Welcome to the American School of Barcelona!
Our mission is to empower students to become global citizens with the critical thinking skills and the self-confidence to maximize their potential. Established in 1962, ASB is an international, independent, non-profit, co-educational, university preparatory day school which serves the international and Spanish communities in Barcelona from pre-school to grade 12. We offer an internationally enriched American curriculum for students from age 3-18, leading to the world-renowned International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The school is comprised of approximately 973 students, representing more than 60 countries.
ASB is accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organization, the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is authorized by the Spanish and Catalan Ministries of Education. ASB offers a rigorous university preparatory program, taught in English, that prepares students for admission to top universities throughout the world.
Mark Pingitore
ASB Director
We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 40 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
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Number of students
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990
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Number of nationalities represented in the school
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55
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Most common nationality
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American, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, British
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Ratio of local students to international students
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Approximately 25% are North American, 30% are Spanish, and 45% are from other countries.
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Native English speaking teachers
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All our teachers are native English speakers except the Spanish and Catalan ones
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Language support for students not fluent in English
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Yes, our school provides ELL (English Learning Support) to all those students who need it.
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Additional language classes offered by the school
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Core academic subjects are taught in English, with a complementary Spanish and Catalan program emphasizing language, literature, and history. French is offered as an after- school activity through our partnership with the Institut Français de Barcelone. The IB diploma program in 11th and 12th grades gives an option for students to do self-study in native tongue languages.
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Max. number of students per class
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Depends on the division, but in general the maximum number per class is 23
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Average number of students per class
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Between 20 and 23
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Does the school employ teaching assistants?
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Yes, there is a teaching Assistant in each class up to grade 3.
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Use of technology in the classroom
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Students use ipads from PK4 up to grade 5th. From grade 6th on all students use their laptop.
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Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures)
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ASB operated virtual classrooms during COVID19 confinement, from Elementary up to High School teachers use google classroom tools, and online videos.
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Do students practice religion at the school? What religion?
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No, we are not a religious school
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External examinations or assessments available
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ASB and many other international schools take this standardized tests that aligns with the PISA test and IB tests. Students take the International School Assessment (ISA) in grades 3 through 8 in the areas of reading, math, and expository writing. Students also take MAP test in grades 3 through 9.
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Results in these examinations
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ASB is pleased to say that our students earn well above international averages
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Do teachers assign homework to their students?
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Students don't have homework in Early Childhood and Elementary, they start having some assignments from grade 6th.
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Approximate hours of homework given
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30 minutes, maximum one hour.
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Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation
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100% but some of them take a gap year before.
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Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs
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Students are eligible for admission if we believe that ASB can meet their social, emotional, physical and academic needs. In the Elementary and Middle School, we provide limited learning support services for students with mild learning difficulties and for those who need support in developing early literacy skills through temporary targeted academic interventions. In the High School, we offer very limited support, such as allowing for extended time on assessments.
ASB does not have a separate program or classes for students with learning difficulties. Therefore, 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. We cannot offer places to students who need extensive curriculum modifications or constant one-to-one support.
Prior to applying to ASB, parents with children with special needs are requested to submit all relevant documentation to the admissions department so that we may determine whether or not we have the the right program to meet that child´s needs. Documents that would be helpful include Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), educational evaluation reports, and doctor or psychologist´s evaluations.
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Learning support offered
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In the Elementary and Middle School, we provide limited learning support services for students with mild learning difficulties and for those who need support in developing early literacy skills through temporary targeted academic interventions. In the High School, we offer very limited support, such as allowing for extended time on assessments.
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Student access to education psychologist
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Absolutely, the school has 5 counselors on campus that serve 4 divisions. When students require additional assistance, they make referrals to outside agencies.
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Entry evaluation for students
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ASB has a selective admissions process. Decisions are based on a comprehensive review of the student’s application, considering academic history, social maturity, and English language proficiency to evaluate whether the applicant has the motivation and the ability to achieve academically at ASB. Preference is given to native and advanced English speakers. If space is available, applicants may be considered for admission with a beginner level of English in grades PK3 through 2nd grade. Applicants for grades 3 and higher are expected to have an advanced level of English, particularly with respect to reading and writing, in order to be successful in our program. For September admissions, we recommend families to submit a complete application by February 15th. Decisions are made by early March once we know the number of vacancies for the following year and all applications have been reviewed. Early decisions may be made for international applicants who are native speakers of English. For all other times in the year, complete applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with notification usually within two weeks. Please note that an application is only considered complete when the application fee has been paid, the online application form and all required documents have been submitted, and any admissions assessments have been completed.
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Brief description of entry evaluation required
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In Elementary and Middle school we request an onsite visit to evaluate the student's English and math level. High School applicants are required to take a writing assessment
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Waiting list
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When a grade level is full, qualified applicants will be placed in the waiting pool. When a seat becomes available, the Admissions Committee will review all candidates in the waiting pool and make an offer of admission to the candidate that is the best match for the class, taking into account the admissions criteria mentioned above. This is not an ordered list, or based on first-come, first served. Once an offer of admission is made to an applicant in the waiting pool, the family has 3 working days to accept and pay the matriculation fee to hold the spot. An applicant may stay in the waiting pool for one year, after which they must reapply. The application fee is valid for up to two academic years.
