Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid Reviews

Zeynep Santiroglu Sutherland 2025.06.30

     

Verified

If you are looking for the right school in Madrid, don’t waste time trying to do it on your own — just leave it to Sinead. She’s excellent! Sinead helped us find the perfect school for our 15-year-old twin boys. We were looking for a boarding school that specialized in sports, particularly football, for our non-Spanish-speaking sons. She immediately understood our needs, communicated clearly throughout, and made the entire process so much easier. Sinead is not only incredibly efficient and well-connected, but also genuinely caring and supportive. Her excellent reputation and wide network were a great source of reassurance during what could have been a stressful time. We feel very lucky to have found her and can’t thank her enough. She’s simply the best!

Useful Report

Marta Forai 2025.06.13

     

Verified

Working with Sinéad was truly a gift — exactly the kind of support we needed during an important transition for our family. We were looking for someone who could recommend specific schools for our child, taking into account all the unique needs and priorities we had. Despite doing extensive research on our own, everything started to blur — school websites and interviews all began to sound the same, and we still didn’t feel confident about how things would actually be in practice. What we needed was someone who really understands how schools in Madrid work — someone who knows the environment, the values, and even the kind of families each school tends to attract. Sinéad provided exactly that. She took the time to understand our family, helped us clarify our goals, and brought focus to our decision-making. She knows the schools incredibly well, including some that weren’t even on our radar, and guided us through the pros and cons of each option in our desired area. Her insight comes not just from research but from knowing real families and their experiences — something that made all the difference. Before starting with her, we also asked around at several schools — and interestingly, they themselves recommended her, noting how positive the experiences were with families she had supported. That gave us even more confidence. She is highly organized, responsive, and genuinely cares. She answered all our questions — and in the end, her recommendation turned out to be the perfect fit for our child. We’re very grateful to have had her guidance and would wholeheartedly recommend Steps into Spain to any family navigating this complex process.

Useful Report

Justin Lawless 2025.03.17

     

Verified

Sinéad was amazing and so helpful. We were overwhelmed with our move to Spain and didn't know where to start with enrolling our daughters in school. She clearly explained the system and process to us and helped us throughout the admission process, even accompanying us to the school. Her assistance was invaluable and we can't recommend her enough. Thank you!

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2025.03.18

Thanks so much Justin and Janelle! Un abrazo, Sinéad

Rosalind L. Herrington Moxon 2025.02.18

     

Verified

5-Star Review for Steps Into Spain ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ By word of mouth, we found Sinéad at Steps Into Spain, and I am beyond grateful that we did. Moving to a new country with children is already daunting, but after a terrible experience with a school upon arriving in Madrid, my family was ready to leave. Sinéad completely turned things around. She didn’t just hand us a list of schools—she took the time to understand our family’s needs, providing carefully selected options that met my children’s unique requirements and my priorities as a parent. Her professionalism, expertise, and genuine care were unmatched. She reassured us that our experience didn’t have to define our time in Spain and guided us to the right choices. Now, my children are thriving, happy, and excited to go to school every day—something I never thought possible after our rocky start. I cannot recommend Sinéad enough. If you're a parent moving to Spain and struggling with school options, don’t navigate it alone—Sinéad is the expert you need.

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2025.03.18

I'm so happy that I could turn your rocky start in Madrid around. Olé! Two happy and thriving children is music to my ears 💜

Kalani Hawks 2025.01.22

     

Verified

Hey Sinead! I just wanted to give you an update on our boys and to thank you. They all really like their schools, and we do too. The international A-levels program is challenging our oldest with art in ways he’s never worked before, the Spanish private school has managed to make our middle son stop complaining about school hardly ever (except swimming!), and our little one you helped place in a bilingual public school is a social butterfly in love with the science curriculum in primero de primaria. They are engaged in a way they have not been before and each school is a fantastic fit for that particular kid. Having our kids happy at school is such a gift. We could not have had this kind of family success without your help. THANK YOU!

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2025.02.05

Thank you for sharing such lovely news, makes me very happy to hear. It can be a challenge to find the right schools for three children of different ages and needs. Now you can finally begin to enjoy all that Madrid (capital, ha!) has to offer. Un abrazo

Meg Bullard 2024.10.17

     

Verified

Sinead is a fantastic school consultant, and I'd recommend her services to anyone trying to better understand the school landscape in Spain. I personally work in client services, so I have a high standard for what constitutes 'excellent service', Sinead exceeded even those expectations. She is incredibly knowledgeable and well connected in Madrid, and our kids are EXTREMELY happy in the school we ultimately selected thanks to Sinead's insights. She was always quick to respond to questions (however off the wall they were), and she even connected us with other families at various schools, many of whom we now count as friends. Finding the right school for your children is daunting and so important, and the first best choice you can make is getting Sinead on your team!

