Compare Canadian Curriculum International Schools in Milan, Italy

Two centrally located Milan campuses: Gioia Campus, Via M. Gioia 42, 20124 Milano (Early Years & Primary), and Vivaio Campus, Via Vivaio 7, 20122 Milano (Middle & Senior School). The campuses are in central Milan with easy walking or cycling access to safe neighbourhoods. Gioia Campus serves ages 2–11; Vivaio Campus serves Grades 6–12 (roughly ages 11–18).

Early Years and Primary; Middle School; Senior School (ages 2–11; 11–14; 14–18).

International IB World School offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Representing over 35 nationalities.

Early Years & Primary run 8:00–15:30 with morning drop-off 8:00–8:45, circle time at 8:50, snack at 10:15, lunch at 11:45, rest/outdoor play at 13:00, learning at 14:00, end of day 15:30; Optional clubs 15:40–17:00. Middle & Senior School starts at 8:50 and finishes at 15:20; after-school activities may be available.

A bus service is available for students aged 3 and older, with a dedicated bus assistant. City Bus stops include Piazza Piemonte (pickup 7:30, drop-off 16:40), Piazza Conciliazione (7:35/16:31), Piazza 24 Maggio (7:45/16:21), Piazza Medaglie d'Oro (7:55/16:11), Piazza Tricolore (8:00/16:06), Via G. Modena/C. Menotti (8:02/16:04), Piazza Carlo Erba (8:06/16:00), Via Melchiorre Gioia 1 (8:16/15:50), Gioia Campus (8:20/15:45). Door-to-Door service via La Bussola; Inter-Campus Shuttle between Gioia and Vivaio for Grade 6-8 with siblings; fees apply.

The school requires students to wear a school uniform.

Hot lunches are cooked on-site in partnership with Pellegrini, with a rotating menu featuring a first course (pasta, risotto, or soup), a second course with lean proteins or plant-based options, plus a salad/fruit bar, vegetables, bread, and a light dessert. The program accommodates special dietary needs and preferences, including vegetarian and religious options, with snacks available for Nursery and Pre-K.

The school is privately owned; it was founded in 2004 by Antonella Salvadori del Prato and is personally overseen by the founder.

The Canadian School of Milan offers English-language instruction from Early Years through the IB Diploma Programme. The Primary School operates with instruction entirely in English within a Canadian-English and international education model. The Upper School follows the IB framework, with the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10 and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11–12. The Diploma Programme comprises six subjects and a core of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS). The school operates on two Milan campuses: Gioia Campus (Early Years and Primary) and Vivaio Campus (Middle and Senior School). The school is an IB World School.

Average class size is 18 students. Teaching Assistants support teachers in the Early Years and Primary School.

In recent years, the Diploma Programme results have consistently exceeded the global average, with several students scoring above 40 and top achievers reaching 43 or 44 out of 45. IB results are released annually in July, and students can access their results by logging in with their Personal Code and PIN.

Some graduates have offers from Stanford University, University of Chicago, Imperial College London, University of Toronto, and NYU.

Health and well-being are central to student life at the Canadian School of Milan. The school offers a dedicated counselling service with confidential one-to-one sessions and group workshops focused on motivation, personal development, and emotional resilience. Counseling supports students for stress, study pressures, low mood, friendship dynamics, or family concerns. The aim is to nurture a culture of openness, care, and proactive well-being, supported by a structured Personal & Social Education (PSED) curriculum. The campuses are staffed with qualified first aiders to ensure physical safety and immediate response when needed.

Diversity and inclusion are central to the CSM experience. The school supports the wide range of identities and learning diversity that exist in its community. It aims to create a fair, equal, safe, and encouraging environment for all, regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnicity, or learning differences. CSM faculty, students, administrators, and staff fully embrace a vision of equity, diversity, and inclusion. All students are fully supported and comfortable at school, and the school aims to prepare them as much as possible for the future.

