A new closure shakes private education in Madrid
The recent closure of Montessori Village school in Alcalá de Henares has raised alarms about the financial stability of several educational institutions in the Community of Madrid. This closure, which took place at the end of December, left over 50 children without access to education in the middle of the school year, generating a wave of uncertainty among families and educators.
Montessori Village, which offered a bilingual educational model based on the Montessori methodology for children aged 0 to 12, had been operating normally until December. However, economic problems and reports of unpaid debts led its management, Alcalá de Henares Education Group SL, to file for voluntary bankruptcy last October.
The affected families have expressed their frustration, stating that they were not adequately informed about the seriousness of the situation until shortly before the final closure. Many parents had already paid tuition and monthly fees in advance, adding another layer to the chaos generated by this educational crisis.
The case of Montessori Village is not isolated. Sources from the education sector warn that other schools linked to the Seed Education group and Scientia School are also facing serious economic difficulties. Institutions like Sapienza in Tres Cantos and Montessori Tres Cantos could be on the brink of financial collapse.
Over the past few years, several schools associated with these brands have closed their doors, leaving behind a trail of unpaid teachers and ruined suppliers. Reports point to a problematic business model where those in charge acquire financially troubled schools and then liquidate them after attracting private investments.
Various courts are currently investigating whether there is an opaque corporate structure behind these mass closures. Accusations include systematic non-payments to workers and suppliers as well as fraudulent fundraising for failed educational projects.
Among the schools that have gone bankrupt are Scientia San Sebastián in Getafe and several others spread across the Basque Country and Catalonia. The situation has led many affected individuals to question the transparency and ethics behind the operations of these educational groups.
As judicial investigations unfold, the affected families continue to deal with the immediate consequences of the sudden closure. With the school year already well underway, many parents are forced to seek new educational options for their children while facing significant financial losses.
The fear now centres on whether other schools linked to Seed Education or Scientia will follow the same path. Meanwhile, educational authorities must decide how to manage public aid corresponding to the period prior to the closure of the affected educational institution.
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