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.12.17

Thank you so much Meg! I appreciate such detailed feedback.

Gaia Hernández Palacios 2024.10.15

     

Verified

Ha sido la mejor ayuda que pudimos tener para nuestro traslado. Sinead hizo una búsqueda muy diligente y cuidadosa de los colegios que mejor respondían a nuestras necesidades como familia, pero además, colegios con estándares altos y recomendados. Los ha contactado, ha hecho un seguimiento impecable hasta confirmar las plazas para nuestros hijos, y ha estado pendiente y acompañándonos en todo el proceso.

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.12.17

Ha sido un placer Gaia! Un abrazo

Avishay Yagoda 2024.10.04

     

Verified

Sinéad took on the challenging task of helping us find a school for 3 kids simultaneously, with particular issues that required extra care. All of that while we weren't speaking Spanish yet, but wished to include Spanish schools in the search. With great sensitivity, persistence and legwork, she lived up to the challenge. Communications were pleasant and caring, and on top of that, everything was of the upmost professionalism one can find. She also served as mediator and translator when communicating with the schools, and even came with us in person when we needed. We highly recommend utilizing her services, it will surely bring some peace of mind in a very turbulent time you would be having.

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.12.17

Thank you Avishay. I am particularly proud of our work in finding the right school for your three boys. Un abrazo, Sinéad

Atta Tarki 2024.09.28

     

Verified

We worked with Steps into Spain to find a local school for our 5 year-old daughter. We could not be happier that we worked with Sinead. She patiently guided us through the process of finding a school in Madrid and helped us land at a very well-regarded school, just 2 blocks away from where we live. You could tell that she has a wealth of knowledge about the education system here and all the paperwork needed by new arrivals to register properly at the local schools. I have already recommended her to a friend relocating to Madrid and would recommend her to anyone who wants to know they are going to be in good hands.

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.12.17

Thank you Atti! I love what I do and that makes such a difference. It was great getting to know you and your family. Un abrazo, Sinéad

kaitlin hollandberry 2024.09.23

     

Verified

We had a really fabulous time working with Sinead and Steps into Spain. She really helped us not only with school selection, but with acclimation to Spain with children. She was available for all of our questions and has gone well above and beyond our expectations. We would be thrilled to work with her again if we had the opportunity.

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.09.24

Thanks so much! I'm thrilled that I was able to help your family successfully relocate to Madrid. Un abrazo, Sinéad
easy and I'm thrilled to know that I have

Kristen Naumko 2024.09.22

     

Verified

Moved to Madrid from the United States in mid July. Sinéad helped us find a concertado for our 9 and 11 year old boys with aula enlace to help them transition into Spanish school. Moving at a time when we'd missed the April and July enrollment, I was very worried about finding a suitable school for them. Sinéad found them spots and secured them before school even closed in June, avoiding us having to show up in September and hope for the best. Because of Sinéad, we were able to find a place to live near the school and now my boys are learning Spanish, making friends, in a wonderful school and neighborhood. Through all that Sinéad was very responsive to emails, helping us understand how the school system works here, came to our first meeting with the school to register the boys, even contacted the school with a question I had about uniforms. She went above and beyond to ensure our boys found the right fit and that both mom and dad were satisfied along the way. I would hire her again in a heartbeat and will recommend her to friends in the future.

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.09.24

Kristen! Thank you so much. It was a pleasure to help you and your family to find the right school. Here's to life in Madrid! Un abrazo, Sinéad

Jonathan Hasson 2024.09.21

     

Verified

We moved to the Madrid area last summer with our two children, aged 11 and 14. Sinéad assisted us in finding the right schools that matched our needs and preferences. Everything was arranged remotely by her before our arrival, which greatly helped us understand the available options, as we were unfamiliar with the system. After we arrived in Madrid, Sinéad continued to support us with the late school registrations and other bureaucratic procedures. She also took the initiative to search and contact people to find suitable extracurricular activities for our children. Throughout the entire process Sinead was always attentive, pleasant, and professional, making this daunting and complex process feel effortless! We felt we were in good hands and couldn’t have managed without her! We highly recommend Sinéad's assistance without any hesitation! Thank you again Sinéad! 😊

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.09.24

Thank you Jonathan and Orna! I really appreciate your lovely feedback. I’m so pleased that we were able to help you find the right school and that everything went smoothly. Un abrazo, Sinéad

M O 2024.09.21

     

Verified

Moving abroad can bring about unexpected challenges and Spain is notorious for their bureaucracy and having the right help makes all the difference. Sinéad was there for all of the ups and downs as she skillfully navigated conversation, negotiation and timelines to ensure our kids' successful placement into a bilingual school (together nonetheless). We recommend Sinéad's services without reservation and feel lucky to have been connected with her by recommendation early on during our relocation to Madrid.