Most teachers are native English speakers, supporting an English-language learning environment. Language instruction in Italian, French, and Spanish is delivered by native speakers. English is the primary language of instruction across core subjects. The curriculum places a clear emphasis on English learning, with additional languages taught as part of the programme. Language offerings accompany the main pathways, including the IB Diploma Programme, Cambridge IGCSE, and the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

Student health and well-being are a central priority at the Canadian School of Milan. The school provides a dedicated counselling service offering confidential one-to-one sessions and group workshops to support motivation, personal development, and emotional resilience. Counseling addresses stress, study pressures, low mood, friendship dynamics, and family concerns, with referrals by teachers or staff as needed. A structured Personal & Social Education (PSED) curriculum complements counselling to build emotional literacy, empathy, and coping strategies. First aiders on each campus ensure physical safety and rapid response as part of the school's welfare commitment.

Canadian School of Milan is committed to a warm, caring, and safe environment for all students. Bullying and safety concerns are addressed under a formal anti-bullying policy, which states that bullying is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The policy sets out how incidents are reported and responded to, with staff required to respond calmly and consistently and to keep the victim safe. Procedures include informing parents for serious incidents, providing support and appropriate action, and applying sanctions when necessary. The school conducts whole-school anti-bullying initiatives, PSHE lessons, and staff training, and incidents are monitored and reviewed regularly. The policy was last updated in June 2024.

1. Book tour. We offer campus tours and Open Days where you can ask questions, learn about our curriculum, and see learning in action. These visits provide an opportunity to observe the school environment and discuss questions with staff. The admissions process begins with scheduling a tour.

2. Complete the online application. Please upload: past 2 years of school reports, copy of passport or ID, any document disclosing your child's Special Educational Needs diagnosis (if applicable), any relevant document regarding guardianship or custody when a parent has full custody following a separation or divorce. A Reference Form is required for senior school applicants.

3. Assessment stage. Our Admissions Team will contact you to schedule a student interview and any necessary assessments. In some cases, entry assessments may be requested prior to the interview, depending on the student's previous schooling and report cards. All applicants for grades 9-12 are required to complete an entry assessment, regardless of educational background.

4. Offer of place. Within 5 working days of the interview or entry assessment, our Admissions Team will communicate our decision regarding the offer of a place. Families are asked to confirm their decision within 10 days of the Offer of Place by paying the Admission Fee. If this payment is not received, the place will be offered to the next applicant on our waiting list.

Waiting list. The school uses a waiting list for offers that are not immediately confirmed. If an offered place is not confirmed within 10 days by paying the Admission Fee, the place is offered to the next applicant on the waiting list.

Via Della Chiusa 9, Milano (MI), Italy. The campus is housed in a historic building near Piazza Duomo and steps from Piazza Vetra. The building has served educational purposes since 1823 and was the home of the Canossian Institute. It is located in the centre of Milan.

Early Childhood (ages 2 to 5) and Primary (ages 6 to 11).

International Early-Learning and Primary School

Inclusive education for every child; supports diverse learners.

Italy

Affiliated door-to-door bus service for transportation to and from school.

The school has a school uniform. Wearing the uniform promotes a strong sense of community, school identity, and equality among students.

Meals are prepared fresh daily in the school's kitchen. The menu is international, exposing students to diverse cuisines.

The school is owned by The World School S.R.L. Società Benefit, a benefit corporation.

Primary School serves students aged 6-11 (Grades 1-5). The Primary curriculum is a holistic, tailor-made program designed to incorporate the best international curricula from around the world while providing a progressive education. It is underpinned by an inquiry-based, student-centered approach and draws on the learning standards of the Canadian, Italian, and UK Primary Curriculums. English is the main language of delivery, with Italian strongly emphasized and French taught as a third language. The curriculum covers English, Mathematics, Italian, Science and Technology, Social Studies, Drama, Music, Visual Arts, Computer Studies, Physical Education, Social-Emotional Learning, World Religions, and French. The school also prioritizes soft skills such as communication, teamwork, empathy, adaptability, critical thinking, problem-solving and self-management, and uses experiential education with hands-on labs and curriculum-based field trips.

