International schools are very expensive, but usually offer high standards of learning, boast smaller class sizes, first-rate facilities, and extracurriculars. There is a wide choice of international schools and kindergartens, each with its own unique approach to education. Some schools offer an Internal Baccalaureate and General Certificate of Secondary Education. Many international schools operate in English, but there are also schools that provide Spanish, French, Japanese, or German instruction. The results are self-evident and many private secondary schools have a near 100 percent university placement rate.

When looking for a school, check whether a school is recognized by the Spanish education authorities and whether it belongs to an accredited organization. Accreditation is usually through the origin of curriculum; for example, most British schools in Spain belong to the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).

Application

Space is often limited and preference may be given to students based on nationality. Admission and enrollment procedures vary from school to school, but applicants should apply as far in advance as possible as there are often waiting lists.

Schools

American School Of Barcelona
Address: Calle Balmes 7, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat
Tel: 933 714 016 Fax: 934 734 787
International school for children aged 3 to 18 years with an American curriculum. All teaching in English plus Spanish and Catalan lessons.

Benjamin Franklin School
Tel: 934 342 380
International school for children aged 3 to 18 offering an authentic American education in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual setting. Students can study the Spanish Selectividad and Bachilerato, or the American High School Diploma and AP exams.

Colegio John Talabot
Address: Calle Escuelas Pias 136, Barcelona
Tel: 932 123 499
Spanish curriculum with 50 per cent of classes in English.

ESCAAN
Address: Passeig de les Acacies, Passeig Issac Albeniz, Sitges
Tel: 938 942 040
International School following the British educational system. All teaching is in English for children aged 2 to 18.

Escola Turo
Address: Ctra. de Reus s/n, 43120 Constant, Tarragona
Tel: 977 520 511
Trilingual education in English, Spanish and Catalan for children aged 3-18.

Escola Waldorf
Tel: 935 929 795
Nursery and primary school without religious affiliation. Respects social, political, economic and ethnic diversity.

Hamelin-International School
Address: C/ Nuria 26-30 08328 Alella Barcelona
Tel: 935 556 717
Trilingual education in English, Spanish and Catalan.

ISCAT The International School
Address: Passeig 9, La Garriga 08530 Barcelona
Tel: 938 414 077
Education in English for children aged 3 to 18. English national curriculum with an international program.

Kensington School
Address: Carrer del Cavallers 31-33, 08034 Barcelona
Tel: 932 035 457
British education for children of all nationalities. Nursery school for children aged 3 to 5, primary and Sr school. Spanish taught from age 7 onwards.

Schiller International School
Tel: 934 791 616 ext 242
Offers an independent, coeducational, American Primary, Junior and Senior High School program from the 5th through 12th grades.

St. Peter's School
Address: Eduard Toldra 18, 08034 Barcelona
Tel: 932 043 612
Private school following the Spanish curriculum for children aged 18 months to 18 years. All classes taught in English.

The British School of Barcelona
Tel: 936 651 584
Independent, co-educational school for children from 3-18 years old. There is an international mix of students with an English National Curriculum. Teachers are native-English speakers with British teaching qualifications.