Points system for public and concertado schools in Madrid

Points system for public and concertado schools in Madrid

Applications to state and concertado schools in Madrid are allocated based on a points system.  The more points a student has, the greater chance they have of getting into their preferred school. The applications process can become a little complex, even for those of us that have been living here for a long time!

In today’s article I will explain in detail what is covered and considered eligible regarding the points system for Spanish state and concertado schools. Each point becomes extremely valuable when you are applying for a highly solicited school! The points system outlined below highlights recent changes (2026/2027).

APPLICATIONS FOR:

• Segundo Ciclo Infantil (3-6 years).
• Primaria (6-12 years).
• Secundaria (12-16 years).
• Bachillerato (same application process, with its own criteria, see the section further down).

Siblings

• A sibling already enrolled at the school – 15 points.
• Two or more siblings already enrolled at the school – 30 points.

Proximity to the school

• Family home or workplace of one parent or legal guardian located in the same municipality as the school (e.g. Madrid capital, Las Rozas, Majadahonda) – 12 points.
• Regarding Madrid capital, in addition to the 12 points above, if the family home or workplace of either of the parents or legal guardians is located in the same district as the school (e.g. Chamberí, Retiro, Centro) – 1 point.
• Family home or workplace of either of the parents or legal guardians located in a different municipality of the Comunidad de Madrid from the school – 8 points.

You give one address on the application, and it is used for every school on your list. It can be the family home or the workplace of either parent or legal guardian. The family home is checked against the padrón electronically, and a workplace needs a certificate from the employer. An address belonging to relatives outside your household is not accepted.

If you are moving to the Comunidad de Madrid during the year of the application, you can apply in the ordinary round using your planned address, as long as you can justify it convincingly (for example, with a signed rental contract). Check with the SAE which documents they accept.

Family income

If either of the parents or legal guardians of the student receives the state benefit Renta Mínima de Inserción (RMI) or the Ingreso Mínimo Vital (IMV) – 12 points.

Additional criteria

• If a parent or legal guardian work at the selected school  – 10 points.
• Large families (as shown on your large family title; an unborn child counts with an official medical certificate of the pregnancy):
  • General category (three / four children per family) – 10 points.
  • Special category (five or more children per family) – 11 points.
• Twins/triplets – 3 points.
• Single parent families – 3 points.
• Children in foster homes – 3 points.
• Existence of a legally accredited physical, mental or sensory disability of the student, parents, siblings or, where appropriate, the legal guardians of the student – 7 points.
• Children who are victims of gender-based violence or terrorism –  2 points.
• The student, a parent, legal guardian or sibling is a former student of the school  – 4 points.
• Schools then have the authority to either add or replicate above criteria for additional point – 3 points. 

How the criteria are scored

Some criteria score the same at every school on your application (income, large family, multiple birth, single-parent family, foster care, disability and victim status). Others depend on the school: siblings, proximity, a parent working at the school, former student and the school’s own criterion. The school you list first scores your whole application. Every other school on your list scores only the school-specific criteria that apply to it. For siblings, a parent working at the school, former student and the school’s own criterion, you tick the schools where each applies and attach evidence.

How the order of your school choices affects places

Points matter, but so does the order in which you list your schools. You can list your first-choice school and add up to five more, in order of preference. The aim is to give each family their first choice, so applications are considered by preference. Points decide between children who are competing for the same school at the same preference level.

For example, two children both want a place at School A, which has one place left. Child 1 has 20 points and lists School A first. Child 2 has 35 points and lists School A second, with School B first. Child 1 is considered for School A at first preference and gets the place, even though Child 2 has more points. Child 2 is considered for School B first, and only looked at for School A if there’s no place at School B.

This is why the order of your choices matters, and why it’s worth listing schools in the order you truly prefer them.

Tie-break order for school places

If two or more applicants have the same score, the tie is settled by applying the criteria below in this order, until one applicant comes out ahead:

1. Siblings already enrolled at the school
2. Proximity of the family home or workplace
3. Family income (receiving RMI or IMV)
4. Parent or legal guardian working at the school
5. Large family
6. Multiple birth
7. Single-parent family
8. Foster care
9. Disability
10. Victim of gender-based violence or terrorism
11. Former student (the applicant, a parent, legal guardian or sibling)
12. The school’s own additional criterion
13. If there is still a tie, a public draw

Bachillerato points system

Bachillerato goes through the same application, on the same dates, as the other stages, but it has its own criteria. The points above apply, and the school also scores your child’s academic record. It is the average of all subjects in the last year completed and passed, proved by an academic certificate:

• Average of 9 or above – 11 points.
• 8 to under 9 – 9 points.
• 7 to under 8 – 7 points.
• 6 to under 7 – 6 points.

Bachillerato de Artes can add up to 1.5 points for marks in arts-related subjects. Each application can include only one modalidad and vía. In the tie-break order, academic record comes in as the fourth criterion, so every criterion after it moves down one place. The record counts the last year passed in the Spanish education system, so if your child is coming from a school abroad, check with the SAE or the school how it will be assessed.

Sources: Comunidad de Madrid, Admisión de alumnos 26-27 FAQ, the Comunidad de Madrid admissions page and BOCM núm. 293, 9 December 2025 (Anexo I), plus Anexo III (criteria for scoring applications).

At Steps into Spain, we work with families moving to Madrid, Málaga and the Costa del Sol, whether you’re months away from the move or need a place in a matter of weeks. We work only for families, never for schools, so the advice you get is about your child and nothing else.

Every family’s situation is different. Book your free call and we’ll talk through yours.