Today, there are numerous international schools in Barcelona, specifically British schools. Some have been around for decades while others reached a level of prominence just fairly recently. Though many would argue that they've become a dime a dozen, some stand out against the rest. One is
The Olive Tree School. While most of the other British schools in Barcelona are heavily focused on academics, this one gives as much—if not more attention to extracurricular activities. The school has become known for its various projects beyond the standard school system, and in turn, it has helped its students succeed in various fields.
Source: The Olive Tree School
History of The Olive Tree School
Audrey Reeder, The Olive Tree School's head teacher, founded the school in 2010. She even still teaches in the school's high school department today too. Though it's one of the more recently set up
international schools in Barcelona, it's one that didn't take long to become as prominent as the city's older and more historic academic institutions. What helps make it stand out is that it's much smaller than other international schools. It's a standard primary and secondary school by all means, but one that's small enough to help teachers give more attention and guidance to each student.
What is The Olive Tree School's Campus Like?
While technically a Barcelona school, The Olive Tree School is not in the city. You'll find the campus in Sant Pere de Ribes, a town in the Garraf comarca, in Barcelona province. Don't worry. The school is still near enough to
Barcelona’s central neighborhoods that residents of the Catalan capital can send their kids here with ease. As for the school campus, it's fairly standard with all the necessary school facilities. From playrooms for the nursery groups to the classrooms for the primary and secondary schools, it doesn't lack anything. What is notable about it, however, is that it has plenty of outdoor space.
Source: The Olive Tree School
The Olive Tree School Student Body
As mentioned previously, The Olive Tree School is one of the smaller international schools in
Barcelona. Even with its student body, it only welcomes around less than 200 students a year. These 200 students are also composed of both new enrollees and those returning who haven't graduated yet. At the same time, a good percentage of them are international students. Its ratio of local to international students changes from year to year, but the latter remains an integral part of the bigger student body.
What is The Olive Tree School's Curriculum?
Another part of The Olive Tree School that sets it apart from Barcelona's other international schools is how it heavily focuses on extracurricular activities. The school follows the British National Curriculum, known for balancing academics and other scholastic fields. The standard school subjects remain vital here, but The Olive Tree School gained prominence in its highlighting of students' various interests. It's even become particularly known for its theater program, among many others. So while your little one will still learn the basics in this school, they'll also be encouraged to take on what they want.
Source: The Olive Tree School
How Much Does It Cost to Study at The Olive Tree School?
As a private international school in Barcelona, sending your kids to The Olive Tree School is expensive. Its starting tuition fee for enrolling your kids here is €8,600.00 per year for kindergarten. This then goes up to around €11,260.00 to €12,340.00 per year in primary school, specifically from grades 1 to 8. By senior high school, grades 9 to 10, the tuition fee goes up to about €12,825.00 per year. These are all fairly common prices for tuition fees for international schools, but also still high when you take into account the high
living costs in Barcelona.
Where is The Olive Tree School in Barcelona?
As already mentioned, The Olive Tree School is located in Sant Pere de Ribes, a smaller town just 40 kilometers south of Barcelona's city center. Though it's technically not in the Catalan capital, it's still near enough that Barcelonians can still send their kids here while staying in the city. Sant Pere de Ribes itself is a lot more peaceful—in turn, safer too—compared to the bigger Barcelona metropolis. It's almost suburban in nature and vibe, making it a great place for families to stay. On top of the fact that there's a great international school here, Sant Pere de Ribes also has some of the more affordable
luxury homes in Barcelona.
Source: The Olive Tree School
The Olive Tree School is among the finest British international schools in Barcelona. Much like many of its fellow academic institutions, the school promises high-quality education in a fun and friendly environment for all students, no matter their background.
