Annual Review 2021-2022

Rising Together

Annual Review 2021-2022

Message From The School Director

Mark Pingitore Director

We began the 2021-22 year on campus still having pandemic restrictions in place and a level of uncertainty about the pandemic continuing. Nevertheless, It was heartwarming to watch secondary students and primary students being able to socialize outside at recess or break with grade level friends as well as switch classrooms in secondary. This year, our school-wide theme, “Rising Together,”

continued to serve as a guiding principle in everything we did, with the common goal of supporting our community of learners with opportunities and resources to reach their highest potential in a safe and healthy environment. While many regions in the world still required students to experience virtual learning, ASB was able to effectively manage the Covid cases and maintain a high level of faceto-face student learning throughout the school year. Furthermore, our after school programs were able to operate without restrictions and masks. The on-going pandemic and omicron spike still caused many events to be canceled, like the Winter Bazaar. However, we continued to provide many virtual opportunities for teachers and students to participate in professional development opportunities, NESDA debates and MUN experiences.

As the warm weather kicked in, our students were able to remove their masks and we were able to meet in larger groups. We were able to have the annual Ski Trip, Performing Arts musicals, ESC sports competitions, our beloved Spring Party and our biggest community event: International Day. The year culminated with our graduation and promotion ceremonies held on campus without mask restrictions.

In February, the world was shocked with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Our ASB community quickly rallied to support those in need due to the conflict. Support included food and clothing collections, financial donations, and even having ASB families hosting displaced families. Our staff made concentrated efforts to help students understand how the conflict was affecting the Ukrainian society and the European perception of stability.

We are incredibly grateful to a small group of ASB family donors who stepped up and generously contributed over €300,000 towards the new Lynx Athletic Center project, enabling us to fast-track our plans to commence construction over the summer. This space in the Middle School building will provide students and our community with a true fitness and weight training space during and after school. We were also very appreciative of the efforts made by Shawn Plancke and Michelle Collin to lead the fundraising efforts in our Lynx Athletics Center project.

During the year we were also preparing for the replacement of the ES (Johanna Cena) and HS (Ann Jurewicz) principals. The search processes were successful and we secured the hiring of Kristen MacConnell for ES and Omar Ugalde for HS. Our IT infrastructure also had an overhaul as

we upgraded our servers and cabling to attain a significantly higher level of system stability and better wifi access for the community.

Overall, we were proud that ASB continues to challenge our students to achieve at the highest levels. Our IB scores remained high with an average of 36 and high scores of 44. MAP scores also continue to climb in virtually all our grades (4-8) achieving well above comparative standards.

Our graduates were successful in gaining entrance to select universities throughout Spain, the UK, Europe and the US. This year was also the year that our alumni programs took off with many stories being published about how ASB alumni are making a difference in their post-ASB lives. Alumni engagement has increased as they have come to school to share experiences with our students and we even held our first alumni reunion in a local restaurant in Barcelona with over 50 alumni attending.

At the beginning of the year we chose the phrase “Rising Together” to embody how we expected to deal with the continuing pandemic situation. Overall, our community showed its resilience to adapt to the changing world and to rise together, not only to where we were precovid but to even a higher level.

Leadership Team 2021-2022

Shawn Plancke Athletic Director

Kevin Hebden Director of Performing Arts

Ferrán Sole Operations Manager

Alison Carollo Head of Admissions

Valentina Pollini Head of Communications and External Relations

Michelle Collin Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Jose Manuel Calahorra Facilities Manager

Oren Marktell IT Director

María Angeles Blanco Financial Manager

Bill Volchok Assistant Director

Johanna Cena Teaching and Learning Director and Elementary Principal

Ann Jurewicz High School Principal

Maggie Stuhan Middle School Principal

Cristina Torrengo Early Childhood Principal

Marta Vernet Head of Activities and Community Service

Board of Trustees 2021 - 2022

Our Board worked with Senior Leadership to define our strategic plan going forward as deep concerns about Covid and its impact on the school subsided and they focused their work on our path toward our vision. As the school´s projected enrollment and size was significantly increasing the Board approved over a dozen new teaching and educational positions to increase support of students and quality of programs while lowering class size in many grades.

Furthermore, the Board approved the school´s new Professional Growth model for staff, the campus wide upgrade in IT infrastructure, the construction of a new ECC playground project and Lynx Athletic Center. Moreover, they committed to conducting a school wide fundraising and development study with a consultant firm to understand ASB´s potential and community priorities. Finally, the Board completed the revision of all Board Policies and onboarded one new member.

Roland Nash

Pau Bermúdez

Juan José Terraza

Carlos Durán

Daniel Van Meer

Núria Ribas

Aída Pérez

Benjamin Newland

Angela Brown Bonifacie

Paola Garbarino

ASB History

October 2, 1962

Was the first day of the history of the American School of Barcelona.

1960s

The idea to open the first and only school to provide an education in English belonged to Dr. Jose Maria Poal. Upon returning to Barcelona from US Dr. Poal was inspired to provide his children with an American education leading him to found the first American School in Barcelona.

In 1977, ASB was given a large sum to leave the rented building in Pedralbes. With this money the school bought the land for the new building in Esplugues de Llobregat.

1970s

During the 1970s, Spain went from dictatorship to democracy, enjoying the new liberty achieved, which ASB had been enjoying for over a decade. By the end of the 1970s, ASB had 400 students, about 300 in Esplugues and over 100 in la Font del Lleo.

