Benjamin Franklin International School vs European International School of Barcelona
Benjamin Franklin International School and European International School of Barcelona are both in Barcelona, about 8 km apart. Both schools offer American programmes, and Benjamin Franklin International School also offers IB. Published annual fees are €14,050 - 22,820 at Benjamin Franklin International School and €6,830 - 14,230 at European International School of Barcelona, which puts Benjamin Franklin International School roughly 75% higher. Benjamin Franklin International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and European International School of Barcelona from 0.5 to 18. European International School of Barcelona is the larger school, with around 1,500 pupils to Benjamin Franklin International School's 720. Typical class sizes are 17 at Benjamin Franklin International School and 25 at European International School of Barcelona.
BFIS Barcelona is located in Barcelona, Spain, at Martorell i Peña, 9, 08017 Barcelona. The school serves Nursery through Grade 12. It provides a comprehensive American curriculum complemented by the IB MYP and the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP). Over 63 nationalities are represented at BFIS.
Location
Located just 15 km from the centre of Barcelona, EISB is nestled within the Collserola Natural Park. The 14,000 m² campus comprises classrooms, laboratories, dining rooms, an auditorium, a sports hall with pools and a kitchen.
Stages
Stages
Nursery through Grade 12 (PK-12)
Stages
Nursery & Infant School; Primary School; Secondary School. Post-16 options include National Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate (100% English, 100% Spanish, or bilingual) and the American High School Diploma.
School type
School type
non-profit International American school in Barcelona
School type
Private international school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
Over 63 nationalities represented.
Pupil nationality mix
—
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
A learning support team helps students with mild to moderate learning differences. BML Specialists provide targeted English language instruction for bilingual/multilingual learners.
Additional learning support
Language & Support Academy
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Spain
Country affiliation
Spain
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
Religious affiliation
—
School day structure
School day structure
—
School day structure
—
Bus service details
Bus service details
Three private bus routes serve Primary and Secondary students: Route 1 Puerto Olímpico – Gràcia – Sarrià; Route 2 Plaça Universitat – Les Corts – Sarrià; Route 3 Sant Cugat – Sarrià.
Bus service details
The school offers a six-route, free transport service for Infant pupils with Route 1 Sabadell; Route 2 Sant Cugat (Mirasol – Valldoreix – Sant Cugat); Route 3 Terrassa; Route 4 Barcelona; Route 5 Vallès Oriental; Route 6 Barcelona Mar; timetables and routes are designed for comfort, punctuality and safety and are available for regular or occasional use.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & Enrollment Fees
- Application fee (all grades): EUR 250 (non-refundable). - Matriculation (re-enrollment) fee (individual billing): EUR 1,100 for first child; EUR 1,000 for each additional child (each year; non-refundable). - Matriculation fee (corporate billing): EUR 1,300 for first child; EUR 1,200 for each additional child (each year; non-refundable). - Entrance fee (one-time, new students): Individual billing: EUR 6,000 (non-refundable). For Nursery entrants this Entrance Fee may be paid over two years (50% + 50%). Corporate billing: EUR 6,700 (non-refundable). Entrance Fee payment may be split 50% with Matriculation on acceptance and remaining 50% before the start of the school year.
Tuition Fees — Annual and Per-Term (by year group)
Note: Annual tuition rates are published below. Per-term amounts shown are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by three (the school calendar for 2026–2027 indicates an academic year running from September to June with the school year arranged across three main parts); per-term figures are rounded to the nearest euro.
- Individual billing — Annual / Per term: - Early Childhood (Nursery and Pre-K): Annual EUR 12,950 → Per term EUR 4,317. - Elementary School (Kinder–Grade 5): Annual EUR 17,000 → Per term EUR 5,667. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): Annual EUR 18,240 → Per term EUR 6,080. - High School (Grades 9–12): Annual EUR 21,720 → Per term EUR 7,240.
- Corporate billing — Annual / Per term: - Early Childhood (Nursery and Pre-K): Annual EUR 16,400 → Per term EUR 5,467. - Elementary School (Kinder–Grade 5): Annual EUR 20,000 → Per term EUR 6,667. - Middle School (Grades 6–8): Annual EUR 21,350 → Per term EUR 7,117. - High School (Grades 9–12): Annual EUR 25,430 → Per term EUR 8,477.
