International Schools Landscape in Barcelona

Written by Charo Rodriguez, BFIS Director of Communications

International schools are growing across the globe at an unprecedented rate. The global international school market has experienced a remarkable 14% increase in just one year and an impressive 53% surge since 2013 (ISC Research). Spain stands out as the European country with the highest number of international schools and ranks fifth worldwide in this regard. 

The growth of international schools in Barcelona is a testament to the city’s cosmopolitan appeal and its position as a hub for international businesses, expatriates, and multicultural communities. Barcelona’s foreign population grew by almost 8% in 2023. In March 2024 the international community represented 23.6% of Barcelona’s total population.

Barcelona

Many families relocating to Barcelona for work or lifestyle reasons seek educational institutions that offer an international curriculum, English-language instruction, and a global and multicultural perspective. As a result, international schools have emerged as preferred choices for both expatriate families and local residents seeking globalized educational experiences for their children.

A great number of international families often also prioritize education that aligns with international standards and provides continuity for their children’s academic journey across different countries. International schools can offer a seamless transition for students moving between countries.

What is considered an International School in Barcelona?

International schools are officially recognized as those schools that offer in all divisions a recognized foreign or international curriculum such as the International Baccalaureate (PYP; MYP, DP), US, British, German, Swiss, Japanese, or Italian curricula among others. 

BFIS is a not for profit school that is ideologically and pragmatically driven and offers the internationally recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes. Namely the world-renowned Middle Years Programme’s ( IBMYP) as well as the IB Diploma Program (IBDP) and offers a Reggio Emilia and IB PYP-inspired Early Childhood program and IB Primary Years Program (PYP) inspired Elementary program.

Schools in Barcelona offering the Spanish/Catalan curriculum with a dual high school qualification such as the Batxibac (official French and Spanish/Catalan pre-university qualification) or the Dual Diploma (official US and Spanish/Catalan pre-univeristy qualification) are not considered international schools. However, they can be interesting options for international families that want for their children a complete integration into the Spanish educational system and language. 

However, this method of classifying international schools is merely a basic approach. As of today, there remains a lack of consensus within the international school community regarding the definition of what constitutes an international school. Various organizations attempt to establish criteria beyond simply offering a foreign curriculum. These criteria may include factors such as the transferability of students’ education across international schools, a transient and multinational teacher population, a diverse student body with a mix of nationalities and languages, international accreditation or membership, and non-selective student enrollment, among others. 

Community Diversity Elementary School

International Mindedness

As an International American School, one of the aspects that BFIS believes truly makes a difference when speaking about international education is infusing an international-mindedness among the student body. In an international school setting, international-mindedness is a core aspect of the school’s philosophy, curriculum and teaching and learning approach. It refers to the school’s commitment to fostering global awareness and intercultural understanding in its students, encouraging them to see things from different perspectives and to understand different beliefs and practices from around the world.

The UNESCO declaration of 1996 goes some way towards articulating international-mindedness (IM) “…as a sense of universal values, valuing freedom, intercultural understanding, non-violent conflict resolution and so on.” Some international schools are categorized as those in which “…students are offered an international curriculum, the most established of which is the International Baccalaureate…The goal of the international curriculum is to establish students from a variety of national backgrounds to study together and to provide an education that would be acceptable to higher education institutions worldwide.” (Hayden and Wong, 1997 in McKillop Ostron, 2000 p.73). This pragmatic reason for existence is true of BFIS.

The International Baccalaureate Organization’s Diploma Programme (IBDP) originated in the 1960s aiming to provide an “International Passport to Higher Education” (Hill 2002 p. 19) for 16-18 year-olds, yet its inception was more ideological than commonly perceived, with a mission to promote international understanding and peace as well as “challenge and allow the child to see the world from a much wider perspective than is generally required in national systems.” (Gellar 2002)

high school graduation IB

For us, international-mindedness, as the IB and UNESCO define, captures the aim of an international education which is what BFIS aims to offer to its students, besides a high-quality academic and international curriculum. 