During the 1988-1989 school year, we said goodbye to the Spanish national system classes. From that time on all students would study the American High School program, with a series of obligatory subjects for the students who wished to study in Spanish universities.

In 1986, the Ministry of Education recognized ASB as a “foreign school” (centro extranjero).

1980s

The 1980s brought the reunification of all the students to the Esplugues campus.

In 1995, the Generalitat of Catalunya recognized the parity of the North American educational system with the Spanish system.

1990s

The 1990s brought increased enrollment, better facilities, and official recognition for the quality of education that ASB provided. In the spring of 1990, ASB was accredited by the Middle States Association in the United States.

During the 2000s, ASB continued working on self improvement and was rewarded in 2001 when the Middle States Association re-accredited ASB, recognizing its academic excellence and standards. The alumni reunions, celebrations and goodbye parties for teachers have been an opportunity for many to touch base with their old classmates and teachers.

In 2014, a celebratory event was held to inaugurate the new ECC and Elementary building and the new library.

US Ambassador James Costos was a special guest at the event.

2012

ASB celebrated its 50th anniversary.

ASB bought the land bordering our facilities and created an outdoor recreation space of about 3,100 square meters. The construction started in August 2017 and includes an outdoor amphitheater, artificial grass field, hard court play space, and gardens. In January 2018, the school completed the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) re-accreditation process and met all MSA standards.

2019

In 2007, ASB was the first school to start the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in English in Barcelona.

In 2016, ASB launched a development program called Building Together to help unite the community and start an inclusive culture of giving.

October 19th was a momentous day in ASB´s history: the inauguration of our new Middle School and auditoriumgymnasium. Over 400 community members celebrated this special event and got to see first-hand how the space brought everyone together and allowed us to spotlight our tremendous student talent. This new facility is a sign of our quest for ongoing improvement and just the starting point of where we would like to go as a school.

In 2020

ASB, like all schools in Spain, was forced to close our campus in order to combat the spread of coronavirus. Overnight, teachers and students of all ages had to adapt to a curriculum delivered 100% online.

Fortunately in 2021, we came back to a full school year although still following strictly the covid protocols and procedures. We really missed having parents on campus.

School Overview

The American School of Barcelona (ASB) is an international, private, non-profit, coeducational day school serving students from 3-18 years old in the greater Barcelona metropolitan area since 1962. ASB offers a university preparatory curriculum which provides its graduates access to American, Spanish and international universities.

Is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

An affiliated member of the International Schools Theater Association (ISTA).

An affiliated member of the Association of Music in International Schools (AMIS).

Is recognized in Spain as a Centro Extranjero (foreign school) by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Spanish Ministry of Education

Receives a grant from the US Department of State’s Office of Overseas Schools

Mission

Participates in the European Sports Conference (ESC), a regional sports league made up of schools from around Europe

Is one of the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) regional associations

Leads The Barcelona International School Association (BISA)

Vision

The American School of Barcelona seeks to continuously improve through innovation. Our aim is to be recognized as the leading international school in Europe, empowering students to lead with integrity, to open minds, and to transform the world.

Leads the The American International Schools in Spain (AISIS) collaborative

Our mission is to empower preschool through 12th grade students to become global citizens with the critical thinking skills and the self-confidence to maximize their potential.

Core Values

Caring, Student-centered, Innovative, Rigorous, Resilient

Student body External Assessments

IB Results

Start of school year enrollment

Distribution of IB Diploma Scores

Standardized Tests

MAP Results

ISA Results

Mathematical Literacy

Exposition/Argument Writing

Reading Narrative/Reflective Writing

ASB Europe All the schools around the world that take the ISA assessment

MAP Results

ISA Results

ASB longitudinal MAP Spring 2022 Reading Data

ASB Average Reading Performance is higher than ECIS average in 6 out of 8 grade levels.

MAP Math Spring 2022 Comparing ASB Averages to ECIS Average

ASB is higher in MAP average scores in every grade compared to ECIS average score.

MAP Science Spring Data

MAP Science Spring Data

ASB outperformed ECIS schools in six out of seven grade levels. There was no testing in spring 2020 due to Covid.

University Acceptance

University Acceptance and Matriculation

Graduates from the Classes of 2017-2022 were accepted to the following universities. (Highlighted universities indicate matriculation.)

United States Canada

American University

Babson College

Bard College

Bates College

Berklee College of Music

Boston College

Boston University

Bowdoin College

Brandeis University

Brown University

California State University, Humboldt

California State University, Northridge

California State University, Stanislaus

Carnegie Mellon University

Chapman University

Colgate University

Columbia University

Connecticut College

Cornell University

Drexel University

Duke University

Earlham College

Elon University

Emerson College

Fashion Institute of Technology

Flagler College

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida State University

Fordham University

Franklin Olin College of Engineering

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Harvey Mudd College

Haverford College

Harvard University

Indiana University

Bloomington

Johns Hopkins University

Kenyon College

Lafayette College

Loyola Marymount University

Macalester College

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Miami University, Oxford

Michigan State University

Middlebury College

New York University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Nova Southeastern University