Optional Services and Other Fees
- Lunch (optional): Full-year payment EUR 1,780; monthly payment EUR 188; single lunch ticket EUR 12. (These lunch amounts are listed on the fees information as the previous-year figures and the school indicates 2026–27 prices are to be confirmed.) - School bus (optional): Sample route pricing listed (2025–26 amounts shown; 2026–27 prices TBC): - Routes 1 & 2 Barcelona (round trip): EUR 2,200; one way EUR 1,350. - Route 3 Sant Cugat (round trip): EUR 2,650; one way EUR 1,600. - One-way ticket Barcelona: EUR 8.80; Sant Cugat: EUR 15.50. - IBDP diploma/course/subject fees: Billed directly to families of students enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme. Additional charges for field trips, optional parties, extra-curricular activities, tutoring, and special programs are billed as appropriate. - Tuition insurance (optional): An AXA-offered tuition insurance program is available for an annual premium; premium depends on number and ages of students covered. - Uniform: No school uniform is required.
Billing Schedule & Payment Terms
- Pre-payment required: Matriculation fees (annual) and Entrance Fees (one-time) must be prepaid for enrollment and re-enrollment; these fees are non-refundable. - Payment frequency: Tuition, lunch, and bus fees may be paid either annually (single payment) or monthly. Monthly payments are due on the 5th of each month. - Late payment handling: The school issues a written notice 30 calendar days after a missed due date; interest/service charges are applied beginning 60 days after the due date and every 30 days thereafter (service charge determined by Banco de España). The school may suspend the student for unpaid fees and may refer uncollected debt to legal counsel. Final confirmation of a space for the following year is subject to settlement of all outstanding financial obligations.
Refunds, Penalties & Discounts
- Non-refundable fees: Application fee, Matriculation fee, and Entrance fee are non-refundable. - Early departure penalty: Any change of enrollment/length of stay must be communicated in writing before June 1 for the next school year. Changes communicated after May 31 incur an Early Departure Penalty equal to three months' tuition. Matriculation and Entrance Fees remain non-refundable regardless of departure notification. - Discounts: - Early annual tuition payment: 1.5% discount on tuition when paid in full annually. - Sibling discounts on tuition: third child receives 10% reduction; fourth child and thereafter receive 20% reduction. - Entrance fee discounts: 50% for the fourth child and thereafter; 50% for children of BFIS graduates. Application fee discount: BFIS graduate's children receive 100% waiving of the application fee.
Boarding
- Boarding: BFIS does not operate boarding facilities; students must reside full-time with at least one parent or legal guardian while enrolled.
Accepted Payment Methods & Practical Notes
- Payment methods for Entrance Fee and first-time Matriculation Fee: online by credit or debit card, or by wire transfer. All other fees (including re-enrollment Matriculation Fee) require direct debit (SEPA). A SEPA direct-debit form is used for recurring payments. - Currency: All published fees are quoted in euros (EUR).
(End of fee overview.)
Fee details
Application & Registration fees
- Enrolment fee (one‑time, payable at first enrolment): EUR 1,000. - Registration / annual renewal of place (charged each year): EUR 390.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term)
- The published annual tuition totals by year group are listed below. Per‑term amounts shown are the published annual fee divided by three school terms and rounded to the nearest euro (per‑term figures are a calculation based on the school's annual fee schedule and the school calendar).
