What our families say
These are the voices of the families who make up our school. Parents share their experiences and impressions of what day-to-day life here is really like. Letters written in Spanish appear here in English translation, with the original always one click away.
We chose Dragón three years ago for its extraordinary care and respect for children (the way it encourages each child’s emotional self-management, independence and self-esteem is remarkable). The school looks at childhood and at the learning process with respect, but also as an opportunity.
The opportunity in every “conflict” and every “doubt” to learn in a way that is organic but guided.
The project has wonderful values: as well as nurturing and developing an understanding of what is “human” (emotions, the senses, relationships and emotional bonds), it brings children close to nature every day from an early age (the school is surrounded by open countryside), and makes good food part of their routine.
The school’s facilities foster a culture of independent students from the earliest years, connected with the nature that already surrounds them, and the spaces are cared for, with carefully chosen materials, colors and lighting.
It is a school usually chosen by families with a particular sensitivity toward this stage of life. Children learn through natural curiosity and through nature, in a warm, close, family atmosphere thanks to its size.
Every day my son wants to go to school, and does not want to leave when I pick him up. What stays with me is how happy he is when I see him there.
Elegimos el colegio Dragón hace 3 años por su extraordinario cuidado y respeto hacia el niño (el fomento de la gestión emocional personal, de la autonomía y autoestima de cada niño es destacable), la mirada del colegio hacia la infancia y hacia el proceso de aprendizaje se hace desde el respeto pero también desde la oportunidad.
Oportunidad de cada “conflicto”, de cada “duda” para aprender de una manera orgánica pero guiada.
El proyecto tiene unos valores maravillosos donde, además de cuidar y desarrollar el conocimiento sobre lo “humano” (las emociones, lo sensorial, las relaciones y los vínculos afectivos), acerca a los niños desde la infancia a la naturaleza a diario (su entorno es puro campo) o a la buena alimentación como rutina.
Las instalaciones del colegio fomentan una cultura de alumno autónomo desde los primeros años, que conecta con la naturaleza que ya tienen alrededor y donde cuidan los espacios con materiales, colores e iluminación cuidada.
Es un colegio habitualmente seleccionado por familias cuya sensibilidad hacia esta etapa vital es especial, los niños aprenden desde la curiosidad natural, la naturaleza y además en un entorno familiar, cariñoso y cercano por su tamaño.
Mi hijo cada día tiene ganas de ir al colegio y no de salir cuando le recojo, me quedo con su felicidad cuando lo veo allí.
After almost six years with two children at the school, we have seen steady academic growth, suited to the needs of each school stage and of each student.
It is reassuring to know that it is a small, very personal school, with practically no conflict at all.
They have a special knack for hiring the best teaching teams (with a few exceptions, which they have been able to correct in time), which lets children reach their full potential and interest in their subjects, beyond the shortcomings of the compulsory education system.
Since the first years of secondary school began, and after finding their place and adapting the model they have in primary, they have been making changes and looking for the right way to strike a good balance in the leap between the needs of primary and the challenges and demands of secondary school, all with a marked and very positive emphasis since the new head teacher joined.
Communication with the head teacher (Silvia) and the head of studies (Blake) is exceptional. The school itself anticipates the concerns we parents may have and what they notice in our children, which lets all of us make the most of their time at the school.
The mentor, someone they can turn to with their problems, and the head of studies’ readiness to talk with the students, from an open and constructive position and always there for them, make them all feel part of, and involved in, the way the school works.
We are very happy and grateful that the school is following its current path.
Después de casi 6 años con dos hijos en el Colegio, hemos podido ser testigos de un crecimiento académico continuado y acomodado a las necesidades de cada Etapa escolar, y de cada alumno.
Da gusto tener la tranquilidad de saber que es un modelo de colegio pequeño, muy personal, y con niveles de conflictividad completamente inexistentes.
Tienen una capacidad especial para contratar a los mejores equipos docentes (salvo contadas excepciones, que han sabido corregir a tiempo), y que permiten que los niños saquen su máximo potencial e interés por las materias, más allá de las carencias que tiene el sistema educativo obligatorio.
Desde que iniciaron los primeros años de Secundaria, y tras buscar su sitio, y adaptación al modelo que tienen en primaria, han ido realizando cambios y buscando el camino adecuado para encontrar un buen equilibrio en el salto que existe entre las necesidades de primaria, y los retos y exigencias de la Secundaria, todo ello con un marcado y muy positivo acento desde la incorporación de la nueva Directora.
La comunicación con la Directora (Silvia) y con el Jefe de Estudios (Blake) es excepcional, anticipándose el propio Colegio a las inquietudes que podamos tener los padres y aquello que detectan en nuestros hijos, que nos permite a todos sacar el máximo partido de su paso por el Colegio.
