The
Benjamin Franklin International School is perhaps the most elite international school in Barcelona. Not only does it have one of the best campuses in the Catalan capital, but it also offers a well-detailed curriculum. Here, your little ones will get the best education possible in the city. Even if you just moved to Barcelona and your kids can't understand Spanish yet, this is a bilingual academic institution. Your children will have no trouble learning and studying here. At the same time, the school has fostered a diverse, global community where they can feel right at home.
Source: Benjamin Franklin International School (BFIS) Facebook Page
History of Benjamin Franklin International School
A group of expat parents in
Barcelona established the Benjamin Franklin International School in 1986. At that time, the school only had 150 students and around 23 teachers, one of the smallest and very few international schools in the city at the time. It didn't take long for the school to expand, resulting in the campus moving to its permanent home in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi in 1991. By 2010, the school had expanded so much that it could accommodate around 528 students. The following year, the school then adopted the IB Diploma Program in 2011.
What is Benjamin Franklin International School's Campus Like?
As already mentioned, the Benjamin Franklin International School is located in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
neighborhood of Barcelona. It boasts a fairly big campus in the middle of the city, complete with spacious classrooms, a huge library, multiple cafeterias, laboratories, a gymnasium, and more. There are even designated outdoor areas for sports, including a courtyard, a basketball court, a tennis court, a football field, and more. What makes it stand out against the other international schools is how big it is. Such academic institutions tend to be smaller compared to public or local private schools in the city.
Source: Benjamin Franklin International School (BFIS) Facebook Page
The Benjamin Franklin International School Student Body
From what started as a small 150-student academy, the Benjamin Franklin International School is now one of the biggest
international schools in Barcelona. Today, the school welcomes over 700 enrollees per year, composed of both new applicants and returning students who have yet to graduate. Since the school spans from nursery to grade 12, the student body's ages range from as young as three years old to 18. Considering it's an international school, it also boasts a diverse student body with kids coming from over 50 to 60 countries around the world.
What is Benjamin Franklin International School's Curriculum?
Part of what makes Benjamin Franklin International School stand out against other schools of its kind is that it offers three different school curricula. There's the American High School Diploma, the Spanish Baccalaureate Diploma, and the IB Diploma Program. The students (or more accurately, their parents) get to choose which diploma they want to graduate with upon completing secondary school. Among the three, the IB Diploma Program is revered. Known for its sharp focus on academics, this curriculum leans heavily on helping the student get high grades and possibly get into the world's top colleges and universities.
Source: Benjamin Franklin International School (BFIS) Facebook Page
How Much Does It Cost to Study at Benjamin Franklin International School?
Unsurprisingly, enrolling your kids in Barcelona's Benjamin Franklin International School will have you paying high tuition fees per year. While it's not exactly the most expensive school in the city, it's still pretty pricey, especially when you consider that living in the Catalan capital also costs a lot. The school's tuition fees begin at €12.580.00 per year from nursery to pre-K. It then gets higher and higher as the student advances to each grade level, culminating at €19,270.00 per year for grades 9 to 12. On top of all that, there's also the non-refundable entrance fee (€6,000.00 per student), and optional lunch fees (€1,720.00 per year/ €182.00 per month), among many others.
Where is Benjamin Franklin International School in Barcelona?
As mentioned, the school's campus is located in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district, a central city area. The neighborhood is known for its many hotspots, ranging from tapas bars and cafes to designer boutiques. It's no surprise that a prestigious international school is located in one of the more affluent neighborhoods in Barcelona. At the same time, the area is a nice place for families to stay. Though it's undoubtedly urban, it's one of the more peaceful central districts out there. There are many establishments nearby and tons of great
luxury apartments to rent in Barcelona.
Source: Benjamin Franklin International School (BFIS) Facebook Page
The Benjamin Franklin International School is the kind of international school in Barcelona that will truly prepare your kid for the real world. From academics to even athletics and the arts, there's no end to what students will learn and discover in this fine academic institution in the Catalan capital.
