LIVING

BARCELONA AND METROPOLITAN AREA

1. The American School

All classes at The American School are taught in English and the school follows the US curriculum until grade 12. There are more than 450 children representing 30 nationalities currently at the school and they can gain either an American or Spanish diploma.

The American School of Barcelona, C/Balmes 7. 08950 Esplugues, Tel. 93 371 4016 / 93 371 5012, www.a-s-b.com

2. Benjamin Franklin International School

Accredited by the Middle States Association for Collages and Schools as well as by the Spanish Ministry of Education, the Benjamin Franklin School prepares students for Universities both in the USA, Spain and other countries. BFS is very much a multicultural environment - around 35% are Spanish/Catalan, 30% American and 35% other international students. The school is divided into 4 subsections - Early Childhood, Elementary (grades 1-5), Middle (grades 6-8) and High School (grades 9-12). High School students are required to take 4 years of English, Spanish, Social Studies and Physical Education and 3 years of Mathematics and Science. Also obligitory are Computer Science, Music and Art.

Calle Martorell i Peña 9, Tel. 93 434 2380, www.bfis.org

3. Bon Soleil - Gava

Bon Soleil School in Gava (just outside Barcelona), was ranked as one of Spain´s top 100 schools by El Mundo newspaper in 2007. The school follows the French education system with English, Spanish and Catalan as secondary languages. Founded in 1969, there are currently 1080 pupils in the school and 71 members of staff.

Camino de la Pava, 15. Gavà, Tel. 93 633 1358, www.bonsoleil.com

4. The British School

Recently taken over by the Cognita group chaired by the highly respected former UK Inspector of Schools Chris Woodhead, The British School is from 3 to 18 years and follows the UK curriculum. Spanish is introduced at 4 years and Catalan at age 5. Located 20 kilometres from Barcelona in Castelldelfels, close to the beach and a bus service is available.

Calle Ginesta 26, Castelldelfels, Tel. 93 665 1584, www.britishschoolbarcelona.com

5. Colegio John Talabot

A well reputed concertada based near Tibidabo. Children are taught in Castilian but are immersed in English.

Calle Escoles Pies 136 08017 Barcelona, Tel. 93 212 3499

6. Colegio SEK Catalunya

International School SEK-Catalunya is part of the prestigious SEK group, founded in Madrid in 1892. The organisation today has nine different educational centres (including a university in Madrid and schools in Ireland and France). Its spacious, well-equipped campus is located on the edge of Montseny National Park, just outside La Garriga, around 25 minutes from the centre of Barcelona. It offers education from Infant to pre-university level (3-18 years) in English, Catalan and Castilian. The SEK-Catalunya trilingual curriculum fulfils national requirements and the school is also authorised for all three stages of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme.