American School of Barcelona vs Barcelona High School - Middle & High School
American School of Barcelona and Barcelona High School - Middle & High School are both in Barcelona, about 9 km apart. Both schools offer American programmes. American School of Barcelona also offers IB and IBCP, and Barcelona High School - Middle & High School also offers Advanced Placement (AP). Published annual fees are €9,404 - 32,534 at American School of Barcelona and €13,900 - 21,900 at Barcelona High School - Middle & High School, which puts American School of Barcelona roughly 17% higher. Both take pupils from 3 to 18. American School of Barcelona is the larger school, with around 1,000 pupils to Barcelona High School - Middle & High School's 340. Typical class sizes are 20 at American School of Barcelona and 6 at Barcelona High School - Middle & High School.
American Curriculum, IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)
Curriculum
American Curriculum, Advanced Placement (AP)
Pupils
Pupils
1,000
Pupils
340
Typical class size
Typical class size
20
Typical class size
6
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, Spanish, Cantonese
Opened
Opened
1962
Opened
2024
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
The American School of Barcelona is located just outside Barcelona, in Esplugues de Llobregat. It is about 10 kilometers from Plaza Catalunya, the city center of Barcelona. The campus offers extensive indoor and outdoor spaces for sports, performing arts, and classroom learning.
Location
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Stages
Stages
ASB is organized into four divisions: Early Childhood (PK3–Kindergarten), Elementary School (1st–5th), Middle School (6th–8th), and High School (9th–12th).
Stages
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School type
School type
The school is a non-profit international school located just outside Barcelona, Spain.
School type
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Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
60 nationalities are represented among 970 students.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Spain
Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
ASB provides transportation to Barcelona, Gavá, Castelldefels, Sitges, and Sant Cugat.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application, Matriculation & Capital Levy Fees
- Application fee (one-time, non-refundable): EUR 250 per new applicant. - Annual matriculation fee (one-time, non-refundable): EUR 975 (family rate) / EUR 1,170 (corporate rate). Due within one week of acceptance or before the student's first day of class. - Capital levy (one-time, non-refundable): EUR 3,000 (family) / EUR 3,450 (corporate) for PK3, PK4, K5; EUR 6,000 (family) / EUR 6,900 (corporate) for Grades 1–12. Due within four weeks of acceptance or before the student's first day of class.
Per-term and monthly breakdown (calculated from the annual tuition to match the school's payment options)
- Note: Semester and monthly figures below are calculated by dividing the stated annual tuition by 2 (semester) or 12 (monthly) to reflect the school's payment options; the annual amounts are listed above. These per-term and per-month figures are provided for billing clarity.
Family rate (examples): - PK3 Half-day: Per semester EUR 4,702; Per month (12 installments) EUR 783.67. - Early Childhood (PK3–K5): Per semester EUR 7,057; Per month EUR 1,176.17. - Elementary (Grades 1–5): Per semester EUR 9,703.50; Per month EUR 1,617.25. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): Per semester EUR 11,118.50; Per month EUR 1,853.08. - High School (Grades 9–12): Per semester EUR 13,531; Per month EUR 2,255.17.
Corporate rate (examples): - PK3 Half-day: Per semester EUR 5,815; Per month EUR 969.17. - Early Childhood (PK3–K5): Per semester EUR 8,723.50; Per month EUR 1,453.92. - Elementary (Grades 1–5): Per semester EUR 11,663.50; Per month EUR 1,943.92. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): Per semester EUR 13,383; Per month EUR 2,230.50. - High School (Grades 9–12): Per semester EUR 16,267; Per month EUR 2,711.17.
Re-enrollment and other annual fees
- Re-enrollment fee (paid annually) for each returning student: EUR 975 (family) / EUR 1,170 (corporate). Due January 20. If a family requests the school to hold the spot through May 31, the re-enrollment fee in that case is EUR 2,000 per student. All re-enrollment fees are non-refundable.
Optional / Other Fees
- Lunch: EUR 170 per month. - School bus (monthly): Barcelona round trip EUR 185 (one way EUR 135); Sant Cugat round trip EUR 195 (one way EUR 140); Sitges/Castelldefels round trip EUR 215 (one way EUR 160). - After-school activities and optional trips: fees vary by activity and are billed separately as applicable. - Uniforms: Not required; there is no compulsory uniform. Dress code rules apply. - Boarding: Not offered; boarding fees are not applicable.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Matriculation fee: due within one week of acceptance or before the student's first day of class. Capital levy: due within four weeks of acceptance or before the student's first day of class. Both are non-refundable. - Payment options available: - Prepayment of the full year's tuition (by direct debit or bank transfer). - Prepayment of the semester's tuition (by direct debit or bank transfer); first semester payment due by July 1 and second semester payment due by January 1. Semester payments correspond to the proportional portion of the annual tuition. - Monthly tuition payments in 12 installments (July–June) by bank debit only (SEPA direct debit required). New students admitted after July 1 are billed in 10 monthly installments starting in September if choosing the monthly option. SEPA bank account details must be provided by the required deadline. - Payment methods accepted: direct debit (bank debit) and bank transfer. Cash, credit cards, and cryptocurrencies are not accepted.
Discounts and sibling/alumni concessions
- Prepayment discount: 3% discount on tuition for prepayment of the full year if paid by February 28. - Sibling discounts: 10% discount on tuition and capital levy for the third child (simultaneous enrollment); 20% discount on tuition and capital levy for each additional child beyond the third. Capital levy discount does not apply to Early Childhood enrollments. - Children of alumni: application fee waived and EUR 2,000 discount on the capital levy for children enrolling in Grades 1–12 (not applicable to Early Childhood).
Refunds, early withdrawals and semester-only students
- Once enrolled, tuition and all fees for the entire school year are due in full under the contractual payment terms chosen. Families must provide three months' written notice before a student's departure; tuition for those three months remains payable by the family. Matriculation fee and capital levy are always non-refundable. Written notification of withdrawal received by June 1 before the start of the school year qualifies for a full refund of any prepaid tuition or lunch fees. Notices received after June 1 incur a three-month tuition Early Departure Penalty. - Semester-only students: new students accepted for a single semester on or before June 30 are responsible for the full year's tuition; students accepted after June 30 pay proportional tuition for the semester attended (exceptions apply for current ASB secondary students on exchange).
Contact timing and re-enrollment reminders
- Re-enrollment fee due date (annual): January 20. SEPA enrollment and payment-option deadlines are specified in the payment terms.
Fee details
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Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
English is the language of instruction. Elementary School uses a progressive American, international standards-based curriculum. Middle School uses an American educational program. High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and the International Baccalaureate Career-related Program, with the IB Diploma Program also awarding a US High School Diploma. Cambridge Exams are offered through ASB's English Programs.
Curriculum details
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Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
8:1
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
Average IB score is 35 (2025). SAT results show 34 of 97 graduates took the SAT with an average total score of 1320 (652 reading and writing; 668 math). ASB is recognized by Education Advisers as a Top 10 IB School in Spain and Top 50 in Europe. Approximately 30% of graduates enroll in Spanish universities, with others attending universities around the world.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Approximately 30% of graduates enroll in Spanish universities, with others pursuing higher education at universities around the world.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Complete the division-appropriate application form (PK3, Elementary, Middle School, or High School). The application is submitted via asb.openapply.com and a €250 fee is required; the fee is valid for up to two years for students in the waiting pool. After submission, the admissions team will contact you to arrange a time to meet your child. Supporting materials must be provided as specified for your division in the application guidelines.
2. Submit the required documents. Early Childhood requires the application, last year's report (in English; Spanish or Catalan allowed with originals), a confidential teacher questionnaire, and any relevant evaluations; passport copies are also requested. Elementary requires last two years' official report cards (in English; Spanish or Catalan allowed), confidential teacher and principal/guidance counselor questionnaires, and passport copies (standardized tests may be requested if available). Middle School requires the application, last two years' report cards, English and math teacher questionnaires, a principal or guidance counselor questionnaire, standardized tests in math and reading (if recent scores are unavailable, testing may be arranged), and passport copies (non-native English speakers may be asked for a writing assessment). High School requires the application, last three years' report cards (in English; translations needed for Grade 10+), English and math teacher questionnaires, a principal or guidance counselor questionnaire, standardized tests (MAP, PSAT, or other), and passport copies (an on-campus or remote writing assessment and/or interview may be requested).
3. Admissions review. All completed applications undergo a detailed review by the Admissions and Academic Teams, with consideration of English level, academic record, teacher references, and admissions assessments. For September admissions, completing the application by January 31 is strongly encouraged; the first round of admissions decisions is typically by mid-to-late February. Applications received after January 31 are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions communicated by email within two to three weeks. Decisions include Place Offered (with payment deadlines), Waiting Pool (space permitting), or Not Accepted.
4. Offer/Enrollment. If a place is offered, the family has one week to pay the matriculation fee and four weeks to pay the capital levy to reserve the spot; both fees are non-refundable. If a place is not available, families may be placed in the Waiting Pool, from which space becomes available on a rolling basis and does not confer priority for the next school year.
Admissions
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Scholarships
Scholarships
Little Lynx Scholarship: Long-term scholarships for local residents entering PK3 for the 2026-27 school year, providing 15%–35% off tuition for the full duration of attendance; renewal each year until the end of Grade 6, with updated financial information before Grade 7; PK3 students receive a 50% reduction on the capital levy. Eligibility includes being a resident of Spain, long-term tax resident status, preference for students fluent in English, Spanish, and Catalan, and demonstration of financial need; current ASB families are eligible. Applications use the standard online form and require daycare references, financial disclosure, and open house or information session participation is encouraged. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, with decisions communicated after admission and financial documents are reviewed; renewal occurs automatically at January reenrollment unless extenuating circumstances apply.
English Language Center Scholarship Program: Up to 10 scholarships covering 100% of Summer 2026 tuition for ASB's English Language Center Summer program; eligible students may reapply to continue in Weekday or Saturday classes for the 2026–27 school year on a full scholarship. Eligibility requires admission to grades 4 or higher, financial need (total family gross annual income under €50,000), residence in Barcelona metropolitan area, and completion of online application with supporting documents; current ELC students are eligible to apply. Selection includes financial need, academic potential, a letter of recommendation, language level testing, and an interview; applications require a €25 online application fee and must be submitted by May 15, 2026, with finalists contacted for testing and interviews; scholarship recipients are announced by mid-June.
Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
Waiting Pool: The grade is filled, and families are contacted as space becomes available. Being in the waiting pool for the current year does not confer priority for the following school year.