La figura del Mentor, que es para ellos un referente con el que comunicarse ante sus problemas, y la receptividad a hablar con los chicos, del Jefe de Estudios, desde una posición abierta y constructiva, pero siempre a su disposición, les hacer sentirse a todos ellos parte, y participes, del modelo de trabajo.
Muy contentos y agradecidos de que el colegio siga este camino actual.
For us, Dragón has been a real discovery. From the very first day we felt it was not just another school, but a place where children can be themselves, learn with enthusiasm and grow up in a very healthy, close-knit environment. What we value most is the human touch. The teachers really know the students: they listen to them, understand them and support them with great dedication. They don’t just teach; they help them believe in themselves and find what motivates them.
We also love the way they learn: more hands-on, more creative and more focused on each child progressing at their own pace. You can tell they enjoy the projects and the teamwork, and that is why they are happy to come to school.
The Torrelodones setting is another gift. Studying surrounded by nature brings a calm and a joy that show in their everyday lives. We see them happy, more curious and eager to explore.
For our family, Dragón has become a community where we feel very much at home. A place where every child has their own space and where the way they are is respected.
We are truly happy and grateful to be part of this school.
Para nosotros, el Dragón ha sido un auténtico descubrimiento. Desde el primer día sentimos que no era un colegio más, sino un lugar donde los niños pueden ser ellos mismos, aprender con ilusión y crecer en un ambiente muy sano y cercano. Lo que más valoramos es el trato humano. Los profesores conocen a los alumnos de verdad, los escuchan, los entienden y los acompañan con mucha dedicación. No solo enseñan, sino que les ayudan a confiar en sí mismos y a encontrar aquello que les motiva.
También nos encanta la forma de aprender: más práctica, más creativa y más enfocada en que cada niño avance a su ritmo. Se nota que disfrutan de los proyectos y del trabajo en equipo, y eso hace que vengan contentos al colegio.
El entorno de Torrelodones es otro regalo. Estudiar rodeados de naturaleza aporta una calma y una alegría que se refleja en su día a día. Los vemos felices, más curiosos y con ganas de explorar.
Para nuestra familia, el Dragón se ha convertido en una comunidad en la que nos sentimos muy a gusto. Un sitio donde cada niño tiene su espacio y donde se respeta su manera de ser.
Estamos realmente contentos y agradecidos de formar parte de este colegio.
My son has been at Dragon for 4 years and is now in Grade 11 and I can honestly say he is thriving! The project-based learning has been great for him and his confidence has improved so much. We’ve been very lucky to have had amazing tutors who support him (and us as parents sometimes) in many more ways than just the academic and he also has great friends which is important at this stage.
I also really like how the school is very strong on making sure the students are responsible for their work, being on time, use of technology etc which in the end is helping them develop life skills that prepare them for the future.
More recently my son is very happy with his High School options, the trips to museums and the surf camp, and the changes in the school food and it’s been great for me to have had more contact with staff and the new director.
Thank you!!
We have only been at the school for a few months and we are so grateful to have found it and chosen it! The most important thing for us was a gentle, respectful transition for our daughter (who had never been to school or nursery before), and the support and knowledge of the Dragonfly teachers have been wonderful: instead of a traumatic process it was one adapted to her needs and her pace, with no tears and no problems! The activities organized by the teachers (especially Tes and Lucía) and by the school are wonderful. As a family with two moms, we love that they have made our daughter feel included and normal, the importance they give to family, and their truly personalized, kind attention to each child’s needs.
Tenemos pocos meses en el cole y estamos muy agradecidas por haberlo encontrado y escogido! Lo más importante para nosotras era tener una transición amable y respetuosa para nuestra hija (que nunca había ido al cole ni guardería antes) y el apoyo y conocimiento de las profesoras de Dragonfly ha sido maravilloso para que no fuera un proceso traumático sino adaptado a las necesidades y tiempos de la niña, sin lágrimas ni problemas! Las actividades organizadas por las profesoras (especialmente Tes y Lucía) y el colegio son maravillosas. Nos encanta que siendo una familia homoparental han hecho sentir a nuestra hija incluida y normal, la importancia que le dan a la familia, y la atención verdaderamente personalizada y amable a las necesidades de cada niño.
Eleven years ago we decided to take a chance on a different way of teaching, and eleven years later we can say that we are very happy with our choice.
Throughout that time our son has felt listened to and valued.
He has learned through play (especially in the early years) and through his own interests. In this way, learning has gradually become a pleasant inner need rather than a tedious obligation.
He has often gone out of the classroom, because there is a lot to learn outside it too.
He has spent a great many hours out in nature.
