The beginning of the 15th century brought with it a new and exciting period in the history of Italy, the Renaissance. Marking the end of the barbarous middle ages, the Renaissance was pioneered by a group of Italian thinkers who saw the value of art, literature and culture and turned these views into a contemporary era of reform. It was during this time period that a greater importance was placed on Italian education with many of the era’s key figures creating schools where they could teach their ideas to young people and inspire a new generation of literarily capable contemporaries.
Today, many of the world’s richest people seek to settle in the beautiful cities in Italy. This is due to the incredible architecture, relaxed pace of life and a very impressive international school system that is very attractive to young families. There are a number of key factors to consider when selecting an international school, accreditation, curriculum, language of instruction, extracurriculars, location and facilities.
With their Renaissance roots and diverse curriculums, many of the international schools in Italy pass each of the criteria with flying colours.
International schools in Rome:
The New School
Founded in 1972 by a group of parents and teachers who desired a school where academic excellence and personal development were combined, The New School is accredited by the Council of International Schools and offers a British curriculum to its pupils. Academic performance is a priority at this establishment, with a comprehensive education that culminates in GCSE and A-level exams. The New School is the only school in Rome that follows the ‘Gold Standard’ A-level programme and boasts many acceptances for alumni into some of the world’s most prestigious universities.
Rome International School
Rome International School (RIS) is an International Baccalaureate World School, accredited by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) and offering a holistic approach to education. Established in 1988, RIS has an astoundingly diverse student body and offers the IB Primary and Middle Years Programme as well as the Diploma Programme for older students. With lessons primarily taught in English, RIS strives to educate Italian natives in the mother-tongue as well, creating an inclusive community for all students.
One key aspect of this is the Globeducate programme which places an emphasis on environmental stewardship and outdoor learning. The scenic countryside location of the school provides ideal locations for outdoor lessons including biology, geography and environmental science. This proximity to nature helps to foster in students a deeper understanding of the world around them. There are also global events hosted as part of the Globeducate scheme which bring young people from across the world together in the name of stewardship and sustainability. With modern features and engaging extracurriculars, this school is a great option to enhance a child’s education.
St George’s British International School
Fresh off the back of being named in the top 100 schools in the world, St George’s has made the shortlist for British International School of the Year, 2024. It offers an enhanced UK national curriculum, culminating in IGCSE’s, and is accredited by the IBO to provide the IB Diploma Programme to older students. There are also a number of successful sports teams alongside and a variety of extracurriculars to supplement the consistently high academic performance, such as football and basketball clubs as well as orchestra, photography, debate and coding clubs. St George’s is an example of a holistic establishment, boasting students from 98 different countries, and strives to help its students become well-rounded members of society.
International schools in Milan:
The British School of Milan
Rated excellent by British inspectors and boasting the best IGCSE results in Milan, The British School of Milan prides itself on world-class teaching and inspiring creativity. It was established in 1969 and is one of the top 50 IBO accredited schools in the world. Following the English National Curriculum and offering an IB Diploma, The British School of Milan is passionate about the pursuit of excellence and providing a caring class environment that inspires a love of learning. With first-rate sports facilities perfect for a variety of physical pursuits like volleyball, swimming and tennis, as well as consistent after school care clubs, The British School of Milan is dedicated to providing its students with the best education possible.
St Louis School of Milan
A top ranking private IB Diploma school in Milan with a successful 25-year history delivering an excellent education, St Louis is considered the number 1 Italian government accredited primary school and a top-ranking IB school in Milan. The emphasis this establishment places on not only academics, but on arts and sport is what sets it apart as a truly holistic learning environment. St Louis has a recent history of success, achieving the highest diploma scores in continental Europe for 8 years. With two extensive buildings, one campus for 3–14-year-olds and the second for the older students, there is a vast array of facilities available for students of all ages.
Other international schools in Italy:
United World College of the Adriatic
Located in north-east Italy in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, United World College (UWC) Adriatic is a two-year pre-university boarding school that is part of the UWC movement. UWC schools exist across the world and aim to deliver a transformational educational experience to their diverse student body, inspiring students to be agents for positive change. UWC Adriatic promotes a values-based education across five different strands: Academics, service-based learning, ecological education, cultural activities and social learning. Further to this, UWC has a prestigious music academy, designed to nurture the musical talents of its students with a combination of one-on-one tuition, lessons from accomplished musicians and a wealth of performance opportunities. There is also a dedicated sustainability initiative at UWC that encourages students to prioritise making a positive impact on the world through hands-on projects both within the school and the wider community. Intercultural and peace-building activities are also available alongside picturesque and immersive outdoor lessons and activities such as kayaking and hiking, promoting teamwork, patience and awareness.
International School of Turin
Nestled in the beautiful city of Turin, this school offers all aspects of the IB education in an inclusive environment. Established 60 years ago, the International School of Turin has always strived to improve and enhance educational performance and the facilities at the students’ disposal. Sustainability is a clear priority as well as student well-being and adaptation to the ever-changing world. It is the only school in the area to be a full-continuum IB school as well as being accredited with both CIS and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
The school also offers dynamic and enriching camps during the summer, with programmes focusing on language skills as well as sports, art and technology, encouraging creativity and teamwork. As part of the school’s strong focus on internationalism, students are also afforded the enriching opportunity to visit partner schools across the world to engage with new cultures and build relationships with peers from diverse backgrounds. These programmes are aligned with the International School of Turin’s belief in the importance of experiential learning and global awareness.
Choosing the perfect school can often be a weighty task as there are few things that are more important than a child’s education. However, with the wealth of prestigious international schools on offer in Italy, finding a school that prioritises the ideal values whilst providing a remarkable education will not be too difficult a feat.
