service The school undertakes community involvement and service initiatives. Community service projects include food drives, shelter volunteering, and environmental initiatives.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Leadership and professional skills are developed through autonomy, creativity, and problem-solving, preparing students to face unknown challenges.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school emphasizes sports and wellness through extensive after-school activities, including tennis and dance. Winter Week provides a skiing trip to Andorra, with other activities such as Caldea visits, ensuring students stay engaged during White Week. American traditions such as Sports Day are celebrated throughout the year to foster school spirit and community.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Health and wellbeing are prioritized: classrooms have natural light and ergonomic seating, and menus are prepared in-house with fresh, traditional dishes and healthy snacks. Students participate in after-school activities and sports, and physical activity is emphasized as part of daily life.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction. Spanish is taught in Spanish Language and Culture, and Spanish can be the language of instruction in the Diploma Programme. Chinese is taught from Grade 1; in Grade 9, students may continue Chinese or German. German is taught from Grade 5; in Grade 9, students may continue German.	Language provision The school teaches in English. All teachers are American, accredited by US universities and receive ongoing training. Spanish is given special attention as a second language. Starting in the 3rd year of elementary, Chinese is taught as a third language.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching English is the language of instruction across all stages. Spanish coexists with English in the classrooms for Spanish Language and Social Sciences, and students may choose Spanish as the language of instruction in the Diploma Programme.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Authentic English immersion is offered. An English immersion program for foreign students is available, with English serving as the language of instruction across all stages.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations IB (International Baccalaureate) methodology at all stages. Practical and transdisciplinary learning methodology.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions Start the admission process through the application form or contact Casvi Tres Cantos with questions. The school provides an online application form and a Request for Information option. The address is C. del Gavilán, 2, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid.	Admissions —
Scholarships	Scholarships The Community of Madrid has published a call for scholarships for the First Cycle of Early Childhood Education (0-3 years) in private centers authorized by the Community of Madrid for the 2025-2026 academic year. These scholarships are for families with children in the First Cycle of Early Childhood Education; their purpose is to promote access to quality early education and to support families in reconciling work and personal life. Application requirements include income and family situation criteria such as the child's age, per capita household income, and the employment status of the parents, as detailed in the Official Gazette (BOCM). The deadline for applications is June 4 to June 24 (inclusive). Casvi Tres Cantos offers an IB-based education and views scholarships as a valuable opportunity to access education from the early years.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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