Pestalozzi Schule vs Scuola Italiana Cristoforo Colombo
Pestalozzi Schule and Scuola Italiana Cristoforo Colombo are both in Buenos Aires, about 3 km apart. Both schools offer Bespoke programmes, and Pestalozzi Schule also offers IB and German. Published annual fees are ARS 6,494,070 - 12,436,490 at Pestalozzi Schule and ARS 9,100,000 - 12,700,000 at Scuola Italiana Cristoforo Colombo, which puts Scuola Italiana Cristoforo Colombo roughly 15% higher. Both take pupils from 2 to 18. The two are similar in size, at around 1,200 and 1,200 pupils.
Freire 1882, C1428CYB Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Pestalozzi-Schule is a German international school located in Buenos Aires. It serves Kindergarten through Secondary education within a bicultural context. It is part of the network of German Auslandsschulen supported by the Federal Republic of Germany.
The school is a bilingual, bicultural, non-denominational German international school offering Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary education.
School type
Italian paritarian, bicultural and bilingual school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
Open to students of all nationalities; approximately 90% of students are Argentine.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
Study support and remediation; assistance for learning difficulties with personalized didactic plans (PDP) and, where applicable, individualized educational plans (PEI or PPI).
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Germany; supported under the Auslandsschulgesetz and part of the network of German overseas schools.
Country affiliation
Italian school abroad; recognized by Argentina and Italy.
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational; not affiliated with any religion.
Religious affiliation
Secular orientation.
School day structure
School day structure
Primary and Secondary education are full-day.
School day structure
Optional after-school English classes extend the day twice weekly.
Bus service details
Bus service details
No school bus service provided by the school; third-party providers; families apply directly to bus providers; the school verifies compliance with norms and collects required documents.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Schulgeld (Übersicht)
- Kindergarten (2–5 Jahre): Monatsrate ARS 590,370. Die Zahlung erfolgt in 11 Raten pro Jahr (Februar bis Dezember).
- Zusätzlicher Nachmittagsunterricht (optional, monatlich): 4‑Jährige (an 2 Nachmittagen): ARS 147,610 zusätzlich pro Monat. 5‑Jährige (an 4 Nachmittagen): ARS 295,220 zusätzlich pro Monat. Diese Zusatzbeträge werden ebenfalls in den monatlichen Raten abgerechnet.
- Primarstufe (1.–6. Klasse): Monatsrate ARS 949,100. Zahlung in 11 Raten pro Jahr (Februar bis Dezember).
- Sekundarstufe (7.–12. Klasse): Monatsrate ARS 1,130,590. Zahlung in 11 Raten pro Jahr (Februar bis Dezember). Für das optionale International Baccalaureate-Programm wird zusätzlich eine Programmpauschale von USD 2,106 für die Gesamtdauer des Programms (zwei Jahre) erhoben.
- Jahresbeträge (berechnet aus den angegebenen Monatsraten × 11): - Kindergarten: ARS 6,494,070 pro Jahr (590,370 × 11). - Primarstufe: ARS 10,440,100 pro Jahr (949,100 × 11). - Sekundarstufe: ARS 12,436,490 pro Jahr (1,130,590 × 11). - Zusatz-Nachmittagsunterricht Jahreskosten (wenn angewendet): 4‑Jährige ARS 1,623,710 (147,610 × 11); 5‑Jährige ARS 3,247,420 (295,220 × 11).
Anmeldegebühr (Reserva de Vacante)
- Für neue Schüler: eine Monatsrate des geltenden Schulgeldes zuzüglich einer halben Monatsrate als Verwaltungsgebühr (Summe = 1,5 Monatsraten).
- Für derzeitige Schüler, Geschwister von Schülern oder Kinder von Alumni: eine Monatsrate (keine Geschwisterermäßigung auf diese Gebühr).
Rückerstattung der Anmeldegebühr
- Werden formelle oder pädagogische Voraussetzungen nicht erfüllt, stehen gezahlte Anmeldegebühren den Eltern ab dem ersten Werktag im März des betreffenden Schuljahres zur Verfügung, sofern keine Schulschulden bestehen; die Verwaltungsgebühr ist nicht rückerstattungsfähig.
