Application Process - Benjamin Franklin International School

We have a flexible, rolling admissions and application process and welcome applications for students aged 3 to 17 (Early Childhood – IBDP) all year round. We understand that families with more than one child will want their children at the same school and we do our very best to accommodate them.

First Time Applying

If this is your first time applying, please review carefully our 4-step application process before starting your online application.

Apply here

Existing Account

If you are a returning family, have already made an inquiry or started the application process, please sign into your existing account.

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Step 1: Online Application

Online Application Form

Applications to BFIS need to be submitted through our online system, OpenApply. All online applications require supporting documentation, that varies depending on the grade you're applying for (please see below), and payment of a non-refundable application fee. Our online application system allows you to control, at all times, the completeness of your application through the Checklist in your dashboard. We strongly suggest you log on to your dashboard on a regular basis.

Required Documents

All submissions must be copies of original documents accompanied by an English translation in a pdf format, images are not permitted.

Early Childhood

Elementary School

Kindergarten through Grade 5

Application Form
Application Fee: 250 Euros
Student Health Form
Vaccination / Immunization Records
Student's passport / DNI
Parents' passports / DNIs
Student's ID photo
School Report Cards (2)
- Previous full year report card
- Current partial year report card
Teacher Questionnaires (2)
- From the homeroom teacher
- From the counselor / principal

Middle School / High School

MYP / IBDP (Grade 6 through Grade 11)

Application Form
Application Fee: 250 Euros
Student Health Form
Vaccination / Immunization Records
Student's passport / DNI
Parents' passports / DNIs
Student's ID photo
School Report Cards (2)
- Previous full year report card
- Current partial year report card
Teacher Questionnaires (3)
- From the English teacher
- From the Math teacher
- From the Counselor / Principal
Getting to Know You Questionnaire

Application Fee

Step 2: Assessments

Early Childhood (Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten)

We look forward to getting to know your child and understanding more about their developmental journey.

If you are currently living in Barcelona or will be visiting during the application process, we encourage all applicants for nursery and pre-kindergarten to come in for an in person observation with our Early Childhood specialists. The observation consists in a play based session of approximately 30-40 minutes. You, as parents, are welcome to join the session if your child needs additional support. Once the application fee is paid, the online scheduling instructions will be provided.

Alternatively, if you are unable to come on campus with your child, you will be sent specific instructions for the submission of video samples.

In both cases, our team is excited to learn more about your child in relation to their cognitive, social, emotional, motor and language skills development.

Observations and video submissions are part of the admissions process and do not guarantee a place at the school nor that a seat will be held for any student.

Elementary School (Kindergarten - Grade 5)

We look forward to getting to know your child and understanding more about their developmental and academic journey.

If you are currently living in Barcelona, we encourage applicants to come in for an in person observation. Once the application fee is paid, the online scheduling instructions will be provided. Alternatively, if you are unable to come on campus with your child, you will be sent specific instructions for the submission of video and independent work samples. In both cases, our team is excited to learn more about your child in relation to their cognitive, social, emotional, motor, academic and language skills development.

If your child is an English language learner, you may need to schedule additional Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing assessments.

If your child is applying for grades 4 and 5, you will need to schedule a MAP: Math and Reading assessment. Once the application fee is paid, the online scheduling instructions will be provided.

Assessments and video submissions are part of the admissions process and do not guarantee a place at the school nor that a seat will be held for any student.

Middle and High School (Grades 6 - 11)

All applicants need to do an MAP: Math and English assessment, along with a writing sample. Once the application fee is paid, the online scheduling instructions will be provided.

Our team enjoys meeting our prospective applicants and we look forward to the informal interviews with candidates.

If your child is an English language learner, you may need to schedule additional Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing assessments or submit a Cambridge or Duolingo certificate.

Assessments are part of the admissions process and do not guarantee a place at the school nor that a seat will be held for any student.

Step 3: Review of Application

Admissions Criteria

Specific Grade Requirements

Nursery

The child must be 3 years old by December 31st of their year of entry.
The child must be toilet trained before starting school.
The child must be able to feed and dress themselves reasonably independently.

Grade 11

BFIS values the IBDP and its engaging and challenging curriculum, which encourages critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and integrity. As such, we seek to enroll engaged and motivated students who embody the IB learner profile.
BFIS requires all students to have received the grade 9 and 10 credits required for their high school diploma.
To enter the IBDP, students should be no more than one year older or younger than the average age for their grade and cannot be older than 19 when they graduate.

Grade Placement

Admissions Decision

Once the application has been completed, the decision is communicated within two weeks. Please take note that applications that include learning support services may take longer.

Qualified - Acceptance

If the application receives a positive review, the applicant meets the academic criteria for admission at BFIS and is considered a Qualified applicant. Qualified applicants are offered space on a rolling admissions basis. (Refer to Admissions Policy)

Qualified - Waiting List

If a candidate meets all the admissions criteria and qualifies for acceptance in a grade level that has reached capacity, then they will be placed in the waiting list for that particular year. BFIS uses a prioritization sequence to determine which qualified students in the waitlist will be offered space (Refer to Admissions Policy). Please note that a qualified applicant’s position in the waiting list continuously changes when other applicants are placed on the waiting list. When a place becomes available, the Admissions Office will contact the family by email regarding enrollment.

Denial

The school may decide to deny admission when there are concerns about behavior, academic achievement, social/emotional stability; and/or when a candidate’s English language proficiency is not commensurate with the grade level for which they are applying. Admissions may also be denied when the school is unable to offer a program to adequately meet an individual student’s learning needs. If an applicant is denied admission, notification of the decision will be communicated to the family by the Admissions Office.

Step 4: Enrollment

Enrollment Process and Required Paperwork

Enrollment Process and Required Paperwork

When a space becomes available, parents will be notified and receive a formal acceptance from the Admissions Office with the following documents:

Required paperwork for enrollment

Enrollment Contracts
SEPA Direct Debit Form
Updated Vaccination / Immunization Records (official immunization record with dates of administration)
Doctor Student Health Form
Parent Student Health Form
Data Protection and Consent Form

If there is a health issue, please note that the school’s nurse may request additional documents to be provided before the student attends class. All health documents must be submitted before July 1st.

All submissions must be copies of original documents accompanied by an English translation in a pdf format, images are not permitted.

All BFIS students must have a legal guardian who resides in Spain. In this case, the family must submit the following documents:

Powers of Attorney (Notarized and apostilled)
BFIS Legal Guardian Form

Divorced parents are required to provide additional paperwork that proves custodial rights (Court Decisions, Orders, etc.)