Oakland University

Oberlin College

Ohio State University

Pace University

Parsons, The New School

Pennsylvania State University

Pepperdine University

Pratt Institute

Purdue University

Rensselaer University

Rice University

Rutgers University

Saint Louis University

San Diego State University

San Francisco State University

Savannah College of Art and Design

Scripps College

Seton Hall University

Skidmore College

Smith College

St. John's College

Stanford University

Stevens Institute of Technology

Syracuse University

Temple University

The New School

Trinity College

Tufts University

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Davis

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Los

Angeles

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa

Barbara

University of Chicago

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Houston

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Iowa

University of Maryland,

Baltimore Country

University of Massachusetts,

Boston

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Notre Dame

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh

University of Portland

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of San Francisco

University of South Carolina

University of Southern California

University of Tampa

University of Virginia

University of Vermont

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Vanderbilt University

Vassar College

Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Wellesley College

Wesleyan University

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Yale University

Carleton University

Concordia University

McGill University

McMaster University

Queen’s University

Ryerson University

Simon Fraser University

St. Francis Xavier University

University of British Columbia

University of Manitoba

University of Ottawa

University of Toronto

University of Waterloo

York University

Abertay University

Aberystwyth University

Arts University Bournemouth

Aston University

Bath Spa University

Birmingham City University

Bournemouth University

Brunel University London

Cardiff University

City University of London

Coventry University

Durham University

Edge Hill University

Edinburgh Napier University

Glasgow Caledonian University

Goldsmiths, University of London

Heriot-Watt University

Imperial College London

Keele University

King’s College London

Kingston University

Lancaster University

Leeds Beckett University

Liverpool Hope University

London Metropolitan University

London School of Economics

and Political Science

London South Bank University

Loughborough University

Manchester Metropolitan University

New College of the Humanities

Newcastle University

Northumbria University

Nottingham Trent University

Oxford Brookes University

Queen Mary University of London

Ravensbourne

Regent’s University London

Royal Holloway, University of London

School of Oriental and African Studies

St George’s, University of London

Swansea University

University College London

University for the Creative Arts

University of Aberdeen

University of Bath

University of Bedfordshire

University of Birmingham

University of Brighton

University of Bristol

University of Cambridge

University of Chester

University of Derby

University of Dundee

University of East Anglia

University of East London

University of Edinburgh

University of Essex

University of Exeter

University of Glasgow

University of Greenwich

University of Huddersfield

University of Hull

University of Kent

University of Lancaster

University of Leeds

University of Leicester

University of Liverpool

University of Manchester

University of Nottingham

University of Oxford

University of Portsmouth

University of Reading

University of Sheffield

University of Southampton

University of St. Andrews

University of Stirling

University of Strathclyde

University of Surrey

University of Sussex

University of the Arts London

University of Warwick

University of Westminster

University of Winchester

University of York

Netherlands Other Countries Rest of the World

Blanquerna - Universidad

ESADE

United Kingdom Spain

Ramón Llull

EU Business School Barcelona

IE - International University

Instituto Químico de Sarrià

International University of Catalonia UIC

LaSalle-Ramon Llull

Universidad Abat Oliva - CEU

Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona

Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Universitat de Barcelona

Universidad de Navarra

Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya

Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Universidad Ramón Llull

Universidad San Pablo - CEU

Amsterdam Fashion Institute

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

ArtEZ University of the Arts

Erasmus University Rotterdam

Hotelschool The Hague

Leiden University College The Hague

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

Maastricht University

The Hague University of Applied Sciences

Tilburg University

University College Maastricht

University College Utrecht

University of Amsterdam

University of Groningen

University of Maastricht

University of Twente

University of Utrecht

VU University of Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Wittenborg University of Applied Studies

American University of Paris, France

American University of Rome, Italy

American University of Switzerland, Switzerland

Berlin University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Bocconi University, Italy

City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Copenhagen Business School, Denmark

École Polytechnique Paris, France

ESCP Europe Business School, France

Franklin University, Switzerland

Geneva Business School, Switzerland

GISMA Business School, Berlin, Germany

Grenoble School of Management, France

Les Roches International School of Hotel

Management, Switzerland

Marist College, Italy

Paris College of Art, France

Polimoda International Institute of Design and Marketing, Florence, Italy

Sciences Po, France

Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

University of Lausanne, Switzerland

Vesalius College, Brussels, Belgium

Webster University, Austria

Bar Ilan University, Israel

New York University, Shanghai, China

Early Childhood Center

Instructional Programs Bridges Math

After extensive curricular Math research, the Math curriculum committee decided to adopt and implement Bridges Math program starting in preschool all the way to Grade 5.

Our priority in the early years was to adopt a playful and play-based developmentally appropriate program where students practice the many concepts and skills through the use of contextual themes. Hands on games, stories, manipulatives, mysteries and intriguing problems and visual models. Bridges focuses on developing children’s understanding of mathematical concepts, know-how with key skills and understanding how to approach and solve complex and narrative problems.

Open exploration is essential at such a young age. Activities and games are designed for children in early years to strengthen their counting skills and computational fluency thus promoting number sense.

These games often incorporate visual models like five-frames, ten-frames, finger patterns to 10, linking cubes, and the number line.

Every day students gather for Number corner, an engaging 15 minute instructional skillbuilding session that revolves around the classroom calendar. It provides daily practice where students count, read and write numbers to 10 or 20 depending on age. They compare sets and numbers, model and solve addition and subtraction problems, identify, describe and compare shapes in the environment.

What makes it even more appealing for our students is the way patterns are introduced and practiced. Each month features a collection of some kind—cubes, sticks, shapes, coins, or data— that serves as a springboard for representing and analyzing data, practicing counting and computation, and solving problems. Collections promote deep understanding of estimation and counting, place value, measurement, and data. Kindergarten students also benefit from two other distinct but integrated curricular components: Work Places, Problems & Investigations.

