IB 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 IB Schools in Italy, including reviews, fees, and why families choose them.
Why families choose an IB school in Italy?
Italy, a country famed not only for its rich history and vibrant culture, but also for its commitment to educational excellence, offers numerous International Baccalaureate (IB) schools that are becoming increasingly popular among local and expatriate families alike. The reasons for choosing an IB school in Italy are multifaceted, reflecting a broader trend towards a globalized, comprehensive education system that prepares students for academic and professional success in an interconnected world.
Global Recognition and Academic Rigor
The IB curriculum is renowned for its rigorous and holistic educational approach. Schools in Italy that offer the IB program are celebrated for fostering a challenging academic environment that encourages students to think critically, solve complex problems, and develop strong research and writing skills. These capabilities are highly valued by universities worldwide, which is a compelling reason for families aiming for top-tier higher education institutions for their children.
Multi-Cultural Environment
One of the most appealing aspects of IB schools in Italy is their vibrant multicultural environment. These institutions attract students from diverse backgrounds, promoting an inclusive atmosphere where students gain unique insights and understand different global perspectives. This exposure is immensely beneficial, nurturing culturally sensitive individuals who are comfortable and competent in interacting within various international contexts.
Emphasis on Personal Development
IB schools do not just focus on academic excellence but also prioritize holistic personal development. The curriculum is designed to balance subject depth with the exploration of broader life skills, including creativity, action, and service. This approach helps in shaping well-rounded personalities who excel not only in their studies but also in their personal lives, making these schools a preferred choice for parents interested in comprehensive development for their children.
Language Proficiency
With the increasing importance of global communication, language skills are more crucial than ever. IB schools in Italy often provide bilingual education or, at the very least, heightened emphasis on English proficiency alongside other languages. This linguistic foundation is essential in today’s global business and social arenas, giving students from these schools a distinct advantage.
Flexible and Future-Oriented Curriculum
The IB program’s adaptability to future educational and career trends is another significant draw. The curriculum’s design to foster inquiry and adaptability prepares students effectively for various future scenarios, including those in higher education and beyond, in rapidly changing professional landscapes.
In summary, the choice of an IB school in Italy is driven by a desire for a prestigious, globally recognized education that promises not just academic success but a robust, multi-faceted development of young individuals. Parents value the diverse, inclusive environment that nurtures not only intellectual but also social and emotional growth, setting students on a path to becoming global citizens.
How much does it cost to attend IB Schools in Italy?
Category | Low Range | High Range |
|---|---|---|
Annual Tuition | $15,000 | $30,000 |
Monthly Tuition Equivalent | $1,250 | $2,500 |
Registration Fee (one-time) | $500 | $1,000 |
Uniforms & Materials | $200 | $400 |
Extras & Trips | $500 | $1,500 |
Total Est. Annual Cost | $17,200 | $34,900 |
Top IB Schools Italy 2025
Discover top International 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).
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...
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.
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.
American Overseas School of Rome
-
Lazio - Rome
- Co-Education
- 3 to 18 years old
- School type:International School
- Yearly fee: 10,800 - 25,700 eur
- Curriculum:American Curriculum, IB Curriculum
- Foundation:1947
- Community: 575 students • 52 nationalities
- Examinations:AP, IB Diploma, SAT
- Language:English, Italian
- Unmatched Global Citizenship Program
- Rome's Rich History as Classroom
- Advanced Placement for University Edge
Annual tuition fees at American Overseas School of Rome range from 10,800 eur to 25,700 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.
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.
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 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.
Popular IB Schools Destinations in Italy
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, 2023We are a chilean family in this fantastic school for 2 years and we have four children in different grades. we are really happy with the way our children are growing and learning in this school. Is open, developing critical thinking and is also a great atmosphere inside with the hole comunity, students, teachers and staff members. we hope to stay longer here! Finally, great management of the pandemic period always promoting learning and school environment under safety measures.
- February, 2023A very American atmosphere! My son enjoys to go to school very much, and the opportunity to select so many interesting subjects is unmatched!! Thank you AOSR!!!
- February, 2023As an international student at AOSR, I can confidently say that the school has helped me develop and establish who I am today and who I want to become tomorrow. The great support from teachers, students, and staff have welcomed me to the school 4 years ago and still support me every day inside and outside of school. The diverse and warm community in AOSR is what makes it so special, school events organized by teachers, clubs, and parents are very welcomed and supported by all. The classes’ atmosphere are welcoming and personal, teachers have good relationships with their students even after school hours thanks to the small classes.
- February, 2023AOSR is our family’s second home since 2008 when my son entered in Grade 1.Since the very first moment when we entered for the first time into the school premises for we entered for the Admission procedure, we had a positive and comfortable feeling that has never abandoned us over those 12 years. Many things have changed into the school Community since then, my son has graduated last year, my daughter is currently attending Grade 10, two Head of School have changed, Principals have changed, new teachers have joined the school and others have left, new students and families have joined the school and others have moved, the school Community has changed and any single person we have met keeps a special place in our memory. Despite changes, the school has never lost its core strengths: support and attention to each single student and to all members of the school Community, focus on academic and personal growth, communication with parents, involvement and participation of families in school life, always with a positive attitude and with a smile! In the second semester 2020, over the months of lockdown, AOSR Community has shown more than ever commitment to its mission and core values, students have received the same level of support, care and attention and even more than they normally get in school days, positive attitude and support have been there for them in every moment of that difficult time. I feel lucky and blessed to have given my children the opportunity to attend AOSR, they are prepared to meet new academic and personal challenges and to commit themselves to always do their best. My children have had the opportunity to participate in several school activities, after-school activities, Varsity sports, Honor societies, MUN, GIN and I personally have participated in several activities that involve parents, Mayfair, our fantastic annual fair to mention the best one. AOSR has accompanied my children in the important years of growth and development and has provided all of us with experiences that will stay with us forever. We will never forget our time at AOSR, it will remain among our best memories ever!
Summary
IB schools in Italy attract families due to their globally recognized curriculum that emphasizes academic rigor, personal development, and multilingual proficiency. These schools offer a multicultural environment which prepares students to excel in a global context, fostering both intellectual and personal growth.