Cities / Barcelona / English Academy Santa Claus
English Academy Santa Claus
Small private trilingual early years and primary school in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, running since 1965 on a Montessori-influenced model for ages 3 to 12 with very low pupil numbers per class.
In brief
Small private trilingual early years and primary school in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, running since 1965 on a Montessori-influenced model. Ages 3 to 12, very low pupil numbers per class, fees in the 7,400 to 9,100 euro range.
Family-run feel rather than international school feel. English, Spanish and Catalan are used in roughly equal measure across the day, and the school is genuinely trilingual rather than English-with-Spanish-bolted-on. Spanish-speaking families consistently report strong English progression by Year 6, which is the main reason they choose it over the local concertados.
Reviews praise the small group sizes, the structured emphasis on manners and autonomy, and a stated zero tolerance line on bullying. The dissenting voices flag tired premises and uniform costs, and a management style that some find inflexible. No secondary stage, so families need a plan for age 12 onwards. A reasonable choice for parents who want a calm, small, English-immersion primary in the Bonanova area.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten 1 | 3 | €7,428 |
| Kindergarten 2 | 4 | €7,428 |
| Kindergarten 3 | 5 | €7,428 |
| Grade 1 | 6 | €7,428 |
| Grade 2 | 7 | €7,428 |
| Grade 3 | 8 | €9,128 |
| Grade 4 | 9 | €9,128 |
| Grade 5 | 10 | €9,128 |
| Grade 6 | 11 | €9,128 |
| Matriculation Fee | €428 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Fee | €1,120 |
Reviews
- A family-run private trilingual school in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, Barcelona, founded 1965 and focused on early years and primary. Total English immersion in Early Years and the Catalan curriculum delivered with strong English in primary.
- One parent groups it with Sant Gervasi schools they consider more affordable than Pedralbes options. Other parents and Barcelona schools directories describe a small, close-knit school with strong English outcomes and zero-tolerance bullying language.
- Parents in directory reviews describe staying for multiple children, valuing the bilingual immersion and the international atmosphere despite the school's local Catalan setting.
- Critical feedback from parents includes a complaint that the surrounding area looks dirty and dusty, that uniforms are poor quality and overpriced, and that management runs a strict regime. Critical voices are isolated rather than a pattern.
- No independent inspection signal. The school's small scale and local catchment keep it out of the international expat conversation.
Positives
- Bilingual outcomes. Parents report strong English from total immersion in Early Years and a maintained level through primary
- Family scale and continuity. Long-running family school where parents report keeping multiple children across years
Considerations
- Practical complaints. Isolated criticism of the surrounding street, uniform cost and quality, and a strict management style
- Public review depth. Almost no independent forum, Mumsnet or forum threads beyond a single Barcelona neighbourhoods comment
Academic results
- Trinity College exams successful results
- Cambridge Exams successful results
- Generalitat de Catalunya tests successful results