Written by Charo Rodriguez, BFIS Director of Communications
What calendar does an American International School in Barcelona follow?
As families relocate to Spain, particularly to the vibrant city of Barcelona, they often encounter the need for comprehensive information regarding the Spanish and Catalan school calendar. This knowledge is not only crucial for academic planning but also plays a pivotal role in organizing personal and professional schedules. Understanding the intricacies of the Spanish school calendar allows families to make informed decisions that harmonize with their lifestyles and commitments.
While many international schools in Barcelona generally adhere to the broader calendar followed by private and public schools, subtle differences may exist. These distinctions could arise from unique curriculum requirements, cultural considerations, or specific school policies. Therefore, gaining clarity on these nuances is paramount for families navigating the educational landscape of Barcelona.
In this article, our objective is to deep dive into the intricacies of the school calendar in Barcelona, offering insights and guidance to families embarking on this educational journey.
Number of School Days
In Spain, educational regulations stipulate a minimum requirement of 175 school days, also referred to as instructional days, by law. This mandate applies universally across all types of schools, encompassing public schools, state-funded private schools (colegios concertados), and private institutions, including international schools.
School Timetable
Drop off and Dismissal
In Spain, the school timetable is subject to a variety of factors, including the school’s classification (public, private, international), the educational level (primary, secondary, etc.), and regional regulations. Despite this variability, a common trend emerges: most schools, including International and American schools, commence classes between 8:30 and 9:00 am, concluding between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.
At BFIS, Elementary classes commence at 8:35 am, while secondary students begin their day at 8:45 am. Some IB Diploma classes may start at 8:00 am. Dismissal times vary, with early childhood and elementary students typically released between 3:45 and 4:00 pm, depending on the grade level, and secondary students at 4:00 pm. Notably, Wednesdays see an early dismissal at 3:00 pm across all grade levels, allowing ample time for staff professional learning in the afternoon in line with the expectations we have of our staff and the high-quality teaching and learning we offer.
Lunch Time
In numerous schools across Barcelona, families have the option to choose whether their children will have lunch at school or at home. It is customary for Spanish schools to allocate an hour or an hour and a half for lunch, affording families the flexibility to opt for lunch either at school or at home. However, during the final two years of High School, known as Bachillerato in Spanish, most students finish classes by 2:00 or 3:00 pm and return home for lunch.
In many international and American schools, including BFIS, all students have lunch at the school. They can either opt for the lunch service provided by the school or bring their own packed lunch from home. BFIS boasts its own kitchen, stocked with products sourced from ecological agriculture and local farmers. The BFIS Cafeteria offers various menu options tailored to accommodate allergies and intolerances, ensuring all students can enjoy their meals safely. Each month, the menu undergoes supervision by the BFIS nurse to maintain high standards of nutritional value and safety.
Additionally, the BFIS Cafeteria provides microwaves for students in grade 4 and above, allowing them to heat their packed lunches as needed. Furthermore, there is a refrigerator available, along with eco-friendly cups and plates for students to utilize.
After-School Activities
Schools across Spain, including Barcelona, boast an extensive array of after-school activities catering to diverse interests such as academics, sports, arts, music, engineering, and robotics. Additionally, Barcelona is home to numerous sports clubs where families can participate in activities either collectively or individually. Furthermore, the city hosts various sports academies providing opportunities for students to engage in training and compete at regional and national levels. Numerous after-school activities in Barcelona commence at 5:00 pm, providing ample time for students to arrive.
At BFIS, our commitment to holistic development extends beyond the classroom. We offer a wide range of afterschool and co-curricular activities designed to nurture students’ passions and talents. From musical theater and robotics to art and design, music, ceramics, swimming, soccer, volleyball, basketball, taekwondo, and more, there is something for every student to explore and excel in. Afterschool activities at BFIS start at 4:00 pm and at 3:00 pm on Wednesdays.
First and Last Day of School
The first day of school in Spain varies depending on the Autonomous Community you live in. In Barcelona schools usually start the second week of September. For the school year 2024-2025, state schools in Barcelona will open doors on Monday, September 9th.
International and American schools in Spain however, tend to open a week earlier. BFIS will start the school year on Monday, September 2nd, 2024.
The last day of school in Spanish schools is around the 20th of June and it is the same for most international schools. For the school year 2023-2024, the last day of school is Friday, June 21st. At BFIS, on that day, students attend only half a day and it is mostly dedicated to wrap-up and farewell assemblies as well as yearbook signing.
Holidays in Barcelona During the School Year
There are 14-15 holidays in Spain that are distributed differently depending on the Autonomous Community. In the case of Barcelona city (where BFIS is located), the 14 holidays that all schools must observe during the school year are:
- September 11 (Catalunya holiday): National Day, known as “La Diada”. Usually, if this day falls on a Sunday, the holiday is moved to Monday. In 2024
- September 24th (Barcelona holiday): On this day Barcelonians celebrate La Mercè, which is the annual festival honoring the patron saint of Barcelona: Mare de Déu de la Mercè. La Mercè is one of the biggest festivals in Barcelona and includes a variety of events such as concerts, parades, street performances, traditional Catalan dances (such as the Sardana), and fireworks. The festival typically lasts for several days and is a vibrant celebration of Catalan culture and heritage.
- October 12th (National holiday): National Day of Spain, also known as “Fiesta Nacional de España” or “Día de la Hispanidad” (Hispanic Day).
- November 1st (National holiday): All Saints’ Day. This is a Christian holiday dedicated to honoring all saints and martyrs observed in many countries.