- Nursery 1 (Nurs.1 / age 1): Annual EUR 6,830 — Per term EUR 2,277. - Nursery 2 (Nurs.2 / age 2): Annual EUR 6,830 — Per term EUR 2,277. - Kindergarten 1 (Kindg.1 / age 3): Annual EUR 8,950 — Per term EUR 2,983. - Kindergarten 2 (Kindg.2 / age 4): Annual EUR 8,950 — Per term EUR 2,983. - Kindergarten 3 (Kindg.3 / age 5): Annual EUR 8,950 — Per term EUR 2,983. - Grade 1: Annual EUR 10,690 — Per term EUR 3,563. - Grade 2: Annual EUR 10,690 — Per term EUR 3,563. - Grade 3: Annual EUR 10,690 — Per term EUR 3,563. - Grade 4: Annual EUR 10,900 — Per term EUR 3,633. - Grade 5: Annual EUR 10,900 — Per term EUR 3,633. - Grade 6: Annual EUR 10,900 — Per term EUR 3,633. - Grade 7: Annual EUR 12,490 — Per term EUR 4,163. - Grade 8: Annual EUR 12,490 — Per term EUR 4,163. - Grade 9: Annual EUR 12,490 — Per term EUR 4,163. - Grade 10: Annual EUR 12,490 — Per term EUR 4,163. - Grade 11: Annual EUR 14,230 — Per term EUR 4,743. - Grade 12: Annual EUR 14,230 — Per term EUR 4,743.
Sibling discounts and concessions
- Third sibling: 20% discount off the total fee for that child. - Fourth sibling: 75% discount off the total fee for that child.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- The school's published fee summary shows a one‑time enrolment charge and an annual registration/renewal charge in addition to the annual tuition figures above; the tuition figures are presented as annual totals by year group. The school calendar identifies the academic year structure used when calculating term amounts.
Boarding fees
- No boarding provision or boarding fees are listed in the school's public programme and campus information; the school operates as a day school on the Sant Cugat campus.
Other costs and typical additional charges
- The published fee schedule highlights the enrolment and annual registration charges and the annual tuition per year group. Families should expect that some optional or ancillary services (examples commonly found at international schools) — such as school transport, specific extracurricular activities, school books or course materials, exam/assessment fees, or specialised camps — may be charged separately from the annual tuition and registration items. The school lists dedicated pages for school transport and school books as separate services.
Refund information
- The school's public fee summary distinguishes one‑time enrolment and annual registration items from annual tuition amounts. Specific refund terms for enrolment, registration or tuition (including conditions, deadlines and any refundable portions) are set in the school's enrolment and finance policy documents and the family's enrolment contract. The school's published fee summary identifies the fee lines but the detailed refund and cancellation clauses are defined in the school's contractual paperwork.
Fee payment options
- The school uses standard admissions and billing platforms (the school lists an OpenApply admissions portal and a ClickEdu parent portal) and provides banking and contact details for administrative queries; accepted payment methods and precise payment channels (for example, bank transfer, card payment, or online payment portals) are specified in the school's finance / enrolment paperwork and invoices. Parents should follow the school's invoicing and payment instructions provided at registration.
If you require the figures above presented in a different currency or in a different per‑period breakdown, they were calculated from the school's published annual fee schedule and the school calendar.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
—
Boarding arrangements
—
Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
—
Uniform requirement
—
Food options
Food options
—
Food options
—
House system
House system
—
House system
—
Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
—
Governance and ownership
—
Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
BFIS provides a comprehensive American curriculum from Nursery to Grade 12, complemented by the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10 and the Diploma Programme (IBDP) for Grades 11–12. The IBDP is a two-year program for Grades 11–12 that emphasizes critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and intercultural understanding. Students in the IBDP select six courses from Groups 1–6, with at least three at Higher Level, and complete the DP Core (Creativity, Activity and Service; Theory of Knowledge; Extended Essay). BFIS offers college counseling to support local and international university applications. In 2025, IBDP results show 58 total graduates, 57 diploma candidates, a 98% pass rate, and an average score of 35 (highest 45). BFIS is IB-accredited and located in Barcelona (Martorell i Peña, 9, 08017 Barcelona).
Curriculum details
Education runs from Nursery through Baccalaureate. A five-language immersion programme features teachers who are native speakers of the languages they teach and covers English, Catalan, Spanish, French, German, and Chinese; language learning is integrated across the years. In Nursery, the curriculum is 50% English, 25% Catalan, and 25% Spanish. In Infant School, English instruction is 80%, with 10% Catalan and 10% Spanish. In Primary Year 1, 65% of the curriculum is in English, with French introduced from Primary Year 3; in Secondary Year 1, students choose German or Chinese, completing the five-language immersion by graduation. The upper school offers National Baccalaureate, International Baccalaureate (100% English, 100% Spanish, or bilingual), and the American High School Diploma. The International Homeroom supports language adaptation for new arrivals and fosters a multicultural environment with students from over 60 countries.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Class size is 20–22 students.
