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Barcelona Reduces Class Sizes Ahead of 2025-2026 Academic Year

The city's education system sees new developments as the 2025-2026 academic year approaches, with a focus on reducing class sizes and improving equity.

By Barcelona News Desk · Published 25 July 2026

How we reported this

This article was written by AI from the linked sources and was not reviewed by a journalist before publishing. The Daily Barcelona is part of The Daily Network and follows our reasonable editorial care.

As the 2025-2026 academic year in Barcelona is set to begin on September 8, the city's education system is seeing significant developments. According to the Barcelona City Council, four new all-through schools - La Flor de Maig, Els 30 Passos, Enric Granados, and Tomàs Moro - will be opening, bringing the city's total to 26.

Context and Importance

This development is particularly important as it reflects the city's efforts to improve its education system. With a focus on reducing class sizes and improving equity, the Barcelona City Council is working to ensure that all students have access to quality education. As stated in the city's education plan, public school class sizes for infants (I3) are capped at a maximum of 21 students per class for the 2026-2027 year, with 73% of public centers targeting 20 students.

Local Details and Initiatives

The Education Opportunities Report 2024 confirms a significant reduction in school segregation, dropping from 0.49 to 0.39 in pre-school and primary education between 2020 and 2024. This report, available on the Catalan News website, highlights the progress made by the city in improving education equity. Furthermore, for the 2024-2025 year, schooling for children aged 2 was free for the third consecutive year, while 94% of state schools achieved class sizes of 20 or fewer students.

Evidence and Statistics

The data suggests that the city's education system is seeing positive trends. With over 1.6 million students returning to class, despite a trend of 20,000 fewer students in preschool and primary school due to continuous decreases in births, the city is working to adapt to these changes. As reported by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the city is focused on providing quality education to all students, regardless of the challenges posed by demographic changes.

What Happens Next and Practical Advice

As the new academic year approaches, parents and students can expect to see the benefits of these developments. With a focus on reducing class sizes and improving equity, the city's education system is poised to provide high-quality education to all students. For those looking for more information on the city's education system and the new developments, the Barcelona City Council's website provides detailed information on the education options available in the city.