When you decide to move to Barcelona with children, the question of selection of the right school comes first. Even the location of your new home will depend on the school’s location.
How to choose the best school?
There are many guides about schools that you can find in Internet. Here is one of the Practical Schools Guide in Barcelona. We offer you the most important information about the international schools in Barcelona and its suburbs. You can enroll in the school or university yourself but usually it is very difficult to make the right choice. You will spend a lot of time for the study of all the options. Fortunately, we have a solution for each client. You can order the service of Personal Assistant with experience in the sphere of educational services which will understand your needs, help to choose, select the most appropriate establishment, go with you to the interview, organize the enrolment and solve all the questions related with it. Finally, your aim of enrolling to the necessary school or university will be achieved as soon as possible.
We help you to find a right school for your children
Our clients recommend us:
Liudmila T., Ucraine
“We contacted this company in order to find a school for our child. We only have a good impression of the job done by the company. During all the time, from the selection of the school until the admission Marina answered to all our questions, helped a lot in the organization of the meetings, phone negotiations, so that we got a great help in all the questions connected with the papers and documents. We are so grateful for your job, for your help! We recommend your company to everybody! Thanks a lot! Best regards, Liudmila”.
We make it easier for you
The company “KakDoma” offers you:
- a selection of the best private schools with different educational systems: Catalan, Spanish, American, British, French and others.
- select the school that fits your requirements most
- arrange appointments at selected schools
- help you to prepare the documents for the enrolment
- help you to adapt easier with a “School Concierge” service
International schools in Barcelona
British Education System
The British School of Barcelona
The best education for a great future
- British education system
- Curriculum in English with complementary lessons given in Spanish and Catalan
- Age: between 3 and 18 years old
- Price approx. 9 300 – 11 000 euros/year
- Notes: students are prepared for IGCSE examinations, А-levels and, in addition, students are able to qualify for the Spanish certificate of Secondary education and the Spanish Baccalaureate
Kensington School
Traditions, self-confidence and readiness for any future changes
- British education system
- Curriculum in English
- Age: between 4 and 18 years old
- Price approx. 4 500 – 13 000 euros/year
- Notes: students are prepared for IGCSE examinations, which enable students to enter any of the Higher Education Institutions of the USA and England
Oak House School
Development of individuality and self-esteem
- British education system
- Curriculum in English, Spanish, Catalan. One more foreign language. Knowledge of Spanish and Catalan is obligatory
- Age: between 4 and 18 years old
- Price approx.: from 775 euros/month
- Notes: certificates First Certificate (FCE), Advanced (CAE), Proficiency (CPE), IGCSE
Pupils with academic difficulties, learning disabilities or those who are academically-gifted receive specialized individual attention. Children receive an entirely British education at Oak House Primary School. Sport is one of the fundamental pillars of the school. As for the languages, the pupils take the Cambridge First Certificate, Advanced and Proficiency examinations in English as part of their studies.
Olive Tree School
Independent thinking, self-concern
- British education system
- Curriculum in English, Spanish, Catalan
- Age: between 3 and 16 years old
- 12-14 people in class
- High level of English is obligatory
St George’s School Barcelona
Emphasis on Catalan and English culture
- British education system
- Curriculum in English, Spanish, Catalan
- Age: between 2 and 18 years old
- IB
- Official exams in English
The British College of Gavà
Individual approach, sense of personal motivation
- British education system
- Curriculum in English. “Integrated curriculum” approach with appreciation of IB philosophy. Classes of Spanish and Catalan.