- December 6th (National holiday): On December 6th, Spanish people celebrate Constitution Day (Día de la Constitución). This day commemorates the anniversary of the Spanish Constitution of 1978, which is the first Constitution approved after the dictatorship regime of Francisco Franco
- December 8th (National holiday). Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Día de la Inmaculada Concepción). This religious holiday celebrates the belief in the immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary, according to Catholic doctrine. Sometimes, when December 6th falls on a Monday or December 8th falls on a Friday or Saturday, many schools opt to grant December 7th as an additional day off.
- December Winter Break: The number of holidays during Winter Break also depends on the Autonomous Community where the school is located. In Barcelona, Winter Break usually starts on the Thursday before December 25th and finishes the first working day after January 7th. You may find that an international school extends winter break up earlier than local schools to accommodate the travel needs of international families transitioning to see family and friends across the globe. This extension, if it exists, often depends on the overall calendar needs that year.
- Easter Week: Easter is a movable feast, meaning it doesn’t have a fixed date but rather varies each year, usually between the end of March and mid-April. In Barcelona, Easter Week goes from Monday to Monday (both included).
- May 1st (National holiday): Labor Day
- Pentecost (Barcelona holiday): Pentecost is a Christian holiday celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter, which falls approximately 50 days after Easter Sunday. It usually falls at the end of May or the beginning of June.
Other Holidays
- Mid-Winter Break: In Spain, some schools (mostly private and international schools) dedicate one week in February to skiing. Known as “White Week” or “Semana Blanca,” it’s a tradition where students have the opportunity to participate in a ski trip organized by their school. At BFIS, this week typically falls on the third week of February. The ski trip, which takes place from Monday to Thursday, is an optional activity offered by the school to BFIS students only. Please note that the school is closed during this week.
- Free Disposal Days
In Catalonia, including Barcelona, public and state-funded schools have the autonomy to choose four additional holidays known as “dies de lliure disposició” or “free disposal days.” These days are set aside for each school’s administration to schedule as they see fit within the academic year, typically for activities such as staff training, professional development, or other school-related purposes. These additional holidays are in addition to the standard public holidays observed across the region.
During the first semester of the school year, BFIS reserves one day for staff professional learning, typically scheduled either before or after another holiday. In the 2023-2024 school calendar, BFIS allocated Friday, October 13th for professional development, following the October 12th holiday “Hispanic Day.”
American Holidays
The school acknowledges and commemorates certain American holidays like Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, and Independence Day. However, these days are not considered official holidays for our school. This is because our academic calendar mandates a minimum of 175 instructional days. However, the school still dedicates and honors these days by organizing special academic and leisure activities for students.
Summer Camps
From the conclusion of the academic year in late June through the entirety of July, the array of summer camps available for students in Spain, including Barcelona, is extensive. These camps cater to various age groups and interests, offering opportunities for learning, skill development, sports, cultural enrichment, and enjoyable experiences.
At BFIS, we also provide diverse opportunities for students during the summer break. This includes the Creativity Summer Camp designed for young learners, an Action and Adventure Overnight Summer Camp typically held in the Pyrenees region for a week, a Water Sports Camp on the Costa Brava, as well as Basketball, Volleyball, or Soccer Summer Camps (depending on interest), and a two-week Artificial Intelligence Summer Course.
While the majority of summer camps occur in July, August is when most families embark on their summer vacations, resulting in a somewhat reduced selection of summer camp offerings compared to July.
Schools Open Days
In Barcelona, most schools host open days, both online and in person, typically between December and February. These events provide an excellent opportunity to experience the school’s atmosphere, interact with teachers, the leadership team, and students, and gain insight into the school’s values and educational approach.
At BFIS, we organize two open days for Early Childhood and Elementary, as well as two more for Middle and High School, which includes the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). Our Open Houses usually occur in February, with on-campus events taking place on Saturday mornings. These sessions offer a comprehensive overview of our educational offerings and allow prospective families to engage with our community firsthand.
BFIS welcomes prospective families throughout the year to visit and meet with our Admissions teams. Simply submit an inquiry form to our Admissions department, and they will promptly reach out to schedule a convenient time for either an online or in-person interview
Parent Teacher Conferences
Most Barcelona state schools offer one meeting between parents and the student’s lead teacher each semester. Usually, these conferences take place during school hours, or sometimes after the school day and can be arranged at any time during the semester.
At BFIS we value how parent-teacher conferences can enhance students’ learning and each School section holds two-day parent-teacher conferences (one in Fall and another one in Spring) that foster substantive dialogue involving students, parents, and educators. Unlike traditional conferences that primarily discuss student outcomes, the core philosophy at BFIS revolves around engaging parents so that our educators know the parents’ perspective of their child’s learning needs and how they can support their child. In Secondary School we involve students in conversations about their learning and academic trajectories. During these conversations, students identify their strengths, areas for improvement and personal aspirations. The objective is to empower students, instilling a sense of responsibility and ownership for their educational progress.
Enrollment Period
Pre-registration period for public and state-funded private schools takes place around March and enrollment can happen during April and May. On the other hand, many international schools adopt a rolling enrollment process, allowing prospective students to initiate the admissions process at any time during the school year. However, the allocation of spots often starts during March and April, when schools have a clearer understanding of available spaces in each grade for the following year.
At BFIS we have a rolling enrollment process, and our doors are open all year long for visits and meetings with the Admissions team. You just need to submit an inquiry through our website and someone from Admissions will contact you.
Explore our Admissions website for comprehensive information about the admissions process and other valuable resources.
Other Resources:
- BFIS School Calendar 2023-2024
- BFIS School Calendar for 2024-2025 (coming soon)
- Barcelona 2024 Public Holidays Calendar