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Deadline for registration (new academic year)
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While there is no deadline, applicants for September admissions are strongly encouraged to complete their application by February 15th. The first round of admissions decisions are generally made by the first week of March.
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Students can join after academic year begins
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Yes, we offer rolling admissions. While most students start in September, students may also enrol at other times during the school year as long as there is space available.
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School start time
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At 9AM
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School finish time
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The school day ends at 4PM
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Supervised care before/after school
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ASB offers supervised care from 8:30AM
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School bus service available
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Yes. We offer seven bus routes into Barcelona, one to Sitges, Gavá, Castelldefels, and one to Sant Cugat.
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School provided lunches
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Hot, healthy lunches are prepared daily in our kitchen. Students and staff enjoy their meals in our spacious new cafeteria, with a beautiful view overlooking part of Barcelona all the way to the Mediterranean sea.
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Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc)
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Yes, ASB offers gluten-free and vegetarian menu. Lunch service is optional, students can bring their lunch box from home.
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Uniform required
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No, they don't
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Facilities at the school
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Since 1979, ASB has been operating from the Esplugues de Llobregat site, a pleasant, open-air, purpose-built facility resting on 15,000 square meters of land. The campus includes three buildings, two soccer fields, a library/media center, a maker space, an auditorium/gymnasium, a covered gymnasium, two basketball/volleyball courts, a fitness room, and multiple outdoor play areas. Our Arts programs are supported by 2 large visual art rooms, two music rooms, and break-out practice rooms.
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Sports facilities at the school
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At ASB there are two soccer fields, two basketball courts (one indoor), a Lynx Athletic Center, and a covered gym. Our Elementary building has a rubber-made rooftop where students can do PE activities.
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Qualities and characteristics best defining the school
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International, private, non-profit American School founded in 1962. IB School since 2007.
Mission
Our mission is to empower pre-school through 12th grade students to become global citizens with the critical thinking skills and the self-confidence to maximize their potential.
Vision
The American School of Barcelona seeks to continuously improve through innovation. Our aim is to be recognized as the leading international school in Europe, empowering students to lead with integrity, to open minds, and to transform the world.
Our Core Values
Caring, Student-centered, Innovative, Rigorous, Resilient.
Core ideology
Continuously improve through innovation.
Create responsible global citizens.
Develop independent and critical thinking students.
Provide a caring environment that gives students the self-confidence to maximize their potential.
Educate for diversity.
ASB is:
is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
is recognized in Spain as a Centro Extranjero (foreign school) by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Spanish Ministry of Education
receives a grant from the US Department of State's Office of Overseas Schools
belongs to the Mediterranean Association of International Schools (MAIS) and European Council of International Schools(ECIS) regional associations
participates in the European Sports Conference (ESC), a regional sports league made up of schools from around the region
leads the Barcelona International School Association (BISA) and has close ties with other international schools in Spain.
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Teaching approach of the school
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In ASB We believe that quality instruction inspires inquiry, curiosity, creativity, communication and collaboration, and is what creates an outstanding education for our students. We take great pride in the quality of the educators we have on our staff and our continual focus on reflection and professional learning. We believe that the best instruction is firmly rooted in standards like Common Core, Next Generation Science, and International Baccalaureate. From these standards, our teachers design high quality assessments that give a clear view of students’ level of mastery of knowledge and skill objectives. Teachers design lessons, activities and projects that give students an opportunity to learn and develop through differentiated learning experiences.
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Campus and Facilities
Since 1979, ASB has been operating from the Esplugues de Llobregat site, a pleasant, open-air, purpose-built facility resting on 15,000 square meters of land. The campus includes three buildings, two soccer fields, a library/media center, a maker space, an auditorium/gymnasium, a covered gymnasium, two basketball/volleyball courts and multiple outdoor play areas. Our Arts programs are supported by 2 large visual art rooms, two music rooms and break-out practice rooms.
Learning
ASB believes human beings learn best constructively, through the experience of doing and connecting new learning to old understandings, not through rote instruction and memorization. Our teachers are adept at facilitating authentic, inquiry-based learning experiences that are both challenging and interesting.
These lessons typically include elements of self-direction AND social interaction, as well as require the use of critical thinking and creativity. The continual high performance of our students on a multitude of international standardized tests demonstrates the validity of the ASB approach.
ASB offers the highest quality multilingual education with most graduates obtaining both the American high school and International Baccalaureate diplomas combined with a rich co-curricular experience.
After School
The goal of ASB´s after-school activities program is to allow students to explore their individual talents and discover new interests outside the regular school hours. The program includes a range of activities for all age levels in the areas of Academics, Sports and Performing Arts.
The ASB Athletics program is committed to providing our students with a high-quality athletic experience. The program consists of competitive and recreational sports offered throughout the year across all divisions and in line with local sports organisations, other international schools in Barcelona and the European Sports Conference international sports leagues.
Performing Arts are an integral part of school life. Drama and Dance are taught through extra curricular activities, with high quality dramatic productions combining all disciplines of Performing Arts.
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