Private Schools in Italy are a great choice for both local and expat families as they offer globally recognized curricula, outstanding academics plus a nurturing environment for children. Discover our selection of the best Private Schools in Italy, including reviews, fees, and why families choose them.
Why Families Choose a Private School in Italy?
Families in Italy are increasingly opting for private schools, drawn by their academic excellence, personalized learning experiences, and global outlook. These schools present a strong alternative to public education, particularly for expatriates or families looking for language immersion and adaptable curricula.
Academic Excellence and Global Programs
Many private institutions in Italy offer globally recognized programs such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), British A-Levels, or the American High School Diploma. Parents appreciate these qualifications for their rigor and the opportunities they provide for university admission abroad.
English and Bilingual Instruction
Private schools often feature English-speaking or bilingual instruction (like English-Italian or French-Italian), which is especially attractive to international families and Italian parents eager for their children to acquire global language skills early on.
Smaller Class Sizes and Personalized Attention
With smaller student-to-teacher ratios, educators can customize lessons and provide timely support when necessary. Families frequently mention the stronger bonds between students and teachers, along with enhanced academic assistance.
Multicultural School Communities
In cities like Milan, Rome, and Florence, private schools bring together students from diverse backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and cultural exchange. Parents value this diversity as an essential part of a comprehensive, global education.
Modern Facilities and Enrichment
Private schools in Italy typically boast well-kept campuses and a wide range of extracurricular activities—from arts and sports to coding and robotics—nurturing both intellectual and personal growth.
Educational Philosophy and Values
Parents often select schools that resonate with their values, whether they lean towards tradition, religion, or progressive educational approaches like Montessori or Reggio Emilia. This alignment helps to strengthen the relationship between families and schools.
How much does it cost to attend Private Schools in Italy?
Category | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|
Annual Tuition | $8,150 | $29,300 |
Monthly Tuition Equivalent | $680 | $2,440 |
Registration Fee (one-time) | $540 | $5,450 |
Uniforms & Materials | $600 | $1,200 |
Extras & Trips | $800 | $2,500 |
Total Est. Annual Cost | $10,800 | $38,450 |
Top Private Schools Italy 2025
Discover top Private Schools in Italy. Use the filters to find the right fit and contact schools directly from their profiles.
St. Stephen’s School Rome 
-
Lazio - Rome
- Co-Education
- 13 to 18 years old
- School type:Day & Boarding School
- Yearly fee: 28,960 - 49,413 eur
- Curriculum:IB Curriculum
- Foundation:1964
- Community: 308 students • 57 nationalities
- Examinations:IB Diploma
- Language:English
- Embrace global citizenship in Rome
- Boarding fosters independence
- IB curriculum with humanities focus
Annual tuition fees at St. Stephen’s School Rome range from 28,960 eur to 49,413 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
Day Program Tuition: EUR 28,960.00 | Locally sourced lunch: EUR 1,590.00 | New students Capital Assessment Fee: EUR 1,500.00 | Returning students Capital Assessment Fee: EUR 500 | Spring Trip...Boarding Tuition: EUR 20,453.00 | Total Boarding Tuition: EUR 49,413.00 | New students Capital Assessment Fee: EUR 1,500.00 | Returning students Capital Assessment Fee: EUR 500 | Spring Trip Deposit:...
H-FARM International School
-
Veneto - Vicenza
- Co-Education
- 3 to 18 years old
- School type:Day & Boarding School
- Yearly fee: 9,500 - 21,000 eur
- Curriculum:IB Curriculum
- Community: 650 students • 25 nationalities
- Examinations:IB Diploma
- Language:English
- Innovation-focused learning approach
- Stunning 51-acre tech-inspired campus
- Bilingual immersion from day one
Annual tuition fees at H-FARM International School range from 9,500 eur to 21,000 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
Costs for Day students range from 8.000€ (nursery) to 18.000€ (IB Diploma Programme).Costs for Boarding students range from 15.000€ to 21.000€ (in addition to the Tuition fees).
