Benjamin Franklin International School vs St. George Barcelona
Benjamin Franklin International School and St. George Barcelona are both in Barcelona, about 1 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes. Benjamin Franklin International School also offers American, and St. George Barcelona also offers British, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. Published annual fees are €14,050 - 22,820 at Benjamin Franklin International School and €11,350 - 21,340 at St. George Barcelona, which puts Benjamin Franklin International School roughly 13% higher. Benjamin Franklin International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and St. George Barcelona from 2 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 720 and 670 pupils. Typical class sizes are 17 at Benjamin Franklin International School and 20 at St. George Barcelona.
IB (DP), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
720
Pupils
670
Typical class size
Typical class size
17
Typical class size
20
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Spanish
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1986
Opened
2015
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
Located in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district in the upper part of Barcelona, the campus sits in the Sarrià neighbourhood at Passeig de la Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 18. The campus sits on a spacious area with green spaces and outdoor facilities.
non-profit International American school in Barcelona
School type
Private British international school; ISP School.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
Over 63 nationalities represented.
Pupil nationality mix
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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
Personalised learning and pastoral care.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Spain
Country affiliation
British
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
—
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
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
Bus routes 68 and H4 stop right in front of the school gate; other nearby routes V3, V7 and 130. Reina Elisenda metro station is right underneath the campus and Sarriá Rodalies station is about a 5-minute walk away.
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 / Enrolment fees
- Registration fee (new students, one-off): EUR 3,500 (non-refundable). - Enrolment fee (paid annually in March to reserve a place; refundable if the child remains enrolled in September): EUR 1,000 (refundable and deductible from the September payment if the pupil remains at school).
Tuition fees by year group (annual, monthly and per-term equivalents)
Note: the school's published billing options are (a) a single annual payment or (b) 10 monthly instalments (September–June). Monthly instalments are made by SEPA direct debit. The per-term amounts below are annual divided by three (per-term equivalents for reference).
- Regular billing options: - Annual single payment: one payment (deadline and discount rules apply). - Monthly payment plan: 10 instalments charged between the 1st and 5th of each month from September to June. Monthly payments are collected by SEPA direct debit. A returned direct debit incurs a charge (EUR 30). - Advance-payment discount: a 3% discount is applied if the full year is paid in advance by the published deadline. - Sibling discount: starting from the third child there is a family tuition reduction (10% as published). - Late payments: interest and late-payment procedures apply; interest may be charged on unpaid fees (contract terms apply). Failure to pay may lead to suspension of non-obligatory services and possible termination processes.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not provided as part of this school's fee schedule; no boarding fees are listed. St. George Barcelona operates as a day school with optional services (transport, breakfast club).
Other costs and optional services
- Bus service (optional, monthly): one-way EUR 120.00 per month; return EUR 205.00 per month. - Breakfast Club (optional, monthly): EUR 65.00 per month (subject to minimum enrolments). - External examinations (IGCSE, IB) and their validation fees are not included in tuition. - Tuition includes school materials, lunch and school accident insurance; trips, exam fees and certain extras are charged separately. A returned direct debit fee is applied (EUR 30). - Any additional charges for paid-for activities, trips or exam payments are allocated against outstanding tuition fees first.
Refunds and withdrawal terms
- Enrolment fee (EUR 1,000) is refundable if the pupil remains in school in September (it is normally deducted from the September payment when the pupil remains enrolled). The registration fee for new students (EUR 3,500) is non-refundable. - Refunds/Waivers: fees are not refunded or waived for absence due to sickness, for shortened terms or forced closures except in exceptional cases at the Principal's discretion or where there is a legal obligation to refund. - Notice to withdraw: a three months' notice before the last day in school is required; failing to give appropriate notice results in fees in lieu of notice (three months' fees). Specific deadlines for enrolment/enrolment-fee payment and withdrawal are set in the school's terms; failure to complete the required withdrawal form by stated deadlines may incur additional charges.
Fee payment options and instructions
- Monthly payments: collected by SEPA direct debit; parents are required to provide bank details and complete the SEPA form at registration. - Annual single payment: by electronic bank transfer to the school (a specific IBAN and BIC are published for invoicing). SEPA direct debit details are mandatory for both annual and monthly options for administrative purposes.
Practical notes on billing and included items
- Tuition covers school materials, daily lunch and school accident insurance unless otherwise specified; external exam fees and validations are charged separately. For Year 13 on monthly billing, the June fee may be charged early (in May) as noted in the school's billing terms. Returned direct debits carry a surcharge. A 3% early-payment discount and a sibling discount are applied under the published conditions.
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
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
The school teaches all subjects in English with British native teachers. Spanish, Catalan and French are taught as language subjects by native teachers. Spanish language starts at age 4, Catalan at age 6, and French is introduced in Year 7. Pupils follow the English National Curriculum with mandatory Spanish and Catalan studies. In Secondary (Years 9–11), students prepare for IGCSE examinations. In the Sixth Form (ages 16–18), the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Class size is 20–22 students.
Student teacher ratio
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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 results: 100% passed; the highest score achieved is 44/45; the average DP score is 36.05. Twenty-four percent achieved 40-45. IGCSE results: 93% achieved grades 9-4; 100% achieved grade 4 or more; 82% achieved grades 9-5. Universities: 100% acceptance to first-choice universities.
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
Graduates gain access to their first-choice university in Spain, the UK, Ireland, the US, the Netherlands, France, Sweden and Greece, among other countries.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and Talented programme is implemented to identify and support More Able & Talented students.
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
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
—
Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
—
Mental wellbeing
—
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding
—
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
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
01 Contact us. Reach out to schedule a visit to our private school in Barcelona or arrange an online meeting, especially if you are currently abroad. We will call you. The school offers multilingual support for international families. 02 Virtual Call. E-meet our team and tell us about your child's needs and interests. We will delve into our curriculum and explore our facilities, providing a glimpse into our learning environment. The school aims to tailor the next steps to your child. 03 Assessment/Taster Day. Send your child's previous school report and take part in our placement tests (if applicable). We may invite your child to a taster day at our school, allowing them to immerse in our community. The assessments help determine suitable class placement. 04 Acceptance. Upon successfully completing the assessment process, you'll receive an offer in writing, giving you a fixed period (between 5 to 7 days), during which we'll reserve a place for your child as you finalise the registration process. This period lets families review details and prepare documents. 05 Welcome to St. George Barcelona! Congratulations! Your family is now part of our school community. Enrollment completes the admissions process and the family becomes part of the school community.
Scholarships
Scholarships
No scholarships or financial aid are offered at BFIS currently.
Scholarships
Life and career pathways include a personalised Future Pathways programme to help students explore opportunities and confidently move toward university or careers. Through exclusive scholarships, students gain access to opportunities to study with world‑renowned institutions. Animation and VFX (50% scholarship) is available under University Access.
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.