- Primary and Secondary departments
- Age: between 3 and 18 years old
- Price aprox.: from 750 to 1100 euros/month
- International exams GCSE
Highlands School Barcelona (HSB)
Private catholic and bilingual school with IGCSE and A-levels
- Spanish and British education system
- Curriculum in English and Spanish
- Ages: between 1 and 18 years old
- Tuition fee: approx 7.700 euro/year
- Notes: Students qualify for the Spanish baccalaureate and will be able to sit IGCSE and A-levels
American Education System
Benjamin Franklin International School
American education, international students and high cultural potential
- American education system
- National curriculum in English
- Age: between 4 and 18 years old
- Price approx. 8 500 – 17 000 euros/year
- Notes: accredited academic programme with further American High School Diploma, Spanish Bachelor’s degree and International Bachelor’s degree
American School of Barcelona
Opening minds to transform the world
- Spanish education system
- Curriculum in Spanish, Catalan and English. One more foreign language
- Age: between 0 and 18 years old
- Price approx.: from 275 euros/month
- Notes: individual approach to the pupils, adapted lessons for the foreign students, boarding school
Spanish-Catalan International Schools
St. Paul’s School
Encouraging pupils to achieve their full potential and excellence
- Spanish education system
- Curriculum in English with obligatory lessons of Spanish, Catalan and French
- Age: between 3 and 18 years old
- Price approx. from 500 euros/month
SIL
Personality development, ambitiousness and tolerance
- Spanish education system
- Curriculum in Spanish, Catalan and English. One more foreign language
- Age: between 0 and 18 years old
- Price approx.: from 275 euros/month
- Notes: individual approach, lessons adapted to the foreign students, boarding school
St. Peter’s School
Cultural diversity and international preparation
- Spanish education system
- Curriculum in English. Lessons of Spanish, Catalan, German and French
- Age: from 18 months to18 years old
- Price approx.: from 900-1000 euros/month
- Notes: in the school there are about 630 pupils of 35 nationalities, 105 teachers of 10 nationalities, 65% of all the pupils are Spanish and 35% are of other nationalities
Hamelin-Laie International School
Accent on full development of the pupils
- Spanish education system
- Curriculum in English, Spanish and Catalan
- Age: from 0 to18 years old
- Price approx.: from 577 euros/month
- Notes: exchange programme, official dance school
- New modernized building in Montgat
International School SEK-Catalunya
Individual approach and education based on the new technologies
- Education system: synthesis of the spanish system and the international system
- Curriculum in English, Spanish and Catalan
- Age: from 0 to18 years old
- Price approx.: from 570 euros/month
- Notes: adaptation programme for the foreign students, high exam results, programme of living in the families for the foreign students
Europa International School
Universal education – world without the borders
- Education system: synthesis of the spanish system and the international system
- Curriculum in English, Spanish and Catalan
- Age: from 0 to18 years old
- Notes: annual exchange students´ and teachers´ program
Agora Sant Cugat International School
Preparation to the unlimited opportunities
- Education system: synthesis of the spanish system and the international system
- Curriculum in English, Spanish and Catalan
- Age: from 3 to18 years old
- Price approx.: from 455 to 640 euros/month
- Notes: the school is perfect for those ones who want to stay in Catalonia
Other International Schools
Deutsche Schule Barcelona
Development of self-sufficiency and creative skills
- Education system: synthesis of the spanish and German systems
- Curriculum in German, classes of Spanish, Catalan, English and French
- Age: from 3 to18 years old
- Price approx.: from 4600 euros/year
- Notes: German certificate Abitur, Spanish certificate, the notes Abitur let enter the Spanish universities
Bon Soleil – Lycée Français de Gavà
European values of liberality and humanism
- Education system: Spanish and French
- Curriculum in French, lessons of English, Spanish and Catalan
- Age: from 2 to18 years old
- Notes: there is a sport school, classes of dancing and acting skills
High Schools in Barcelona
Universities
Barcelona combines a variety of ethnic cultures and lifestyles. Due to its hospitality this cosmopolitan city has become a popular destination for a great number of foreign students from all over the world, as the higher education here means accessibility, quality and prestige. Barcelona offers a great variety of higher education institutions, both public and private.
University of Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona)
is one of the first universities in Catalonia. It was founded in 1450 with the biggest number of students and the most varied education offer at the time. Moreover, the University of Barcelona is the main investigation centre both in Spain and in Europe. The University includes a wide chain of training centres which include 18 faculties, collegiate schools and other kinds of training centres which provide a firm ground for scientific, technical and professional knowledge. Approximately 65 % of curriculum is given in Catalan, that is why there are extramural Catalan language courses, which help foreign students feel more confident throughout their university time. Moreover, here you can also find other foreign language courses, including Spanish. It is a modern cosmopolitan university, like Barcelona city itself!
The UAB or Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
is one of the most prestigious universities in Spain. It was founded in 1968. Today, this university has the highest rating results among other Spanish public higher institutions. Over 40 thousands students are studying their Bachelor’s degree here and over 11 thousand – their Master’s and PhD. Moreover, it is one of the most multinational universities, as the university is focused on attracting more foreign students and creating special education programmes for them. There is a university village designed for 1790 students which includes sports and leisure areas. It is located 25 minutes away from the academic building. Each room has got a separate bathroom and a kitchen. There is also a language school UAB Idiomas, offering Spanish language courses for adults.
Prestige Business Schools in Barcelona
ESADE Business school
(its full Spanish name – Escuela Superior de Administración y Dirección de Empresas or English – Higher School of Business Management and Administration) is a top research, one of the best business schools and training centre located in Barcelona, Madrid and Buenos Aires. In general ESADE consists of three following departments: ESADE business school, ESADE law school and executive language training. The ESADE’s methodology is based on the development of professional and administrative skills. Acording to a number of surveys held by such widely-known media as The Wall Street Journal (2006/2007 ) and Financial Times (2012), the ESADE business school was twice the best business school in the world. Choose the best for your business – choose ESADE!
