American School of Barcelona

American School of Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain attracts international and Spanish families seeking quality instruction, a whole child philosophy, and a welcoming environment for themselves and their children. Our comprehensive American curriculum, from PK3 to Grade 12, produces a community of learners, where students are performing, growing, and achieving: academically, socially, and personally. We invite you to contact us for a visit and discover for yourself the amazing community that makes up the American School of Barcelona.

Early Childhood Center

Our Approach
The Early Childhood Center (ECC) provides children ages 3 through 5 with a comprehensive, hands-on educational experience that supports cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development, as well as language and communication skills. We believe in inquiry learning and provide spaces and experiences for students to explore, discover, and make real life connections. Concepts and skills are taught through an integration of language arts, math, science, physical education, social and fine arts activities. Exposure to many social, sensory, motor, artistic and pre-academic activities ensures strong foundations during the early stages of child development.

Our teachers are Early Childhood specialists who provide a nurturing and supportive atmosphere that celebrates the uniqueness of every child.

A Play-Based Program
We believe that play provides the base foundation for learning.
Through play and inquiry-based learning, children unlock their creativity and imagination, which promotes problem solving skills and helps further develop motor skills. We believe in active learning and provide a hands-on classroom with learning materials for the different areas of development.

Small Class Sizes
Children benefit from differentiated attention with low student-teacher ratios: from 8 to 1 in the PK3 classes, to 10 to 1 in the K5 classes. All ECC classes are staffed by a head teacher and an assistant teacher.

English Immersion with Exposure to Spanish
Students are immersed in a comprehension curriculum where English is our primary language of instruction with native-English teachers. Students also enjoy tri-weekly Spanish classes where they are exposed to the culture and language of our host country

A Typical Day
School begins at 9:00 AM, but children can enjoy the playground from as early as 8:30 AM. When the bell rings, students head inside for “morning meeting” where they greet each other, assign student helpers, and discuss the day ahead. They break up into small groups where they work in “centers” focused around a particular theme, such as “My Family”. Here students will practice literacy, math, or fine motor skills. Around 10:15 AM, students break for morning snack and some outdoor playtime, followed by specialist classes, such as art, Spanish, music, and more.

Lunch is around 11:45 AM and students can choose between a hot lunch prepared by our Spanish chefs, or a packed lunch from home. Afterwards, PK3 students have the option to go home, or they can continue with a short nap followed by afternoon centers, free choice activities, and read-alouds. The school day ends at 3:45 PM but many of our students stay for a wide variety of after school activities from 4:00 PM until 5:30 PM.

Watch a video about a typical day in our Early Childhood Center here:

Read more about Early Childhood at ASB here

Elementary School

Our Approach
Our caring staff teach a progressive, American, international standards-based curriculum. We provide meaningful, purposeful and challenging learning opportunities through our core curriculum, as well as specialist instruction in art, music, and physical education. We offer a technology-rich environment where students can acquire the skills to be responsible digital citizens.

We believe in the uniqueness of each individual, therefore we provide a program of studies that encourages differentiation. Our comprehensive academic programs inspire curious minds and promote a joy of learning, allowing students to reach their full potential.

Future-Ready Learners
We are:
Compassionate community members
Meaningful contributors
Innovative thinkers and designers
Storytellers and advocates
Protagonists of our own learning

Differentiated Spanish and Catalan Program
While English is our core language of instruction, students also receive daily Spanish lessons as well as the opportunity to study Catalan. Spanish and Catalan are taught by native speakers of each language. Students participate in classes at either the native-level, or as a language learner.

Harnessing Home Languages Through Translanguaging
As so many of our students have different home languages, we use translanguaging pedagogies to support their learning. We provide students with opportunities to use their home language in class to help them think and learn in English, Spanish and Catalan

A Collaborative Learning Community

Your child’s education is supported by the valuable partnerships developed between families and the school. We welcome and encourage parental involvement to support and celebrate student learning.

A Typical Day
School begins at 9:00 AM, but students can enjoy playing outside on the playground as early as 8:30 AM. When the bell rings, students head inside for “morning meeting” where they greet each other, have the opportunity to connect and share, and discuss the day ahead. Morning lessons might include literacy studio, followed by “Number Corner,” which includes problems and investigations in math. Afternoon lessons include many specialist classes, such as art, Spanish, music, and more.

At the lunch-recess break, students can choose to play on our rooftop terrace, the playground, the soccer field or play quiet games and read in the library. After recess it is time for lunch in our cafeteria, followed by afternoon lessons. At the end of the day, students have a closing meeting to say goodbye to each other and reflect on the day. The school day ends at 4:00 PM but many of our students stay for a wide variety of after school activities from 4:00 PM until 5:30 PM.

Watch a video about a typical day in ASB Elementary here:

Read more about Elementary at ASB here