ES American School vs Learnlife

	E ES American School Barcelona, Spain	L Learnlife Barcelona, Spain
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €11,470 - 19,355	Fees / year €9,300 - 13,600
Age range	Age range 6 - 18 years	Age range 6 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (PYP), Advanced Placement (AP)	Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, American Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 141	Pupils 200
Typical class size	Typical class size 14	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, Spanish
Opened	Opened 1999	Opened 2017
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location ES American School operates two campuses: Barcelona, Spain, and Naples, Florida, USA. The Barcelona campus is located on Autovía de Castelldefels (C-31), Km 191, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain, on the Emilio Sánchez Academy campus. It is ten minutes by taxi from Barcelona International Airport (T1 or T2) and about fifteen minutes from downtown Barcelona by taxi or car. The Naples campus is ES Academy Naples, at 2035 Sánchez Casal Way, Naples, Florida, 34105, USA.	Location Learnlife operates hubs in the Barcelona area: Urban Hub at Carrer d'Enric Granados 7, 08007 Barcelona; Eco Hub at Passeig Marítim 139, 08860 Castelldefels; and Village Hub at Rambla del Garraf 48, Local 1G, 08812 Les Roquetes. These hubs are accessible by public transport or car, with carpools common for travel from Barcelona, Castelldefels and Sitges.
Stages	Stages Elementary (grades 1–5), Middle School (grades 6–8), High School (grades 9–12).	Stages Primary Programme for ages 6-12; Secondary Programme for ages 12-18 at two locations: Urban Hub Barcelona (ages 12-18) and Village Hub Sitges/Sant Pere de Ribes (ages 10-16) opened in 2024.
School type	School type International school	School type International school network with hub-based learning across Learnlife Urban Hub, Eco Hub and Village Hub.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix The Learnlife community is globally diverse with families from 32 nationalities; the most common nationalities are Spain (25%), the USA (19%), the UK (9%), and Germany (6%).
Additional learning support	Additional learning support English language support classes for students whose native language is not English.	Additional learning support Learning support is provided through a Learning Support Lead, Learning Guides and Assistants, and coordination with external specialists; personalised plans include language acquisition for non-native speakers, executive functioning, literacy and numeracy, social-emotional growth, and pathways for gifted learners. The number of high-support learners per Hub is limited.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Spain and United States	Country affiliation Spain
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application Fees - One-time non-refundable application fee for all new applicants: EUR 250. Legacy (Admission) Fee - One-time non-refundable Legacy Fee for new students: EUR 4,000. Tuition and Mandatory Academic Fees (by school level) - Elementary School (1st–5th grade): - Tuition (annual): EUR 13,330. - Tuition (semester): EUR 6,665. - Physical Education & Enrichment Program: included in the Elementary fee. - Materials & Books (one-off, per academic year or semester): EUR 520. - Activities Fee (annual / semester): EUR 460 / EUR 230. - Library Fee (annual / semester): EUR 90 / EUR 45. - Middle School (6th–8th grade): - Tuition (annual): EUR 11,550. - Tuition (semester): EUR 5,775. - Physical Education & Enrichment Program (annual / semester): EUR 3,320 / EUR 1,660 (mandatory except where the student is enrolled in an ES Academy tennis program that includes these services). - Materials & Books (one-off): EUR 520. - Activities Fee (annual / semester): EUR 460 / EUR 230. - Library Fee (annual / semester): EUR 90 / EUR 45. - High School (9th–12th grade): - Tuition (annual): EUR 12,720. - Tuition (semester): EUR 6,360. - Physical Education & Enrichment Program (annual / semester): EUR 3,320 / EUR 1,660 (mandatory except where the student is enrolled in an ES Academy tennis program that includes these services). - Materials & Books (one-off): EUR 520. - Activities Fee (annual / semester): EUR 460 / EUR 230. - Library Fee (annual / semester): EUR 90 / EUR 45. Total Compulsory Annual School Fees (examples) - New student (enrolled in ES Academy tennis program): - Elementary: EUR 18,650. - Middle: EUR 16,870. - High: EUR 18,040. - New student (not an ES Academy tennis player): - Elementary: EUR 18,650 (components sum to the same level as above for Elementary). - Middle: EUR 20,190. - High: EUR 21,360. - Returning student (enrolled in ES Academy tennis program): - Elementary: EUR 14,400. - Middle: EUR 12,620. - High: EUR 13,790. - Returning student (not an ES Academy tennis player): - Elementary: EUR 15,940. - Middle: EUR 17,110. - High: (referenced totals are provided in the school fee schedule). Optional Services and Ancillary Charges - Buffet Lunch (ES Academy service): annual / fall term / spring term / daily: EUR 2,500 / EUR 1,000 / EUR 1,500 / EUR 15 per meal. - Daily Transportation (one-way): annual / fall / spring / daily: EUR 1,500 / EUR 600 / EUR 900 / EUR 10 per ride. - Daily Transportation (roundtrip): annual / fall / spring / daily: EUR 2,500 / EUR 1,000 / EUR 1,500 / EUR 20 per roundtrip. - ES Academy Energy Point: annual / fall / spring: EUR 500 / EUR 200 / EUR 300. - ES Academy tennis training: fees are set under separate ES Academy program schedules. - Private tutorials: EUR 55 per class. - Additional fees related to residence card processing, medical insurance (where applicable), NIE/EU registry, and similar administrative processes are charged separately through ES Academy services. Learning Support Fees (where required) - Support Plan A: Fall term EUR 900; Spring term EUR 1,300. - Support Plan B: Fall term EUR 1,300; Spring term EUR 1,900. - ELL Language Support: Fall term EUR 700; Spring term EUR 1,000. Reservation Deposit - Non-refundable reservation deposit: EUR 2,000 payable within two weeks after admission. This deposit is credited toward second-semester tuition and textbooks/materials and becomes a penalty (non-refundable) if the student withdraws before the second semester of the current academic year (unless enrolled for one semester only). Billing Schedule and Payment Terms - Standard billing: payments are made in advance each semester, due before 31 August (fall semester) and before 31 December (spring semester). A 3% reduction on tuition only applies if payment for the complete academic year is made before 31 August. - Installment payment plan (available on request in writing): requires the non-refundable EUR 2,000 reservation deposit and four scheduled payments of the balance (25% each) due prior to 31 August 2026, 1 November 2026, 31 December 2026, and 1 April 2027. An additional fee of 5% is applied to the total tuition for this payment option. Refund Information - Withdrawals are eligible for refunds of tuition and fees according to this schedule: - Before the first day of classes: 100% refund of tuition and applicable fees (Application Fee, Tuition Reservation Deposit, and Legacy Fee are non-refundable). - Within the first 30 calendar days of the semester: 50% refund (students dismissed for disciplinary reasons are not eligible for a refund and parents remain responsible for outstanding fees). - In the second 30 calendar days of the semester: 25% refund. - After the first 60 calendar days of the semester: no refund. Family Reduction - Family Reduction Plan: 5% reduction of tuition only and 5% reduction of the Physical Education Program only for the next sibling enrolled at the same time; 20% reduction of the Legacy Fee for the next sibling. The reduction applies to the tuition of lower value. Tuition reductions are not cumulative. Graduation and Miscellaneous Fees - Graduation fee for Grade 12 students: EUR 420. Accepted Payment Methods and Payment Details - All school fees are payable in euros. - Bank transfer (details provided): payments may be made by bank transfer to Banco Sabadell Atlántico (IBAN: ES11 0081 0025 21 0003225532; SWIFT: BSABESBBXXX). Include the student name on transfer and payer covers any bank charges. Proof of transfer should be emailed to admin@es-school.com. Cash deposit may be made at any Banco Sabadell branch using the same account information. - Credit card payments: accepted via a signed Credit Card Authorization (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) submitted to the school; recurring charges may be authorized via that form. Notes on Mandatory Elements - The Physical Education & Enrichment Program is mandatory for all Middle and High School students unless the student is enrolled in an annual or semi-annual “Tennis + School” program at ES Academy (in which case related charges are handled through ES Academy billing).	