- Bei Rücktritt nach Zahlung der Anmeldegebühr: Schüler der Schule erhalten Rückerstattung innerhalb von zehn (10) Tagen nach schriftlicher Mitteilung, wenn diese Mitteilung vor dem 30. November des Vorjahres erfolgt; neue Schüler erhalten keine Rückerstattung.
Rechnungs- und Zahlungsplan / Zahlungsbedingungen
- Das Jahresschulgeld wird in 11 aufeinanderfolgenden Monatsraten von Februar bis Dezember bezahlt. Zahlungen sind nach Rechnungsstellung fällig.
- Akzeptierte Zahlungsarten und Verfahren: - ICBC (Einzahlung am Bankschalter mit Barcode der Rechnung; Banküberweisung; Bargeldeinzahlung; Scheck; E‑Scheck). Eltern müssen Zahlungsnachweis unter Angabe der Familien- oder Rechnungsnummer an administration@pestalozzi.edu.ar oder an den Benutzer Administración in Phidias senden. - Bank Galicia (integrierter Inkassoservice über Selbstbedienungskassen / Filialkassen mit Angabe der Familiennummer; Bargeld und Schecks werden akzeptiert; Schecks werden erst nach Gutschrift als schuldbefreiend anerkannt). - Bankeinzug von einem argentinischen Giro- oder Sparkonto (Lastschrift) ist möglich; die Belastung erfolgt ab der nächsten Abrechnungsperiode am Fälligkeitstag der Rechnung. Antrag beim Verwaltungsbüro erforderlich. - Überweisungen aus dem Ausland: Deutsche Bank Hamburg mit Angabe von Kontodaten und IBAN/BIC (spezifische Angaben sind für Auslandsüberweisungen vorgesehen). Aus Sicherheitsgründen werden in der Schulverwaltung keine Barzahlungen angenommen.
Skonto / Nachlässe
- Skonto bei pünktlicher Zahlung wird auf die Anmeldegebühr für das folgende Schuljahr angerechnet; die Höhe richtet sich nach der pünktlichen Zahlung der Rechnungen. Im Kindergarten bis zu 55% Skonto; in Primar- und Sekundarstufe bis zu 100% möglich. Der Skonto wird vorbehaltlich fristgerechter Vorlage des Schulvertrags für das Folgejahr gewährt.
- Geschwisternachlässe (gültig für Familien mit mehr als einem Kind): 2. Kind 15% Nachlass; 3. Kind 50% Nachlass; 4. Kind 80% Nachlass; 5. Kind 95% Nachlass. Kein Nachlass auf die Anmeldegebühr.
Zusätzliche und optionale Kosten
- Nicht im Schulgeld inbegriffen (können separat berechnet werden): Klassenfahrten, Zeltlager, Ausflüge, Prüfungsanmeldungen (z. B. Cambridge English: FCE / CAE), Schüleraustauschprogramme (z. B. mit Deutschland), Gebühren für das IB‑Diplomprogramm (Programmpauschale in USD wie oben genannt) sowie Dienstleistungen Dritter wie Schulkantine, Schulbus und weiterer Fremdanbieter.
- Im Schulgeld inbegriffen sind: sportliche Tätigkeiten (Training, Wettbewerbe), Versicherungsschutz zur Fortsetzung der schulischen Laufbahn und Materialien im Kindergarten. Es werden grundsätzlich keine zusätzlichen obligatorischen Schulgebühren erhoben, außer den genannten optionalen Aktivitäten und Diensten Dritter.
- Schuluniform: eine Beschreibung der benötigten Uniformteile ist vorgegeben; Uniformen sind über zugelassene Verkaufsstellen (z. B. Orca Colegial, Juvenilia) erhältlich (Preise werden von den Verkaufsstellen festgelegt).
Boarding
- Boarding wird nicht angeboten; es sind keine Wohnheimplätze oder Boardinggebühren ausgewiesen.
Kurzfassung der wichtigsten Zahlungsdaten (faktisch)
- Monatsraten: Kindergarten ARS 590,370; Primarstufe ARS 949,100; Sekundarstufe ARS 1,130,590. - Jahreszahlung: in 11 monatlichen Raten (Februar–Dezember). - Anmeldegebühr: Neue Schüler 1,5 Monatsraten; interne Schüler/Geschwister/Alumni-Kinder 1 Monatsrate; Rückerstattungsregeln wie oben beschrieben. - Zahlungsarten: lokale Bankeinzahlung/Überweisung/Lastschrift, Scheck, ausländische Überweisung über Deutsche Bank (IBAN/BIC).
