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Deutsche Schule Barcelona

Spain, Barcelona

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, Spanish, English
Fees €6,350 - 6,380
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 1500
Type Co-educational
Opened 1894
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum
Taught languages Spanish, French, English
Typical class size 20
Strengths Sport, STEM, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form, Preschool
Introduction

Deutsche Schule Barcelona is a private, officially recognized German overseas school in Spain, funded by the German federal government and awarded the label Excellent German Overseas School. It delivers a German–Spanish encounter education from kindergarten through the German International Abitur after twelve grades. From grade 1, almost all subjects are taught in German and follow Iberian regional curricula approved by KMK; in addition to German and Spanish, students study English, Catalan and, from grade 9, optional French. The campus supports about 1,500 students and features a building with break areas, sports facilities, a canteen, a library, and science laboratories. The program emphasizes mathematics and the natural sciences, alongside social and humanities education, with a focus on developing social and civic competencies. Around 120 students graduate with the DIA each year, recognized as the Spanish Bachillerato. After-school activities include basketball, soccer, dance, robotics, and clubs such as MUN and Oracy Club.

Av. de Jacint Esteva Fontanet, 105, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

The Essentials

Deutsche Schule Barcelona has 1,500 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in German, Spanish, English.

Location
Av. Jacint Esteva i Fontanet, 105, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

Stages
Kindergarten (2–6 years, with preschool program); Grundschule (grades 1–4); Oberschule (grades 5–12; includes Sekundarstufe I and Sekundarstufe II); Haupt- und Realschule (secondary tracks)

Type
Private, officially recognized German overseas school (Deutsche Auslandsschule) in Spain; funded by the German federal government; awarded the label Excellent German Overseas School

Additional learning support
Begegnungsklassen (integration classes) for students from Catalan/Spanish schools; two Begegnungsklassen per year group from grade 5; class composition includes half German-speaking students and half Catalan/Spanish/English-speaking students learning German as a foreign language; Schulberatung (counseling) and university preparation courses available

Country affiliation
Germany

Bus service
Bus service provided via multiple private operators, including Durá Autocars SL (Barcelona, north of Diagonal) and Autocares Sermarbus (Barcelona, south of Diagonal), Autocares InterCar (Castelldefelds), and Grand Lord Bus (Sant Cugat del Vallès); arrangements handled directly with providers
Diving Deeper

Food Options
The DSB Mensa was renovated in summer 2017 to create a bright, welcoming dining space. There are three meal-service points for students and an additional area for teachers and other staff, ensuring quick service. The daily rotating menu is displayed on modern screens from 8:00, and the monthly meal plan can be viewed in the SANED app. The Mensa also includes a cafeteria offering healthy snacks and drinks. The kitchen uses organic products and seasonal, locally sourced fruits and vegetables.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a recognized German Auslandsschule funded by the German federal government and carries the Exzellente Deutsche Auslandsschule seal. The Deutsche Schulverein Barcelona is the sponsoring body of the school.
Fees

Annual tuition at Deutsche Schule Barcelona ranges from EUR 6,350 to EUR 6,380 for 2026/27.

Scope and academic year
- These fees apply to the school year 2025/26.

Application / registration fees
- No separate application or registration fee is listed for admission to the kindergarten, primary or secondary levels. (Admission uses downloadable application forms and an admission process.)

Tuition fees (by year group) — amounts shown per month and as the annual total
- Kindergarten (regular hours 08:00–13:00 / optional to 14:00): EUR 638 per month; annual total EUR 6,380 (Sept.–Jun.).
- Classes 1–11 (Grundschule and Oberschule years 1–11): EUR 635 per month; annual total EUR 6,350 (Sept.–Jun.).
- Class 12 (Abitur year): EUR 707 per month; annual total EUR 6,363 (Sept.–May).