Early years Math instruction is carefully sequenced along research-based learning progressions, to allow for depth and focus as children progress in knowledge and skills.

Social Emotional Learning

Supporting children’s social-emotional growth throughout the early stages of development builds a solid foundation for their future.

In order to support better SE development, ECC has been able to implement our current Second Step program in preschool this year. Our little ones are beginning to discover a wider community outside their safe home hub. As they learn how to transition from solitary play to collaborative play, they undergo a variety of emotions as they mature.

Second Step targets important skills for children to work on. It prepares our students

to successfully manage their emotions and behaviors, establish caring relationships with others, follow limits and expectations and interact in groups.

Some Skills like bouncing back from being teased, sitting still in a group to listen to a story and helping a peer feeling sad when hurt are all examples of healthy social and emotional development. They involve the ability to manage feelings and impulses which are needed to grow and learn.

Our ECC learning support specialist gives SEL sessions on a weekly basis allowing our youngest students to learn and access to resources that will help them understand:

How to express their wants and needs effectively during conflict

The consequences of their behavior when in our community

How visual cues and gestures help guide their actions when engaging with peers and adults

How to listen actively and empathetically

The importance of social rules in order to create a safe and caring classroom community

As our early year students develop and acquire more challenging social skills, our goal is to expose children’s emerging emotional capacity to develop close, satisfying relationships with other children and adults as they actively explore their environment and learn.

Elementary School

Although we started the year with pandemic restrictions, it was wonderful to transition into a more typical school environment by spring. We loved seeing our children’s faces without masks for the first time in a long time.

This year in the elementary school we were particularly focused on building a culture of inclusion and belonging so that all students

feel that they are an important part of our ASB community. We did this in a variety of ways but mostly as a part of the new daily morning meetings focused on building community, student voice and connection and through our student lead monday morning announcement videos that highlighted how we are all similar and different at the same time.

Instructional Programs New Math Curriculum

This year, the ASB elementary school implemented a new math curriculum, Bridges. Bridges focuses on developing mathematical concepts, fluency and understanding how to approach and solve complex and narrative problems.

Bridges includes daily math practice during Number corner, which is an engaging 15 minute instructional skill-building session where students compare sets and numbers, model and solve complex problems, and identify

mathematical patterns. In addition to number corner, students are engaged in activities and games are designed for children to work at their level, to differentiate needs and to build computational fluency and problem solving in addition to collaborative communication skills.

Elementary math instruction is carefully sequenced along research-based learning progressions, to allow for depth and focus as children progress in knowledge and skills.

School Community SOS Galgos

Our partnership with the SOS Galgos foundation continued to grow this year. Our first graders learned about Galgos and how to best care for them. the Galgos came to campus weekly and were read to by our 1st grade students. In addition to reading to the Galgos, first graders also learned that the GALGOS need community support. They learned how to raise awareness for Galgos through developing informational videos to be shared during the monday morning announcements.

They also decided that they could help the galgos by creating a variety of products and art to be sold at a student run farmers market. It was a special project based learning experience for first grade students. This program has helped our students gain confidence as early readers and gives them an opportunity to put their learning into practice through read alouds.

5th Grade Pyrenees Trip

This trip has been a cornerstone of the elementary school experience for almost 10 years. The trip consists of a 4-day, 3-night trip to the cerdanya region of catalunya. With the support of our partner organization, Organitza, our students participate in activities including rafting, horseback riding, hiking, caving, orienteering, and a ropes course.

Our students walk away from this experience with a new level of independence, confidence, and connections to their peers before heading off to middle school.

Celebrating Neurodiversity Month

ASB elementary students celebrate neurodiversity month for the first time and it was a big success. all students learned about neurodiversity and how all brains work differently. We learned about the different ways brains can work differently, that can cause challenges and creative thinking. Students taught one another about learning differences and challenges and shared how we can support one another. This was a very successful learning opportunity for our school community.

Middle School

Instructional Programs

The 2021-2022 school year saw us beginning to creep out of the Covid pandemic and while we still were required to begin the year with pod classes they were much more flexible than they had been the previous year. By mid-year, we were able to start to bring back many of the offerings that had been impossible during the previous two years including some curricular field trips and in person math competitions.

We continued to have a strong showing in these math competitions with a record number of students participating in a record number of competitions and one of our own MS teams again earning the first place spot in our regional MathCounts competition hosted at ASB. Additionally, we began planning for a new pathway in our secondary math department

for our students transitioning from 8th to 9th grade. After many deliberate hours of planning with the 8th grade math teachers and the HS math department, we were able to move forward with an additional accelerated math program and pathway for 16 of our students moving into the HS next year.

We were also delighted to welcome our new MS Instructional Coach this year who has experience as a math and science teacher in addition to many years consulting for PBLWorks. He led the implementation of science differentiona and extension work that we have plans to continue and expand next year. Additionally, he collaborated with our Spanish

and Humanities teachers as they worked on exploring our new social studies curriculum adoption, C3 -- College, Career, and Civic Life Framework -- as they began to plan and teach inquiry units in their classes.

This year also saw the return to in-person professional development opportunities for teachers ranging from work in a variety of initiatives and learning from science and social studies to learning support and general best practices. This included a visit in May with Dr. Mary Erhenworth joining us from Teachers’ College Columbia to support our teams in further exploration and practice with best practices in the secondary classroom.

