Acorn International School vs Kendale International School
Acorn International School and Kendale International School are both in Rome, about 3 km apart. Both schools offer British programmes. Acorn International School also offers Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS and Reggio Emilia, and Kendale International School also offers IPC. Published annual fees are €9,000 - 14,900 at Acorn International School and €5,990 - 12,000 at Kendale International School, which puts Acorn International School roughly 33% higher. Acorn International School takes pupils from 3 to 19, and Kendale International School from 3 to 11. Acorn International School is the larger school, with around 400 pupils to Kendale International School's 100. Typical class sizes are 18 at Acorn International School and 14 at Kendale International School.
British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Reggio Emilia Approach
Curriculum
IPC (International Primary Curriculum), British Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
400
Pupils
100
Typical class size
Typical class size
18
Typical class size
14
Instruction language
Instruction language
English, Italian
Instruction language
English
Opened
Opened
1999
Opened
1972
Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Vejo Park Campus, Via della Giustiniana, 1200, 00189 Roma (RM), in the Vejo Park area of northern Rome, Italy.
Location
Kendale International School is located at Via di Grottarossa 295, 00189 Rome, Italy.
Stages
Stages
Early Years; Primary School; Middle School; High School.
Stages
Preschool through Primary; ages 3 to 10 (beginning primary 4-5 years to Year 6).
School type
School type
Dual curriculum (English/Italian); IB World School.
School type
International school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
More than 30 nationalities are represented.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
English language support is provided for students who need improvement.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Italy
Country affiliation
Italy
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
First day of school: 9:00 am–2:00 pm. Full-day classes: 9:00 am–3:30 pm. Orientation day for new students: 9:15 am–11:00 am.
Bus service details
Bus service details
A bus and shuttle service is offered, with routes designed to provide a safe, timely, and cost-efficient journey to and from school; students come from across Rome, including Castelli and Bracciano.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / registration / enrolment fees - An admission / enrolment / registration fee is required at the time families submit the enrolment form and secure a place.
Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year) - The school does not publish a full, itemised tuition fee schedule by year group or per term for the current academic year on its public pages. No definitive per-term or per-year tuition numbers for Early Years, Primary, Middle or High School are publicly available on the school's published pages.
Billing schedule and payment terms (school-wide and specific services) - Payment timing for the general school tuition and the detailed billing schedule (term dates, instalment dates, discounts or penalties) are not published in a public, itemised schedule on the school's site. - School bus service billing and instalment dates are published by the bus provider used by the school: a registration fee is payable by mid‑June with the balance split into two instalments (example schedule: first instalment by July 15 and second instalment by December 15 for the school year). Late-payment and non‑refund terms for the bus service are stated by the provider. Specific amounts for routes and service types are available from the bus provider.
Boarding fees - Acorn International School operates as a day school with bus and on‑campus services; there is no published boarding or residential provision and no boarding fees are listed.
Other costs and typical additional fees - Bus / school-transport fees: annual fees and the provider's registration and instalment schedule are published by the school's transport supplier. Example service-type annual amounts and the registration/instalment schedule are published by the transport provider. - Cambridge English and extra-curricular course fees: the school publishes fees for its short/term Cambridge English courses and individual tuition packages (examples: Weekly group course €590 + €70 enrolment; Bi-weekly 80-hour course €1,000 + €70 enrolment; private 20-hour package €750 + €70 enrolment). These items are charged separately from standard school tuition. - Summer school / camp: the summer programme is offered with lunch and snacks included in the camp fee; transport meeting points (where provided) are charged as an additional fee. Specific summer-camp fees and transport supplements are published seasonally for the camp. - Canteen / lunches: the school operates an internal canteen (lunch and healthy snacks) but individual lunch-price items are not published on the school pages. - Uniforms and textbooks: the school requires standard school uniforms and textbooks for the relevant year groups, but specific uniform pricing and textbook charges are not published on the school's public pages.
Refund information - Transport (bus) provider: the provider states that the registration fee and any instalments already paid for the bus service are non-refundable in case of cancellation of the bus service. - For other school fees (tuition, enrolment, lunches, uniforms, textbooks, exams), no public, itemised refund policy or full fee refund schedule is published on the school's public pages; specific refund and cancellation rules are handled in the school's terms and conditions and are provided at enrolment.