(Ende der Gebührenübersicht)
Fee details
Application / matrícula (inscripción / reinscripción) - Derecho de inscripción / matrícula anual por nivel (opciones y vencimientos): - Pago anticipado hasta 20/11/2025 (1 pago o en 4 cuotas según adhesión): - ARS 910,000 — Nivel Inicial. - ARS 1,036,000 — Primaria 1º grado. - ARS 1,125,000 — Primaria 2º a 5º grado. - ARS 1,190,000 — Media. - ARS 1,270,000 — Liceo. - Pago único con vencimiento 22/12/2025: - ARS 982,800 — Inicial. - ARS 1,119,000 — Primaria 1º grado. - ARS 1,215,000 — Primaria 2º a 5º grado. - ARS 1,285,000 — Media. - ARS 1,372,000 — Liceo. - Pago único posterior al 22/12/2025: - ARS 1,047,000 — Inicial. - ARS 1,192,000 — Primaria 1º grado. - ARS 1,294,000 — Primaria 2º a 5º grado. - ARS 1,369,000 — Media. - ARS 1,460,000 — Liceo. - Modalidades de pago de la matrícula: - Pago en 1 (un) pago. - Pago en 4 (cuatro) cuotas (solo si la familia está adherida a débito directo en cuenta bancaria o a débito automático de tarjeta de crédito). Vencimientos previstos para las 4 cuotas: 20/11/2025 – 22/12/2025 – 05/01/2026 – 05/02/2026.
Tuición / aranceles mensuales y anual por nivel (modelo 2026) - El arancel se cobra en 10 cuotas mensuales consecutivas (marzo a diciembre). El importe mensual anunciado para marzo 2026 aplica al modelo de 10 cuotas; el total anual corresponde a 10 veces la cuota mensual. - Cuota mensual (1er vencimiento de marzo 2026) y total anual (10 cuotas): - Inicial: ARS 910,000 por mes — ARS 9,100,000 por año. - Primaria 1º grado: ARS 1,036,000 por month — ARS 10,360,000 por año. - Primaria 2º a 5º grado: ARS 1,125,000 por month — ARS 11,250,000 por año. - Media: ARS 1,190,000 por month — ARS 11,900,000 por año. - Liceo: ARS 1,270,000 por month — ARS 12,700,000 por año. - Los aranceles anunciados son únicos e indivisibles e incluyen el plan de estudios y las actividades extraprogramáticas obligatorias; no incluyen actividades optativas o servicios adicionales que se facturan aparte.
Fechas de facturación y vencimientos (2026) - Modelo de vencimientos mensuales (cada factura contiene dos fechas indicadas): - Marzo: 1º vencimiento 10/03 — 2º vencimiento 20/03. - Abril: 1º vencimiento 10/04 — 2º vencimiento 20/04. - Mayo: 1º vencimiento 11/05 — 2º vencimiento 20/05. - Junio: 1º vencimiento 10/06 — 2º vencimiento 22/06. - Julio: 1º vencimiento 10/07 — 2º vencimiento 20/07. - Agosto: 1º vencimiento 10/08 — 2º vencimiento 20/08. - Septiembre: 1º vencimiento 10/09 — 2º vencimiento 21/09. - Octubre: 1º vencimiento 13/10 — 2º vencimiento 20/10. - Noviembre: 1º vencimiento 10/11 — 2º vencimiento 23/11. - Diciembre: 1º vencimiento 10/12 — 2º vencimiento 21/12. - Mora y recargos: cuotas pagadas fuera de vencimiento sufrirán recargo según la tasa de interés resarcitoria establecida por AFIP (art. 37 Ley N° 11.683 y modificatorias), más un 1% por gastos administrativos sobre el total adeudado. El incumplimiento grave (por ejemplo, tres cuotas consecutivas impagas tras intimación) puede facultar a la Asociación a gestionar la continuidad o solicitud de vacantes ante la autoridad educativa correspondiente.
