Benjamin Franklin International School vs Hamelin-Laie International School

	B Benjamin Franklin International School Barcelona, Spain	H Hamelin-Laie International School Barcelona, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €14,050 - 22,820	Fees / year €11,186 - 15,493
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 1 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), IPC (International Primary Curriculum)
Pupils	Pupils 720	Pupils 1,300
Typical class size	Typical class size 17	Typical class size 20
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Spanish	Instruction language English, Spanish
Opened	Opened 1986	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location 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 The school is located in Montgat, a coastal town just north of Barcelona, Spain. The campus address is 178-180, Ronda 8 de Març, 08390 Montgat, Barcelona. Montgat is about 20 minutes from central Barcelona by road. The campus sits by the Mediterranean Sea with views of the surrounding mountains.
Stages	Stages Nursery through Grade 12 (PK-12)	Stages Early Years 1–5; Primary 6–11; Secondary 12–15; International Baccalaureate 16–18; Nacional Bachillerato 16–18
School type	School type non-profit International American school in Barcelona	School type Private international school with a premium boarding programme
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix Over 63 nationalities represented.	Pupil nationality mix Over 45 nationalities represented.
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 —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Spain	Country affiliation Spain
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure A typical day includes wellbeing activities and language immersion. Students learn mainly in English, with Spanish and Catalan also taught; up to four languages are studied weekly, including English, Spanish, Catalan, plus French, Chinese, or German.
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 Yes, several bus routes throughout Barcelona to and from the school.
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 - A registration fee (called Registration or Re‑enrolment fee) applies for each student. Amounts by year group: Pre‑Nursery & Maternal: EUR 696; Early Years (Nursery / Reception / Year 1): EUR 696; Primary (Year 2–7): EUR 840; Secondary (Year 8–11): EUR 960; National Bachillerato Year 12 & Year 13: EUR 1,064; IBDP Year 12 & Year 13: EUR 1,291. Registration/renewal for boarding: EUR 2,290. Tuition fees by year group (annual totals and instalments) - Pre‑Nursery 1 & 2 / Maternal 1 & 2 - Monthly instalment option: 11 monthly payments (September–July) of EUR 779 for tuition & afternoon snack (no lunch). - Optional lunch: EUR 199 per month (11 months). - Annual tuition with lunch (total): EUR 11,454. - Early Years (Nursery / Reception / Year 1 / Infantil I3–I5) - Monthly instalment option: 10 monthly payments (September–June) of EUR 850 for tuition & afternoon snack (no lunch). - Optional lunch: EUR 199 per month (10 months). - Annual tuition with lunch (total): EUR 11,186. - Primary (Year 2 to Year 7 / 1º–6º EP) - Monthly instalment option: 10 monthly payments (September–June) of EUR 1,009 tuition. - Lunch & afternoon snack: EUR 199 per month (10 months). - Annual tuition with lunch (total): EUR 12,920. - Secondary (Year 8 to Year 11 / 1º–4º ESO) - Monthly instalment option: 10 monthly payments (September–June) of EUR 1,142 tuition. - Lunch: EUR 199 per month (10 months). - Annual tuition with lunch (total): EUR 14,370. - National Baccalaureate / Bachillerato Nacional - Year 12 (1º): Registration fee EUR 1,064; 10 monthly payments (September–June) of EUR 1,170; annual tuition EUR 12,764. - Year 13 (2º): Registration fee EUR 1,064; 9 monthly payments (September–May) of EUR 1,300; annual tuition EUR 12,764. - International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) - Year 12 (1º IBDP): Registration fee EUR 1,291; 10 monthly payments (September–June) of EUR 1,217 tuition plus EUR 203 per month IBDP complement (10 months); annual tuition EUR 15,491. - Year 13 (2º IBDP): Registration fee EUR 1,291; 9 monthly payments (September–May) of EUR 1,352 tuition plus EUR 226 per month IBDP complement (9 months); annual tuition EUR 15,493. (Exam entry fees are not included in these figures.) Boarding fees (ages 14–18) - Annual boarding charge (September–June, school fees included): EUR 46,982. - Registration / annual registration renewal fee for boarding: EUR 2,290. - Annual total for boarding (including registration/renewal): EUR 49,272. - Boarding security deposit: EUR 3,000 (refundable when a student leaves the boarding programme). Billing schedule and payment terms - Two payment options for tuition: - Annual: single full payment for the year. A 3% discount applies if the full yearly tuition is paid in one single payment before 31 July of the relevant year. - Monthly: instalments due at the beginning of each month (school uses 9, 10 or 11 monthly schedules depending on year group and programme; amounts shown above reflect those options). - Short‑term enrolments (one or two trimesters) require full payment in advance. - Students