IT / digital device fees (by year group) — monthly and annual
- Classes 3–4: EUR 11 per month; annual total EUR 110.
- Classes 5–6: EUR 19 per month; annual total EUR 190.
- Classes 7–11: EUR 24 per month; annual total EUR 240.
- Class 12: EUR 27 per month; annual total EUR 243 (Sept.–May).

Additional kindergarten fees
- Early-care (07:30–08:00): EUR 25 per month; annual total EUR 250. Bus users are exempt from this charge.
- Afternoon care (five afternoons in the same group, 13:45–16:30): EUR 245 per month; annual total EUR 2,450. Prices do not include lunch.

Entrance deposit / foundation donation required on acceptance
- After written confirmation of admission, an amount must be credited to the Deutsche Schule Barcelona Foundation: for Kindergarten (I3–I4) at least EUR 2,500; for Vorschule, primary and secondary at least EUR 3,000. A donation receipt is issued. For an overseas stay by the pupil of up to 12 months, a further donation on return is not required.

Billing schedule and payment terms (tuition and general rules)
- Tuition is billed and collected monthly by direct debit (Einzugsermächtigung). If three monthly payments are unpaid, a processing fee of EUR 5 per attempted debit is charged.
- If the school start date falls within a month, the full monthly tuition for that month is due. For any begun month in which the pupil still attends, the full tuition for that month is payable. For withdrawals in May, tuition is collected through the end of June. Written withdrawal must be provided one month before the pupil's last school day (processing via the school's parent portal). Families with three or more children at primary and secondary can apply for a sibling discount through the parent portal. Consequences for outstanding balances can include exclusion from voluntary activities and denial of re-enrolment.

Mensa (school meals) — costs and billing
- Monthly pauschal (flat-rate) menus are available; standard menu price listed is EUR 6.10 per meal (including VAT) for kindergarten, primary and secondary in regular pauschal use; occasional single-ticket price is EUR 6.40 per ticket. Other meal-rate variants (pauschal + small meal) show EUR 6.96. Absence rules: if an absence is reported, 60% of the menu price is charged; if absence is reported eight days in advance, no charge; for consecutive days the first three days are charged at 60% and from the fourth day no charge. Mensa billing is collected by direct debit between the 1st and 5th of the following month. Occasional lunch tickets may be purchased by bank card or cash according to the mensa rules.

Other recurring or program fees and incidental costs
- Schoolbooks and material lists are published per grade and must be purchased separately; specific book costs vary by grade and publisher (book lists and digital-book instructions are provided).
- School-operated extracurricular activities, the music school, summer school and university-preparation courses carry separate fees when applicable; those fees are charged according to the specific program terms. Menus, activity bookings and summer school include their own payment and cancellation conditions.
- School transport is arranged through independent bus operators; booking and payment for bus routes are handled directly with the bus companies and their fees and payment methods vary by operator. Bus service arrangements and contacts are provided by the school; invoices and payments are made with the transport companies.
- German preparatory and extra German-courses (outside regular tuition): the preparatory course (CPA) shows an annual fee of EUR 500 (paid in two installments); ongoing extra-curricular German course years list annual fees (example listing EUR 800 per year for certain levels). The donation required for entry into a Begegnungsklasse (side-entry immersion class) is shown separately (EUR 2,700).

Boarding
- The Deutsche Schule Barcelona operates as a day school; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed.

Refunds and cancellation specifics
- Tuition: cancellations require one month's written notice before the pupil's last day; the full monthly fee is due for any started month and, if withdrawal occurs in May, tuition continues to be collected through the end of June. Abmeldungen for single months are not permitted.
- Menus: the mensa rules set absence and refund/charge handling (60% charge for reported absences unless notified sufficiently in advance, details as stated under mensa rules).
- Entrance deposit/donation: the required entrance amount is designated as a donation and a donation receipt is issued; no separate refund procedure for this donation is specified in the school's published fee information, and an overseas absence of up to 12 months removes the need to pay a new donation on return.

