American School of Barcelona
Established in 1962, the American School of Barcelona is a private, non-profit international school located in Esplugues de Llobregat, just outside Barcelona. Serving students from preschool through 12th grade, ASB offers a rigorous American curriculum complemented by the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. With a student body representing over 60 nationalities, the school fosters a diverse and inclusive environment that celebrates global perspectives.
ASB's mission is to empower students to become global citizens equipped with critical thinking skills and the confidence to reach their full potential. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to education, integrating academic excellence with opportunities in the arts, athletics, and leadership development.
Situated just 10 kilometers from central Barcelona, ASB provides one of the city's largest campuses, featuring state-of-the-art facilities that support a dynamic and engaging learning experience. The school's commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and community makes it a leading institution in international education.
Primary Language(s)
English
Curriculum
American, Catalan / Spanish
Qualifications
IBDP, IBCP, American High School Diploma
Age Range
3 - 18 years old
.jpg)
Welcome Note
Welcome to The American School of Barcelona!
Choosing the right school for your child is a big decision, and we invite you to visit ASB to see what makes our community so special. Our passionate faculty, engaging curriculum, and vibrant campus all come together to inspire curiosity, foster growth, and develop global citizens.
During your visit, you’ll see students exploring their interests, collaborating on meaningful projects, and building lasting friendships. You’ll also meet our dedicated teachers and staff, who guide each student to reach their full potential academically, socially, and personally.
We look forward to welcoming you to our community, sharing our philosophy, and showing you how ASB empowers every student to thrive.
.jpg)
School Ethos
At ASB, our ethos centers on fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students are encouraged to explore, inquire, and grow. We believe that education is most effective when it is rooted in standards such as the Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, and the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. These standards guide our instructional practices, ensuring that students develop a deep understanding of content and skills.
Our teaching approach emphasizes inquiry-based learning, where students engage in authentic, real-world challenges that stimulate curiosity and critical thinking. Lessons are designed to be interactive and collaborative, allowing students to connect new knowledge to prior experiences. This method not only enhances academic achievement but also cultivates creativity and problem-solving abilities.
ASB is a community of learners, where both students and educators are committed to continuous reflection and improvement. We invest in professional development, bringing in world-class consultants and providing instructional coaching to support our teachers in implementing best practices. This commitment to growth ensures that our teaching methods remain at the forefront of educational excellence.
Ultimately, our goal is to empower students to become global citizens with the critical thinking skills and self-confidence to maximize their potential. Through a balanced approach that integrates academic rigor with personal development, ASB prepares students to navigate and contribute positively to an interconnected world.
Languages
Primary Language
English
Additional languages offered
In the Early Years, we offer full immersion in English, plus 3x weekly Spanish classes. In Elementary, English continues to be the primary language of instruction, but differentiated Spanish lessons increase to 5x per week, and Catalan is introduced, with differentiated lessons offered 3x per week lessons. This continues through High School. In High School, we also offer French as an elective.
Language support available
We offer English language support for students in Elementary School.
Curriculum
Early Childhood Center (Preschool – Kindergarten)
ASB’s youngest learners follow a play-based and inquiry-driven approach that encourages curiosity, social-emotional growth, and foundational academic skills. The program emphasizes hands-on exploration, collaboration, and developing independence while introducing literacy, numeracy, and early science concepts.
Elementary School (Grades 1–5)
In the Elementary School, students engage in a standards-based curriculum guided by the Common Core Standards for math and language arts, the Next Generation Science Standards for science, and the Spanish Ministry of Education for Spanish language and social studies. Learning is inquiry-focused and interdisciplinary, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. Project-based learning and experiential activities help students connect classroom concepts to real-world contexts.
Middle School (Grades 6–8)
Middle School combines rigorous academic content with social-emotional and leadership development. Students continue to work within standards-based frameworks mentioned in Elementary School while engaging in collaborative projects, service learning, and interdisciplinary experiences. Advisory programs support personal growth alongside intellectual development.
High School (Grades 9 – 12)
High School students follow a college-preparatory American curriculum, culminating in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program (DP) or Career-related Program (CP) in Grades 11–12. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, inquiry, independent research, and global perspectives. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning while developing skills for success at university and beyond.
Across all stages, ASB’s methodology is student-centered, inquiry-based, and focused on holistic development, combining academic rigor with creativity, collaboration, and global citizenship.
