School admission (public schools)
Admisión y escolarización en centros públicos
The dates and amounts on this page apply until 2026-12-31; there may be a newer call or new rules. Check the official information.
Where to ask
On the 012 information line (calls are not free), at the school and at the SAE.
Official wording
(NOTA: Las consultas al teléfono 012 no tienen carácter gratuito)Official sources
What it is
In the Community of Madrid there is an admission process for publicly funded schools covering the second cycle of pre-primary education, primary, ESO, Bachillerato and special education (the first cycle of pre-primary has its own process). Among others, those entering a public or state-subsidised (concertado) school for the first time and those wishing to change school must apply. Only one application per pupil may be submitted, with the preferred school as first choice and up to five more schools in order. It is filed through the Secretaría Virtual (with Cl@ve or with a registration that needs no certificate) or on paper at the first-choice school, signed by both parents or guardians. Applications are scored on criteria such as siblings at the school or proximity of home. There is also an extraordinary process; information on 012.
Official wording
Únicamente podrá presentarse una solicitud de admisión por cada alumno.Official sources
- Where it applies
- Community of Madrid
Official information
Official sources
When
In the ordinary process, within the period set each school year: for 2026-2027 it was 11 to 25 March 2026. If you arrive outside that period, there is the extraordinary process: for 2026-2027 you can apply from 25 June 2026 (pre-primary, primary and special education) or from 3 July 2026 (ESO and Bachillerato).
Official wording
La solicitud podrá presentarse de forma presencial o telemática a partir del 25 de junio de 2026 en Educación Infantil, Primaria y Especial y el 3 julio de 2026 en Educación Secundaria Obligatoria y BachilleratoOfficial sources
Steps
Step 1: Find out about the schools
Before the application period, families can find out about the process and linked schools on the Secretaría Virtual and on each school's website. Each school publishes, among other things, its expected vacancies and the location of its School Placement Support Service (SAE).
Official wording
Con anterioridad al inicio del período de presentación de solicitudes de admisión las familias podrán obtener información sobre el proceso de admisión y los centros adscritos a través de la Secretaría Virtual y la página web de los centros educativos.
Official sources
Step 2: Submit a single application
Only one application per pupil: the preferred school as first choice and up to five more in order. It is preferably filed through the Secretaría Virtual (with Cl@ve, with a registration needing no digital certificate or with Roble/Raíces credentials); otherwise on paper at the first-choice school. Both parents or guardians sign it; if that is not possible, a responsible declaration is attached.
Official wording
Además del centro solicitado en primera opción, en la solicitud podrán incluirse de forma priorizada hasta cinco centros educativos sostenidos con fondos públicos en los que se solicita ser admitido.
Official sources
Step 3: Scoring and complaints
The first-choice school scores the application. Common criteria: minimum income (RMI) or minimum living income (IMV), large family, multiple birth, single-parent family, foster care, disability, victim of gender violence or terrorism. School-specific criteria: siblings enrolled, proximity of the family home or workplace, parents working at the school, former pupils and a complementary criterion set by the school. Provisional lists and scores are published on the Secretaría Virtual and can be challenged within the calendar periods.
Official wording
La baremación de la solicitud la realiza el centro solicitado en primera opción, quien aplicará los criterios comunes de admisión y también los criterios específicos que sean de aplicación al centro.
Official sources
Step 4: Check the result
The list of pupils admitted to each school is published on the Secretaría Virtual (for 2026-2027, on 27 May 2026). Those not admitted to any of the schools requested can file a complementary application with the SAE, which allocates places to pupils left without one.
Official wording
Adjudicación de plaza escolar por los SAE a los alumnos que no hayan podido ser admitidos en ninguna de las opciones solicitadas y no disponga de plaza para el curso 2026/2027
Official sources
Step 5: Enrol at the school
Once a place is allocated you must enrol at the school within the enrolment period: for 2026-2027, 11 to 25 June 2026 for pre-primary, primary and special education, and 11 June to 3 July 2026 for secondary.
Official wording
Plazo general de matriculación en los centros de Educación Secundaria.
Official sources
Documents
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🖨 Printable bilingual document card (you can show it at the counter)
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FAQ
We arrived in Madrid after the deadline. What do we do?
Use the extraordinary process: apply in person or online at a school with vacancies for that year, or in person at the relevant School Placement Support Service (SAE).
Official wording
en alguno de los centros en los que existan plazas vacantes para el curso de la etapa solicitado o, presencialmente, en el Servicio de Apoyo a la Escolarización que corresponda.Official sources
Is English needed for a bilingual secondary school?
To study in the Bilingual Section of an English bilingual secondary school, pupils coming from a non-bilingual public school in Madrid or from anywhere else must prove B1 in all four skills for years 1 and 2 of ESO, and B2 for years 3 and 4.
Official wording
necesitan acreditar un nivel de inglés en las cuatro destrezas equivalente al nivel B1 para cursar 1º y 2º ESO, y al nivel B2 para cursar 3º y 4º de ESO.Official sources
Related procedures
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