Payment methods and practical notes
- Regular tuition payments: collected monthly by direct debit (Einzugsermächtigung). Administrative fees apply for returned or repeatedly unpaid debits.
- Mensa: billed by direct debit monthly; occasional lunch tickets may be paid by bank card or cash depending on the pupil's age and the mensa point of sale.
- Bus: payment and invoicing handled directly with the external bus operators (contact details and routes provided by the school).
- Books and materials: purchased separately from publishers/retailers per the published grade material lists.

Gaps / items not listed as fees
- No separate one-off application or admission fee is listed in the school's admission and fees information. Specific prices for bus routes and for many extracurricular activities are not printed as part of the central tuition schedule because those services are contracted or priced separately; parents arrange and pay those services according to each provider's terms.
Academics

Deutsche Schule Barcelona teaches Bespoke Curriculum, German Curriculum for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum
The German School Barcelona (DSB) is an officially recognized German overseas school in private sponsorship. As an integrated German–Spanish encounter school, it offers education from kindergarten (starting at age two) to the German International Abitur after twelve grades. From the first grade, instruction in almost all subjects is in German and follows the Iberian regional curricula approved by Germany's KMK. In addition to German and Spanish, students learn English, Catalan and, from grade 9, optional French. The program emphasizes mathematics and the natural sciences as well as social and humanities education, with a focus on developing social and civic competencies. About 1,500 students are enrolled, and around 120 students graduate with the German International Abitur (DIA) each year, with the DIA recognized as the Spanish Bachillerato.

Higher Education Progression
The school offers University Preparation Courses (Universitätsvorbereitungskurse) as part of its Zusatzangebote to prepare students for higher education.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The School Counseling Team supports students on their path to school readiness. The team works closely with the school's committees, working groups, and leadership to actively contribute to inclusion, prevention, and communication as part of school development. The team currently consists of two psychologists, a special education teacher, and a social worker. The focus is on emotional-social development, including anxiety, separation anxiety, disruptive behavior, eating disorders, and fears, as well as concentration difficulties (ADHD), stress management and self-care, and challenging family dynamics (such as divorce and bereavement). School social work provides counseling and support to students, teachers, and parents; mediation and conflict resolution; and project work on topics such as violence, addiction, love, sexuality and relationships; and conflict resolution activities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Preventive small-group support and diagnostic assessment are provided in grades 1 and 2. Counseling and support are available for literacy development and dyslexia (LRS) for students, teachers, and parents. Dyskalkulie (dyscalculia) is addressed through targeted support. Autism spectrum and other special educational needs are accommodated. The program integrates support for students with sonderpädagogischem Förderbedarf within the school's overall educational approach.

Mental Wellbeing
The School Counseling Team supports students' emotional-social balance and their academic development. The team provides counseling with a focus on emotional-social development, addressing anxiety, separation anxiety, disruptive behavior, eating disorders, and fears, as well as concentration difficulties (ADHD), stress management and self-care, and challenging family dynamics (divorce, bereavement). The team includes school psychology services for parental guidance, emotional-social development, and coping strategies. School social work offers mediation and support to promote positive group dynamics and project work on topics such as violence, addiction, love, sexuality and relationships, and conflict resolution. Preventive small-group work and targeted learning development contribute to students' mental wellbeing.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is integrated into the school's approach through the School Counseling Team with a focus on inclusion, prevention, and communication. The team works in close collaboration with teachers and parents to safeguard students' wellbeing. The School Counseling Team comprises two psychologists, a special education teacher, and a social worker. The team addresses safeguarding topics through projects and mediation on issues such as violence and substance use, as well as relationships and conflict resolution. A multidisciplinary approach supports safeguarding by balancing emotional-social development with academic growth.
Parent Experience

History
The 1894-founded Deutsche Schule Barcelona is a private integrated school that follows both the German and Spanish curricula. It is a German overseas school recognized by the federal government, with the quality seal 'Excellent German Overseas School'. The school provides a complete educational path from kindergarten through the German International Abitur after twelve years for students of any mother tongue. The campus currently hosts over 1,500 students. The teaching staff is composed of motivated, qualified teachers from diverse language and educational backgrounds. The DSB features a modern building in an attractive setting, spacious break areas, varied sports facilities, a large auditorium, a canteen and a library, and science rooms.