Fee payment options - Bus / transport payments: the transport provider accepts bank transfers and publishes full bank details (IBAN and BIC/SWIFT) for payment to the transport company. Example banking details are provided by the provider for school-bus payments. - The school's public pages do not publish a complete list of accepted payment methods for general tuition (for example: whether tuition can be paid by credit card, online card payment, direct debit or bank transfer). Parents are required to complete the enrolment process and follow the school's invoicing instructions at registration.
Availability note (what is and is not publicly published) - Publicly available and itemised fees on the Acorn pages include short-course (Cambridge) programme fees, summer-school inclusions (lunch included for camp), and the transport provider's fees and payment schedule. - The school's detailed annual tuition schedule by year group (per term / per year), exact admission/enrolment fee amounts, uniform and canteen price lists, and the school's full refund terms for tuition are not published in an itemised fee schedule on the school's public pages; these details are held in the school's formal fee schedule and enrolment paperwork. Where a specific numeric tuition table or per-term breakdown is required, the school's admissions or finance office holds the current, definitive fee schedule.
Fee details
Application fees - One-time registration (application) fee at first enrolment: EUR 700. The registration fee is applied in the first year and is shown separately from tuition; for a three‑year‑old in Kindergarten 1 the first‑year total including registration is EUR 8,100.
Tuition fees (annual and approximate per‑term) - Kindergarten 1 (age 3): Annual tuition EUR 7,400. Approximate per term (if invoiced termly): EUR 2,467. (Annual figure published for academic year 2025/2026.) - Kindergarten 2 (age 4): Annual tuition EUR 7,400. Approximate per term: EUR 2,467. - Kindergarten 3 (age 5): Annual tuition EUR 10,200. Approximate per term: EUR 3,400. - Grade 1 (age 6): Annual tuition EUR 12,000. Approximate per term: EUR 4,000. - Grade 2 (age 7): Annual tuition EUR 12,000. Approximate per term: EUR 4,000. - Grade 3 (age 8): Annual tuition EUR 12,000. Approximate per term: EUR 4,000. - Grade 4 (age 9): Annual tuition EUR 12,000. Approximate per term: EUR 4,000. - Grade 5 (age 10): Annual tuition EUR 12,000. Approximate per term: EUR 4,000.
(Per‑term figures above are calculated by dividing the published annual tuition by three to show an illustrative term amount where termly billing is used. The school's published figures are presented as annual tuition.)
Billing schedule and payment terms - The published fee listings present a one‑time registration fee plus annual tuition amounts; the registration fee is charged on first enrolment and annual tuition is stated per year group. Detailed public billing schedule (invoice dates, exact payment deadlines or standard instalment plan) and explicit payment‑deadline terms are not included in the publicly available fee summary.
Boarding fees - Kendale operates as a day primary school for ages 3–11; directories list boarding places as zero and do not publish any boarding fees. There are no published full‑boarding or weekly‑boarding fees for this school.
Other costs and common additional charges - Sibling discount: A yearly discount of EUR 750 for the second child; the third child is shown as not charged. - Uniform: The school is listed as not requiring a mandatory uniform in its published profile. (No mandatory uniform fee is listed in the published fee summary.) - Optional/extra activities: the school offers after‑school care, instrument lessons and extracurricular clubs in its program listings; separate charges for optional activities (music lessons, clubs, supervised after‑school programmes or special trips) are not itemised in the published fee summary and may be billed separately.
Refund information - No publicly published refund policy or detailed refund schedule for registration or tuition appears in the available fee summary listings. The fee listings show the registration fee as a one‑time charge but do not set out published refund conditions or percentages in the fee summary.
Fee payment options - The publicly available fee summary lists fees and discounts but does not publish specific accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer IBAN details or credit‑card payment options) in the summary materials reviewed. Payment method details and invoice banking information are not provided in the published fee table.
Summary of availability of published information - Published, current (academic year 2025/2026) figures are available for the one‑time registration fee and annual tuition by year group, and a sibling discount is published. Boarding fees are not applicable because the school is a day primary school. Detailed public statements of termly invoice dates, explicit instalment schedules, refund terms, and specific payment‑method instructions are not included in the fee summary sources reviewed.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
The school has an internal canteen serving main lunch and healthy snacks. Meals are a learning tool to promote healthy eating. Since 2024, students have produced Acorn olive oil from olive trees on campus.
