Head of School Welcome
Whether you are a member of our school, someone exploring the idea of joining us, or you just arrived here surfing the web, it is with great pride and excitement that I welcome you to the Benjamin Franklin International School. Our school has a rich history of academic excellence and a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
Our journey started thirty-six years ago with a passionate commitment to providing an accessible K-12 American education to the Barcelona international community, with roughly one-third American, one-third local, and the remaining third from over 60 different nationalities. Today, it stands as one of Catalonia’s leading and most dynamic international schools, empowering over 700 students, speaking 45 different languages. We are committed to delivering a world-class education that prepares our students for the challenges of the future.
We are an MSA Accredited, following Council of International Schools standards, an IB Middle Years Program Candidate School, and an International School Counseling Association member. We offer a comprehensive U.S. educational program culminating in the IB Diploma for all students, alongside successful completion of the Spanish Bachillerato for those who opt for it. We hold ourselves to the highest standards. We nurture quality relationships. We are a niche, family-oriented, small school, yet we have a global projection.
Over the last few years, we have undergone transformational growth. Our compassionate staff are dedicated to fostering academic excellence while cultivating ethics, integrity, and personal growth. Our diverse student body, along with the strong bridge between home and school, forms the foundation of our community’s success. We strive to create an environment that feels like an extension of home, welcoming families from all parts of the world.
Our approach is centered on fostering empathy and equipping our students with the skills and tools they need to thrive in a competitive global market while remaining socially responsible citizens. We encourage our students to ask the “ungoogleable” questions—the kinds that push them to be inquisitive researchers, seeking answers that go beyond what can be found with a simple search. Above all, we want our students to use their voices, hands, and hearts to help create the kind of world we all want to live in.
As we look to the future, we see endless possibilities. Our students are prepared to become mindful innovators, ready to tackle the challenges of their generation with creativity, curiosity, and a strong moral compass. We want to be the best on a global stage guided by our Vision for Learning so that your children can achieve their fullest potential.
We hope that you enjoy learning more about our incredible school.
With best regards,
Head of School
BFIS at a Glance
BFIS is a non-profit school that offers an International and American curriculum to students from 3 to 18 years old. It is a medium-sized school with approximately 700 students and 100 teachers, representing over 60 different nationalities. The language of instruction is English. BFIS graduates obtain great IB results and receive offers of acceptance from the best universities and colleges worldwide.
Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging
We take pride in being an inclusive and diverse school that fosters a strong sense of belonging among our students, parents and teachers. Our vibrant, diverse, and engaged student body, faculty, and parent community represents over 63 nationalities and cultural heritages. Intercultural competence, diversity, equity, and inclusion are the heart and soul of our school.
Mission and values
Our purpose is to engage our diverse school community in the pursuit of educational excellence and success for all students.
To better understand the significance of this statement, it is worth taking a minute to examine the ideas embodied in those words.
- PURPOSE
At the core of any successful and meaninful endeavor is a clear sense of purpose, an understanding that what we do today matters. Purpose implies focus and commitment, passion, and fulfilment. Purpose is what wakes us up in the morning, motivates us to dream big, and drives us to persevere when obstacles stand in our way. - ENGAGE
The hallmark of any excellent school is a sense of engagement that permeates all aspects of school life. Create an engaging environment, and learning will follow. At BFIS this sense of engagement is palpable. - DIVERSE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
From the moment you visit BFIS you can clearly feel that sense of community that defines the school. Ask anyone here what they value about BFIS, and they will mention community. We have students, teachers, and families from more than 50 nationalities, who come together to create an environment that is truly unique in Barcelona. - EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Word choice here was deliberate. It does not say "academic excellence" but rather "educational excellence". While academic excellence will always be an essential goal of our program, our purpose is bigger than that. At BFIS we believe in the development and education of the whole child. Intellectual growth is complemented by opportunities for students to develop socially, emotionally, physically, and creatively as well. - SUCCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS
It goes without saying that every student is different. Some excel in science, some in languages, some in math, some in the art studio, some of the playing field, and some on the stage. At BFIS, we believe that is our obligation to create an environment in which every student has the opportunity and support to discover their interests, pursue their passions and develop the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.
Our values are based on four basic pillars that are followed by both students and teachers, who instill them in order to achieve a climate of harmony throughout the school.
These pillars are:
- Be Kind
- Be Honest
- Be Respectful
- Be Responsible
- Maximize Individual Student Potential
All students should have the opportunity, instruction, guidance and support necessary to succeed in school and maximize their individual academic, social and emotional potential. Students must be active participants, at the center of the learning process, in an environment that encourages them to pursue their dreams. - Joy
Joy and wonder are essential elements in the learning process which breed passion and creativity. - Hard Work and Perseverance
Effort is more important than talent and should be cultivated in all aspects of school life. Success is earned through hard work and commitment. - Shared Responsibility
Responsibility for excellence in education is shared by all members of the school community. Success is achieved through teamwork and collaboration. - Lifelong Learning
Students should cultivate the habits of mind to be curious, independent learners who pursue their passions and understand the beauty and power of knowledge. - Culturally Diverse Community
Students develop compassion, empathy, and insight in an inclusive, culturally diverse community that requires them to consider various perspectives and adapt to different ways of being. - Character Development
All of our actions and decisions should be guided by clear ethical principles. Doing what is right requires honesty, integrity, and courage, and it is the school’s responsibility to support students in developing these essential traits.
