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A snapshot: schools in Barcelona considered (but not necessarily chosen by English-speaking expats.
Schools with a full GSGI review are noted with 
next to their names.
(pending) means that the school is on our list to review.
By full GSGI review, we mean school write-ups that are completely selected, researched, visited and written by our own editors. Our final reviews take the good with the bad, warts and all, but we look for a preponderance of good before we drill down for in-depth details and descend on the school for an exhaustive visit. We are aware of the other schools on this page and we continually add or remove schools, as deemed appropriate.
International schools
Agora International School Barcelona
Spanish curriculum/ IB Diploma/ Spanish Bach; ages 1-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 410 students
One of the Agora schools in Spain owned by the Globeducate group, located in a country setting 25 kms outside Barcelona. There is a dedicated Sports Centre, including AstroTurf football pitches and an indoor swimming pool and they are affiliated with the Barcelona music conservatory ‘Conservatory Liceu’. Founded in 2008, they offer the choice of the Spanish Bachillerato, the International Baccalaureate Diploma and, more recently, a Vocational Training qualification in Sport and Leisure.
American School of Barcelona
Adapted American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ AP/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 800 students
Founded in 1962 and located in Esplugues de Llobregat, a suburb of Barcelona. Spanish and US citizens make up just over 50 per cent of the students with the remainder from over 50 nationalities. Graduates over the last five years have moved on to leading global universities, including Ivies in the US, Oxbridge and Russell Group in the UK and highly regarded Spanish and European institutions. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).
Benjamin Franklin International School
Adapted American curriculum/ American High School Diploma/ Spanish Bach/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 700 students
Leading American-style school, located in an historic building on Avinguda Pearson in Barcelona. Students roughly divided into one third US citizens, one third Spanish, one third international from over 50 countries. The American curriculum runs from nursery to the end of Grade 10 when the options of an American High School Diploma, a Spanish Bachillerato or an International Baccalaureate Diploma become available. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA).
British School of Barcelona (The)
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level/ IB Diploma/ Spanish Bach; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 1,500 students
A bilingual school, originally established in 1958 as the Anglo-American School, becoming the British School of Barcelona in 1999. Bought by the Cognita Schools Group in 2007. Situated 20 miles outside Barcelona on three campuses, one in Sitges (ages 3 to 11) and two in Castelldefels; a nursery to year 11 school and a new pre-university campus for 16 to 18 year olds. A member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain.
École Francaise Ferdinand de Lesseps
French curriculum; ages 3-11; co-ed; day; state; 580 students
Founded in 1859 and the oldest French school on the Iberian peninsula. Part of the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) and accredited by the French Ministry of Education. Students mainly come from French families living in Barcelona.
English Academy Santa Claus
Adapted Montessori; ages 3-12; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 150 students
A trilingual (English/ Spanish/ Catalan) nursery and primary school founded by an English woman, over 50 years ago. An eccentric name but a genuine attempt (its survival proving its success) to combine three separate languages and cultures.
International School of Calalunya (ISCAT)
EYFS/ National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 230 students
Founded in 2007 in La Garriga, an hour’s drive to the north of Barcelona. A boarding house opened in September 2019 as well as a new campus in the seaside town of Canet de Mar on the Costa Brava. Since 2012 they have offered a Forest School programme, a pioneering project in Spain. In a recent year, over 80 per cent of students scored A*-C at A Level, including the top mark scored for biology in Spain. Accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
Kensington School
National Curriculum for England/ I/GCSE/ A Level; ages 3-19; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 260 students
An international non-selective school in Barcelona offering a British education from nursery to A Levels. The school does not publish any recent exam results so we will continue our investigations and look for parental feedbackS. Accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
Lycée Francais de Barcelona
French curriculum/ Brevet/ French Bac; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; state; 3,000 students
One of the oldest and largest Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE), schools, founded in 1924. Accredited by the French Ministry of Education. The main campus is in Pedalbres, with a pre-school (maternelle) in Bonanova. A large proportion of the students come from French expat families working in Barcelona.
Oak House School
National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ Spanish Bach/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,000 students
Located in Sarría in the hills of Barcelona. Classes taught in English, Spanish and Catalan to mainly local students plus approximately 20 per cent from international families. After taking IGCSEs, pupils have the choice of the International Baccalaureate Diploma (all classes taught in English) or the Bachillerato trilingual programme delivered in Spanish or Catalan. Accredited by the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
Princess Margaret School
PYP/ MYP; ages 3-16; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 300 students
A trilingual (English/ Spanish/ Catalan) school, recently authorised to teach the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme as well as the Primary Years Programme. Pupils taught decreasingly in English (from 85 per cent in pre-school to 25 per cent in secondary). Students largely local with a small percentage of expats.
SEK International School Catalunya
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma; ages 3-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 800 students
Opened in 1995 and one of the nine schools owned and run by SEK International Schools. The school is mainly Spanish at present (around 90 per cent Spanish pupils). However it is aiming to become more diverse and has recently opened an international boarding house. Over 60 per cent of the instruction is in English and they are planning that this will increase in the near future. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
St George’s British School of Barcelona
EYFS/ Adapted National Curriculum for England/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 2-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 300 students
Located on the upper side of Barcelona. Students from over 40 nationalities study an adapted version of the English curriculum the and the school also teaches classes in Spanish and Catalan. A member of the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS).
St Paul's School
Spanish curriculum/ Spanish Bach; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 600 students
Located in Avenida Pearson in wealthy Pedralbes, part of the popular Sarría neighbourhood of Barcelona. Spanish curriculum delivered in Spanish, Catalan and English (decreasing in percentage as students travel up the school) leading to a Spanish Bachillerato.
St Peter's School Barcelona
Adapted curriculum/ IB Diploma; ages 1-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 630 students
A multilingual school offering a school developed curriculum up to year 10, including Cambridge Certificates in English. Students can then follow a three year Pre-U programme, one year of preparation followed by two years of the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The school also offers preparation courses for students wanting to continue their education in UK schools.
For more information on the schools above, please go to each school’s individual entry on The Good Schools Guide International search.
