🏆 Why Barcelona High School (BHS) Is the Best Non-Traditional Alternative School in Spain
- Barcelona High School
- Oct 21
- 7 min read
Introduction: Redefining Education in the 21st Century
In the heart of Barcelona, a quiet revolution is changing the meaning of education. While most international schools in Spain continue to rely on traditional models designed centuries ago, Barcelona High School (BHS) has emerged as the school of the future. A non-traditional alternative international school built around innovation, wellness, and personalization.
Founded in 2020 by Akida Mashaka, a Harvard graduate and American entrepreneur, BHS was created in response to the educational crisis exposed during the Covid pandemic. While traditional schools struggled to adapt, BHS was born digital, flexible, and student-centered, designed specifically for the post-Covid world.
What makes BHS the best non-traditional alternative school in Spain is its rejection of the “one-size-fits-all” philosophy. Instead, the school emphasizes:
Personalized learning
Small class sizes
Experiential learning
Flexible curriculum and schedules
Holistic development
A positive and inclusive environment
Emotional intelligence and social skills
Real-world readiness
Each of these principles defines what makes BHS unique, relevant, and above all revolutionary.
1. Personalized Learning: Education Tailored to Every Student
In traditional schools, students are often treated as identical learners, expected to absorb information at the same pace and in the same way. At BHS, the philosophy is different: every student learns differently, and education should adapt to the learner, not the other way around.
Individualized Attention
Thanks to its small class sizes, BHS teachers can understand each student’s learning style, strengths, and challenges. Personalized learning plans ensure that no student gets left behind or held back. Whether a student excels in STEM, art, or entrepreneurship, their education path is tailored to their passions and goals.
Beyond Grades: Focusing on Growth
Instead of defining success by test scores alone, BHS tracks individual growth and progress. Students set personal goals, reflect on their development, and are encouraged to take ownership of their learning journey, a key factor in long-term success and motivation. This approach empowers students to become independent thinkers, not passive recipients of knowledge.
2. Small Class Sizes: The Foundation of Connection
In most traditional schools, classrooms are overcrowded, leaving teachers overwhelmed and students overlooked. BHS was intentionally designed to maintain small student-teacher ratios — a critical feature of non-traditional, future-focused education.
Building Strong Relationships
Small class sizes create a family-like atmosphere where students feel safe, known, and valued. Teachers become mentors, guiding students not just academically, but emotionally and socially.
Personalized Feedback and Support
With fewer students, teachers can provide real-time, meaningful feedback. Students can ask questions, take academic risks, and receive the support they need to thrive. This close-knit environment fosters confidence and trust and the cornerstones of successful learning.
3. Experiential Learning: Learning by Doing
One of the key reasons why BHS stands apart from traditional schools is its focus on experiential learning. Learning through action, experience, and reflection.
The BHS Method™: Build. Harvest. Succeed.
BHS’s unique educational approach, the BHS Method™, replaces passive memorization with active, project-based learning. Students build real projects, collaborate with peers, and learn by solving real-world problems.
For example:
In science, they design experiments that test hypotheses instead of simply reading about them.
In entrepreneurship, they create business plans, pitch ideas, and learn the principles of innovation.
In social studies, they engage in debates, community projects, and simulations that connect them to global issues.
The Power of Experience
Experiential learning teaches resilience, creativity, and adaptability are the skills essential for the 21st-century workforce. Unlike traditional education that rewards correctness, BHS rewards curiosity, experimentation, and critical thinking.
4. Flexible Curriculum: Education That Evolves With the World
While most schools in Spain, both public and private, follow rigid curriculums like the International Baccalaureate (IB) or British system, BHS adopts the flexible U.S. curriculum, which allows for adaptability, innovation, and individual choice.
Choice and Customization
Students can choose from a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses or pursue personalized projects that match their goals. Whether they aim to study at top universities or develop entrepreneurial ventures, BHS supports both paths equally.
Evolving With Modern Demands
The curriculum evolves constantly to reflect global trends like technology, sustainability, leadership, mental health, and social change. This ensures that students graduate future-ready, with both academic excellence and practical life skills.
5. Holistic Development: Balancing Mind, Body, and Heart
Education at BHS is not just about academics. It Is about nurturing the whole student.
The Social Wellness School™ Philosophy
BHS is the world’s first Social Wellness School™, an education model that gives equal importance to academic, social, and psychological growth.
Students participate in wellness programs, leadership workshops, and counseling sessions that build confidence and resilience. The goal is to help them discover their superpower which is their unique combination of strengths, passions, and purpose.
Equal Focus on Wellbeing and Success
While traditional schools often focus on competition and compliance, BHS fosters compassion, collaboration, and self-awareness. This holistic balance allows students to achieve high academic results without burnout or anxiety.
6. A Positive Learning Environment: Where Students Love to Learn
When students describe BHS, one phrase comes up again and again:
“BHS feels like one big family.”
That sense of belonging is intentional.