Social-Emotional Learning is included in the Primary curriculum as a core component. The school prioritizes the development of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, empathy, adaptability, critical thinking, problem-solving and self-management. The learning approach is experiential and uses learning-by-doing to build collaboration and resilience. Each child and their diverse needs are nurtured with individual attention and care, creating an environment where each student feels safe, supported and loved. The school aims to shape compassionate global citizens who recognize diversity as a strength and approach life with empathy.

Elena Cipullo, Vice-Principal, has a specialization in Special Needs Education. Elena brings experience supporting students with diverse learning needs. The school emphasizes meeting diverse learning needs with individual attention and care, creating a safe, supportive environment. The school fosters inclusion through open communication and collaboration with families. The school places emphasis on diversity and inclusion as part of its mission and social impact.

English is the main language of delivery at Milan World School. Italian is strongly emphasized, with the Italian program for native speakers following the Italian Ministry of Education guidelines. French is taught as a third language in Primary. The Primary curriculum draws on the Canadian, Italian and UK Ministry of Education standards. The program emphasizes both technical competencies and soft skills.

Excelling academically goes hand in hand with personal and emotional growth. Social-Emotional Learning is a focus of the curriculum. Each child and their diverse needs are nurtured with individual attention and care, creating an environment where each student feels safe, supported and loved. The school aims to shape compassionate global citizens who recognize diversity as a strength and approach life with empathy. CARE values—Courage, Accountability, Respect and Empathy—guide daily life and wellbeing.

1. Schedule a campus tour or a one-to-one meeting. Families are invited to visit Milan World School through a campus tour or one-to-one meeting with our admissions team. This provides the opportunity to explore our facilities and better understand our curriculum and philosophy. Schedule a campus tour or a one-to-one meeting using the online calendar on our website.
2. Complete the application form. Following your visit, families will receive a link to complete the official student application form, which gathers essential background information.
3. Interview and evaluation. Early Childhood applicants may participate in a play-based session with teachers to observe developmental readiness. Primary applicants (Grade 1 and above) will complete assessments in English and Mathematics, followed by an interview to understand their learning style and readiness. The School may contact the student's previous teacher/principal.
4. Follow-up meeting with parents. After the evaluation, parents will meet with the admissions team to receive feedback, discuss the child's needs, and clarify mutual expectations.
5. Placement confirmation. Final placement is confirmed by the School Management Team, based on the full evaluation process.

Waitlist Policy: If a class is full, students may be placed on a waitlist and offered admission when a space becomes available. Priority is given to siblings of current students and to families transferring from abroad.

Milano, Italy. The British American Pre-School and the Bilingual European School share a campus in the northern part of Milan, with two addresses: Via Val Cismon 9, 20162 Milano and Via Resegone 1A, 20159 Milano. The Istria stop on the M5 metro is about a five-minute walk from the campus.

The school accommodates students from ages 2 to 18 across four main stages. These include Nursery and Preschool for ages 2 to 6, Primary School for ages 6 to 11, Middle School for ages 11 to 14, and High School for ages 14 to 18.

This is a co-educational day school. It does not offer boarding facilities for any year groups.

The school uses an inclusion model to support students with special educational needs through differentiated classroom instruction. Additionally, an in-house Child Study Team featuring a school counselor, psychologist, and play therapist is available to assist students with their individual learning and developmental requirements.

The school does not have a formal affiliation with a specific country, operating as an independent bilingual school.

The school does not have a religious affiliation.

While specific daily timetables are not published, the standard school day is followed by an optional after-school program.

The school provides a bus service for students commuting from different areas of Milan. The buses stop at various designated pick-up points around the city.

Smart Food at BES: Meals are prepared by Soluzione Servizi. The kitchen follows the rhythms of the seasons, with fruits and vegetables always present and protein sources varied. Special meals are prepared for children with dietary restrictions.

