Application Process
We have a flexible, rolling admissions 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.
Please scroll down to view our 4-step application process.
APPLICATION process in 4 steps
Applications to BFIS need to be submitted through our online system. All online applications require supporting documentation, that varies depending on the grade you're applying to (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.
EARLY CHILDHOOD (Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten)
- Application Form
- Application Fee: 250 Euro (for payment please click here)
- Student Health Form
- Vaccination / Immunization Records
- Student's passport/DNI
- Parents' passport/DNI
- Student's ID photo
- Progress Report
- TQ N-PK-K (Teacher Questionnaire from the Nursery school or from the Parents if child hasn't been schooled)
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Kindergarten through Grade 5)
- Application Form
- Application Fee: 250 Euro (for payment please click here)
- Student Health Form
- Vaccination / Immunization Records
- Student's passport/DNI
- Parents' passport/DNI
- Student's ID photo
- Progress Report/School Grades from the previous two years
- TQ (Teacher Questionnaire)
- Writing Sample
MIDDLE SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL / IBDP (Grade 6 through Grade 11)
- Application Form
- Application Fee: 250 Euro (for payment please click here)
- Student Health Form
- Vaccination / Immunization Records
- Student's passport/DNI
- Parents' passport/DNI
- Student's ID photo
- Progress Report/School Grades from the previous two years
- TQ (3) (Teacher Questionnaires: English, Math, and Counselor/Principal)
- Getting to Know You Questionnaire
BFIS Application fee: 250 Euro (non-refundable)
We require all applicants to come for an individual observation with our Early Childhood (EC) Specialist.
Exceptionally, if a family is unable to travel to Barcelona, we require a student video to better understand his/her oral, cognitive and social development. If this is the case, the Admissions Office will contact you with specific video instructions.
Observations do not guarantee a place at the school nor that a seat will be held for any student.
Incoming Kindergarten (K) - Grade 2 students may enter BFIS with no English language skills. In some cases, the school may carry out a formal assessment to determine grade placement and/or to decide the appropriate learning support. In general, we encourage families to bring their children to BFIS for a visit and interviews.
Assessments do not guarantee a place at the school nor that a seat will be held for any student.
Students with stronger English language skills have preference in the admissions process.
Depending on the submitted documents in Step 1, BFIS may require Grade 3-11 students to complete additional language, reading, and math assessments, either in-house or online, and interview with the Principal and/or Counselor either onsite or by Skype.
In cases where applicants demonstrate a lower level of English proficiency, the student will be invited for further assessment with our English as an Additional Language (EAL) Department.
Assessments do not guarantee a place at the school nor that a seat will be held for any student.
Students with stronger English language skills have preference in the admissions process.
Admissions to BFIS is based on the following criteria:
- Academic Level
- English Language Proficiency
Nursery
- The child must be 3 years old by December 31st of their year of entry.
- All Nursery applicants are encouraged to come to the individual observation to determine their level of readiness to start our Early Childhood Program. In case a family is not able to come to BFIS, a video/s of their child will be requested with specific instructions. In cases where assessment results are not conclusive, the admissions team will recommend further external assessments or to delay entry.
- The child must be toilet trained before starting school.
- The child must be able to feed and dress him/herself 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.
- Prospective Grade 11 students may be required to interview with a member of the HS Admissions Team to discuss their course preferences and the demands of the IBDP.
- Exceptionally, if a student wishes to enter Grade 11 once the school year has started, only students previously enrolled in the IBDP and whose subject choices coincide will be considered.
- BFIS does not accept students entering Grade 11 after October 15th.
- BFIS requires passing grades in all HS subject areas.
- 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.
In general, students will be placed according to their age on December 31st of their year of entry and/or the completion of the previous grade elsewhere.
Under exceptional circumstances, the Admissions Team will consider a different placement than the above based on academic records, date of birth, school system, location of previous country and cut off dates in the country of study.
The final decision is determined by the Admissions Team.
Early Childhood is a two to three year program, depending on student readiness and development, as determined by the Elementary School Principal. The Elementary School Academic team will decide in May whether a child will be promoted to Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten.
Once the application has been reviewed, the decision is communicated within two weeks. Please take note that applications for support services and those including special circumstances may take longer.
Qualified - Acceptance: If the application receives a positive review, the applicant meets criteria for admission at BFIS and is considered a Qualified applicant. Qualified applicants are offered space based on the Admissions Policy prioritization sequence (Refer to Admissions Policy). The Admissions Office will contact the family by email regarding Enrollment (Step 4).
Qualified - Waiting Pool: If a candidate meets all the admissions criteria and qualifies for acceptance in a grade level that has reached capacity, then he/she will be placed in the waiting pool for that particular year. The Admissions Office will send a written note to the parents to request if they would like to remain in the waiting pool. BFIS uses a prioritization sequence to determine which qualified students in the wait pool will be offered space (Refer to Admissions Policy). Please note that a qualified applicant’s position in the waiting pool may change based on the prioritization sequence. When a place becomes available, the Admissions Office will contact the family by email regarding enrollment (Step 4).
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.
When a seat becomes available, parents will be notified and receive a formal acceptance from the Admissions Office with the following documents:
REQUIRED PAPERWORK FOR ENROLLMENT
- BFIS Educational Commitment Contract
- 2022-2023 BFIS Enrollment Contract (individual payers)
- 2022-2023 BFIS Corporate Enrollment Contract (corporate payers)
- Data Protection Information and Consent Form
- Parent Student Health Form
- Doctor Student Health Form
- SEPA Form (Direct Debit)
- Vaccination Records or Card
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 BFIS students must have a legal guardian who resides in Spain. In this case, the family must submit to BFIS 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…)
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Director of Admissions
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Admissions Coordinator
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