Spanish-Catalan Education System
As soon as you have provided yourself with the place to live, the next important step is to choose a really good school for your children. The “Kakdoma” team has selected the most important information you need to know about the education system in Catalonia. Kakdoma Barcelona will also advise you on the most appropriate school and help you with the enrolment process.
Spain has lately become one of the most popular centers of education in Europe due to the high quality of education and a wide selection of institutions, both public and private. Besides, the Spanish education system provides two foreign languages for children starting from a small age. It also lets students decide on their own about their future profession and guarantees high-quality international education. In this section we will tell you about Catalonia’s education system so that you could learn about its special characteristics to be able to choose the right school for your children.
First of all, it’s important to know that the education system includes three types of schools:
- Free public schools, which is absolutely free of charge and it is completely financed by the government.
- State-funded schools is a privately-run school that receives some government funding. Tuition is also free, though there may be voluntary fees and expenses for extracurricular activities.
- Private schools is privately financed.
Moreover, depending on the age the education system may be compulsory or non-compulsory.
So, the education system of Catalonia consists of the following stages:
Kindergarten
Pre-primary education for children between 0 and 6 years old is non-compulsory and consists of 2 cycles:
First cycle (0-3 years old): centers which provide pre-primary or nursery education are not free of charge. There are public centres (whose cost is partially financed by the Administration) and private centres. This education cycle is not compulsory. However, the education for the children of this age is of great importance as it provides those key education elements which are necessary for their further personal development.
Second cycle (3-6 years old): the tuition is free of charge both in public and state -funded kindergartens, except those which are privately financed. Both in Barcelona and its surrounding areas you can find multilingual nurseries and day care centres.
School
Obligatory primary education consists of 3 cycles (primary, secondary and higher) for the children between 6 and 12 years old.
Obligatory Secondary Education (ESO) consists of 4 courses and is dedicated to the students between 12 and 16 years old. At this stage starting from the third course the student can choose between various programmes which are aimed at ESO (GESO) Diploma. This Diploma provides access to the next education stage of so-called “post-obligatory” secondary education (Educació secundària postobligatòria).
Primary professional training programmes are for the students over 16 years old, who haven’t got GESO Diploma. These programmes include three types of education modules: professional knowledge (Module А), general education (Module В), GESO diploma (voluntary Module С).
Bachelor’s degree consists of 2 courses and provides access to higher education (16-18 years old).
The company “Kakdoma Barcelona” offers you a selection of the best private schools with different educational systems: Catalan, Spanish, American, British, French and others.
International education systems in Spain
Schools. The most popular international education systems in Spain are the British and American systems, but also exist the French, German, Italian, Japanese and Swiss systems. Please, see below different education systems compared with the Russian system.
The most popular programmes for the graduated students
IGCSE is a British programme of the Cambridge University
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is a British programme of the University of cambridge recognized in theb whole world. It is taught to the school students of the age 14-15. After finishing this programme the students can leave the school and start to work or continue the education. They pass exams for IGCSE after finishing the Secondary Education (16 years), they consist of a big amount of subjects (humanitarian and technological). These exams are obligatory but IGCSE is not enought for entering the University and the students pass to the next level of preparation where there are two alternative two-years programmes: A-level и IB.
A-level is a British academic programme.
Certificate of General Education Advanced Level (A-level) is a certificate of the Secondary Education of the advanced level. The studies last 2 years and involves the enhanced studying of two, three or four subjects (depending on the speciality). A-level has the reputation of a strong academic programme. The student can choose the list of subjects he concentrates his attention on and studies them deeper. Every 6 months the practice exams are held and the students has the right to pass them again in the next round. The requests for the entry exams are sent to the universities of Great Britain and other countries. The A-level education is strict and exigent. It is a faultless choice for people who know exactly what they want to study and in which sphere they want to be specialized.
IB is The International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) is an international non-governmental organization that has a consultative status in UNESCO and the Council of Europe. This programme was developped in Swiss and is used by a lot of schools of many countries, including Great Britain, Ireland and others. This two-years programme is aimed at young people of 16-19 years old. They are offered 6 subjects of the natural sciences and humanitarian subjects (3 or 4 of them are taught at the advanced level. The students have the opportunity to change “the environment” without any damage for their educational process because all the schools with IB have the same curriculum. This programme´s graduated students can enter a lot of prestigious univiersities of the worls without any additional exams. IB standards are known in all the countries and the graduated students continue studying in the universities of Great Britain, US, Canada, Swiss, Australia and other countries.
The company “Kakdoma Barcelona” will help you to choose the most appropriate educational institution taking into account all your preferences. Just get in touch with us and tell us about your wishes! Your personal asisstant in this sector will be in charge of the following things:
- explain the most important aspects of Catalan education system
- select the best kindergartens/schools for your children
- inform about the enrolment process and necessary documents
- arrange an interview in the kindergarten/school
- fix the route and accompany you during your visit to the educational institution
- solve other issues
Related article: Language courses