The Benjamin Franklin International School is an independent, coeducational, non-profit, International Baccalaureate (IB) world school that offers a rigorous English language curriculum that nurtures Nursery to grade 12 students to be collaborative individuals connected to the world around them who are empowered to design innovative solutions to complex problems to create a better world. BFIS balances fundamental traditional aspects of learning with innovation and technology related learning and the social and emotional learning key to relationships. Founded in 1986, the school offers a fully accredited American curriculum within the IB Framework thus offering World class academic programs with exceptional 1:1 differentiated support for all students. BFIS offers three diplomas: American high school diploma, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and the Spanish high school bachillerato certificate. BFIS is an international school with a student body representing 56 nationalities and cultural heritages. BFIS also has a highly engaged student body where student leadership and action is valued. In 2021 the school was awarded the Eco-Schools Green Flag Award as a result of student leadership and is a forward-thinking school actively engaged in protecting our planet. The school has a very strong Parent, Teacher Association (PTA) and a community ethos.
Organization: Organization: The school is governed by a 10-member board (all BFIS parents) that includes a U.S. embassy representative. BFIS is a member of the Council of International Schools, is accredited by the U.S. based Middle States Association (MSA), authorized by the International Baccalaureate (IB) to deliver the Diploma Program and is a candidate school to be authorized for the IB Middle Years Program (MYP). It is also fully authorized locally.
Curriculum: The school’s curriculum is a United States curriculum taught through the framework of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programs. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) forms the last two years of high school fully allowing students to attend some of the most prestigious universities in the United States, Spain, United Kingdom, Europe, and other countries all over the world. BFIS is aligned with U.S. Benchmark Standards (Common Core Math and Science, Next Gen’ Science Standards and C3 Social Studies). All staff are trained to support bilingual and multilingual learners and students can graduate from BFIS having studied their first language at the IB Diploma Level through the IB’s recognized School Supported First Language program. The school has a dedicated other first languages specialist who supports students with Korean, Greek, Dutch, French, Chinese, Arabic (to name a few) qualifications at the IB Diploma level. A global citizenship program underpins robust opportunities for students to move to service and action. The school values experiential learning with a strong internship program for high school students and a partnership with Global Online Academy offering over 60 extra high school electives supporting internal courses. Outdoor education field trips and Early Childhood and Elementary Forest School learning are embedded in the curriculum. The school’s Vision for Learning ensures that all student’s experience is future ready.
Faculty: In the 2023-2024 school year, BFIS has 136 total staff including 89 teachers, 70 of whom are U.S. citizens, 10 host-country nationals, and 7 third-country nationals. Many are dual citizens and together represent 18 different nationalities including: United States, UK, Spain, Mexico, Germany, Albania, Italy, France, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Finland, Greece, India and Romania. All teaching faculty must have a bachelor’s degree. More than 90% have a postgraduate qualification in their specialist area.
Enrollment: Enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year is 717. Of them, 216 are U.S. citizens, 214 are host-country nationals, and 286 are third-country nationals.
Facilities: BFIS is in the Sarrià neighborhood of Barcelona and is easily accessible by foot, rail and bus from the most popular Barcelona neighborhoods. The school is easily accessed by the main Barcelona ring road. The school boasts new facilities adjacent to a pedestrianised street with a new elementary school building opened in 2016, a brand-new middle school completed in 2021 and a new Secondary School building opening in 2026/27. The new Center for Creativity and Innovation will have a performing arts suite; a robotics, engineering and maker suite; a full size gymnasium and new outdoor sports courts. Current campus highlights are a maker/robotics/design lab, brand new library, two sports courts, two sky patios, a cafeteria, auditorium, outdoor eating areas and modern flexible furniture. The High School hub is in the modern retrofitting of ‘The Orwell Building’ named after author George Orwell who recuperated there after the war.
Finances: Annual tuition rates can be found at the BFIS School Fees webpage.
Special Needs: Review the Special Needs Profile for this school to learn more about their capability to support students with exceptionalities.
This Fact Sheet is intended to provide general information. Prospective users of the schools may wish to inquire further of A/OPR/OS or contact the school directly for more specific and up-to-the-minute information. Information and statistics are current as of September 2023 and are provided by the school.