Student teacher ratio
8:1
Exam results
Exam results
2025 IBDP results: 58 total graduates; 57 diploma candidates; 98% pass rate; 81% world pass rate; average DP score 35; highest score 45.
Exam results
100% pass rate
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
University acceptances for 2025 include institutions across the United States, United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and beyond, with examples such as American University, Boston University, Columbia University, Georgetown University, Loyola Marymount University, Northeastern University, Tufts University, University of Pennsylvania, University of San Diego, Villanova University, Virginia Tech, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Sussex, Imperial College London, University College London, IE University, ESADE, Universidad de Barcelona, Leiden University, Maastricht University, and many others.
Higher education progression
—
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
—
Gifted and talented
—
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
—
Academic calendar
—
Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
—
Social & emotional learning
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
—
English as an additional language
—
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
—
Mental wellbeing
—
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
—
Safeguarding policy
—
Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
—
Facilities overview
—
Sports facilities
Sports facilities
—
Sports facilities
—
Academic facilities
Academic facilities
—
Academic facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
—
Extra curricular facilities
—
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
—
History
—
Community
Community
—
Community
—
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
—
Parent teacher association
—
Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
—
Academic & intellectual
—
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
—
Arts & creative
—
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
—
Cultural & language
—
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
—
Social & hobbies
—
Community & service
Community & service
—
Community & service
—
Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
—
Leadership & professional
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Lifestyle & wellbeing
—
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
—
Language provision
—
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
—
Bilingual teaching
—
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
—
Immersion programs
—
Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
—
Awards
—
Accreditations
Accreditations
—
Accreditations
—
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
BFIS has a flexible, rolling admissions process for students aged 3–17 (Early Childhood–IBDP), year-round; siblings are accommodated. The four-step process is: 1. Online Application; 2) Assessments; 3) Review of Application; 4) Enrollment. Step 1: Applications are submitted through OpenApply; a non-refundable 250 Euro fee applies; documents must be original copies with English translations in PDF. Step 1 documents depend on grade; typical items include the Application Form, Health Form, Vaccination Records, Student Passport, Parents' Passports, Student Photo, School Report Cards, and Teacher Questionnaires. Step 2: Assessments vary by grade: Early Childhood includes an in-person observation (30–40 minutes) or video samples; Elementary can include in-person observation or video/work samples; Middle/High requires MAP Math and English and a writing sample; ESL considerations may apply. Assessments do not guarantee a place. Step 3: Admissions decisions are communicated within two weeks after completion of Step 1–2; outcomes include Qualified - Acceptance (space offered on a rolling basis) and Qualified - Waiting List (space offered when available; waitlist positions change). Step 4: Enrollment occurs when space is available; enrollment paperwork includes Enrollment Contracts, SEPA Direct Debit, updated Vaccination/Immunization Records, Doctor Health Form, Parent Health Form, Data Protection Consent, and guardian documentation as required; documents must be PDFs. BFIS may require a legal guardian residing in Spain and related documents (powers of attorney, BFIS Legal Guardian Form).
Admissions
1. Request a visit to learn about EISB's programs. A visit can be requested via the 'Solicitar una visita' button on the Admissions page, which links to the OpenApply portal. This initial step introduces families to the school's environment and offerings. 2. Arrange a personalized interview with the admissions team. A personalized interview is offered to discuss the child's profile and the family's needs; the option to request it appears on the Admissions page. 3. Submit the application for review. Revisión de las solicitudes is part of the admissions process, and the Admissions Team reviews applications. 4. Access the Dossier Informativo for detailed program information. The Dossier Informativo is linked in the Admissions area to provide school details. 5. Review fees and enrollment details. The Cuotas Curso Escolar 2026-2027 section publishes the school's fees and related enrollment information.
Scholarships
Scholarships
No scholarships or financial aid are offered at BFIS currently.
Scholarships
—
Waitlist
Waitlist
BFIS uses a waiting list when a grade is full. A prioritization sequence determines which qualified students on the waitlist are offered space, and a candidate's position on the waitlist changes as others are added. When a place becomes available, the Admissions Office contacts the family by email.