Acorn International School
-
Lazio - Rome
- Co-Education
- 3 to 18 years old
- School type:International School
- Yearly fee: 8,500 - 14,500 eur
- Curriculum:British Curriculum, Cambridge Curriculum, Italian Curriculum
- Foundation:1999
- Community: 350 students • 28 nationalities
- Examinations:Cambridge, IB Diploma, IGCSE
- Language:Bilingual, English, Italian
- Bilingual Program Nurtures Global Citizens
- Personalised Learning Sparks Curiosity
- STEAM Focus Fuels Future Innovators
Annual tuition fees at Acorn International School range from 8,500 eur to 14,500 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
Smiling International School
-
Emilia Romagna - Ferrara
- Co-Education
- 2 to 18 years old
- School type:Day & Boarding School
- Yearly fee: 6,980 - 19,600 eur
- Curriculum:IB Curriculum, IB Diploma Programme, Italian Curriculum, Other
- Foundation:1998
- Community: 450 students • 18 nationalities
- Examinations:Cambridge, IB Diploma
- Language:English
- Emphasis on Multilingual Fluency
- Unique Art and Drama Programs
- Enriched Learning Through Excursions
Annual tuition fees at Smiling International School range from 6,980 eur to 19,600 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
Boarding students applying for the IB Diploma Programme may be eligible for a partial scholarship covering up to 15% of the tuition fee. The scholarship is awarded on the basis...
Castelli International School
-
Lazio - Rome
- Co-Education
- 5 to 14 years old
- School type:International School
- Yearly fee: 8,000 - 12,500 eur
- Curriculum:British Curriculum, Italian Curriculum
- Foundation:1977
- Community: 135 students • 18 nationalities
- Examinations:Cambridge, IGCSE
- Language:English, Italian
- Bilingual learning in Italian/English.
- Focus on ecological sustainability.
- Incorporates theatrical arts in curriculum.
Annual tuition fees at Castelli International School range from 8,000 eur to 12,500 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
The school fees include all curricular lessons and school meals
Canadian School of Milan
-
Lombardy - Milan
- Co-Education
- 3 to 18 years old
- School type:International School
- Yearly fee: 12,500 - 20,400 eur
- Curriculum:Canadian Curriculum, IB Curriculum
- Foundation:2004
- Community: 400 students • 40 nationalities
- Examinations:IB Diploma
- Language:English
- Bilingual immersion in English & Italian
- Innovative STEM-focused curriculum
- Personalized instruction, small classes
Annual tuition fees at Canadian School of Milan range from 12,500 eur to 20,400 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
International School of Milan
-
Lombardy - Milan
- Co-Education
- 2 to 18 years old
- School type:Day & Boarding School
- Yearly fee: 11,600 - 46,215 eur
- Curriculum:IB Curriculum
- Foundation:1958
- Community: 900 students • 50 nationalities
- Examinations:IB Diploma
- Language:English
- IB curriculum from age 2 to 18
- Innovative, tech-driven learning
- Culturally diverse and inclusive
Annual tuition fees at International School of Milan range from 11,600 eur to 46,215 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
International School of Florence
-
Tuscany - Florence
- Co-Education
- 3 to 19 years old
- School type:International School
- Yearly fee: 13,950 - 24,040 eur
- Curriculum:IB Curriculum
- Foundation:1952
- Community: 541 students • 44 nationalities
- Examinations:IB Diploma
- Language:French, Italian, Spanish
- Nurturing Bilingualism – Italian & English
- Historic Setting for Modern Learning
- Rich blend of Local and Global Exposure
Annual tuition fees at International School of Florence range from 13,950 eur to 24,040 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
Rome International School
-
Lazio - Rome
- Co-Education
- 2 to 18 years old
- School type:International School
- Yearly fee: 9,700 - 24,425 eur
- Curriculum:British Curriculum, IB Curriculum
- Foundation:1988
- Community: 450 students • 50 nationalities
- Examinations:Cambridge, IB Diploma, IGCSE
- Language:English
- Emphasis on Global Citizenship Education
- Multicultural environment with 50+ nationalities
- Immersive English-Italian bilingual program
Annual tuition fees at Rome International School range from 9,700 eur to 24,425 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
St. Louis School
-
Lombardy - Milan
- Co-Education
- 3 to 18 years old
- School type:Day & Boarding School
- Yearly fee: 12,910 - 24,430 eur
- Curriculum:British Curriculum, IB Curriculum
- Foundation:1996
- Community: 1500 students • 40 nationalities
- Examinations:Cambridge, IB Diploma, IGCSE
- Language:English, Italian
- Rigorous IB program with 100% pass rate
- Bilingual curriculum in English and Italian
- Emphasis on tech with coding classes
Annual tuition fees at St. Louis School range from 12,910 eur to 24,430 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
St George’s British International School, Rome
-
Lazio - Rome
- Co-Education
- 3 to 18 years old
- School type:International School
- Yearly fee: 10,700 - 19,900 eur
- Curriculum:British Curriculum
- Foundation:1958
- Community: 860 students • 84 nationalities
- Examinations:IB Diploma, IGCSE
- Language:English
- Holistic British-Italian curriculum
- Exemplary outdoor learning focus
- Diverse 70+ nationality mix
Annual tuition fees at St George’s British International School, Rome range from 10,700 eur to 19,900 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
The British School of Milan – Sir James Henderson
-
Lombardy - Milan
- Co-Education
- 3 to 18 years old
- School type:International School
- Yearly fee: 14,490 - 25,090 eur
- Curriculum:British Curriculum, IB Curriculum
- Foundation:1969
- Community: 730 students • 44 nationalities
- Examinations:IB Diploma, IGCSE
- Language:English
- Bilingual immersion from age 3
- High IGCSE & IB Diploma scores
- Innovative STEAM programme
Annual tuition fees at The British School of Milan – Sir James Henderson range from 14,490 eur to 25,090 eur, depending on the student's grade level and program.
