History
BFIS history starts in 1985. A group of parents from different nationalities living in Barcelona, who were passionate about education, had come to realize that they school they wanted for their children did not yet exist, and so they put their thoughts together and the idea of founding a new school began to take shape.

Benjamin Franklin International School
A group of Barcelona parents, passionate about education, had come to realize that the school they wanted for their children did not yet exist, and so they put their thoughts together and the idea of founding a new school began to take shape.
In September 1986, the Benjamin Franklin International School opened its doors with 150 students, from PK to 12th grade, and 23 teachers.
The student body had grown to 234, and the Foundation Board began to look for a new location and larger facilities.
The school moved to its current location in the Sarrià neighborhood.
The BFIS Foundation reached an agreement with the Institución Magdalena Aulina to lease the Casa Nostra property on Passatge Torras i Bages to house the Middle and High School division. With 529 students the school needed to expand and enlarge its common spaces.
First graduating class with the diploma from the IBDP. After years of planning and preparation, BFIS launched the highly respected college preparatory International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) in September 2011. The program opened with 25 diploma candidates.
Construction of the current BFIS Auditorium.
After years of planning in August 2015 we broke ground on our new Elementary School Building and opened to students in September 2016.
New Cafeteria opened. Incorporation of Flexible Seating in Elementary and a Makerspace in Middle and High School.
BFIS started the 2019-2020 school year with 710 students, reaching the school’s maximum capacity.
Launch of the new Middle School Building (Grades 6-8). New Early Childhood and Elementary patios. BFIS is awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag and it is one of the few international schools in Spain to obtain this recognition as a committed school with sustainability education.
BFIS and George Orwell
English author, George Orwell, stayed in our main building (now called the Orwell Building) during the Spanish Civil War in 1937 after beign shot in the throat by a sniper while at the front of Aragon. At that time the Orwell Building was a hospital called Sanatorio Maurin. His adoptive son, Mr. Richard Blair and members of the Orwell Society in London, visit the school and tour the Orwell Building biennially.