Bonificaciones y condiciones especiales - Bonificaciones por cantidad de hijos (aplican sobre los aranceles escolares pero no sobre la matrícula ni actividades optativas): - 1er hijo: sin bonificación. - 2do hijo: 10% de bonificación. - 3er hijo: 25% de bonificación. - 4to hijo y siguientes: 40% de bonificación. - Bonificaciones aplicables a ex-alumnos para matrícula de nuevos inscriptos según condiciones especiales anunciadas por la institución.
Actividades, comedores, uniformes y otros costos adicionales - Actividades optativas y servicios no incluidos en la cuota: natación, actividades extraprogramáticas optativas (a partir de ciertos niveles), campamentos, salidas educativas y materiales; estos servicios se facturan aparte y sus valores se informan y facturan en comunicaciones específicas. - Comedor: existe servicio de comedor escolar gestionado por proveedor externo (Cooks S.R.L.); su menú y organización se comunican y la contratación/uso del servicio implica costos adicionales fuera del arancel escolar. - Uniforme: el uniforme es de uso obligatorio según el nivel; se han anunciado cambios y opciones deportivas para varios niveles. Los artículos del uniforme se adquieren en proveedores autorizados (La Boutique, Juvenilia u otros proveedores informados). El costo del uniforme es variable según los artículos adquiridos y se abona por separado.
Boarding / pensión - Boarding / servicios de internado: no aplicable. La escuela no presenta oferta de internado/convivencia residencial dentro de su estructura de servicios facturados en el arancel.
Política de devoluciones y revocación - Derecho de revocación: la aceptación del contrato puede ser revocada sin cargo dentro de los 10 días posteriores a su aceptación, con devolución del importe según lo previsto. - Devolución de la matrícula: el plazo para solicitar devolución de la matrícula y reintegro del monto abonado a valores históricos finaliza el 19/12/2025 para el ciclo 2026; a partir de esa fecha no se aceptan solicitudes ni se realizarán devoluciones, salvo que el desistimiento sea decidida por la institución (en cuyo caso se reintegra la totalidad).
Medios de pago aceptados y restricciones - Medios aceptados: - Débito en cuenta (caja de ahorro o cuenta corriente) mediante adhesión. - Débito automático de tarjeta de crédito (Visa y Mastercard) mediante adhesión. - Pagomiscuentas (rubricado en IEDV — nombre en el sistema: "Scuola Cristof Colombo" — al ingresar el número de familia colocar 00 delante, p. ej. 001111). - Pago por ventanilla en Banco Galicia (informando número de familia). - Pago por ventanilla en Banco BBVA Francés con factura. - No se aceptan pagos en efectivo en la escuela ni transferencias bancarias directas al establecimiento. Las familias que no utilicen medios automáticos deben cargar el comprobante en el sistema indicado por la administración para agilizar la conciliación de pagos.
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
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Food options
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House system
House system
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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 Primarstufe Lehrplan conforms to the Buenos Aires City Education Authority requirements and is supplemented by intensive German and English instruction and additional subjects. Duration is six years. Stages: First Stage (grades 1–3); Second Stage (grades 4–6). Foreign languages: German (with German-language instruction from the second stage) and English (from the third grade). Cross-curricular projects include holistic sex education, education for peaceful coexistence, autonomy development, and environmental education.
Curriculum details
The Cristoforo Colombo school develops an integrated Italian-Argentine curriculum across all levels, with instruction in two languages and English introduced early as a third language. English begins in Infanzia and continues through Primary and Secondary, with English-language history and literature studied in the Liceo and preparation for Cambridge exams. The Secondary level offers three Liceo tracks: Scientific, Human Sciences with an Economic-Social option, and Artistic with Architecture–Environment. Diplomas awarded include the Diploma di Stato Italiano at the end of the secondary cycle and the Bachiller bilingue, both recognized in Italy and Argentina for university admission. The school emphasizes citizenship competencies and intercultural understanding, and supplements core learning with laboratories and programming/robotics, digital literacy, and a broad set of enrichment activities.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Approximately 6.9 students per teacher (1170 students and 170 teachers reported in the Schulprogramm).
