SEK International Schools
SEK International Schools is a private Spanish-founded (1892) K-12 educational group operating 10+ bilingual International Baccalaureate schools across Spain, Ireland, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, plus an online IB campus and own university, serving 7,000+ students from 80+ nationalities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1892
- HeadquartersMadrid, Spain
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What SEK International Schools does
SEK International Schools is a private, family-controlled Spanish educational group founded in 1892 and headquartered in Madrid. It operates 10+ international schools across five countries (Spain, Ireland, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia) plus the SEK Global Campus online platform, serving 7,000+ boarding and day students from 80+ nationalities aged 4 months to 18 years. The group is anchored on the proprietary SEK Future Learning Model — a Smart Classroom / Intelligent Classroom pedagogical framework developed by founder Felipe Segovia Olmo in the 1990s — and the International Baccalaureate, which SEK pioneered in Spain in 1977.
The product portfolio spans early-childhood through university: 10+ bilingual/IB campuses, the SEK Global Campus online IB Diploma Programme (ages 16-19), Universidad Camilo José Cela (UCJC) for higher education, the SEK LAB educational startup accelerator, the SEK International Sports Academy, and Fundación Felipe Segovia. Recent additions (2024) include Beacon Private School (Bahrain) and New World International School (Oman), onboarded through a strategic partnership with JEO Capital Management. SEK is accredited by NEASC and CIS, certified as a B Corp (2023), and holds the Gran Cruz Alfonso X el Sabio.
Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees across the campus network and online programmes; pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by location and programme. Distribution is direct: dedicated admissions teams per campus and a self-serve digital channel for the online IB. The group is led by President Nieves Segovia (representing the founding family), CEO Iván Martínez (since 2024), and UCJC Rector Héctor Escamilla (since 2023), with multiple wholly-owned Spanish subsidiaries (SEK Ciudalcampo, S.L.; SEK Santa Isabel, S.L.; SEK El Castillo, S.L.; SEK Catalunya, S.A.; SEK Atlántico, S.L.; SEK Alborán, S.L.) and a Saudi operating entity (Education Management Corporation Arabia for Education LLC) executing the operating model.
SEK International Schools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SEK International Schools
- Legal name
- INSTITUCIÓN EDUCATIVA SEK, S.L.
- Website
- https://sek.es
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1892
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- SEK International Schools is a private Spanish-founded (1892) K-12 educational group operating 10+ bilingual International Baccalaureate schools across Spain, Ireland, France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, plus an online IB campus and own university, serving 7,000+ students from 80+ nationalities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SEK International Schools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International K-12 Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- English Learner (EL/ESL/ELL) & Bilingual Education Programs (EDAJAGAB)
Keywords
Where SEK International Schools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Madrid
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices10 records
Markets served
SEK International Schools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Tuition and Educational Services: Revenue generated from tuition fees for K-12 education across all SEK International Schools campuses, including boarding facilities at some locations. Also includes fees for the online IB Diploma Programme (Global Campus).
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
SEK International Schools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SEK International Schools delivers bilingual and international education to children from 4 months to 18 years through more than 10 physical campuses and an online Global Campus, anchored on the International Baccalaureate and its proprietary SEK Future Learning Model. Services span Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary education, the IB Diploma Programme (including 100% online), university-level studies at Camilo José Cela University (UCJC), the SEK International Sports Academy, and the SEK LAB educational startup accelerator.
Product overview
SEK International Schools is a comprehensive international education network offering a multi-school, multi-country portfolio of educational services. The core offering includes SEK International Schools (11 campuses across Spain, Ireland, France, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia) serving students from 4 months to 18 years with bilingual/IB programmes, supplemented by SEK Global Campus (online IB Diploma Programme for ages 16-19), Universidad Camilo José Cela (university level education), SEK LAB (educational startup accelerator), SEK International Sports Academy, and the Felipe Segovia Foundation. The SEK Future Learning Model and Smart Classroom approach underpin the pedagogical methodology across all institutions, with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme being a flagship offering since 1977.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SEK LAB: Vertical accelerator for educational projects and startups
- SEK International Sports Academy
- SEK Global Campus
- Camilo José Cela University (UCJC)
Products and services
- SEK International Schools (K-12 international education network)
- SEK Global Campus (Online IB Diploma Programme)
- Universidad Camilo José Cela (UCJC)
- SEK LAB
- SEK International Sports Academy
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Quantifiable outcome
- 32.14 average IB score vs 30.88 global average (2025/26)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SEK International Schools
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SEK International Schools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
SEK International Schools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF)coreCamilo José Cela University collaborates with RFEF Academy through co-organised specialised university postgraduate courses including the University Expert Course in Applied Football Methodology Management. The partnership connects academic knowledge with federative and professional experience in Spanish football development.
