Education and Schools in Barcelona
Education in Barcelona is available in public schools (publico), private schools (privado), and semi-private schools (concertado). Each system has its own unique benefits and shortcomings, and expats will want to evaluate their priorities and utilise the sector and the school that best suits their student.
In Barcelona, the primary teaching language is Catalan (not Castilian), and school is compulsory for those between 6 and 16 years of age.
Public schools in Barcelona
The public school system in Barcelona is free, but parents will need to pay for books and materials; uniforms are not required. Sending your younger expat child to a Barcelona public school can provide them with a fantastic opportunity to learn the language and integrate with the locals, but older students will need instruction in their native language with slow immersion into Spanish and Catalan.
It can even be difficult to gain admission into some of the public schools due to overcrowding, as well as the fact that a lottery system is often the only means of entrance. Expat parents must also be able to fill out necessary paperwork in Catalan, or have access to an individual who can help with the process.
International schools in Barcelona
International schools in Barcelona are private schools that uphold the teaching language and curriculum of a certain foreign country (i.e. American, British, German, etc.) It’s common for space in these institutions to be limited, as some of the schools insist on satisfying quotas based on nationality. For example, the Benjamin Franklin School gives preference to American students.
International schools offer pupils the benefit of continuing with instruction that is likely familiar, while state schools in Barcelona often find it difficult to accommodate or place foreign students. Some international schools follow Spanish curricula in a foreign language; although, many of the students in these schools are local.
All international schools have attached annual tuition fees; it’s best to consult each individual school to find out more about cost.
