Education
International Schools in Barcelona and the Metropolitan Area
American School of Barcelona
The American School of Barcelona (ASB) is a private, international, non-profit, coeducational day school serving students from three to 18 years old in the greater Barcelona metropolitan area. All graduates earn an American diploma but the majority choose the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, which grants them access to Spanish universities as well as to universities around the world. The school has scored above the IBDP world average every year since it started granting the diploma in 2009. In addition to its rigorous academic program, ASB is well known for its personal approach that fosters a "family atmosphere," making visitors and stakeholders feel welcome. Since its beginnings in 1962, parents, students and staff have felt a strong sense of commitment to the school and community. ASB students come from 51 different nationalities, with the most represented being Spain, the US, the UK, Germany and France.
American School of Barcelona. Jaume Balmes 7, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat. Tel. 93 371 4016 / 93 371 5012.
Benjamin Franklin International School
Founded in 1986, the Benjamin Franklin International School is an American school in the heart of Barcelona. The school has 693 students from the ages of three to 18 years old and is very much a multicultural environment with more than 50 different nationalities represented. Lessons are taught in English and the school is divided into three divisions: elementary school (nursery school to fifth grade), middle school (sixth to eighth grades) and high school (grades nine to 12). The school offers a differentiated American curriculum, fully accredited with strong academic programs, including learning support and foreign languages. Graduating students have the choice of three diploma programs: American High School, International Baccalaureate Diploma and Spanish Bachillerato and students are often accepted into some of the most prestigious universities around the world.
Benjamin Franklin International School. Martorell i Peña 9, 08017 Barcelona. Tel. 93 434 2380.
ES International School
ES International School follows an American High School program and offers preparation for US college and university applications. Set in a campus located within the Sánchez-Casal tennis academy, sports are an essential part of the school curriculum.
ES International School. Autovia de Castelldefels C-31 km 191, Apartado de Correos 176, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat. Tel. 93 479 1611.
Oak House School
Founded in 1968, pupils at Oak House are taught according to the UK National Curriculum in primary school and the Spanish curriculum in secondary school. Pupils are accepted from the ages of three to 17. Elementary school is entirely in English and Spanish with Catalan introduced at the age of eight. Oak House is British Council credited and a member of the European Council of International Schools
Oak House School. Sant Pere Claver 12-18, 08017 Barcelona. Tel. 93 252 4020 / 93 252 4021.
Santa Clara International School
With a strong focus on individualized teaching and enhancing personal development, Santa Clara International School offers a range of creative programs for children that foster their passion for learning. The school opened in 1968, and now has a primary school, high school and summer camp, all emphasizing the English language as an important tool for communication.
Santa Clara International School. Pomaret 17-19, 08017 Barcelona. Tel. 93 212 3593.
St. George’s School
St. George’s School Barcelona is a British school for children from two to 18 years of age. St. George’s Schools are fully authorized by the regional government and are members of the prestigious National Association of British Schools in Spain. They fully adhere to the British national curriculum, with their oldest children taking iGCSEs and then A levels.
St. George's School. Pg. de la Reina Elisenda de Montcada 18 Bis, 08034 Barcelona. Tel. 93 129 3024.
St. Peter's School
Founded in 1964, St. Peter's School offers infant, primary and secondary education through the age of 18. Preschool is taught in English. Primary and secondary schools are taught in English, Spanish and Catalan. St. Peter's has 650 pupils, of which approximately 75 percent are Spanish.
St. Peter's School. Eduard Toldrà 18, 08034 Barcelona. Tel. 93 204 3612.
Colegio John Talabot
Based near Tibidado, the John Talabot school is a concertada school (subsidized by the Catalan government). Children, from preschool through secondary level are taught in Catalan with full immersion in English. There is just one class per year and music and the arts are an important part of the curriculum.
Colegio John Talabot. Escoles Pies 136, 08017 Barcelona. Tel. 93 212 3499.
Deutsche Schule
The Deutsche Schule is an independent private school recognized by the government of Spain and accredited by the Ministry of Education in Germany. Pre-school is for three to six year olds. The Oberschule is divided in "gymnasium" classes (classes seven to 12 with the Reifeprifung exam) and the Haupt and Realschule (classes seven to 10). Pupils can take the bachillerato (classes 11 and 12) and after the selectividad exam can study at any Spanish or German University.
Deutsche Schule. Avda. Jacint Esteva Fontanet 105, 08950 Esplugues. Tel. 93 371 8300.