School Community

This year, we were able to transfer the running of our quarterly assemblies to the Student Leadership in collaboration with each of the 8th grade homeroom classes. These events brought us together to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of the members of our community and also just have some fun together!

Our Student Leadership Council was also able to conduct a record number of service events and activities including seeing a return of our annual Spring Fling and the additions of working with our MS Art teacher to realize a community art fundraiser, Art of Ukraine, a visit to our partner organization E’splai L’Esquitx, and an additional end-of-year football tournament fundraiser with all proceeds, again, benefiting the UNHCR Refugee Relief Fund.

We were able to expand our Advisory program to include more units and address more ISCA (International School Counseling Association) standards than ever before including: physical and mental health, financial literacy, and careers units.

We were also delighted to be able to host all of our team building events for every grade level off campus this year and be able to culminate this year with our 6th and 7th graders enjoying some time together at Isla Fantasia and our 8th graders being able to have their end of the year overnight to Port Aventura.

High School

Instructional Programs

As we slowly emerged from the global pandemic, ASB high school was able to provide the best individualized, presential learning to students from faculty and staff. In addition,

the High School proudly returned to offering multi-day academic, athletic and Camino trips throughout Spain and in Europe. Teachers engaged in a new program for professional growth, setting goals based on ASB’s mission to amplify our already rich and deep instructional program. These goals also optimized best practices in the delivery of the prestigious International Baccalaureate program.

Planning was completed for the high school’s pathway options, focused on opportunities for students to engage in personal independent projects (PIPs). These project choices range from internships to chances for students to engage in off campus activities. The pathways program allows students to combine independent study with choice IB courses as well as career and service learning opportunities.

School Community

ASB’s high school counselors provide comprehensive support to all 9-12 students. This means they help students with both their well being as well as university and career futures. Through the weekly seminar courses, students in grades 9 and 10 receive instruction on emotional wellbeing, identity development, future college/career planning, sexuality awareness, and drug/alcohol prevention. Students in grades 11 and 12 also have weekly classes to address IB success, service learning, and preparation for university applications.

In partnership with ASB’s Development Director and our Head of Communications, high school alumni returned to ASB to visit with students and staff, and an internship event linked parents, community members and ASB students for summer learning and career opportunities.

High school science teachers continued their professional development with Paul Anderson, an internationally renowned teacher trainer.

Dr. Mary Ehrenworth from Columbia University was able to return in person to campus during the spring to conduct labsite work and engage teachers and students in effective oral feedback practices. Social studies teachers received training in the C3 framework model as ASB began the process of curriculum review in this area.

As a culminating activity in Spanish classes in grade 9, the entire class ventured to Madrid to tour the Prado and do a walking tour of the surrounding area. Our high school seniors finished the year strong with a live graduation

ceremony in ASB’s auditorium with keynote speakers General Consul Katie Stana and parent Xavier Colomina. Over 700 visitors from all over the world were able to watch the event streamed live. The ceremony was followed by a school reception in the amphitheatre area and many returning alumni joined who had family in the graduating class of 2022.

All in all, we are extremely proud of all we were able to accomplish this school year with the support of everyone in the community in the spirit of this year’s school theme, #RISINGTOGETHER.

The Arts

High School

Our IB Visual Art students displayed their impressive and inspiring artwork developed over the past two years in their annual exhibition.

Visual Arts

In response to the Ukranian war, MS students created beautiful canvases that reproduced the peace symbol. The canvases were sold to parents and all the proceeds went to ASB's Ukraine aid campaign.

In Elementary

This year, 5th grade students shared their artworks for “Meet the Artist” with their parents after covid time. In this art event, students exhibited their paintings, videos, sculptures and visuals about one artist they researched and studied. The students also reproduce one of the art pieces they like the most.

Performing Arts

Concerts and Performances

Despite not being able to have an audience at the start of the year, we continued performing with virtual audiences. The IB music concert, BISA Talent Show and the ECC Gingerbread Man show were well received via our up-to-date streaming technology. In semester two, we welcomed back audiences and grade 4 and 5 showed off their instrument talents in the band and orchestra concert. We highlighted the talent of almost 200 students on International day and filled a four hour program with live music. Staff and students also performed at the school entrances to celebrate Halloween and Valentines day.

Musical Theater Productions

In March, ASB’s Spotlight Productions took to the stage with A Million Dreams - A Tribute to the Greatest Showman. Beginning in September, over forty students from 6-12th grade worked on this mega-production as both performers and backstage crew. This unique experience took students through the entire process of staging a musical from auditions and set design to performing with professional musicians and selling out three live performances for the ASB community. This year´s matinee performance was also shared with local elementary and middle schools.

In Semester two, it was the Elementary school’s turn and ASB was alive with “The Sound of Music”. A cast of thirteen dedicated students in grade 3-5 performed a rendition of this well loved Musical. Parents were really involved and helped costume design, sell tickets, organize sponsorship and create the brochure. High school students supported by creating set pieces, being stage crew and creating the stunning backdrops.

MS Performing Arts

We rolled out new Performing Arts courses in MS this year. Grade 6 had a continuation of the Band and Orchestra program, most of the students have now been playing an instrument in school for three years and the standard is getting higher each year. In grade 7, students had extra semester courses in Theater and Choir. Students presented their ensemble pieces in LYNX Performing Arts Assemblies at the end of each semester.

Instrument Lessons - ASB Music School

Instrument lessons have grown in popularity and we had almost 60 students involved. Six instrumental specialist teachers work with us and we have a growing range of instruments. Students had the opportunity to perform in assemblies and events, as well as the end of year video concert.