Read our article about What Makes an International School International

Read our article about International Education and the Value of International Mindedness

How many International schools are in Barcelona?

As per the information published by the Barcelona City Council, in the Barcelona city area alone, there are 11 international schools catering to a diverse student population. Additionally, in the wider Barcelona area, including surrounding suburbs and neighboring towns, there are 23 additional international schools.

For those interested in exploring all the International school options available in our city, the Barcelona City Council publishes a comprehensive guide about International Schools in Barcelona, This guide, updated in October 2023, serves as a valuable resource for families seeking information about the different international schools in the area. It contains details such as the language of instruction, curriculum, location, website information, and qualifications offered by each international school.

Teaching staff in international schools in Barcelona

In international schools, the teaching staff plays a vital role in shaping students’ educational experiences and fostering a dynamic learning environment. These educators often come from diverse cultural backgrounds and possess a wealth of international teaching experience, bringing a unique perspective to the classroom.

BFIS is privileged to boast a faculty of talented, compassionate, and devoted educators hailing from over 25 different nationalities, each contributing diverse perspectives and experiences that enhance the learning environment. Our faculty members are highly qualified, bringing with them years of invaluable experience in their fields of education. 

Moreover, BFIS is deeply committed to nurturing our community of educators by offering a comprehensive array of professional development opportunities throughout the year. At BFIS, we prioritize ongoing, job-embedded training to ensure that our teachers are equipped with the latest research-based best practices in teaching and learning, fostering a culture of continuous learning, improvement, and support.

Learn more about Professional Learning at BFIS

Read our article about the importance of professional learning for teachers

Choosing the right International school

Choosing the right international school for your family is a significant decision that involves considering different aspects to ensure it aligns with your child’s educational needs and family priorities. 

Carefully consider various factors such as the curriculum type, school location, teaching and learning methodologies, student demographics, campus facilities, orientation programs, extracurricular offerings, support services, institutional culture and ethos, as well as parental and community engagement initiatives.

Benjamin-Franklin-International-School-Barcelona

When visiting schools many parents ask about graduate test results.  When you look at these results ask the question: “How many of your graduates were entered into the program that the results are from?” Many times, schools with less outwardly facing stellar results are those who are lifting all of their students up and are not leaving some behind by purposely excluding them from a program. At BFIS, we take great pride in the fact that 96%-100% of our students engage in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) during their final two years of high school. This reflects our unwavering commitment to nurturing every student’s individual potential and guiding them toward success.

Read our article about Visiting an International school: Complete check-list

Ultimately, the best international school for your family will depend on a combination of different factors and how well they align with your child’s unique needs, interests, and learning style. It’s essential to visit each school, meet with school administrators, teachers, and staff, and involve your child in the decision-making process to ensure a successful and fulfilling educational experience.

In Barcelona, numerous international schools host open days, inviting families to explore and become acquainted with the school community. These events typically are held from January to March, coinciding with the enrollment peak season. Nevertheless, several international schools, such as BFIS, maintain a rolling enrollment policy, offering the opportunity for visits and meetings with the Admissions team year-round by appointment.

To meet with the BFIS Admissions Team and schedule a visit or an online meeting, please fill out the Inquiry form.

Useful Links

Barcelona International Schools Association (BISA)

Choosing a school in Barcelona: A practical guide for international families

References

Gellar, C. (2002) International Education: a Commitment to Universal Values, Professional Development: an International School’s Perspective, in International Education in Practice: Dimensions for National and International Schools. eds. Hayden, M. Thompson J. and Walker G, London: RoutledgeFalmer p. 30-35

Hill, I. (2002) The History of International education: an International Baccalaureate Perspective, in International Education in Practice: Dimensions for National and International Schools. eds. Hayden, M. Thompson J. and Walker G, London: RoutledgeFalmer p. 99-111p. 18-29ç

McKillop-Ostram, A. (2000) Student Mobility and the International Curriculum, in International Schools and International Education: Improving Teaching and Management Quality, eds M. Hayden and J. Thompson, London: Kogan Page p. 74-84

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