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - Application fee: EUR 95. - Enrolment (one-off) fee: EUR 800. Tuition and annual programme fees (by Hub and year group) - Urban Hub (Barcelona): - Explorers & Creators (ages 12–16): Annual programme fee EUR 10,500. Payment option shown as 10 monthly instalments of EUR 1,050. Annual (administrative) fee EUR 1,050. - Changemakers (ages 16–18): Annual programme fee EUR 11,350. Payment option shown as 10 monthly instalments of EUR 1,135. Annual (administrative) fee EUR 1,135. - Eco Hub (Castelldefels, Primary ages 6–12): Annual programme fee EUR 11,500. Payment option shown as 10 monthly instalments of EUR 1,150. Annual (administrative) fee EUR 1,150. - Village Hub (Sant Pere de Ribes / Sitges): - Pioneers (ages 10–12): Annual programme fee EUR 10,500. Payment option shown as 10 monthly instalments of EUR 1,050. Annual (administrative) fee EUR 1,050. - Explorers & Creators (ages 12–16): Annual programme fee EUR 11,350. Payment option shown as 10 monthly instalments of EUR 1,135. Annual (administrative) fee EUR 1,135. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing structure: Tuition may be paid as a single annual payment or as 10 monthly instalments. A 5% discount is applied when the full annual programme fee is paid in one payment prior to enrolment. A 5% sibling discount applies to the second and subsequent children. - Monthly payment timing: instalment option is presented as 10 monthly payments (the published instalment amounts correspond to 10 monthly payments). Boarding fees - Boarding is not listed for the Urban, Eco, or Village Hubs. No boarding fees are published for these Hubs. Learnlife's Hubs operate as day programmes. Other costs and additional charges - Annual (administrative/programme) fee: each Hub and year group includes a separately listed annual fee (amounts shown above). - Uniform and kit: no compulsory school uniform fee or uniform kit charge is published for the Urban, Eco, or Village Hubs; uniform costs are not specified alongside the published programme fees. - Extra-curricular, meals, transport, exam or specialist activity charges: specific additional service fees (for example external exam entry fees, transport, daily meals, optional after-school clubs or specialist tuition) are not listed together with the published programme fees; families should expect that optional services or external costs may be invoiced separately where applicable. Refund information - Refund and withdrawal terms are not published alongside the headline application, enrolment and programme fees on the public Admissions & Fees summary. Specific refund, cancellation or withdrawal conditions for deposits, enrolment fees or tuition instalments are not listed in the admissions summary. Fee payment options - Payment formats shown in the published fee information include a single annual payment or 10 monthly instalments for tuition; the admissions summary also notes the 5% annual-payment discount. Specific payment methods (for example card, direct debit, or bank transfer) are not detailed on the public Admissions & Fees summary. Contact details are published for arranging enrolment and payments. Discounts and concessions - Sibling discount: 5% discount on programme fees for the second and subsequent children enrolled. - Annual-payment discount: 5% discount on the programme fee when paid as a single annual payment prior to enrolment. If you need this text in a different currency or formatted for your database, convert the EUR amounts accordingly.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system Learners are grouped into Adventurers (ages 6–8), Discoverers (ages 8–10) and Pioneers (ages 10–12).