studying abroad temporarily: registration renewal fee plus a reservation hold of EUR 150 per month while abroad. - Families newly resident in Spain: first year requires payment of the full academic year in advance. Students joining during a calendar month pay the full monthly tuition for that month. Other costs and additional charges - Education & Day Trips Fee: an annual charge (covers educational materials, resources, licences and school day trips); this charge is billed in October. - Exam fees: IBDP examination entry fees are not included in the published IBDP tuition figures and are charged separately when applicable. - Language acquisition classes and Learning Support: supplementary charges may apply where the school requires additional classes for a student. - Before and after school care (monthly): examples — 30 minutes: EUR 44; 1 hr: EUR 79; 1.5 hrs: EUR 91; 2 hrs: EUR 103; 2.5 hrs: EUR 110; drop‑in fee EUR 12 per hour. Before/after school care is charged monthly and covers care from 08:00 to 18:30 where used. - Additional lunch service (individual days): EUR 16 per midday lunch. - School bus service: multiple routes operate with monthly one‑way and return fares; example route prices include EUR 150 one‑way / EUR 205 return for central Barcelona routes (other routes and prices vary by route). Single ride fare example: EUR 15. Sibling discounts - Sibling discounts apply to the monthly tuition fee only: 3 siblings enrolled = 10% discount; 4 siblings = 15%; 5 or more = 20%. Refund information - Boarding security deposit of EUR 3,000 is refundable when the student is no longer enrolled in the boarding programme. Other refundable conditions or refund rules for registration or tuition are not detailed in the published fee schedule; additional charges such as exam fees, uniform, off‑campus activities, or athletic equipment are charged separately and may not be refundable. Fee payment options (scheduling and discounts) - The published fees are organised around two payment schedules: a single annual payment (with a 3% early‑payment discount if paid before 31 July) or monthly instalments (due at the beginning of each month). Specific accepted payment instruments (for example, bank transfer, credit card, direct debit) are not specified in the published tuition document. For planning, fees should be treated as payable either as a single annual sum or as the stated monthly instalments.
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 IPC-based Primary Curriculum. Learning is mainly in English with integrated Spanish and Catalan, and students may study French, German, or Chinese. Core subjects include English Language and Literature, Geography, History, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Physical Education and Health, and The Arts. The IPC fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking through cross-curricular, theme-based units and project-based teamwork. Secondary education offers two pathways: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or Nacional Bachillerato.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio Class size is 20–22 students.	Student teacher ratio Average class size: Early Years 20; Primary 22; Secondary 24; IBDP and Nacional Bachillerato 15.
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 IB Diploma Programme: average score 30 points, with one student reaching 43 points; IBDP pass rate increased by 16% year over year. Nacional Bachillerato: 100% pass rate in 2025; average score 11.024 out of 14; highest score 12.842 out of 14.
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 IBDP graduates go on to universities including University College London (UCL), University of Edinburgh, Durham University, King's College London, University of Warwick, University of Amsterdam, ESADE, IE University, and La Salle. Nacional Bachillerato graduates also pursue higher education at universities in Spain and internationally.
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 Step 1 Make an enquiry. Submit our online enquiry form, email, or call us. The admissions team will respond with information about next steps. You can reach us via the enquiry options on the site to begin the process. Step 2 Discover our school. We'd love to show you around our campus. You'll explore our facilities, meet our teachers, and get a feel for our inspiring learning environment. If you can't visit in person, a one-to-one virtual discovery meeting is available. English is the primary language of instruction, with opportunities to learn Spanish and Catalan. Step 3 Submit your application. Next, submit your online application form and supporting documents. If your child is in secondary school, they'll have a personal interview. You'll hear back from our team about the outcome of your application. Step 4 Accept your place. If you've been offered a spot, you'll secure it by paying the registration fee appropriate to your child's grade. You'll receive a notification with the offer details. The admissions team is available to explain how the process will work for you.
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.	Waitlist —
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