Community
The school community includes governing bodies (Gremien), the Parent Forum (Elternforum), Alumni, cooperation partners, and Sponsoring. It offers a broad range of after-school programs and facilities, including after-school activities, a music school, clubs and competitions, university preparation courses, German language courses, as well as a canteen, bus service, café and summer school.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parent Forum aims to strengthen the collaboration between school and families. It provides opportunities for parents to share experiences and reflect, with input from a DSB staff member on topics during the school year.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school campus currently houses more than 1,500 students. The teaching staff consists of motivated, qualified subject teachers from diverse linguistic and educational backgrounds. The school comprises a modern building in an attractive setting, spacious break areas, diverse sports facilities, as well as a large auditorium, a cafeteria, a library, and science laboratories.

Sports Facilities
The school has diverse sports facilities. After-school activities include basketball, soccer, capoeira, inline skating, volleyball, and swimming. The Grundschule and Oberschule also offer ballet, hip hop, and other movement-based activities as part of the after-school program.

Academic Facilities
The school has science laboratories for natural sciences. There is a library on campus to support study and research.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Kindergarten activities include Papperlapapp in German or Spanish in small groups with language development, apparatus gymnastics, Mugendo, Papperlapapp German, Papperlapapp Spanish, Play & Sing in English, swimming for preschoolers, and sensory experiences. Grundschule activities include Ballet; Basketball; Capoeira; Cooking with MyGran Chef; Homework supervision; Soccer; Gardening for children; Handicrafts; Homework supervision; Hip Hop; Martial arts; Magic / Illusions; Inline skating; Creative and self-confident; Art studio; Robotix 1; Robotix 1.2; Chess; Swimming; Padel; Volleyball; Yoga; Circus. Oberschule activities include Basketball; Capoeira; Cooking with MyGran Chef; Homework supervision; English First Certificate; Soccer; Handicrafts; Inline skating; Martial arts; Robotix II; Chess; Swimming; Theater: Young Drama; Volleyball.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
After-school programs include a broad range of academically oriented clubs and competitions. Students participate in Model United Nations (MUN), Interact, and the Oracy Club, developing public speaking, research and leadership through regular meetings and events. The school also supports national and international competitions such as Jugend forscht (Youth Research), Jugend debattiert, Mathematik-Olympiade, Känguru der Mathematik, Pangea, Bolyai Group Competition, and Bundeswettbewerb Mathematik, with preparation provided in club meetings. English language examination preparation is available for the First Certificate in English.

Arts & Creative
Arts-focused after-school offerings include Theater: Junges Drama, with weekly rehearsals and a final performance, where German is used for production and communication. Kreativ & Selbstbewusst uses theatre-based activities to build creativity, self-confidence and social skills. Circus (Zirkus) offers circus arts including acrobatics, juggling, and clown exercises, while Capoeira combines dance, martial arts, music, and acrobatics to teach values like respect, responsibility and trust.

Cultural & Language
German language support is provided through Papperlapapp, a language program for children that uses games and storytelling to build vocabulary and language skills. English language development includes preparation for the First Certificate in English. Oracy Club prepares students for Iberian Oracy League debates in English, and Model United Nations uses English for international debate.

Social & Hobbies
Gardening for children introduces them to the world of gardening, from soil preparation to planting and harvesting, fostering curiosity about nature and cycles. The group-growth activities emphasize social skills, leadership, and collaboration. Relational psychomotor training (Motriemotional) develops holistic growth—motor, emotional regulation, self-esteem, and social interaction.

Community & Service
Interact is the Rotary Club's youth organization, guiding students to engage in social projects and volunteer work, including support for homeless shelters and involvement with Red Cross and elder-care activities. Fundraising through school events such as Christmas markets and benevolent concerts supports social aid projects.