IAB Visit and ISTA

We welcomed the Institute of the Arts - Barcelona in June to present their interpretation of Peter Pan to our youngest students. This is the third time that IAB has performed on site and we are thankful to have this link which allows our students to see high quality theater in English.

We have also joined the International Schools Theater Association (ISTA) and have been approved as a member school. This will allow us to participate in theater festivals and access professional development.

MAIS

This year, ASB participated in the 2022 MAIS honor choir festival hosted by the American School of Madrid.

Ten grade seven students joined ASM’s middle school choir and the combined choirs performed a wonderful, diverse and vocally complex concert.

AMIS

We extended our relationship with the Association of Music in International Schools (AMIS) during the year. Students auditioned for the MS honor band, MS honor orchestra and the HS honor choir and were accepted in all three groups. The choir students performed in Aberdeen, Scotland. Unfortunately the band trip was canceled due to covid restrictions, but the orchestra festival went ahead in Brussels. Alongside festival participation ASB staff volunteered to be on listening panels and be judges in solo music festivals.

Model United Nations

The MUN programs this year were still affected by the post-pandemic fears, forcing many events to continue to be held on-line. Our students were still highly engaged and participated in the IMUN (13 delegates), and THIMUN (7 delegates and 1 chair). Our students organized the annual BCNMUN conference in November even though we had to continue to be on-line. However, over 120 students participated in the global debate. The year finished on a high note as the BIMUN conference in Sant Cugat was able to go back to a face-to-face format and ASB’s participation included 9 delegates and 2 chairs.

Debate and Public Speaking

NESDA

Our NESDA coaches were inspired to grow the program this year and begin a new afterschool activity that has inspired many students to get involved. We also hosted our 2nd public speaking competition in March, including ASB students and students from the German school. ASB teachers and parents were also in hand to serve as judges in this competition. The official NESDA competition was held in April as a virtual competition hosted by El Cairo. Our students performed very well with many students going to finals and bringing home 6 medals overall.

Our Debate coaches are also leading the Spanish team of debaters to compete in the WSDC circuit of international debate competitions. The Spanish team of 11 students, 7 of which attend ASB, represented Spain in the on-line debate tournament. Our team got into the final rounds and placed 10th in our division.

TEDx

We held our first TEDx event at ASB in June, where we featured nine brilliant speakers comprised of students and parents from the ASB school community. The “talks” covered a wide variety issues, ranging from personal experiences that sparked growth to expertise in specific fields. Great storytelling and an inspiring evening for all!

Math Competitions

From October through May students across grades 5 through to grade 12 had the opportunity to compete in many different math competitions. Some of the competitions are purely individual, and others have team components.

The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC)

Are a series of individual competitions that build problem-solving skills and mathematical knowledge in middle and high school students. We had 8 students in grades 11 & 12 write the AMC12, 25 students in grade 9 & 10 write the AMC10 and 23 students in grade 7 & 8 write the AMC8.

Barcelona MathCounts

Every year ASB hosts the Barcelona MathCounts competition for Middle School students against schools across Spain. We had over 70 competitors at this competition and 3 students placed in the top 10 overall with one earning the third place spot! We also won first place as a team! From this competition, the top students are selected to compete in the international MathCounts competition. And from 222 students worldwide, three of our students were in the top 25% of all competitors!

ISMTF

ISMTF provides competitions for students in three different grade ranges. This year we had 6 teams compete against 88 teams internationally. We had two of our teams in the top 20 of all teams, including 12th place and 7th place.

The CEMC competitions

Are an opportunity for students to explore the potential of mathematics and their role in it. This week 55 Middle School students will be writing the Gauss contest. From High school; Four 9th grade students wrote the Pascal contest with one student earning distinction. One 10th grader wrote the Fermat contest, and eight 11th graders wrote the Cayley with 4 of them earning distinction.

ECIS MathQuest

In the Elementary school, 5th grade students competed in the ECIS MathQuest competition. 21 students competed in our in-house competition. Then 8 students competed in a virtual 2 day international competition. We had 3 students in the top 35% of individuals and one placed 5th place overall!

Athletics

In 2021-2022 our ASB sports program was able to return to a more normal schedule with regular practices, weekend leagues and trips around Europe to cities such as Prague, Lugano, Zug and Lausanne. Our Middle School and High School teams took part in BISA, IBERIA and ESC tournaments. Our High School boys basketball, High School girls basketball and High School tennis teams all won their respective ESC tournaments.

HS Cross Country Team HS Tennis Team

MS Boys Basketball Team HS Girls Juvenil Volley Ball Team

HS Soccer Team MS Cheerleaders Team

Boys HS Flag Football Team

HS Girls Basketball Team Boys Basketball Varsity Team

A Commitment To Community Service And Service Learning

RefugArt 2022

The school-wide event that combines art & philanthropy to raise awareness about the refugee cause had the participation of all students of ASB. We were able to raise more than 7000 euros. This year’s slogan was Different Trees, Shared Roots. We had live refugee talks, a documentary film, silent auction, merch stands and a refugee fact museum.

SOS Galgo adoption program

Rotary Interact did a campaign in ASB looking for owners for 4 dogs of the association. They were also able to collect some material like blankets and pet food

Furnishing the Future

“Furnishing the Future” is a program where students coordinate pickups of furniture from ASB families as well as the drop offs for the families institutions in need.

