International Schools Directory

The Benjamin Franklin International School (BFIS) is an independent, coeducational day school, which offers an educational program from nursery through grade 12 for students of all nationalities. The School was founded in 1986. The school year comprises 2 terms extending from September 1 to January 26, and from January 27 to June 21. The School is governed by a 10-member Board. BFIS is legally recognized as a Spanish Association and is owned by the Benjamin Franklin Foundation which is legally incorporated in Delaware, U.S.A. The curriculum is that of American general academic, college-preparatory schools. The School's testing program includes the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, the Test of Academic Proficiency, and the ERB Writing Assessment. The AP, PSAT, SAT, TOEFL and College Board Achievement Tests are available. Instruction is in English. Spanish, Catalan, and French are taught as foreign languages, and classes are given in Spanish literature and history for grades 6-12 in the Spanish language. Twelve Advanced Placement courses are offered in studio art, calculus, biology, chemistry, English language and composition, English literature composition, physics, French language, Spanish language and literature, European history and comparative government. Psychological testing and private tutorial assistance are available in the School and/or community. College counseling services and an Optimal Match Program are available for all students. ESL classes are available for grades K-8. The School is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The School moved to its present location in a residential area of Barcelona in 1991. The facilities consist of 2 renovated villas and 4 classroom annexes. The main villa houses grades 6-8, the library, the computer laboratory, the cafeteria, the kitchen, and main offices. Grades 1-5 are located in a separate annex with 2 playgrounds and the art and music rooms for all grades. Grades 9-10 are located in a separate annex. Grades 11-12 are in a villa annex with a computer lab. Nursery, prekindergarten and kindergarten have individual classrooms and a separate playground. There are 2 fully equipped laboratories for chemistry, physics, environmental science, and biology.