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Barcelona High School
A young American-curriculum school founded in 2020 by Akida Mashaka, a Harvard-graduate entrepreneur. Two campuses now, primary and preschool in Gràcia, secondary in Poblenou, with AP courses delivered as the alternative to IB or A-Levels.
In brief
A young American-curriculum school founded in 2020 by Akida Mashaka, a Harvard-graduate entrepreneur. Two campuses now, primary and preschool in Gràcia, secondary in Poblenou, with AP courses delivered as the alternative to IB or A-Levels.
BHS started during Covid with five students in a basement and has grown to around 500 across both campuses, with full Spanish Ministry of Education accreditation and WASC accreditation. The school markets a proprietary BHS Method centred on entrepreneurial pedagogy, and AP delivery is real, with the school operating as the AP exam centre for Europe. University outcomes for early cohorts have included strong US placements.
The honest read is that this is a founder-led startup school rather than an established institution, and the parent voice tracks that pattern: very positive on personal attention, smaller class sizes, and the founder's accessibility, with the trade-off that systems and policies are still being built. Suits families who want an AP-based US route in central Barcelona, are comfortable with a young school, and value being known by name over scale.
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preschool & Kindergarten (PK3-K5) | 3 | Annual | €13,900 |
| Elementary (Grades 1-5) | 6 | Annual | €15,900 |
| Middle School (Grades 6-8) | 11 | Annual | €17,900 |
| High School (Grades 9-10) | 14 | Annual | €20,900 |
| Pre-University High School (Grades 11-12) | 16 | Annual | €21,900 |
| Online (Grades K-12) | Annual | €13,900 | |
| Annual Matriculation Fee | One-time | €1,000 | |
| One-Time Entrance Fee | One-time | €2,500 |
Reviews
- A small American start-up in Gracia, founded in 2020. Online commentary is sparse but positive, anchored on intimacy and personalised attention rather than facilities or breadth.
- One parent said their teenagers absolutely loved the school, that fees sit above ten thousand euros but well below the established American and British schools in the city, and that the year group has grown rapidly. Another parent said friends had transferred children from the US and the all-English environment worked well.
- The four reviews on the school's directory listings are uniformly five-star but read as testimonial: parents and students naming staff by first name, crediting them with college-essay help and confidence gains. Useful as direction of travel, light on independent weight.
- Independent material on academic outcomes, university destinations or how the school handles its growth phase is not yet available online.
Head of school
Amanda Slefo
Amanda Slefo is the Director of Barcelona High School, bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for innovative education. She believes in creating a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically and personally, fostering a love for learning and self-discovery.
Accreditations
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (Accrediting Commission for Schools) 01