FAQs

We serve students from PK3 through grade 12 (ages 3-18). Below you will find a table with the correlation of programs for the 2026-27 academic year:

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 Committee.

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.  

ASB offers both the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) and the International Baccalaureate Careers Program (IBCP). Please see the HS section of our website or contact us for more information about these two programs. Note that all students who graduate from ASB receive the US High School Diploma.

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.

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.

School meets Monday through Friday, from 9:00 to 16:00. On Wednesdays, the school ends 30 minutes earlier at 15:30.

Students may arrive as early as 8:30 in the morning. The After School Program runs from 16:00 (15:30 on Wednesdays) to 17:30 and from 17:30 to 19:00.

We give preference to those students who are fluent in English. If space is available, we would consider students with a beginner level of English in grades PK3 through 2nd grade.

Yes. We offer beginner, intermediate and advanced levels of Spanish for students learning Spanish from Grade 1 up, as well as native level Spanish language, literature and history classes.

No, we do not require uniforms although there are dress code rules.

We strongly encourage parent involvement at ASB. Please visit the Parents section of our website to learn more about how parents can stay engaged. There are also numerous parent-led WhatsApp groups for all types of hobbies and interests. In addition, every Friday morning you will find parents on campus enjoying a coffee at our outdoor cafe.

We welcome students who require additional support due to learning differences, special educational needs or disabilities provided that, by making reasonable accommodations, our Student Support Team believes they will be able to meet the needs of that student. 

In the Elementary and Middle School, we provide limited Learning Support services for students with mild learning disabilities and for those who need support in developing early literacy skills and temporary targeted, academic interventions. In the High School, we offer limited support, such as organizational strategies and extended time on assessments.

A primary consideration in offering admission will be the student’s ability to access the regular curriculum with limited support, and the level of resources needed to support the applicant. Unfortunately, we cannot offer places to students who need extensive curriculum modifications or constant one-to-one support.

Prior to applying to ASB, parents with children with special needs are requested to submit all relevant documentation to the admissions department so that we may determine whether or not we have the right program to meet that child's needs. Documents that would be helpful include Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), report cards, and doctor or psychologist's evaluations.

Core academic subjects are taught in English, with a complementary Spanish and Catalan program emphasizing language, literature, and history. French is offered as an elective from 9th grade. The IB diploma program also gives students the option to do self-study in native tongue languages.

We offer a wide range of popular after school activities at all grade levels, including sports, performing arts, academic and other activities. Please see the After School Activities section of our website.

Yes. Please see the Sports section of our website.

Yes. We offer multiple bus routes into Barcelona, one to Sitges/Castelldefels, and one to Sant Cugat.