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Spain, Barcelona
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BFIS originated in 1985 when ten Barcelona families envisioned an international American school. In September 1986, BFIS opened with 23 teachers and 150 students spanning PK–12. By 1991 enrollment growth led the Foundation Board to pursue larger facilities. In 2001, long-term Elementary and Middle School modules were added. The school introduced the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in 2011. The first purpose-built Elementary building opened in 2016, and BFIS reached a maximum capacity of 700 students in 2019. The Secondary building opened in 2021, and the Middle Years Programme was introduced in 2023. A rebranding occurred in 2025, and a New Center for Creativity and Innovation is planned for 2026.
BFIS emphasizes a caring, interconnected community that includes families, faculty, and alumni. The school hosts a range of events and programs that bring the community together, including seasonal activities and the International Food Fair, as well as maintaining an Alumni network as part of school life.
The BFIS Parent and Teacher Association (PTA) is primarily run by parents with input from the school leadership, faculty, and students. The PTA's vision is to create an interconnected community that fosters joy, excellence, lifelong learning, service and school spirit at BFIS. The core goals are to enrich the educational experience, create a welcoming environment for all families, and support BFIS staff. Involvement opportunities include Event Volunteer, Grade Representative, Committee Member, and Board Member. New Families are supported through a Welcome Program with Making Barcelona and BFIS Home seminars, PTA Welcome Coffee, Barcelona Tours, and New Families Whatsapp Chat, along with Country Representatives Chats. The PTA maintains a sample calendar of events, including the International Food Fair and various family activities throughout the year.
Benjamin Franklin International School (BFIS) is a non-profit international American school in Barcelona serving ages 3 to 18. BFIS delivers a comprehensive American curriculum from Nursery to Grade 12, augmented by the IB Middle Years Programme for Grades 6–10 and the IB Diploma Programme for Grades 11–12, with a bespoke curriculum option. The school is IB-accredited and located in the Sarrià district (Martorell i Peña, 9, 08017 Barcelona). In 2025 BFIS reported 58 IBDP graduates, a 98% pass rate and an average Diploma score of 35. The campus comprises an Elementary building (2016) and a Secondary building (2021), with a capacity near 700 and over 440 students in Grades 6–12. A Center for Creativity and Innovation is planned for 2026, LEED-certified, uniting Creative Arts, Science, Design, Engineering and Sports, featuring a robotics studio, recording studio, design labs, an Olympic gym, amphitheater and playspace. BFIS provides college counseling and offers a broad range of co-curricular activities and service initiatives.