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership Learnlife operates Eco Hub in Castelldefels and Village Hub in Sitges/Sant Pere de Ribes; the site footer references Our Dream School SL as the entity.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school offers three academic levels: Elementary (grades 1–5), Middle School (grades 6–8), and High School (grades 9–12). The Elementary Program is an IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). The curriculum is within the framework of the American educational system. The Middle School program emphasizes creativity, inquiry, and teamwork to prepare students for high school. The High School program is university-preparatory and leads to an American High School Diploma, with students able to homologate to the Spanish system for university access. The school also offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses as part of its program.	Curriculum details Curriculum is the Learnlife Competency Model, a framework built on years of research and best practices from pioneering educators. It aligns with the local Ministry of Education and centers on five learning domains—Learning to Be, Learning to Think, Learning to Learn, Learning to Relate, and Learning to Act—delivered through Building Blocks. Learning experiences promote agency, real-world relevance, and a mix of project-based, design-thinking, play-based, and nature-based methods. Academic foundations in English, literacy, numeracy, science, humanities and languages are developed through an interdisciplinary approach with real-world application. Assessment is ongoing and competency-based, using Learning Vitae, 360 assessments, showcases and portfolios rather than traditional exams; languages are taught in English, with opportunities to learn Spanish and Catalan, and multilingual learning guides support the programme.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results Exams may be required for pathways. If learners need to pass an exam to reach their chosen pathway, schedules can be adapted and learners are supported to prepare; several learners have done this, and their exam results are well above national benchmarks.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates attend universities around the world. Notable destinations include New York University, UCLA, Columbia University, Cornell University, Emory University, ESADE, University of Miami, University of Florida, and others. The university placement program includes college counseling, SAT preparation, and the school functions as an official SAT Test Center. The NCAA, NJCAA, and NAIA guidelines are observed to assist student-athletes in college admissions.	Higher education progression Graduates design their own next steps through the Pathways Programme, with guidance and structure to reach their goals. Urban Hub learners who meet the criteria can obtain an American High School Diploma and may qualify for the Spanish ESO Certificate, opening doors to top global universities.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Pathways for gifted learners exist, with personalised plans and access to Learning Guides; support may include coordination with external specialists and additional learning plans.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning The school promotes strong values through its 'Character Matters'. Students are expected to show respect, effort and discipline and display integrity, humility and international mindedness. The approach reinforces intellectual and social awareness within a nurturing environment.	Social & emotional learning Learnlife supports social-emotional learning through personal mentoring and supportive relationships, fostering a sense of belonging in a diverse community. The programme sparks curiosity and makes learning meaningful and hands-on, with learners taking charge of their learning. Learners build confidence through mentoring and by pursuing real-world projects with guidance from teachers and mentors. A Pathways Programme helps learners translate interests into concrete next steps with guidance and structure. When additional support is needed, the team co-creates individualized plans, with explicit focus on social-emotional growth and wellbeing.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) All students receive individualized attention, close academic guidance and personal counseling. A Guidance Counselor is on staff to support student needs.	Special educational needs (SEN) Learnlife provides learning support led by a Learning Support Lead, with Learning Guides and Assistants. Personalised plans are co-created with families and may involve coordination with external specialists such as psychologists and speech therapists. Areas of support include language acquisition for non-native speakers; executive functioning, literacy and numeracy; social-emotional growth and wellbeing; and pathways for gifted learners. Support is delivered by Learning Guides and Assistants with options for external specialist involvement to meet individual goals.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language The language of instruction is English. New students for whom English is not their native language take an English Placement Test during the first week; students whose results indicate insufficient English proficiency will take additional language support classes.	English as an additional language Our programmes are delivered in English. We offer Spanish and Catalan to develop language skills, and Learning Guides are multilingual and speak English, Spanish and Catalan.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing Personal counseling is available and a Guidance Counselor supports student wellbeing.	Mental wellbeing There is a clear focus on social-emotional growth and wellbeing as part of learner support. Learners receive mentoring to support personal development, and progress is tracked through the Learning Vitae and 360 assessments. Pathways for future planning and showcases provide opportunities to reflect on growth and plan next steps.