Quick summary of key school information
School details
| Number of students |
719 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
56 |
| Most common nationality |
Spanish and US |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
30% |
| Native English speaking teachers |
The great majority |
| Language support for students not fluent in English |
Yes. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Spanish, Catalan |
| Max. number of students per class |
22 |
| Average number of students per class |
18-20 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
BFIS integrates technology in the classroom through digital boards, use of ipads and computers. BFIS has 1:1 computer program from Grade 6 to Grade 12. Teachers use different digital platforms and tools to deliver instruction. Teachers and students use also Google Classroom to communicate and deliver homework. BFIS also has a Middle and High School Makerspace whith latest technology: 3D printers, Laser cutter, Vinyl cutter and many other tools to design and create products. |
| 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) |
Yes |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
No |
| External examinations or assessments available |
IB Exams and SAT (optional) |
| Results in these examinations |
Near 100% pass rate |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
It is different for every grade and subject. Upper high school grades need to dedicate more time to homework and self-study than lower grades. In Elementary, students have a very little amount of homework but they are encouraged to read every day. In Middle School the average amount of time dedicated to homework can go from half hour to 1 hour per day. High School students a bit more time, an average of 2 hours. |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
100% |
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes. BFIS has a Learning Support Department and a Counseling Department |
| Learning support offered |
Learning support at BFIS encompasses a variety of strategies to meet the needs of students with mild to moderate learning differences. It is the job of the learning specialist to provide students with strategies and/or remediation such that they are able to experience academic success. Depending on the needs of each individual, students are supported either in class or outside of class during the regular school day. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
Through the BFIS Enrichment and Differentiation program the school provides enriched learning to students by offering a broad range of challenging learning experiences of their interest and in line with the school curriculum. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes. We have an Elementary Counselor, a Middle School Counselor and a High School Counselor to support students with ther social-emotional needs. |
| Entry evaluation for students |
Yes |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
From Nursery to Grade 2: BFIS does observations
|
| Waiting list |
Yes, for some grades |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
There is no deadline. We enroll students all year long. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
| School start time |
All divisions of the school start at 8:35 am |
| School finish time |
At 4 : 00 pm and at 3:00 pm on Wednesdays |
| Supervised care before/after school |
For Early Childhood and Elementary students the school offers supervised care before the school starts, from 7:45 to 8:35 am at no cost for the families (this service has been cancelled due to COVID-19 regulations) . There is also supervised after-school care but it has a cost of 7€ per hour/per day. After-school care is offered until 5:00 pm (This service has been cancelled due to COVID-19 regulations) |
| School bus service available |
Yes, three different bus routes |
| School provided lunches |
Yes. BFIS has its own kitchen |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes. BFIS offers special diets: vegetarian and gluten free |
| Uniform required |
No |
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
The after-school activities program differ from each division.
|
| Sports activities included |
Physical Education classes |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
BFIS has sports teams for soccer, basketball and volleyball. The teams compete in different international tournaments. |
| Facilities at the school |
Library, 4 Science Labs, maker space, auditorium, cafeteria, and own kitchen |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Auditorium: used for PE classes when temperatures are below 5ºC or when it rains.
|
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Warm and welcoming international school community (1/3 internationsl, 1/3 US, 1/3 local)
|
| Teaching approach of the school |
BFIS learning approach provides pportunities for students to achieve their individual potential, nurture their creativity and enhance their wellness through rich and varied classes, co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities. The BFIS community’s Vision for Learning articulates how our American International School creates opportunities for young people to learn how to develop self-esteem, be confident, take risks, fail-forward and be resilient. The school aims to help young people learn how to develop empathy, care about complex problems, and prepare them to collaboratively find solutions. At BFIS they find their own voice and can build on their talents and interests. BFIS curriculum values concepts over content and gives opportunities for learner-based inquiry and enduring understanding. It is founded on units of study that articulate thew written, taught, and assessed curriculum. As students get older, transdisciplinary studies of study in Elementary School deepen to interdisciplinary studies in Middle School, culminating our IB Diploma Program in High School, where subject-specific disciplinary studies deepen students’ knowledge and skills in areas they have chosen to specialize in as they prepare for higher education and the world of work. |
Contact the admissions team at Benjamin Franklin International School
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