FAQs

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.  

Among equally qualified applicants, priority consideration will be given, in no particular order, to:

• U.S. citizens

• Students with an international background and/or experience

• Returning students

• Children who are siblings of currently enrolled students 

• Children of ASB alumni 

Given the volume of applications we receive, we cannot guarantee admission based on any of these factors. The final admissions decision is determined by the Admissions Team.

For 11th grade/IB applicants, the student must have passing grades in all subjects in 9th and 10th grades. IB transfer students will only be considered on an exceptional basis when all of the subjects align with ASB offerings, and the student must be able to enroll by October 15.

For PK3 applicants, the child must be toilet trained and able to feed him/herself before starting school. 

Neither race, creed, color, gender, religion nor sexual orientation is considered within the admissions criteria. 

For September admissions, we recommend families to submit a complete application by January 31. Decisions are made by mid-to-late February 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.

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, nor based on first-come, first served.

Once an offer of admission is made to an applicant in the waiting pool, the family has three business 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.  

All students are encouraged to pursue the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Those who fail to satisfy the entire set of requirements are awarded a certificate for examinations completed. In addition, all graduating students earn the American High School Diploma. Students who successfully complete the full IB Diploma Program can apply for Spanish university entrance.

Yes to both questions. For more detail, please read our document about how the IB Diploma Program works with Spanish universities and how a student becomes eligible to earn the ESO.

No, we do not have any boarding facilities. Students must reside with at least one parent or legal guardian in the Barcelona area in order to attend ASB. We discourage applicants who will be residing in student housing.  

We have over 60 nationalities represented at ASB. Approximately 25% are North American, 30% are Spanish, and 45% are from other countries.

We serve students from PK3 through grade 12 (ages 3-18). Below you will find a table with the correlation of programs for the 2024-25 academic year:

Yes, we offer rolling admissions. While most students start in September, students may also enroll at other times during the school year as long as there is space available.