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding The Anti-discrimination Policy states ES American School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or physical disability.	Safeguarding The Learnlife Child Protection Policy prioritises the safety of learners. The policy outlines roles such as a Hub Child Protection Officer and a Child Protection Response Team, mandatory annual professional development for staff, and reporting obligations by law. It covers disclosures, investigations, and communications, and provides resources for staff and parents. In certain cases, external child protection investigators may be engaged. The policy aligns with international human rights standards and applicable national laws.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school has a campus set in a beautiful, tree-lined environment with abundant green spaces. The school has tennis courts, padel courts and a fully equipped gym, along with other sports facilities. The Mulberry Tree Walk leads to the XIX Century Masia building, the swimming pool, a professional restaurant and a large pond. The school has a horse riding facility on campus. The campus is located about 20 minutes from downtown Barcelona, offering an oasis from city life.	Facilities overview Learnlife Urban Hub Barcelona is an international secondary school and education innovation hub in the heart of Barcelona. It uses hands-on learning with no rows of desks, featuring expert studios and open spaces where learners collaborate on projects. The space is designed to foster self-discovery, creativity and lifelong learning through real-world inquiry. Visuals of the space show dedicated spaces such as a music studio and other project-focused environments that support active learning.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The school has tennis courts, padel courts and a fully equipped gym on campus, with other sports facilities. The school has world-class tennis facilities, coaches and physiotherapy services available through the Emilio Sánchez Academy. The school has a Sports Science Facility to promote health, training and athletic performance for student-athletes. The school has nutrition services providing meals prepared daily with fresh, local produce and nutrition education.	Sports facilities Rooftop sports court provides outdoor space for physical activity. The campus environment includes spaces that support active learning and collaboration as part of the Learnlife approach.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The library provides texts in English, Spanish and Catalan. The Science Lab is equipped with hands-on materials for hypothesis, experimentation, analysis and exploration. Lessons are taught using real-world applications whenever possible.	Academic facilities Programmes are delivered in English, with Spanish and Catalan offered to develop language skills. The curriculum is the Learnlife Competency Model, built on five learning domains—Learning to Be, Learning to Think, Learning to Learn, Learning to Relate, and Learning to Act—and delivered through Building Blocks. Learning experiences are agency-driven, with authentic, real-world projects and a diverse mix of methodologies such as project-based learning and design thinking. Assessment is competency-based via the Learning Vitae, with Showcases and 360 Assessments; graduates can earn an American High School Diploma and/or the Spanish ESO certificate as pathways. The secondary day is structured around Explorers (ages 12-14), Creators (ages 14-16), and Changemakers (ages 16-18), and multilingual Learning Guides support language development and inclusion.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities The school has an on-campus horse riding facility used by some students. Through the Emilio Sánchez Academy, ES American School students access world-class tennis facilities, coaching and physiotherapy services. The campus supports athletics with on-site gym and tennis facilities.	Extra curricular facilities Extracurricular spaces include a music studio and project-oriented studios that accompany hands-on learning. A Rooftop sports court supports physical activity as part of the daily rhythm. Learners showcase their work in Showcases once per cycle, with 360 Assessments and the Learning Vitae providing ongoing evidence of growth.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Since 1999, ES American School has offered an outstanding education. Our students represent over 40 nationalities, and we empower them to be lifelong learners and to excel as flexible, creative, critical thinkers, prepared to succeed in our culturally diverse, rapidly changing world. With campuses in Barcelona, Spain and Naples, Florida, USA, the school offers an independent, coeducational, American elementary, middle and high school program for students from 1st to 12th grade. The curriculum follows the Florida Department of Education guidelines, while benefiting from the diverse cultures represented to bring a global perspective to the curriculum. Students receive individualized attention, close academic guidance and personal counseling to ensure both academic competencies and the development of individual strengths and talents.	History Learnlife was founded in 2017 with the mission to positively transform education worldwide. It built a learning innovation framework that empowers hundreds of learners and educators on programmes and training, and provides a roadmap for transformational change. It created a global community uniting 27,000+ educators and learning innovators on a transformational journey. It has inspired public and private schools worldwide, activating over 500 education leaders to transform their learning communities.
