American School of Barcelona

The American School of Barcelona is located just outside Barcelona, in Esplugues de Llobregat. It is about 10 kilometers from Plaza Catalunya, the city center of Barcelona. The campus offers extensive indoor and outdoor spaces for sports, performing arts, and classroom learning.

ASB is organized into four divisions: Early Childhood (PK3–Kindergarten), Elementary School (1st–5th), Middle School (6th–8th), and High School (9th–12th).

The school is a non-profit international school located just outside Barcelona, Spain.

60 nationalities are represented among 970 students.

Spain

ASB provides transportation to Barcelona, Gavá, Castelldefels, Sitges, and Sant Cugat.

English is the language of instruction. Elementary School uses a progressive American, international standards-based curriculum. Middle School uses an American educational program. High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and the International Baccalaureate Career-related Program, with the IB Diploma Program also awarding a US High School Diploma. Cambridge Exams are offered through ASB's English Programs.

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Average IB score is 35 (2025). SAT results show 34 of 97 graduates took the SAT with an average total score of 1320 (652 reading and writing; 668 math). ASB is recognized by Education Advisers as a Top 10 IB School in Spain and Top 50 in Europe. Approximately 30% of graduates enroll in Spanish universities, with others attending universities around the world.

Approximately 30% of graduates enroll in Spanish universities, with others pursuing higher education at universities around the world.

The school uses the Second Step Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program to teach children important skills for getting along with others, problem solving, and managing emotions, contributing to a safe and supportive learning environment. In K5, a Second Step Child Protection Unit is delivered by school counselors to strengthen safety awareness. Students learn Personal Safety, including safety around sharp tools, fire, and transportation. They learn Touching Safety, including safe, unsafe, and unwanted touches and how to respond. They learn Assertiveness, including asking a grown-up for help and speaking up in unsafe situations. The program also fosters respect for diverse family structures.

Learning Support (LS) teachers and counselors provide support for struggling students across ECC, Elementary, and Middle School. They evaluate needs and coordinate appropriate supports, and an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) may be established for a student with classroom modifications or pull-out/in-class supports. When necessary, parents may provide intervention services from outside providers (psychologists, speech-language pathologists, learning specialists, occupational therapists) at their own expense; ASB can assist in locating services but does not guarantee provider credentials or outcomes. English Language Learners (ELL) and Spanish Language Learners (SLL) receive language support across ECC, Elementary, Middle, and High School. The Learning Support Team collaborates with families to tailor instruction to each student's strengths and needs. Students with learning differences or emotional challenges may require specialized learning support to meet academic demands; a paraprofessional or shadow can be arranged if necessary.

ASB's English Language Center (ELC) has offered English language instruction for over 35 years, with programs emphasizing creativity, active participation, and real-world learning. The ELC provides programs for all ages and proficiency levels and connects participants with ASB campus resources for engaging language practice. English Language Learners (ELL) and Spanish Language Learners (SLL) receive language support across ECC, Elementary, Middle, and High School. The ELC offers Summer, Weekday, and Saturday English Programs and Cambridge exam preparation. Cambridge exam prep is available through the Cambridge track.

Second Step SEL supports emotional management and social skills. What matters most to ASB are student performance, growth and achievement: academically, socially and personally. Wellbeing is central to ASB's approach to education, with the learning framework recognizing and supporting social and personal growth alongside academics. Belonging at ASB emphasizes a safe, inclusive environment where diversity is valued and respected. The school hosts events and initiatives that focus on literacy and wellbeing as part of its broader educational program.

ASB delivers safeguarding through the K5 Second Step program and a dedicated Second Step Child Protection Unit taught by school counselors to strengthen safety awareness. Students learn Personal Safety, Touching Safety, and Assertiveness to stay safe from dangerous or abusive situations. The program teaches children to tell a grown-up if something unsafe occurs and to seek help when needed; it also covers diverse family structures with respect. A whistleblowing channel is available for reporting safeguarding concerns.

1. Complete the division-appropriate application form (PK3, Elementary, Middle School, or High School). The application is submitted via asb.openapply.com and a €250 fee is required; the fee is valid for up to two years for students in the waiting pool. After submission, the admissions team will contact you to arrange a time to meet your child. Supporting materials must be provided as specified for your division in the application guidelines.

2. Submit the required documents. Early Childhood requires the application, last year's report (in English; Spanish or Catalan allowed with originals), a confidential teacher questionnaire, and any relevant evaluations; passport copies are also requested. Elementary requires last two years' official report cards (in English; Spanish or Catalan allowed), confidential teacher and principal/guidance counselor questionnaires, and passport copies (standardized tests may be requested if available). Middle School requires the application, last two years' report cards, English and math teacher questionnaires, a principal or guidance counselor questionnaire, standardized tests in math and reading (if recent scores are unavailable, testing may be arranged), and passport copies (non-native English speakers may be asked for a writing assessment). High School requires the application, last three years' report cards (in English; translations needed for Grade 10+), English and math teacher questionnaires, a principal or guidance counselor questionnaire, standardized tests (MAP, PSAT, or other), and passport copies (an on-campus or remote writing assessment and/or interview may be requested).

3. Admissions review. All completed applications undergo a detailed review by the Admissions and Academic Teams, with consideration of English level, academic record, teacher references, and admissions assessments. For September admissions, completing the application by January 31 is strongly encouraged; the first round of admissions decisions is typically by mid-to-late February. Applications received after January 31 are reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions communicated by email within two to three weeks. Decisions include Place Offered (with payment deadlines), Waiting Pool (space permitting), or Not Accepted.

4. Offer/Enrollment. If a place is offered, the family has one week to pay the matriculation fee and four weeks to pay the capital levy to reserve the spot; both fees are non-refundable. If a place is not available, families may be placed in the Waiting Pool, from which space becomes available on a rolling basis and does not confer priority for the next school year.

Little Lynx Scholarship: Long-term scholarships for local residents entering PK3 for the 2026-27 school year, providing 15%–35% off tuition for the full duration of attendance; renewal each year until the end of Grade 6, with updated financial information before Grade 7; PK3 students receive a 50% reduction on the capital levy. Eligibility includes being a resident of Spain, long-term tax resident status, preference for students fluent in English, Spanish, and Catalan, and demonstration of financial need; current ASB families are eligible. Applications use the standard online form and require daycare references, financial disclosure, and open house or information session participation is encouraged. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, with decisions communicated after admission and financial documents are reviewed; renewal occurs automatically at January reenrollment unless extenuating circumstances apply.

English Language Center Scholarship Program: Up to 10 scholarships covering 100% of Summer 2026 tuition for ASB's English Language Center Summer program; eligible students may reapply to continue in Weekday or Saturday classes for the 2026–27 school year on a full scholarship. Eligibility requires admission to grades 4 or higher, financial need (total family gross annual income under €50,000), residence in Barcelona metropolitan area, and completion of online application with supporting documents; current ELC students are eligible to apply. Selection includes financial need, academic potential, a letter of recommendation, language level testing, and an interview; applications require a €25 online application fee and must be submitted by May 15, 2026, with finalists contacted for testing and interviews; scholarship recipients are announced by mid-June.

Waiting Pool: The grade is filled, and families are contacted as space becomes available. Being in the waiting pool for the current year does not confer priority for the following school year.