International School of Como
-
Lombardy - Como
- Co-Education
- 2 to 18 years old
- School type:International School
- Curriculum:IB Curriculum
- Foundation:2002
- Community: 360 students • 42 nationalities
- Language:English
- Embraces bilingualism for global fluency.
- Focus on creativity, arts, and technology.
- Individualized learning in a multicultural setting.
International School of Bologna
-
Italy - Bologna
- Co-Education
- 3 to 18 years old
- School type:International School
- Yearly fee: 9,500 - 20,000 usd
- Curriculum:IB Curriculum
- Foundation:2004
- Community: 275 students • 35 nationalities
- Examinations:IB Diploma
- Language:English
- IB curriculum with real-world focus.
- Multilingual learning, honing global skills.
- A nurturing environment with small classes.
Annual tuition fees at International School of Bologna range from 9,500 usd to 20,000 usd, depending on the student's grade level and program.
Parent and Student Reviews
- October, 2024Our 2 children have been at the school for almost 8 years. The caring, nurturing environment alongside rigorous academics, allowed my daughter to access a top university in UK while my son joined a boarding school in UK.
- In 2021 we found H Farm International School thanks to Worldschools. It was love at first sight. We left our beautiful Castellammare di Stabia to embrace the project of raising our two children Chloe and Ruben in an international environment, surrounded by greenery with a strong vocation for entrepreneurship and innovation. After 3 years we are happy with the choice motivated by the jumps of joy of the children who want to go back to school, as soon as they have left it. Thank you Worldschools, Thank you H Farm
- July, 2023I am grateful for the teachers and staff who commit themselves to our students: they challenge and support them, and make them laugh.
- July, 2023I am grateful for the entire community of administrators, teachers and staff at the ISF upper school campus. Both of my children come to school enthusiastically, feeling safe and supported in their learning. They have quality relationships with a variety of teachers and students and they are thriving in school.
- July, 2023I am grateful for the entire community of administrators, teachers and staff at the ISF upper school campus. Both of my children come to school enthusiastically, feeling safe and supported in their learning. They have quality relationships with a variety of teachers and students and they are thriving in school.
- July, 2023ISF’s open minded community has allowed our children to flourish, while the teachers’ kindness, flexibility and positivity encouraged the kids to pick the path that was just right for them.
ISF’s relatively small but diverse community of locals and international families creates the ideal conditions for our kids to immediately feel encouraged and part of the community.
There is no other school that captures the magic and uniqueness of Florence like ISF. It provided a welcoming and nourishing environment for our kids complimented by the gorgeous historic villa that is the campus. - After 15 years at RIS I must admit the school’s community is my second home. I’ve seen the school grow and change, students come and go. I always tried my best to leave something behind in a community that gave me so much, I continuously tried to be involved in creating different councils and clubs. I miss all moments!
- March, 2023I will miss most of my teachers, many of whom I have spent years with at this school. I would like to thank all of them for guiding and helping me in improving myself as a person and academically. Thank You for believing in me as a student and for teaching me to never give up!
- February, 2023The range of clubs is fantastic. I can try everything from orchestra to canoeing.
- February, 2023The school provides a comprehensive and well-rounded environment for students. The school is not just focused on the present but also the future of its students, with a number of career-oriented events, fairs and discussions. We have come to appreciate the pedagogy adopted by the school and are very happy with the way our son is shaping up.
- February, 2023Excellent university guidance (including locations outside of the UK) ensures we are ready for the next step.
- February, 2023Proactive, kind and open-minded leaders with supportive staff and teachers.
Summary
Private schools in Italy offer families an exceptional educational experience that emphasizes academic excellence, global awareness, and tailored support. With programs like the International Baccalaureate, British A-Levels, and bilingual education, these schools are particularly appealing to both local and international families who are looking for strong academic results and language skills. Parents often value the small class sizes, diverse environments, and access to modern facilities that enhance extracurricular activities. Whether they align with religious beliefs or embrace progressive teaching methods, private schools in Italy create a structured yet flexible foundation that enables students to flourish—both in their studies and personal growth—within an interconnected world.