École Française Ferdinand de Lesseps
Collège Ferdinand de Lesseps, founded by Ferdinand de Lesseps, is the oldest French school in Spain. Following the French education system, the school is for children from the age of three and is accredited by the AEFE (the association of French schools abroad). The school is divided into two campuses on C/Valencia and Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes. There are approx. 460 pupils of which 54 percent are French.
École Française Ferdinand de Lesseps. Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 707. Tel. 93 232 1612. Valencia 314. Tel. 93 458 3241.
English Academy Santa Claus
Santa Claus Academy is a nursery and primary school for children from three to 12. Founded in 1965, it aims to ensure pupils obtain a good level in English, Spanish and Catalan.
English Academy Santa Claus. León XIII 12, 08022 Barcelona. Tel. 93 417 1847.
The English School
Founded in 1957, The English School is a small trilingual nursery and primary school where children can attend from the age of three until 12. It has a trilingual educational project, beginning initially (in nursery) with just English. In the primary school subjects are shared equally between the three languages.
The English School. Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer 50. Tel. 93 213 8864.
Escuela Suiza de Barcelona
The Escuela Suiza de Barcelona accepts children of all nationalities from the age of three to 18. The school follows the Swiss curriculum and teaching is in German with Spanish as a second language. Founded in 1919 there are currently 640 pupils at the school. Approximately half the teaching staff are German speaking and the other half Spanish. Both Swiss and Spanish diplomas are awarded.
Escuela Suiza de Barcelona. Alfons XII 99, 08021 Barcelona. Tel. 93 209 6544.
Istituto Italiano Statale Comprensivo di Barcellona
The Istituto Italiano is a public Italian school that depends on the Italian Ministry of Education. The school offers education from six to 18 and all teaching is in Italian, with Spanish, Catalan and English taught as foreign languages.
Istituto Italiano Statale Comprensivo di Barcellona. Pg. Mendez Vigo 8, 08009 Barcelona. Tel. 93 487 4665.
Kensington School
Located in Pedralbes, the Kensington School follows the UK curriculum. There is a preschool for ages three to six and Spanish is taught from the age of seven in primary school. With the exception of French and Spanish teachers, all Kensington School teachers have obtained their qualifications and previous experience in the UK.
Kensington School. Cavallers 31, 08034 Barcelona. Tel. 93 203 5457.
Lycée Français de Barcelone
The French Lycée caters for more than two and a half thousand pupils from nursery to baccalauréat. Pupils are taught according to the French National System of Education and pass the French academic exams and the selectividad. All levels are taught in French with Spanish, Catalan and English as a major part of the curriculum. The school's objective is to ensure that all pupils succeed in their studies and pursue their education in the country of their choice.
Lycée. Bosch i Gimpera 6-10, 08034 Barcelona. Tel. 93 203 7950.
Princess Margaret
Princess Margaret School, founded in 1967, is a trilingual school for children from age three until 16. At preschool children are taught 85 percent in English, then 45 percent in primary and 25 percent in secondary.
Princess Margaret. Pg. de la Font d'en Fargas 15-17, 08032 Barcelona. Tel. 93 429 0313.
St. Paul's School
Founded in 1968 St Paul's School is located in Pedralbes and offers nursery through to 18. Preschool is taught in English and elementary school introduces half a day in Spanish. The Bachillerato is mostly in Spanish.
St. Paul's School. Avda. Pearson 39-45, 08034 Barcelona. Tel. 93 203 0500.
Zürich Schule
The Zurich Schule offers an education in German, Spanish, Catalan and English to pupils from the age of three until 18. If offers small classes in a family atmosphere with a high value placed on sports and culture.
Zürich Schule. Avda. Pearson 73, 08034 Barcelona. Tel. 93 203 7600.
Barcelona High School
Barcelona High School (BHS) is a virtual American school and university prep academy located at the Exam Preparation International Center of Barcelona. BHS combines fully accredited American online school courses with one-on-one tutoring and guidance (in-person or online). BHS was created for students to obtain an official American High School Diploma and to prepare students to attend university, especially in USA with academic and athletic (Division I) scholarships.
Barcelona High School. Avenida Diagonal, 468, 8º, 08006 Barcelona, 689 850 454.
International Schools Outside Barcelona
Akua School, Santa Coloma de Cervelló
This trilingual school is accredited by the Generalitat de Catalunya, and is the only accredited Montessori nursery and primary school in Barcelona. The school is ran by Fundación Akua, which is built upon three pillars; educational scientific research, entrepreneurship in social projects, and dissemination of the new educational model, the Pedagogy of Talent.