Cambridge international examinations are offered; the school is recognized as a Premium School by the Buenos Aires Open Center for high standards and strong academic results.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
The school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB) bilingual in Spanish and German, optional in the final two years of secondary education. The IB Diploma is designed to balance breadth and depth and is recognized for university admissions in Germany and internationally where IB is accepted. IB Diploma results show strong outcomes: 2024 – 28 participants, 28 passed (100%); 2023 – 27 participants, 24 passed (89%); 2022 – 21 participants, 21 passed (100%); 2021 – 30 participants, 29 passed (97%). The six IB subjects include Spanish A: Literature, German B, English B, Biology (German), History (German), and Mathematics (Spanish).
Higher education progression
Graduates receive the Diploma di Stato Italiano at the end of the secondary cycle and, at the end of the II cycle, the Esame di Stato, enabling admission to Italian or other European universities; the Bachiller bilingue is also awarded, enabling admission to universities in Argentina and Italy; the Liceo tracks prepare students for university study, and Cambridge English certifications and related opportunities further support access to higher education.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
The school provides individualized promotion with targeted support for diverse learning needs, including special adaptations for high-ability students. An interdisciplinary School Counseling Team (EOE) and tutors support students, and provisions exist for Seiteneinsteiger entrants and for international examinations; Hochbegabte Schüler erhalten besondere Anpassungen as part of the school's Förderkonzept.
Gifted and talented
Enrichment opportunities include theatre courses, astronomical observations, English for international certifications, biology/physics/chemistry laboratories, and laboratories for art, digital education, programming, robotics, and other advanced topics throughout the school years.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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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
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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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
Admission for Kindergarten and Primary School for the 2027 school year begins with the submission of the preliminary registration form within the registration window (15.02.2026 – 30.04.2026). A German-language reading aid is available in Downloads. The school confirms receipt by email. In May each year, meetings for parents of preliminarily registered students are held to present the pedagogical project and the characteristics of the school sponsor. The Kindergarten is open one hour before each meeting to allow interested families to participate in a school tour. After the preliminary registration deadline, the available places are allocated according to a fixed priority order (see Zugangsprioritäten). After this first placement, the remaining places are drawn by lot among the other families. Participation in the lottery requires attending the meeting introducing our pedagogical project. The draw is conducted per family (not per child). Families can view the order of the draw on our site. Families allocated a place receive an email to begin the final registration procedure; the receipt of the email is confirmed by phone. The contact data used are those of the submitted registration form. After receiving the email with the school place confirmation, the family must confirm acceptance within 48 hours; if there is no response, the place is deemed declined. To complete the registration and finalize the place reservation, the following are required: submission of the corresponding documents (see Anmeldeunterlagen) and payment of the registration fee by the due date; this fee is non-refundable if the registration is withdrawn. After the admission process, families are invited to a meeting with the sub-heads of the grade level for which they registered. Beginning of the registration period for 2026: 15.02.2025; End: 30.04.2025.
Admissions
Admission process: Families and/or guardians interested must complete the contact form to schedule an informational interview with the admissions coordinator. Prospective students and their families will have an in-person meeting with the Guidance Team and the Directors. Documentation must be presented. A place for prospective students is reserved. Enrollment is formalized for the new school year and proceeds to matriculation.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
MAECI contributions include scholarships for meritorious or needy students. In 2024, €1,309.35 was allocated for scholarships for meritorious or needy students. The MAECI contributions detail the distribution and destination: 2024 — €58,807.02 for ordinary maintenance; €33,933.38 as final contribution; €7,907.39 for hiring teachers with Italian credentials; €1,309.35 for student scholarships; €465.71 for support of students with disabilities; €17,250.94 for building improvements; €7,000.00 for an incentive quota based on Article 3.b of D.M. 1212/22; total €92,740.00. Additional allocations include €2,187.00 for Italian language courses for school staff and €3,508.00 for a new pedagogical project.
Waitlist
Waitlist
Secondary school admissions offer two modalities. Standard registration (for students with German language knowledge) begins with submitting an inquiry via the contact form; the school confirms receipt by email and contacts families to inform whether there are available places. Side-entry program (PAI) is for students with very good academic performance who are language-talented but do not have German language knowledge and wish to continue their schooling in the 8th grade; further information is available there. If there are available places, each case is evaluated by the pedagogical authorities. Remaining places are allocated by lottery if applicable, with results communicated by email and/or phone; the lottery is conducted per family (not per student), and the order of the draw is published.