Spanish Grammar and Carpentry program for adults with special needs

Year long grammar and carpentry class for adults with special needs lead by students from ASB and with the support of teachers from ASPROSEAT.

Food drive to Caritas

With “Furnishing the Future project this year we have been able to:

Donate chairs and a study table and a bed to a family from Caritas Esplugues.

Donate a fridge, and a sofa to the After School center in Nou Barris for the youth that participate in the educational program of Marti Codolar.

We have been able to furnish a whole apartment for a vulnerable group of mistreated women from Foundation Magone (beds mattresses table chairs, closets, utilities).

We have an important stock of furniture that will be distributed starting this coming September as part of the CAS project of two senior students. We are fortunate that we were able to establish a partnership with ASPROSEAT our neighbors in Esplugues who kindly lent us a room to stock all the furniture.

Several ASB families donated clothes, kitchen utilities that we have also been able to donate to “Fundacion Magone” for the more than 100 families that are in the poverty liner.

Rotary Polio Race

More than 70 students from MS and HS participated in the solidarity race. Rotary has been instrumental in eradicating polio globally. The Interact club were the organizers.

Sharing to Learn

Over 20 9th and 10th grade students acted as Language Assistants in the Baix Llobregat public schools. Students experience firsthand what it feels like to be a teacher and how a classroom is organized. They develop important skills such as patience, leadership and creativity.

Students from all divisions participated in the annual drive. We were able to collect more than 500 kg of dry food.

Winter Jacket Appeal Fundación Magone

Rotakids and Interact were able to collect more than 250 jackets to support underprivileged families in the Marti Codolar Center. Focusing primarily on children who do not have adequate winter clothing.

Healing Humanity

Student lead organization that organized a STEM day for unprivileged children from Fundación Magone.

Braval Association delivery program

A monthly program in collaboration with the Braval association in the Raval where our HS students go every Saturday and assist in food delivery identified by social services from the neighborhood.

Solidarity Soccer tournament

Led by HS students, the soccer tournament was organized for adults with special needs from the neighboring occupational center Asproseat. The adults and the students played together and had a lot of fun.

ASB Angels

A student lead workshop created in response to the rise in urban mobile accidents. The HS students presented in the HS assembly “Security with Scooter” workshop. The “Angels” also created a brochure about safety norms.

ASB Waste Warriors

A program created together with ASPROSEAT about the importance of recycling. Students worked together with the adult learners in designing an informative power-point that was later used to teach the younger classes in ES.

La Marato de TV3 fundraising

Led by the Catalan department, the team sold hand-made Tió’s done by the ASB students. The project raised over 1000 euros that went directly to the Marato.

Solidarity Concerts in Winter Holidays

ECC students together with 11th grade class and some Adults with special needs gathered together to sing to the elders from Orpea, the local nursing home next to ASB.

ASB and UNHCR fundraising for Ukraine

In partnership with UNHCR, ASB started a fundraiser involving all the community. We were able to raise 6730 euros.

ASB Blood Drive

Student lead blood drive was ASB partnered with the Banc dels Teixits i Sang.

Professional Learning Program

A program led by HS students Pablo and Mikhail where they started an internship program for students in HS.

Beach clean up

A beach clean up organized by a 9th and 10th grade service class in Castelldefels in partnership with ASPROSEAT.

Stem SPARK

Led by the Jenkins brothers Andrew and William, this organization founded in 2019 has been instrumental in teaching through hands-on projects, electricity and circuits. The students presented in several ES classrooms.

Collserola placed-based education

Students in elementary school participated in the annual environmental program in Collserola, creating a big impact in the landscape.

Peru Medical Mission

Annual Service trip where students act as translators from doctors from Michigan state University. We had 17 students participating. The students worked with more than 1000 patients. They also helped to do training in sexual education.

Professional Development

This school year continued to be an exciting year of professional development for ASB staff members, especially as we were again able to have professional development in person. We started off the year offering professional development and collaborations as part of the American International Schools in Spain (AISIS) organization, consisting of four international schools in Spain offering the highest level of professional development for teachers. ASB is one of the founding members of this organization.

Research suggests that professional learning should be ongoing and job embedded, therefore we have offered professional learning experiences for multiple days across the year led by international consultants and teacher leaders in our schools. The consultants who worked with our staff included:

Dr. Mary Ehrenworth: Deputy Director of Columbia Teachers College Reading and Writing Project worked with teachers in Grades 3-12 on a variety of best practices in literacy instruction with a specific focus on informational reading and writing.

Paul Andersen: Science Consultant worked with elementary and secondary teachers to use inquiry and science phenomena to engage students in hands-on instruction and curriculum building aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Anita Basic: Xenonex Consultant worked with our instructional coaches, directors, and leadership team members to improve coaching skills.

In addition to these consultants, teachers across AISIS schools, including two from ASB, facilitated virtual learning experiences for teachers in Castellano instruction.

We also continued to offer coaches for teachers with instructional coaches in each division. The Teaching and Learning department is proud to offer world class professional development for teachers, which will ultimately impact the learning experience of all ASB students.

ASB English Language Center

ASB English Language Center

The ASB English Language Center offers English language classes to non-ASB students ages 3 to 16 on Monday and Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings from October to May and a four-week intensive course in July. Local demand for the ASB English Language Center programs was strong in 2021-2022, despite beginning with Covid restrictions, with a total of 220 students enrolled in our Weekday/Saturday programs and 236 students in our Summer Program. Our official Cambridge Exam courses (PET and First) also continue to be popular with almost 30 students preparing throughout the year and examining in the spring. Our students also continue to achieve high levels on the official exams, well above the Spanish and World averages.

