Two New Educational Developments in Barcelona

Barcelona is expanding its public education network this academic year with the opening of Institut Vallcarca in Gràcia and the integration of the Lexia Special Education Centre into the public system. The new Institut Vallcarca, located on Avinguda de Vallcarca, begins operations in the 2026–27 school year after years of delays and temporary shared use of facilities with Escola Mas Falcó.

This is a major step forward in strengthening public education in Gràcia.

, Ajuntament de Barcelona, District of Gràcia

Lexia Centre Joins Public Network

The Lexia Special Education Centre, serving 90 students aged 5 to 21 with language disorders and autism spectrum disorder, officially becomes part of Barcelona’s public education network this year. This marks the first time a privately run special education school has been integrated into the city’s public system. The move expands access to specialist education and strengthens public provision in the Gràcia district, according to the Barcelona City Council.

Construction Begins on Institut Escola Cal Maiol

Work has started on the new Institut Escola Cal Maiol in the Can Batlló complex in Sants-Montjuïc. The construction began in June 2026, with the new facility expected to open by September 2028. The project, funded with a municipal investment of €13.6 million, will create a nearly 6,000 m² educational complex across two connected buildings. It will include 450 places for early childhood and primary education and 240 for secondary education. The school will relocate from its current site on Carrer de Sagunt to the redeveloped Block 19 of the Can Batlló site. The design includes over 2,000 m² of naturalised outdoor spaces that will integrate directly with the adjacent Can Batlló park.

The goal is for the facility to be operational by the 2028–29 academic year.

, Infraestructures.cat, education infrastructure agency

Student Numbers and Public School Growth

This academic year, a total of 261,452 students are enrolled in schools managed by the Barcelona Education Consortium. Of these, 168,624 are in compulsory education (ages 3 to 16). Public schools now enrol 175,154 students, while subsidised private (concertado) schools have 90,396 and private schools 3,074. The integration of Lexia and expansion of public facilities reflect a broader shift toward strengthening publicly funded education. Enrolment by stage includes:

  • 15,338 in early childhood (0–3 years)
  • 31,749 in second-cycle early childhood
  • 76,152 in primary education
  • 58,156 in compulsory secondary
  • 22,713 in baccalaureate
  • 45,620 in vocational training

Parents and guardians can track developments on the Barcelona City Council website and the Gràcia district portal.

Primary sources: ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by beteve.cat, metropoliabierta.cat, GETTY, 20minutos.es, Barna Diario, El Periódico, barcelonapress.com.