Leadership & Professional
Model United Nations builds leadership, public speaking and research skills through debate and policy work. The Oracy Club trains students to present confidently in English and participate in debates across multiple categories. Interact and MUN foster teamwork, project organization, and leadership through service and international collaboration.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Yoga for children promotes motor skills, flexibility, self-awareness, relaxation, and respect for self and others. Swimming strengthens coordination, endurance and confidence, with sessions at La Bonaigua and transportation by bus. Cooking with MyGran Chef teaches healthy cooking and healthy eating, while the Motriemotional program supports holistic development, emotional self-control and group cooperation.
Languages

Language Provision
German is the language of instruction in much of the curriculum; Spanish is taught as a main subject, and Catalan is a compulsory subject. In Grundschule (grades 1–4), weekly hours are: German 7, Spanish 5, Catalan 1 (grade 1) increasing to 2 hours (grades 3–4); Mathematics 5; and other subjects such as Art, Music, Ethics, Religion, and Sachunterricht fill the timetable to 30 hours per week, including a homeroom period and language-support structures (e.g., 2 hours of Kommunikativer-Integrativer Deutschunterricht, KID). English is taught as a separate language with an English curriculum for Sekundarstufe I (grades 5–10) that covers speaking, listening, reading, writing, and language skills, including units on topics such as travel, media literacy, and writing argumentative texts. The school offers the German International Abitur and the Spanish Bachillerato as dual final qualifications.

Bilingual Teaching
Begegnungsklassen integrate newcomers from Catalan or Spanish primary schools with German-speaking students. The two integration classes per year group, starting in grade 5, consist of half German-speaking children from the Grundschule and half children who speak Spanish, Catalan, or English and learn German as a foreign language. To meet different linguistic needs and abilities, in some subjects such as German, Mathematics, and Biology in grade 5 the Begegnungsklassen are taught together with the other groups, while the German-dominant children have common instruction. Graduates complete both the German International Abitur and the Spanish Bachillerato.

Immersion Programs
Begegnungsklassen provide immersion-style integration by mixing German-speaking and non-German-speaking students. They promote German language development and intercultural competencies; in grade 5 some subjects are taught in a mixed format to support language learning, while other classes run in parallel for native German speakers. The program aims to accelerate German-language acquisition and strengthen academic and social integration for all students.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Direct entry for students from the German education system: Direct entry is possible for students transferring from the German education system in any grade up to the start of Grade 11, subject to available capacity. An initial meeting clarifies questions about continuity and recognition of prior studies. Language prerequisites are assessed: if there is no Spanish knowledge, two years of follow-on Spanish (NUS) in small groups; with some knowledge, a placement test determines the appropriate level. Catalan is mandatory for all students and forms part of integration into the local education system; the integration process may last up to six years depending on language progression.

2. Path for children without German: Kindergarten admission involves playful language acquisition from the start. The German-language Preparation Course (CPA) runs for one year in parallel with Grade 4, twice weekly, with native-speaking teachers and individualized support. The Begegnungsklasse offers entry to Grade 5 with intensive language coaching and social integration. An intensive German program is provided, tailored to the child's level, with additional resources to support rapid integration into lessons and school life.

3. Your path to enrollment (application steps): Kindergarten admissions require downloading the application form for admission to Kindergarten and submitting it to the Kindergarten; Angela Madeleyn is the contact for guidance. For Grundschule/Oberschule admissions, download the GS/OS application form and submit it to the Secretary to the School Leadership, Stephanie Wickers; you may message her with questions. Ensure you provide any requested documents and follow up as advised by the school during the enrollment process.

4. Open days and tours: Kindergarten offers personal tours in small groups by arrangement. Belegungsklassen (from Grade 5) require registration for the Open Day to learn about the intake. Sign up for the appropriate Open Day or tour to gather information and ask questions directly to the admissions contacts.
School Events
The school has not added events
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