american schools in Barcelona

If you are looking for an American School in Barcelona, offering accredited US Curriculum courses and an American High School Diploma, there are very few. Traditionally, there have been only two quality American schools in Barcelona, the American School of Barcelona and Benjamin Franklin International School. However, now there is another American school option in Barcelona, Barcelona High School, that has a revolutionary pedagogy that has become the fastest growing school in Europe, not only Spain, or Barcelona.

Below we provide information to help you decide what American school may work best for you.  For a list of American middle schools in Barcelona and American high schools in Barcelona, including areas outside Barcelona click here.  

1.  Barcelona High School

Barcelona High School (BHS) is the newest American school in Barcelona with a very central location.  BHS has a small class size and a focus of the social happiness of of its students while also having high academic standards. 

Pros: Class are small class sizes and online optional which allows for a flexible learning schedule in case of disruptions such as COVID-19 or athletics, located in the most central part of Barcelona, with a focus on social happiness and emotional well-being, but also with AP courses for strong academic students.

Cons: BHS has a university-like campus spread out through the neighborhood of Gracia so it does not have a traditional large school campus with all the bells and whistles like the other two American schools.

US Accredited Curriculum: Yes

Instruction: English

Grade Levels: 6th to 12th 

Average Class Size: 15 

American High School Diploma: Yes

Yearly Fees: 14,900 Euros

Non-Refundable Entry Fee: 2,000 Euros

2.  American School of Barcelona

American School of Barcelona (ASB) is the oldest and most established American school in Barcelona. Located outside of Barcelona city, ASB has a huge campus with amazing facilities.

Pros: Good academic reputation, large traditional campus, offers IB Diploma Program, great school performances and activities.

Cons: The most expensive school in Barcelona and there is a non-refundable 6,000 additional entry fee, and not centrally located.

US Accredited Curriculum: Yes

Instruction: English

Grade Levels: Preschool to 12th

Average Class Size: 22

American High School Diploma: Yes

Yearly Fees: 25,000 Euros

Non-Refundable Entry Fee: 6,000 Euros

3.  Benjamin Franklin International School

Benjamin Franklin International School (BFIS) is the second oldest American school in Barcelona, started by parents of ASB who wanted a better school. Located in the Sarria neighborhood, BFIS is closer to the center of Barcelona than ASB.

Pros: Good social school life and expat community, offers IB Diploma Program, campus has recently been updated with more renovations underway.

Cons: Less expensive than ASB, but more than BHS, has a non-refundable 6,000 additional entry fee, IB Diploma is mandatory in upper grades.

US Accredited Curriculum: Yes

Instruction: English

Grade Levels: Preschool to 12th

Average Class Size: 22

American High School Diploma: Yes

Yearly Fees: 20,000 Euros

Non-Refundable Entry Fee: 6,000 Euros