He has learned to live alongside diversity: with children of different ages, with the adults at the school, both teaching and non-teaching staff, and with other living beings too (dogs, cats, trees, plants).
Community work has taught him to take responsibility for his actions, to be tolerant, to voice his needs, to feel heard and to listen, and to look after himself and others.
All this on top of the usual academic knowledge required by the conventional education system.
In short, we want to thank everyone who makes, and has made, it possible for our son to go to school excited and happy all these years.
Hace once años decidimos apostar por un método pedagógico diferente, once años más tarde podemos decir que estamos muy contentos con la elección.
Durante todo ese tiempo nuestro hijo se ha sentido escuchado y valorado.
Su aprendizaje ha sido desde el juego (especialmente durante los primeros años) y desde sus propios intereses. De esta manera, aprender se ha ido convirtiendo en una necesidad interior agradable y no en una tediosa obligación.
Ha salido con frecuencia de las aulas porque hay mucho que aprender fuera también.
Ha pasado muchísimas horas en plena naturaleza.
Ha aprendido a convivir en la diversidad, con niños de distintas edades y con los adultos miembros de la escuela, docentes y no docentes, también con otros seres vivos ( perros, gatos, árboles, plantas).
El trabajo comunitario le ha enseñado a responsabilizarse de sus acciones, a ser tolerante, a expresar sus necesidades en voz alta, a sentirse escuchado y escuchar, a cuidarse y a cuidar de los demás.
Todo esto además de los conocimientos académicos habituales exigidos por el sistema educativo convencional.
En definitiva, queremos expresar nuestro agradecimiento a todas las personas que hacen y han hecho posible que nuestro hijo haya podido ir ilusionado y feliz al colegio durante todos estos años.”
We are very happy with Dragon; our experience has been excellent in all the aspects. I would like to highlight which are (for us) very important factors. Concepts that guide children to understand themselves, care for others, collaborate with empathy, and celebrate unique, are values present on the day-by-day actions. I believe that will give my kid better tools to face his future and prepares him to make their mark on a changing world.
Not losing the focus on the importance of academic deliver of knowledge, Dragon is helping to prepare his emotional development. On this diverse and caring community, my kid feels supported and grows his confidence to explore his individual capacities within a respectful environment.
Dear Dragón team,
We are immensely grateful for the wonderful learning experience that Jorge’s school years at DAS have been.
The sensitivity and warmth you bring really make the difference.
THANK YOU!
Querido Equipo Dragón,
Estamos inmensamente agradecidos por la gran experiencia de aprendizaje que ha sido para Jorge, su etapa escolar en DAS.
Realmente la sensibilidad y cercanía que ponéis , marcan la diferencia.
¡GRACIAS !
We could not be happier with the decision we made five years ago to choose DAS Dragón American School for our four children. The school offers an impeccable educational approach, respectful of each child’s individual development and fully in line with the law, but with a unique ability to personalize learning for every child.
We live in a kind and safe environment, with a truly innovative and effective bullying prevention system. The support from the teaching team is excellent: they focus on building on students’ strengths and giving them the tools to overcome academic and personal challenges. An exceptional school that we wholeheartedly recommend to any family looking for a well-rounded, human education in Torrelodones.
No podemos estar más satisfechos con la decisión que tomamos hace cinco años al elegir DAS Dragón American School para nuestros cuatro hijos. El colegio ofrece una propuesta pedagógica impecable, respetuosa con el desarrollo individual y perfectamente ajustada a la ley, pero con la capacidad única de personalizar el aprendizaje para cada niño.
Vivimos en un entorno amable y seguro, con un sistema de prevención de bullying realmente innovador y eficaz. El acompañamiento del equipo docente es excelente, centrándose en potenciar las fortalezas de los alumnos y dándoles herramientas para superar retos académicos y de crecimiento personal. Un colegio excepcional que recomendamos de todo corazón a cualquier familia que busque una educación integral y humana en Torrelodones.
We wanted to pass on our appreciation for Tamara, the chef you have at Dragón. We love her professionalism, her enthusiasm and above all the way she cooks for the whole school, and especially for Dragonfly, in a healthy and varied way.
It is one of the school’s great strengths and we could not be happier or more satisfied. Congratulations to everyone, and especially to Tamara.
Queríamos transmitiros nuestro reconocimiento a la chef que tenéis en Dragón, Tamara. Nos encanta su profesionalidad, su entusiasmo y sobre todo su manera de cocinar para todo el colegio y en especial para Dragonfly, de una manera sana y variada.
Es un gran punto fuerte de este colegio y nosotros no podemos estar más contentos y satisfechos. Enhorabuena a todos y en especial a Tamara.
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The best way to find out whether Dragón fits your family is to come and see it.