Safe, Inclusive, and Supportive
BHS’s culture is built on respect, diversity, and inclusion. With students from over 40 nationalities and no single nationality exceeding 25% of the student body, every child experiences true global diversity. This diversity doesn’t just enrich learning, it creates empathy, cross-cultural communication, and friendship beyond borders.
Encouraging Student Voice
Unlike traditional schools that silence curiosity, BHS encourages students to ask questions, share opinions, and lead conversations. A positive environment inspires students to engage deeply and learn authentically.
7. Encouraging Creativity: Education Beyond the Textbook
Traditional schools often stifle creativity by prioritizing standardization. At BHS, creativity is not an extracurricular activity. It's at the core of every lesson.
Freedom to Explore
Students are encouraged to explore ideas, question assumptions, and develop innovative solutions. Whether through art, design, digital media, or entrepreneurship, creativity is woven into every subject.
Creative Confidence
By celebrating experimentation over perfection, BHS builds creative confidence and the courage to think differently, try new things, and lead with imagination.
This focus prepares students to thrive in industries that don’t yet exist and Is the mark of true future-readiness.
8. Flexibility: Learning Without Limits
Flexibility is the hallmark of all great modern institutions and BHS embodies it at every level.
Flexible Learning Styles
Students can learn through projects, discussions, digital tools, and collaborative work. The curriculum adjusts to the student, not the other way around.
Flexible Schedules
For student-athletes, young entrepreneurs, and performing artists, BHS offers customized academic schedules and digital learning tools to accommodate travel, competition, or professional development.
This flexibility empowers students to pursue their passions without sacrificing their education.
9. Fostering Emotional Intelligence and Social Skills
In today’s interconnected world, emotional intelligence (EQ) is as valuable as IQ. Traditional education often neglects this vital component of personal success.
Emotional Intelligence as a Core Skill
BHS integrates emotional literacy into its curriculum. Students learn to recognize emotions, communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and build empathy.
Social Learning and Leadership
Through community projects, student-led initiatives, and peer mentorship, students develop leadership and collaboration skills that extend beyond the classroom.
This focus on EQ prepares BHS students to excel not only academically but also as compassionate, ethical global citizens.
10. Integrated Curriculum: Connecting Knowledge Across Disciplines
Traditional education often divides subjects into isolated silos. BHS takes a cross-disciplinary approach, integrating subjects to mirror the way the real world works.
For instance:
A project on sustainability may combine science, economics, and ethics.
A lesson in entrepreneurship may merge math, marketing, and psychology.
Art and design may be linked with technology and social impact.
This integrated learning model helps students see the connections between ideas and apply knowledge in creative, practical ways are essential for solving modern global challenges.
11. Preparing Students for Real-World Challenges
BHS’s mission is to ensure students don’t just memorize facts but they master life skills.
Real-World Applications
Students engage with global issues, create start-ups, participate in innovation challenges, and interact with guest speakers from diverse industries.
They learn how to think critically, communicate clearly, and adapt to change are the very skills universities and employers value most.
Career and Life Counseling
BHS also provides professional guidance, helping students identify their passions and career paths early. From university preparation to leadership workshops, the school’s approach ensures graduates are ready for both university and the world beyond.
12. Social and Emotional Growth: The Heart of the BHS Philosophy
Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of BHS is its recognition that social and emotional growth are just as essential as academics.
A School That Cares
Every student is supported by teachers, counselors, and peers who genuinely care. Mental health and well-being are part of the curriculum, not an afterthought.
Empowerment Through Confidence
By creating an environment of trust and empowerment, BHS helps students find their voice, build confidence, and embrace their individuality.
In a world where anxiety and burnout are on the rise, BHS stands as a sanctuary of wellness, creativity, and joy.
Conclusion: The Future of Education Is Already Here
While traditional schools in Spain, from the American School of Barcelona to the British School of Barcleona to the British School of Madrid to the American School of Madrid, continue to operate with outdated systems, Barcelona High School represents the future of learning.
Its personalized, flexible, and holistic approach is precisely what modern families seek:
Personalized learning for individual growth
Small classes for deeper connection
Experiential learning for real-world application
Flexibility for modern lifestyles
Emotional and social development for lifelong success
In a rapidly changing world, education must evolve and BHS is already there.
Barcelona High School is not just an alternative; it is the model for tomorrow’s education today.
📘 FAQs
1. What makes Barcelona High School non-traditional? BHS breaks from traditional rote memorization and standardized testing, focusing instead on experiential, flexible, and emotionally intelligent learning.
2. Does BHS follow the IB program? No. BHS uses a flexible U.S. curriculum that includes AP courses but emphasizes project-based and personalized learning instead of the rigid IB system.
3. How big are class sizes at BHS? Class sizes are intentionally small to ensure personalized attention, strong teacher-student relationships, and individualized growth.
4. Where is BHS located? BHS operates two campuses in central Barcelona — a primary campus in Gràcia and a secondary campus in the 22@ innovation district.
5. Who should choose BHS? BHS is perfect for families seeking a modern, inclusive, and forward-thinking education model that prepares students for life, not just exams.
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