Official Cambridge Exam Scores 2021 - 2022

Parents Association and Volunteers

Parents Association

September

The ASB Parents Association (PA) played an integral role in building our school community, despite the challenges that Covid initially presented. They started the year with a Welcome Breakfast for our new families, as well as many neighborhood meet ups, connecting both new and returning families. Throughout the year, our dedicated class reps organized various class gatherings outside of school, allowing parents to get to know each other.

October

In October, our Early Childhood and Elementary students were delighted by the Halloween games and activities led by the PA and parent volunteers, followed by our annual Halloween costume parade and trick-or-treating in the neighborhood.

February

To mark Valentine’s Day, our PA volunteers decorated the campus, offering special treats to students and a “Friendship Wall” in each division where students could share their appreciation of their ASB friends.

March

In March, the war in Ukraine erupted, and our PA members were quick to organize ways in which families could donate and help Ukrainian families in need.

May

May brought the return of the PA’s most anticipated community event, International Day! The PA led the organization of more than 20 country tables, arts and crafts activities, and bouncy castles and water slides for the students. We had our largest turnout ever, with more than 1000 people attending.

June

The PA also hosted a Staff Appreciation breakfast for all ASB staff members in June. It was delicious!

Spring Party

Parents were invited to the Spring Party to close out the year, organized by parent volunteers. This was an evening cocktail in El Jardí de l’Abadessa, an ideal location to enjoy a drink and appetizers with other ASB parents while celebrating the end of the school year.

Development Program

Development Program

Lynx Athletics Center

In April, we had the great pleasure of announcing a new development project for our campus, a Lynx Athletics Center, to support our PE and afterschool sports programs, located in the Middle School building next to the gymnasium. We are incredibly grateful to a small group of ASB family donors who stepped up and generously contributed over €300,000 towards the project, enabling us to fast-track our plans to commence construction in the summer, with completion in September 2022.

Carbon Neutral ASB

In June, following the initiative of two high school students in the Eco Club, we embarked on a program to become the first carbonneutral high school in Europe, raising more than €2,500 to offset our carbon footprint. ASB has already made great efforts to lower our carbon output, such as installing more efficient heating and air conditioning systems. These additional funds contributed to offsetting our carbon footprint.

Lynx Athletic Center Donors Wall

Alumni Community

Alumni Community

With Covid restrictions, it was not easy to host alumni visits on campus at the start of the school year, so the alumni relations office shifted focus to virtual engagement. We organized four alumni mentor panels for current students in collaboration with the High School counselors, based on career and university advice. We further reconnected with our global alumni network by sharing more than fifty Alumni Spotlights across our alumni media platforms.

In February, we slowly recommenced hosting alumni visits and welcomed more than eighty alumni back to campus over the next four months. In addition, nearly thirty alumni joined our Class of 2022 graduation ceremony in June. Finally, in July, we held our first Alumni reunion in Barcelona with more than eighty alumni joining this inaugural event. We look forward to more alumni engagement next year.

Once a Lynx, Always a Lynx!

Financial Report

ASB Memberships

We cooperate throughout the year with different associations and support each other’s projects. ABS wishes to maintain a close relationship with international and local non-profit institutions and associations that operate in Barcelona to increase networking and provide support for our families.

Academic Associations

The Barcelona International Schools Association (BISA) is a professional organization that strives to improve the quality of education in its member schools through several venues. It promotes the sharing of resources, professional development, and communication and interchange; the organization also attempts to create international understanding in Barcelona and beyond. BISA serves as a liaison between its member schools, local governments, and pertinent local and international education organizations.

AISIS Collaborative

The American International Schools in Spain (AISIS) collaborative began in 2018 with ASB, the American School of Madrid, Benjamin Franklin International School, and the American School of Valencia. Together, they have created opportunities for year-long cohorts led by world renowned consultants, cross-school collaboratives led by teachers in our schools, and institutes that have been opened to other schools in the Mediterranean.

Columbia University’s Reading and Writing Project

ASB continues to partner with Columbia University’s Reading and Writing Project. Staff Developers continue to work with our K-12 ELA teachers to support best practices in literacy instruction.

Networking Associations

Barcelona Global is a private, independent and non-profit association, that is set up as a citizen’s platform of ideas and action, made up by people and companies who care about Barcelona and its future. The association’s mission is: to actively contribute to making Barcelona one of the most attractive cities in the world to attract and develop talent and economic activity.

Academic Associations

Interact is a part of Rotary International. Rotary’s programs are developing the next generation of leaders, providing funding to make the world a better place, and making peace a priority. Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of service above self.

The Barcelona Women’s Network is a non-profit, non-religious, and non-political social and charitable organization offering support and friendship to both local and international women residing in the greater Barcelona area. BWN activities cover a wide array of interests including social, cultural, charity and well-being. These events are scheduled weekly, monthly or at special times of the year.

We are now an affiliated member of the Association of Music in International Schools (AMIS). This will allow us to enter international music festivals and top quality PD for our music staff. Mr Kevin volunteered his time to be a judge in February for the AMIS Online Solo festival. Mr Kevin evaluated students on saxophone and upper brass and gave feedback to students from around the world. We are looking forward to having students enter next year’s events.

The American Society of Barcelona functions as a non-political and non-profit organization and strives to be the focal point for people who are interested in developing and maintaining business and social relationships in an international environment.