Community	Community ES American School fosters a sense of community through Student Life programs. Students are organized into eight Spirit Houses to promote teamwork, leadership, and constructive competition, culminating in Spirit Day and Mental Mania. The school hosts a range of special events throughout the year, including Halloween Festivities, Thanksgiving Luncheon, Calçotada Luncheon, Multicultural Fair, and Writers' Fair. Off-campus excursions provide field-trip experiences around Barcelona for all grades, supervised by teachers to support community-building and lasting memories. The Student Council and Eco Committee, along with a Monthly Newsletter, support student-led activities and communication across the school.	Community Learnhubs are lighthouses for learning innovation and the starting point to build an ecosystem around Personal Learning. In Barcelona, two Learnhubs—the Urban Hub and the Eco Hub—have hosted over 170 full-time learners aged 6-18. The learning spaces are open and welcoming, with a community host at entry; there are no classrooms with closed doors, no principal's office, and spaces are flexible for collaboration and independent study. Learnlife Urban Hub in Barcelona and Eco Hub in Castelldefels are predominantly English-speaking environments, with conversations that can occur in Spanish, English, and Catalan across the Centre.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Science Fair is part of ES American School's academic life, with ESIS Science Fair 2016 highlighted as an example. The school also hosts a university fair, the BISA&CIS University Fair, hosted by ES International School, Sanchez-Casal. These events emphasize science and higher education opportunities.	Academic & intellectual The secondary day is project-based, with teens learning through studios and solving real-world problems. Explorers (ages 12-14), Creators (ages 14-16) and Changemakers (ages 16-18) form the core learning groups. The curriculum uses an interdisciplinary approach that integrates literacy, numeracy, science and other key domains, and places emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. Assessments are authentic and ongoing, including showcases and 360 assessments, rather than traditional exams.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Writers' Fair and Talent Show are prominent arts events in ES American School's student life. Writers' Fair appears in the graduation-related content, and ESIS Talent Show is noted as well.	Arts & creative Expressive Arts is a Learnlife community programme at Learnlife Barcelona Eco Hub in Castelldefels. Art therapy builds self-esteem and enables learners to create and explore different materials, all from the perspective of planetary awareness and care for the environment and others. The activity runs in small groups (maximum seven) with materials provided. Sessions occur Mondays 16:30 to 17:30 and are suitable for ages 6 to 12.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Multicultural Fair is a featured cultural event, and celebrations such as Calçotada Luncheon, Halloween Festivities, and Thanksgiving Luncheon are observed at the school. These events bring together students from diverse backgrounds and cultures.	Cultural & language Learnlife programmes are delivered in English, with Spanish and Catalan offered to develop language skills. The Learnlife community celebrates diversity and multilingualism and provides many opportunities to develop language skills and engage with local culture. Learning Guides are multilingual and speak English, Spanish and Catalan. The multilingual approach helps learners develop language proficiency across contexts and cultures.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies An extensive calendar includes excursions off-campus to experience Barcelona and its surroundings. After-school clubs are available, alongside traditional social events such as Spirit Week and Pancake Day.	Social & hobbies Teens learn through collaboration on projects in studios rather than rows of desks. Passion-based studios include coding, music, sport, woodworking, cooking, art, multimedia and fashion. Learnlife balances freedom and routine in daily life to support autonomous learning. Community activities and events, such as family vision board workshops and other social gatherings, help learners connect with peers and families.