Paritarian Primary and Secondary School with Italian and native English-speaking teachers; Globeducate member.

The BES bilingual programme offers education in English and Italian from early years to high school. The curriculum integrates the Italian Ministerial Programme (MIUR) with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is delivered in both languages; Primary and Middle School teaching is 50% Italian and 50% English. In Primary, the PYP uses six transdisciplinary themes to connect learning across subjects and to develop cross‑curricular skills; English language teaching comprises about 15 hours per week. In Secondary, the BES curriculum meets MIUR requirements with a 50/50 language split and focuses on interdisciplinary inquiry, arts, drama and technology; the Learner Profile and international outlook mirror the IB framework and include Project Work on Wednesdays. BES High School offers a four‑year bilingual Liceo Scientifico that combines Italian parity with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), delivering a double diploma and 33 hours per week of teaching; optional online courses allow earning additional OSSD credits toward the Canadian diploma, enabling access to universities worldwide.

Maximum class size is normally 25 students. Classes are formed by a team including the headteacher, coordinators, and teachers.

BES High School offers a four-year bilingual Liceo Scientifico that combines Italian parity with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The program runs 33 hours per week and enables earning OSSD credits, with some online courses available to gain additional credits. The Ontario Secondary School Diploma is a Canadian diploma recognized by universities worldwide, facilitating entry to higher education in Italy and internationally.

The BES recognises the importance of helping students manage their emotions and behaviours in a positive and constructive way. The 'Size of the problem' method is used as a socio-emotional learning (SEL) tool to help students assess the magnitude of their problems and respond appropriately. The method teaches students to adjust their emotional response to the severity of the situation, reducing overreactions and improving coping skills. It is integrated into daily classroom routines, counselling sessions and conflict-resolution strategies, using visual tools, role-playing and group discussions. The approach fosters emotional intelligence, self-regulation and a calm, supportive learning environment for students. Studies show SEL strategies like the 'Size of the problem' method can lead to long-term benefits, including improved academic performance, better mental health and stronger interpersonal relationships, with CASEL reporting an average 11% increase in academic achievement.

The Child Study Team, composed of two psychologists and a psychomotricist, ensures that the student and family experience the transfer to BES as smoothly as possible. The team handles all steps related to school life and guides families to make the transition a positive experience.

The BES bilingual programme uses English and Italian. In Primary School the bilingual programme is based on a 50% English - 50% Italian model. The school integrates the Italian Ministerial Programme (MIUR) with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Italian and English. The BAPS campus provides a full-immersion English environment for early years.

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) places great emphasis on the pupil's personal growth. The Learner Profile promotes the child's development physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. Pupils learn to learn and develop cross‑disciplinary skills within the PYP. The PSPE (Physical, Social and Personal Education) programme focuses on well-being through motor, social and personal development, with one hour of PE per week in Years 1–3 and activities at external venues from Year 4 onward. Drama nurtures self‑confidence, communication skills and awareness of one's feelings.

The Child Study Team, consisting of two psychologists and a psychomotor therapist, supports safeguarding by ensuring smooth transitions for students and families and addressing individual needs.

1. Submit an inquiry or book an interview by filling out the form on this page. The Admissions Team will respond promptly. This initial contact can be used to request information about BES and BAPS. You may also plan to attend an Open Day or book a tour as part of your preparation.

2. Admission is based on previous school experience and includes a personal interview and an assessment test for pupils aged 6 and up. Personal background is also taken into consideration to support pupils in our BAPS Full Immersion English Programme and BES bilingual programme. Applicants should be prepared to participate in the interview and the assessment test.

3. Parents and students are invited to attend an Open Day or book a tour of the school to learn more about the programme and enrollment options. Open Day events provide information about the programmes and enrollment options. Tours include explanations in Italian and/or English, and a member of the Admissions team can answer questions.

4. To see our school fees, click on the button below. View our school fees by clicking the "view our SCHOOL FEES" button. Fees information is provided on the admissions pages to help families plan enrollment.