Qualifications
Students who take the required Spanish and Catalan language and social studies courses earn the Spanish ESO diploma at the end of 10th grade (4º de ESO).
Students in 11th and 12th grades may earn the IB Diploma (either IBDP or the IBCP). This degree can be homologated by the Spanish Ministry of Education to be able to attend Spanish universities.
Facilities
ASB offers a modern and expansive campus. All of our facilities have been built from the ground up, or fully renovated, within the past ten years. Key features include:
- Air conditioning in every classroom
- Lots of natural light
- Flexible furniture options
- A library with books for all levels
- Dedicated art classrooms with a kiln for firing pottery
- Dedicated music classrooms for both group and private lessons
- Five science laboratories
- An auditorium with seats for more than 700 spectators
- Maker Lab with 3D printers, laser cutters, sewing machines, electric saws, and other tools for building prototypes
- Multiple sports fields allowing for girls and boys basketball, volleyball, soccer, and flag football teams to train on campus
- A fitness center with cardio machines and weights
First Year Joining Fee
There is a one-time Capital Levy per student: €3000 for students joining in the Early Childhood Center, and €6000 for students joining grades 1 and up.
Annual Tuition
2025-26 Fees
Early Childhood (PK3, PK4, K5) - €14,114
Elementary School (Grades 1-5) - €18,842
Middle School (Grades 6-8) - €21,589
High School (Grades 9-12) - €26,274
Additional Fees
Annual matriculation fee of €975/student
Optional bus, lunch, and after school activities fees.
Discounts
Discount on the Capital Levy for Early Childhood students (as mentioned above). Tuition discounts of up to 4% for prepaying by February 28 for the following school year. Discounts also apply for three or more children enrolled.
Current Fees
Fees
School in Numbers
School size
970
Classes per grade / age
Early Childhood Center - 2 classes per grade
Elementary - 2 to 3 classes per grade
Middle & High School - 4 classes per grade
Class sizes
Early Childhood Center - 20
Elementary - High School - 22
Nationalities
There are more than 60 different nationalities represented at the school. Approximately 50% of students have at least on Spanish speaking parent.
Student Support
What learning needs the school can support
We welcome students who require additional support due to learning differences, special educational needs or disabilities provided that, by making reasonable accommodations, our Student Support Team believes they will be able to meet the needs of that student.
In the Elementary and Middle School, we provide limited Learning Support services for students with mild learning disabilities and for those who need support in developing early literacy skills and temporary targeted, academic interventions. In the High School, we offer limited support, such as organizational strategies and extended time on assessments.
A primary consideration in offering admission will be the student’s ability to access the regular curriculum with limited support, and the level of resources needed to support the applicant. Unfortunately, we cannot offer places to students who need extensive curriculum modifications or constant one-to-one support.
What support staff are available
All Early Child and Grade 1 have a full time teaching assistant (TA) in the classroom. In grades 2-5 there are shared TAs in each grade level. There are 2 Counselors available for social emotional support serving the Early Childhood and Elementary School, 1 Counselor for Middle School, and 2 Counselors for High School. In addition, there are 2 University Counselors serving high school students. There is also a full time nurse on campus.
Admissions
Details of entry criteria
While ASB gives preference to native English speakers, students may be admitted with little or no English up to Grade 3. From Grade 4 onward, students are expected to have grade-level English proficiency to fully engage with the curriculum. Admissions decisions take into account English language assessments, academic report cards, and teacher references.
Details of entry tests
In the Early Childhood Center, students may be asked to spend the morning in one of the classes to evaluate their readiness for the program. In grades 1 and up, students may be asked to take an English proficiency test. In grades 4 and up, they may also take a math proficiency test.
Further Information
We encourage all interested families to contact the Admissions Department to schedule an on-campus visit or a virtual meeting.
admissions@asbarcelona.com
Extra Curriculars
ASB offers a wide range of after school activities, including sports, performing arts, and academic clubs, for students of all ages. Activities run from 4:00 to 5:30 PM, and after school buses are available to transport students to central Barcelona at 5:30 PM.
For more information, see https://www.asbarcelona.com/student-life/after-school-activities
Additional Info
Accreditations and Memberships
Contact Details
Address
Carrer de Jaume Balmes 7
08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Phone
+34 93 3714016
Social Media
What Parents Say
Contact the Admissions Team
First, visit the privacy policy page (by clicking on the link above)
Error message
Thank you! Your request has been sent successfully.
The school will contact you shortly.