- JEO Capital ManagementcoreStrategic collaboration for expansion in Middle East. SEK Education Group officially welcomed Beacon Private School (Bahrain) and New World International School (Oman) to its global network under this partnership.
- Luis de la FuenteminorNational football coach and architect of Spain's 2026 World Cup victory participated in Europa Press Sports Breakfast at Camilo José Cela University, strengthening UCJC's role as meeting point between university, sport, media and institutions.
- Project Zero (Harvard Graduate School of Education)minorLearning Outside-In project initiated by UCJC School of Education and SEK International Schools in collaboration with Harvard's Project Zero research centre. A pioneering initiative in Spain aimed at improving student wellbeing through learning pathways in natural and urban environments.
- MagisteriominorJoint initiative called 'Artificial Intelligence and Education' to promote dissemination of good use of AI in education, featuring national and international collaborators.
- Arrowsmith ProgrammeminorCollaboration to bring Arrowsmith neuroeducation programme to SEK schools for cognitive development and learning enhancement, focusing on students' ability to access relevant, meaningful and global learning.
- Madri+d FoundationminorCollaboration for SIMO Education, where SEK-Lab awards prizes to the seven most entrepreneurial projects, supporting educational innovation and startup ecosystem.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SEK International Schools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Inspired Education Group: PE-backed global premium schools group with strong European and Mediterranean presence. Comparable to SEK on premium private-school positioning across multiple countries and focus on bilingual and international curricula.
- Dulwich College International: Network of premium British-curriculum international schools across Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Comparable to SEK on premium expatriate-targeted international schooling, multi-country footprint and emphasis on university preparation.
- Nord Anglia Education: Global network of premium international schools operating in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas with IB and bilingual programmes. Closest direct peer to SEK given multi-country premium-international-schools model and shared IB-curriculum focus.
- GEMS Education: Dubai-headquartered operator of premium international schools with a heavy Middle East footprint and growing European presence. Directly comparable on Gulf-market overlap (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain) and premium IB/bilingual delivery.
- Globeducate: European premium international schools group operating bilingual and IB schools across multiple countries. Closely comparable to SEK on multi-country European footprint, IB delivery and bilingual curriculum positioning.
- International Schools Partnership (ISP): PE-backed operator of premium international schools across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Asia. Highly comparable multi-country premium-schools portfolio with active expansion strategy in markets where SEK also operates.
Emerging players
- Maple Bear Global Schools: Global bilingual-school franchise with strong presence in Latin America and selective expansion in Europe and Asia. Comparable to SEK on bilingual curriculum positioning but operates a licensing/franchise model rather than wholly-owned campuses.
Broad incumbents
- Universidad Europea: Spanish private university group with multiple campuses and strong sports partnerships. Comparable to SEK through UCJC, sharing Spanish private higher-education positioning, sports-academy integration and premium-branded delivery.
- Cognita Schools: Large UK-headquartered international schools group operating premium private and bilingual schools across Europe, Asia and Latin America. Comparable to SEK on multi-country premium-international-school positioning and proprietary pedagogy.
Regional players
- ACS International Schools: Operator of premium international schools in Europe and the Middle East with IB and American curricula. Comparable to SEK on premium international schooling and Middle East exposure, but does not directly overlap in Spain.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SEK International Schools social profiles
Digital presenceSEK International Schools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SEK International Schools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
SEK International Schools subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
SEK International Schools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SEK International Schools M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SEK International Schools
What does SEK International Schools do?
SEK International Schools delivers bilingual and international education to children from 4 months to 18 years through more than 10 physical campuses and an online Global Campus, anchored on the International Baccalaureate and its proprietary SEK Future Learning Model. Services span Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary education, the IB Diploma Programme (including 100% online), university-level studies at Camilo José Cela University (UCJC), the SEK International Sports Academy, and the SEK LAB educational startup accelerator.
Is SEK International Schools a public or private company?
SEK International Schools is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was SEK International Schools founded?
SEK International Schools was founded in 1892. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is SEK International Schools based?
SEK International Schools is headquartered in Madrid, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does SEK International Schools make money?
One revenue line is on record: tuition and Educational Services.
Who are SEK International Schools's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Inspired Education Group, Dulwich College International, Nord Anglia Education, GEMS Education, Globeducate and International Schools Partnership (ISP). Maple Bear Global Schools is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Universidad Europea and Cognita Schools. ACS International Schools is listed as a regional player.
Does SEK International Schools have an API?
No public API is recorded for SEK International Schools.
What industry is SEK International Schools in?
SEK International Schools's product category is International K-12 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAG, International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.), with a secondary code of EDAJAGAB, English Learner (EL/ESL/ELL) & Bilingual Education Programs. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.