Akua School. Avda. Comte Ramón Berenguer 140, Santa Coloma de Cervelló. Tel 93 171 6449.
Gresol International-American School, Terrassa
Gresol International-American School provides a well-rounded, innovative approach to education for students aged three to 18. While English is the primary language of instruction, students are trilingual by the time they graduate. The aim of the school is to help children achieve more than they believe they can, encouraging students to become the leaders of the future. It is the only school in Vallés Occidental to offer international and American curriculum, aligned with the US Common Core areas, which focus on the development of critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills.
Gresol International-American School. Ctra. Sabadell a Matadepera (BV-1248), km. 6, 08227 Terrassa. Tel. 93 787 0158.
Bon Soleil, Gavà
The Bon Soleil school in Gava 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.
Bon Soleil. Camino de la Pava 15, 08850 Gavà. Tel. 93 633 1358.
Colegio SEK Catalunya, La Garriga
International School SEK-Catalunya is part of the SEK group, founded in Madrid in 1892. The organization today has nine different educational centers (including a university in Madrid and schools in Ireland and France). Its Catalunya campus is located on the edge of Montseny National Park, just outside La Garriga, around 25 minutes from the center of Barcelona. It offers education from infant to pre-university level (three to18 years) in English, Catalan and Spanish. The SEK-Catalunya trilingual curriculum fulfills national requirements and the school is also authorized for all three stages of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
Colegio SEK Catalunya. Avda. Els Tremolencs 24-26, Urbanización Els Tremolencs, 08530 La Garriga. Tel. 93 871 8448.
Ecole Bel Air, Sitges
Ecole Bel Air is located just outside Sitges, between St Pere de Ribes and Vilanova. The school teaches in French, following the French curriculum. It offers education from the age of three until 18.
Ecole Bel Air. Carretera C-246a, km. 42, Vilanoveta, 08810 Sant Pere de Ribes. Tel. 93 896 2267.
European International School of Barcelona, Sant Cugat de Vallès
Europa International School offers preschool through to secondary (one to 18). The school follows the national Catalan curriculum as well as offering different international examinations throughout primary and secondary and the International Baccalaureate. There is a strong emphasis on language learning and the majority of the students are Spanish with a small percentage from the international community.
European International School of Barcelona. Avda. Pla del Vinyet 110, 08172 Sant Cugat de Vallès. Tel. 93 589 8420.
Highlands School Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat
Highlands School Barcelona is an International school for students between one and 18 years old, founded in 2001. It was born with the idea of offering an innovative, vanguard and distinctive Catholic school with a high level of English within Barcelona. Nowadays, it is an international school which offers high-quality Spanish and English education to Catholic students of different nationalities from infant school up to university, with the recognition of Cambridge University. The primary teaching language is English, followed by Spanish and Catalan. The school also offers the students the possibility of choosing other languages such as French or German.
Highlands School Barcelona. Manuel Florentin Pérez 26, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat. Tel. 93 418 0900.
Hamelin Laie International School, Montgat
Hamelin offers nursery through secondary education from zero to 18. It follows the Catalan curriculum but teaching is trilingual (English, Spanish and Catalan). The school is around a 20 minute journey from the center of Barcelona
Hamelin Laie International School. Ronda 8 de Març 178-180, 08390 Montgat. Tel. 93 555 6717.
The International School of Catalunya (ISCAT), La Garriga
ISCAT, the International School of Catalunya, offers education to children from three to 18 years old and follows the English National Curriculum. Catalan and Spanish are also integrated in the program, with French as a foreign language. Located in la Garriga just 30 minutes from Barcelona's center, the school has a school transport service to and from Barcelona in order to accommodate families who require this service. ISCAT's mission is to offer a secure, nurturing and multicultural environment in which the intellectual, physical and emotional development of each student is optimized, respecting the language, culture and creativity of each individual. ISCAT uniquely offers emotional education as a subject for all students and endorses the Forest Schools approach at all levels.
The International School of Catalunya (ISCAT). Manuel Raspall 6, 08530 La Garriga. Tel. 93 841 4077.
The Olive Tree School, Sant Pere de Ribes
Following the British curriculum, the Olive Tree school is a small primary and secondary school. They only accept children with a high level of English and have a maximum of 12 children per class.
The Olive Tree School. Rambla del Garraf 21, Sant Pere de Ribes. Tel 93 188 6215.
Originally published May 2009, Updated May 21, 2021.