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.09.24

Manny and Alexia, thank you! We made it through some of the worst bureaucratic processes known to humankind and now it's time to enjoy all of what Madrid has to offer!I hope that the kids are very happy at their new school and do very well. Un abrazo fuerte, Sinéad

Avner Cohen 2024.07.12

     

Verified

We recently moved to Madrid with three kids, aged 16, 14 and 8. We knew nothing about the education options available, the education system in madrid and even did not have a clear enough idea about what *we* wanted as parents. Sinead diligently walked us through the options, helped us and our kids clarify the needs, covered the direct connection with the various schools, and kept in touch throughout the process to make sure nothing is falling between the cracks. Couldn't recommend enough. Thank you !!

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.12.17

Thank you Avner. It certainly did not pan out as we expected but hopefully all three children (and parents of course) are happy. Un abrazo, Sinéad

Jeff Galea 2024.07.10

     

Verified

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.12.17

Gracias Jeff!

Julia Chang 2024.07.08

     

Verified

If you are relocating to Spain with children, I highly recommend working with Steps into Spain. Even though I am fluent in Spanish, navigating the education system would have been daunting to near impossible without Sinéad. During the late registration period (July), she helped us place our kids in bilingual public school in our desired neighborhood (Chamberí), and held our hand every step of the way! This was one part of the big move to Spain that we didn't have to worry about. Her services are worth every penny.

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.07.09

Thank you Julia and Eli! I've loved helping you and your family and hope that you really enjoy your time here in Madrid. Un abrazo

Vinnie Xu 2024.06.25

     

Verified

We are from China. Sinéad found a very good school for my 12-year-old son. Considering my son's level of English and our budget, Sinéad ultimately helped us choose the most suitable school. We visited the school, and the teachers there were very friendly and spoke English very well, while the students were polite and lovely. Sinéad also provided a lot of assistance with immigration matters, such as recommending a suitable driving school, helping us arrange tryouts for a football club, and recommending reliable professionals to help with our immigration-related work. I highly recommend Sinéad, as many of the difficulties we faced during the immigration process were resolved through her assistance.

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.06.25

Hello Weihua!! Thanks so much. It was my pleasure helping you and your family. Un abrazo,
Sinéad

Maya Mintz 2024.03.18

     

Verified

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Invaluable Pre-Move School Guidance Sinead provided invaluable help finding schools for our kids before our move to Madrid. Her expertise on the city's educational options is impressive. She understood our needs and provided a perfect tailored list of schools. Her insights were crucial for deciding from abroad. Sinead was always available, professional and dedicated throughout. She made the school search smooth and alleviated stress before our arrival. Highly recommend her services to any family relocating to Madrid. Worth every penny!

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.04.01

Thanks so much Maya. It was great working with you and I hope that you and your family are very happy in Madrid. Un abrazo, Sinéad

Lise-Lotte Uusitalo 2024.03.15

     

Verified

We have used Sinéad’s services last spring finding schools for our four children. We were really stressed about the process but Sinéad found us good schools and close to our home. We have been really happy with the schools, they are small-ish and familiar. And with Sinéad’s help we didn’t have to go through the whole school application process, which helped A LOT. Also, Sinéad has been in touch with us after and asking if everything is going well. We recommend and if we can/need we will use her services again to make life a bit easier.

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.04.01

Hello Lise Lotte! Thanks so much for your kind words. Moving with four kids is no easy feat and I am very happy to have helped you find the right schools for each. And it's a pleasure to know that each one has thrived in their new schools. Happy child = happy parents. Un abrazo, Sinéad

Mateo de la Cruz 2024.02.06

     

Verified

I don't think we could have done it without Sinead. From the first meeting, she was all business and ready to help. Responding to emails quickly and finding quick solutions. We were a homeschooling American family -- which is difficult to explain in Spain! She found several alternative schools in our limit criteria who would accept our unconventional records. She even got us a last minute interview at the school we ended up choosing. In addition, all of her contacts have been equally professional and responsive. Immigrations lawyers, real estate folks, all have been straight forward and fair. We would recommend her over and over again! Don't move to Madrid with a kid without first talking to Sinead!

Useful Report

Reply from Steps into Spain - Helping Families To Find The Right School for Your Child in Madrid 2024.04.01

Thanks so much Matthew and Estelle. There were some last minute hiccups but thankfully it all worked out in the end. Some quick thinking and we have secured a great school for Marzán. Un abrazo, Sinéad