Community & service	Community & service The Student Council leads community-service efforts and fundraising, including activities that raise money for local charities. Panellet Bake Sale and other student-led fundraisers are part of these community initiatives.	Community & service Service-based learning combines learning objectives with community service to enrich the learning experience and strengthen communities. It is one of the 25 learning methodologies in the Learnlife toolkit. Learners engage in Impact Studios and community-driven events such as sustainability initiatives, including Sustain: Circular Economy workshops and upcycling exhibitions.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Spirit Houses organize leadership modules and culminate in competitions like Spirit Day and Mental Mania. The Student Council provides formal leadership roles for elected student leaders each year. Past presidents and leadership timelines are highlighted on the Student Council pages.	Leadership & professional The Pathways Programme provides guidance and structure to help learners design a personal pathway that matches their interests and goals. Mentors and Learning Guides coach and support learners throughout their journeys. Pathways include Showcases and 360 Assessments to capture progress and inform next steps. Graduates leave with clarity on their next steps and multiple possible futures.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Physical Education program is five hours per week and includes tennis training, with high-performance tennis on campus to support athletic development. The ESA motto emphasizes opportunities in tennis, education, and life, underscoring a focus on student-athlete wellbeing. The school also promotes a healthy environment and sustainability through eco initiatives and values like Character Matters.	Lifestyle & wellbeing A wellbeing check-in is part of the secondary day. A wellbeing framework covers cognitive, physical, social, emotional, spiritual and digital well-being, and actions promote a healthy lifestyle with physical activity, safe practices, healthy eating, adequate sleep, deliberate quiet and stress management.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English is the language of instruction for English/Language Arts and other core subjects, aligned to US Common Core standards. Spanish and Catalan are taught as immersion language classes in Elementary, with instruction delivered by native speakers. Foreign languages are part of graduation requirements with two credits.	Language provision English, Spanish and Catalan are taught. Learnlife Urban Hub in Barcelona and Eco Hub in Castelldefels are predominantly English-speaking environments, with opportunities for activities in other languages.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching Spanish and Catalan language classes are offered at native and non-native levels, with Spanish and Catalan courses delivered as immersion programs taught by native language speakers.	Bilingual teaching The school teaches in English and Spanish, with conversations that may take place simultaneously in Spanish, English and Catalan at different points in the Centre.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs Spanish and Catalan language classes are 100% immersion and taught by native language speakers.	Immersion programs Language groups and multi-language conversations create immersion-style learning across English, Spanish and Catalan.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards null
Accreditations	Accreditations MSA-CESS (Middle States Association for Colleges and Schools) accreditation; Centro Extranjero (foreign school) recognition by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Spanish Ministry of Education; MAIS (Mediterranean Association of International Schools) member; BISA (Barcelona International Schools Association) member.	Accreditations The New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) accredits Learnlife in full, and the Urban Hub secondary programme is officially recognised as an accredited international secondary school.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Submit a completed Application for Admission and all required materials. The application requires official transcripts for the last three academic years in the original language with an official certified English translation when applicable, and the transcripts must be uploaded in PDF format. An application fee of 250 euros is required. The school processes the Application for Admission only after all requirements are received and originals may need to be mailed by post or courier. 2. The language of instruction is English. New students whose native language is not English take the English Placement Test during the first week of attendance; students whose test results indicate insufficient English proficiency will be required to take English-language support classes suitable to their abilities. 3. Admissions: Students may join in fall or spring; full-year applicants have priority in the admission process. Twelfth grade students, in order to fulfill graduation requirements, must attend the full academic year. No admission decision is made until all application requirements have been submitted. 4. After admission, an official acceptance letter is issued. Please pay the €2,000 non-refundable reservation deposit. The visa process may take 1-2 months and is handled through the nearest Spanish Consulate; EU citizens do not need a visa. If visa is denied or attendance is canceled, tuition and accommodation fees are refunded with the exception of the reservation deposit. Upon arrival in Barcelona, the student must obtain a Spanish Student Residence Card and provide the required documents (passport, visa stamp, immigration entry date, health insurance, etc.).	Admissions Who should apply: Learnlife welcomes families seeking a school where positive relationships, passion and purpose, and self-discovery are at the heart of learning; learners gain the confidence and skills to thrive in life, not just exams. The community includes families from Spain and around the world, with 32 nationalities represented. How and when to apply: Applications are open all year round; Learnlife has grown quickly and had waiting lists in 2025 and expect them again in 2026. Fees and discounts: Application €95; Enrolment €800. Urban Hub Barcelona: Explorers & Creators (12–16) €1,050 annual fee; €10,500 annual programme (or 10 monthly payments of €1,050). Changemakers (16–18) €1,135 annual fee; €11,350 annual programme (or 10 monthly payments of €1,135). Eco Hub Castelldefels: €1,150 annual fee; €11,500 annual programme (or 10 monthly payments of €1,150). Village Hub Sant Pere de Ribes/Sitges: Pioneers (10–12) €1,050; Explorers & Creators (12–16) €1,135. Discounts: 5% sibling discount; 5% annual payment discount. Start your application: Schedule a call with the admissions team using the calendar below.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Applications are open all year round. There were waiting lists in 2025 and expect them again in 2026.
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