Food options
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House system
House system
In the KS2 department, students are assigned to one of four houses; houses earn points for good work, inspired answers, thoughtful behavior and demonstrating school values; each house has a house captain; weekly points are recorded in a House Points Log; the House Cup is awarded to the winning house; the school decorates in the color of the winning house.
House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
The school offers a dual curriculum that integrates the UK curriculum with the Italian national curriculum. It serves students from age 3 to 19 and includes Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, and International Baccalaureate High School.
Curriculum details
Kendale's programme emphasizes creativity alongside the standard international school curriculum, with dedicated time for musical, dramatic, and artistic activities and for physical education. The school offers English, a comprehensive Italian course, and an introduction to French. For younger children, a daily routine fosters independent learning within a safe, respectful and supportive environment. By the end of Year 6, Kendale students are well prepared for the transition to Middle School, whether at the Italian Scuola Media, an international institution or a school in their home country.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Average class size is 18 students.
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
Students achieve top results in their exams and in their study path beyond Acorn.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Includes an International Baccalaureate High School as part of its curriculum, supporting study beyond Acorn.
Higher education progression
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Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
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Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
A Psychotherapist provides weekly professional psychological support for families and students, a service available since 2003. The school organises workshops for parents on topics around childhood and pre-adolescence and informative sessions for Middle School students; there is availability for one-to-one meetings with parents and/or students. EYFS and Year 1 collaborate to observe the development of Italian language alongside emotional-social development, and staff use these observations to inform teaching and support across departments.
Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
The school runs a SEN procedure with a SENCO coordinator and holds monthly SEN meetings. The process includes Attitudinal questionnaires and the management of PDPs, with guidance offered to teachers on assessments and intervention strategies, and coordination with the Head teacher to support identified learners.
Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
Tailored pathways exist for English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Italian as an Additional Language (IAL). These programs support non-native speakers in developing speaking, listening, reading and writing, focusing on vocabulary and grammar with cultural awareness, delivered through individualized lessons and small-group activities.
English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
Weekly professional psychological support is provided by a psychotherapist, with accompanying parent workshops and middle-school information sessions, plus availability for one-to-one meetings with parents or students to discuss concerns.
Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
There is a whistleblowing regulation and a privacy policy, with contact details for reporting concerns: written reports to Acorn International School and a telephone option for verbal reports.
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
Vejo Park Campus is in northern Rome at Via della Giustiniana, 1200. The campus provides a balanced environment between classroom and laboratory spaces and meaningful outdoor experiences. Acorn offers a bilingual English/Italian curriculum for ages 3 to 19 and integrates UK and Italian programs. The campus features gyms, sport facilities, theatre, music labs and fabrication labs to support a broad range of activities. Classes are small, averaging 18 students per class.
Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
The school has gyms and sport facilities. A garden area is used for PE activities and sport days. Sport days involve teachers and parents and are designed to engage students across ages and activities.
Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
The Vejo Park Campus provides a balanced environment between classroom and laboratory spaces and meaningful outdoor experiences. The school offers a bilingual English/Italian curriculum with immersion into both the UK and Italian curricula. The campus includes spaces such as gyms, theatre, music labs, and fabrication labs to support a broad range of learning activities. Small class sizes (average 18 students) support personalized learning.
Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
For 2025-2026, the school offers a wide range of after-school activities across arts, sports, languages and STEM. Examples include Art Lab, Kapla Club, Storytelling, Cooking, Gardening, Performing Arts, Choir, Music Lab, Judo, Basketball, Football, Rugby, Acrobatics/Gymnastics, Dance, Swimming, Science Club, Chess, Coding & Robotics, and language courses in Spanish and Chinese, plus Cambridge English Qualifications and ESL. Additional offerings include School of Music group and private lessons and collaborations with local sports programs such as ASD Roma 1927 Futsal Serie A and American Football.
Extra curricular facilities
The curriculum includes ample opportunities for musical, dramatic and artistic activities as well as physical education. Art Week is listed as part of Kendale's extracurricular programming.
Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
Acorn International School of Rome was founded in 1999. It developed a dual curriculum path that combines the UK curriculum with the Italian national curriculum. The school celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024. The school serves students aged 3 to 19, from early years through the International Baccalaureate High School.
History
Kendale International School was established in 1972. The school has a long history of high academic achievement and prepares its pupils for both international and Italian middle schools. The classes, ranging from beginning primary (4-5 years) to 5th Grade (Year 6), are small with an average of 10-14 students per class.
Community
Community
Community events at Acorn International School include Our Christmas Market, Live Christmas Show by students, Soccer Tournaments, Annual Sport Day in May, Earth Day, and the Annual Exchange Fair.
Community
Kendale describes its community as cohesive, with the efforts and contributions of all involved appreciated and valued. It emphasises creativity, kindness, empathy, caring and sharing, and maintains opportunities for cross-age interaction to nurture confidence and mutual respect. Art Week strengthens family and community through active parent involvement, with the Art Week values COOPERATION, ORGANIZATION, RESPONSIBILITY, CREATIVITY, RESPECT, FREE CHOICE, CLEAN UP, FINISH, ENJOY. The school hosts events such as May Fair, Book Week, Kendale Open Day, and other activities that engage parents and the wider school community.
Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is open to all parents in the Acorn community and operates on a volunteer basis. The PTA promotes dialogue between families and the school, fosters unity within the school community, and organizes events and initiatives for students while supporting fundraising for educational and charitable initiatives.
Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
Acorn International School offers a dual curriculum from age 3 to 19, spanning Early Years, Primary, Middle School and International Baccalaureate High School. The bilingual English/Italian program provides deep immersion in both the UK and Italian curricula. The school is an IB World School and a Cambridge partner, and is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education. The campus features science laboratories, libraries, open spaces, two sport gyms, three sport fields, an auditorium and an in‑house canteen, while classes are small to support personalized learning (about 18 students per class).
Academic & intellectual
Kendale International School was established in 1972. The school has a long history of high academic achievement and prepares its pupils for both international and Italian middle schools. Classes are small, averaging 10-14 students per class, from beginning primary (4-5 years) to Year 6. The school has 50 years of experience.
Arts & creative
Arts & creative
Art is a core value at Acorn with activities including podcasting, journalism and various art forms. In Middle and High School, students access an Art Gallery and learn to think like artists, using the visual arts to express ideas. Art in Early Years and Primary uses painting, collage, natural materials and visual play to develop imagination, coordination and confidence. Afterschool Clubs include Art Lab, Ceramics, Performing Arts, Storytelling, Choir and Music Lab.
Arts & creative
Art Week is part of Kendale's offerings.
Cultural & language
Cultural & language
Acorn celebrates cultural diversity and respects the world, central to its values. It teaches about cultures through a project-based curriculum that connects life and geography across cultures. The bilingual English/Italian curriculum provides deep immersion into both the UK and Italian curricula. The school aims to develop conscientious, open-minded global citizens and life-long learners.
Cultural & language
The regular language of instruction is English; the school also offers a comprehensive Italian course and an introduction to French. Didactics and participation in cultural events, as well as organized trips to Rome's museums, contribute to a complete and stimulating course of studies.
Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
Afterschool Clubs encourage participation in sport, academic and music clubs to support well-being and social interaction outside the classroom. The 2025-2026 program includes Art Lab, Kapla Club, Storytelling, Cooking, Gardening, Performing Arts, Choir and Music Lab. Clubs also cover sports (basketball, football, rugby, swimming, archery, tennis), languages (Spanish, Chinese) and activities such as Coding & Robotics, MUN and more. The clubs are designed to foster a family feel and welcome participation from former students, parents and even family members.
Social & hobbies
After-school activities are available. This program includes an Italian language course that provides for a deeper study of history, geography, science, poetry and maths, using a sussidiario for reference.
Community & service
Community & service
The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) promotes dialogue between families and the school, supports unity within the Acorn community and organizes events and initiatives, including fundraising for educational and charitable efforts. Community Events include Our Christmas Market, Live Christmas Show, Soccer Tournaments, Annual Sport Day, Earth Day and the Exchange Fair.
Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
The campus is a green-inspired setting with a holistic, low-tech approach in the Early Years and a tech-integrated environment in the upper years. Small class sizes and a diverse, international student body with a strong Italian cultural foundation support personalized learning. Recruitment is centralized with rolling interviews; current job opportunities are posted as they become available. A recognized teaching qualification (PGCE, QTS, or equivalent) is mandatory for core teaching roles.
Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
The Nutrition program features an internal canteen serving main meals and healthy snacks, with meals used as a learning tool about healthy eating; since 2024 students have produced Acorn olive oil from the school's olive trees. Facilities include science laboratories, libraries, open spaces, two gyms, three sport fields, an auditorium and an in-house canteen. Wellbeing is supported through Sports Day events that bring together students, staff and families, and Afterschool Clubs promote social interaction and physical activity.
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
English is used in the International (English-speaking) track; Italian is used in the Italian curriculum track.
Language provision
English is the language of instruction. An Italian language program is provided for subject-specific language development, and there is an introduction to French.
Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
The school has an International (English-speaking) track and an Italian curriculum track.
Bilingual teaching
The school teaches in English. An Italian language course is offered for deeper study of various subjects. There is an introduction to French.
Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
The school has a five-step application process: 1. Initial Enquiry 2. Parents' Visit 3. Children's Visit 4. Open Day 5. Acceptance. The Initial Enquiry is submitted online by clicking Enquire and should be accompanied by the previous two years of school reports (where applicable) and a motivational letter explaining the reasons for applying, including any mid-cycle entry considerations. An initial visit with the Principal is arranged, providing a tour and informal questions; this visit is essential to understand the school's approaches. If the initial visit is successful, a time is scheduled for the child to visit the school, meet the prospective class teacher, and undergo a formal interview or entry test. If parents wish to continue, the child may have a day trial placement in the relevant class (longer if possible); after the trial, the parents meet with the Head of School and the class teacher to discuss the application and the school ethos, and the trial may be extended if deemed necessary by the admissions board. Parents must confirm unequivocal commitment to the dual curriculum and to respect school policies; if all agree, a place is offered. The first term is a probationary period to ensure the child settles in. Enquiring families may be placed on a temporary waiting list according to space availability. Age entrance for 2026-2027 is by age with a December 31 birthday cutoff, with grade placement determined by birth dates as follows: Early childhood (EC) born 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024; Preschool born 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023; Reception born 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022; Year 1 born 1 January 2021 – 31 December 2021; Year 2 born 1 January 2020 – 31 December 2020; Year 3 born 1 January 2019 – 31 December 2019; Year 4 born 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018; Year 5 born 1 January 2017 – 31 December 2017; Year 6 born 1 January 2016 – 31 December 2016; Year 7 born 1 January 2015 – 31 December 2015; Year 8 born 1 January 2014 – 31 December 2014; Year 9 born 1 January 2013 – 31 December 2013; Year 10 born 1 January 2012 – 31 December 2012; Year 11 born 1 January 2011 – 31 December 2011; Year 12 born 1 January 2010 – 31 December 2010; Year 13 born 1 January 2009 – 31 December 2009.
Admissions
Enrollment for the 2025–2026 school year is open for new students aged 3–10 years. The form is printable as a PDF. The form collects: surname and name of the child, Cod. Fisc, birth date, place of birth, citizenship, languages spoken, home address, city, postcode, home telephone, email address, father's name, mobile numbers, mother's maiden name, and email address; it also asks to indicate which parent communications should be addressed to, whether the telephone number may appear on class lists, and notes that private transport may be arranged at extra cost; instrument options (piano, recorder, flute, guitar) with age thresholds; a note that the number of children per group is limited and to confirm by May; prior schools attended, year, grade; names and birthdays of older and younger siblings; how the school was recommended; immunisation details; vaccination status; where receipts should be addressed; an agreement to pay the yearly tuition fees with a 5% late payment fee; and a general consent to proceed. Three months' written notice is required if a child is withdrawn during the school year. The Fees Schedule for 2025–2026 shows registration fees (first child €700, second €600, third €500), tuition by grade, and that two or more children receive discounted rates; tuition includes mid-morning snack, lunch, library services and materials, Italian instruction at all levels, oral French from age 7+, music and gymnastics; private transport is available at extra cost. Enrolments open for 3–10 year olds for 2025–2026.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
Waiting list for school year '25-'26 and '26-'27: For the 2025-26 school year, limited places are available in some classes and many sections have waiting lists. For 2026-27, until January 31, 2026, enrolled students have priority to enter the next class; after that date, external students are admitted until places are filled; most classes also have waiting lists for external students.
