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Curriculum IPC (International Primary Curriculum), American Curriculum
Taught languages Italian, Spanish
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction
Saint Francis International School in Rome, founded in 1985, offers a blended American and International curriculum for children aged 3 to 14. The school teaches in English, with Italian and Spanish as second languages. It is a laic, international school with an optional Italian Ministerial program, enabling Italian-speaking students to take Italian state exams in Grades 5 and 8. Core learning is supplemented by Theatre, Music, Information Technology and Physical Education. The campus at Via delle Benedettine, 50/b, 00135 Rome, provides class sizes and fosters ties between students and parents. The school is part of Ingenium Education and affiliated with RISA, linking it with other international schools in Rome and Lazio. After-school clubs run Monday to Thursday, including Dance, Art Lab, IT and sports, with an early drop-off option from 8:00. The program prepares students for international English- or American high schools, and Italian high schools through the Ministerial Program.
Saint Francis International School has 200 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English.
Location
Via delle Benedettine, 50/b, 00135 Rome, Italy. Core education is in English for children aged 3 to 14. A bus service is provided to and from the school via a partnership with Tuttinsieme, available from September 2023 and booked directly with the association.
Stages
Early Childhood (Preschool 3-4, Kindergarten 5), Elementary School, Middle School
Type
Laic, international school with an American curriculum and optional Italian Ministry program
Country affiliation
No formal country affiliation; follows an American international program with optional Italian Ministry program
Religious affiliation
Laic (non-religious)
School day structure
School day 8:30–15:00; Pre-school 8:00–8:30; After-school activities 15:15–16:15
Bus service
From September 2023, bus service to and from the school via a partnership with Tuttinsieme; service must be booked directly with the association
Fees
Annual tuition at Saint Francis International School ranges from EUR 6,900 to EUR 9,200 for 2026/27.
Application and Registration Fees
- Annual re-registration / registration: Existing students pay €500 per student, billed annually. - New-student admission/registration charges: a one-off admission/registration charge is applied for new families. The published levels are €1,000 for one child, €1,200 for two children, and €1,500 for three children. These registration/admission charges are non‑refundable.
Tuition Fees by Year Group (per installment and annual total)
- Pre‑School (Age 3–4): €1,775 per installment x 4 installments = €7,100 total per year. - Kindergarten: €1,775 per installment x 4 installments = €7,100 total per year. - Grades 1–2: €2,050 per installment x 4 installments = €8,200 total per year. - Grades 3–4: €2,125 per installment x 4 installments = €8,500 total per year. - Grades 5–8: €2,300 per installment x 4 installments = €9,200 total per year.
- Lunch (annual): €1,200.
Optional / Extra annual costs
- Italian 5° elementare (Grade 5) extra programme (exam fee included): €1,000. - Italian Licenza scuola media (Grades 6–8) (exam fee included): €1,850. - After‑School Activities (annual, optional): 1 day/week €300; 2 days/week €400; 3 days/week €600; 4 days/week €800 (rates apply when registered within stated deadlines). - Early Morning Club (annual, optional): 1 day/week €280; 2 days/week €330; 3 days/week €390; 4 days/week €440; 5 days/week €500 (rates apply when registered within stated deadlines). - Uniform: Uniform is supplied via the school's supplier (OVS) and is purchased by families from the supplier's shop; uniform cost is not published on the school fee pages. - Bus service: A partnered external minibus service is available; bus arrangements and fees are organised directly through the provider.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard instalment plan: tuition payable in four equal instalments due by 30 April 2026, 10 September 2026, 10 December 2026, and 10 February 2027. Each instalment equals the amounts listed above for the chosen year group. - Alternative (annual) payment: full annual payment by 31 July 2026 qualifies for a 2% discount on tuition. The annual total (and any optional extras) will be divided equally across the instalment plan if instalments are used. - Sibling discount: a published sibling discount applies (5% indicated for the academic year shown).
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not provided for the school's stated age range and programmes (school operates as a day school for ages 3–14); no boarding fees apply.
Refunds and non‑refundable items
- Registration and admission fees are explicitly stated as non‑refundable. - The school's financial regulations set conditions and penalties related to non‑payment (late payment review after 30 days; the administration may terminate the contract and apply contractual penalties, including a specified contractual penalty percentage).
Payment methods and invoicing
- Published payment method: bank wire transfer (Bonifico Bancario) to the school's bank account (IBAN and SWIFT details provided in the school's financial regulations). The financial regulations list the bank name and full IBAN/SWIFT for electronic transfer payments. - Payment plans (instalments or annual) are available as outlined above; discounts apply for annual prepayment or sibling arrangements as published.
Penalties and conditions linked to payment
- Student attendance and continued enrolment are contingent on timely payment of fees. Unpaid fees 30 days past due are subject to administrative review; persistent non‑payment may result in contract termination, expulsion, and financial penalties as set out in the school's financial regulations.
Notes on optional providers and purchasing
- Lunch is provided by an external catering partner and billed as a school cost where applicable. - The school's bus service is arranged through an external association; families contract and pay that provider directly.
Academics
Saint Francis International School teaches IPC (International Primary Curriculum), American Curriculum for students aged 3 to 14.
Curriculum
American program for all grades: Pre-school I and II (3 and 4 years), Kindergarten (5 years), Elementary School and Middle School. Optional Italian Ministerial Program. Specialist subjects such as Theatre, Music, Information Technology and Physical Education complete the core curriculum. Language of instruction: English. Italian and Spanish are offered as second languages. The program enables Italian-speaking students to obtain titles recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, with exams at the end of the fifth grade and the third year of middle school. At the end of the program, students are prepared to access international English- or American high schools, as well as Italian high schools if they have completed the Ministerial Program. The school is part of RISA, the association that brings together the best international schools in Rome and Lazio.
Student Teacher Ratio
Average class size is 18 students in Elementary and Middle School; Early Childhood classes are smaller; total student body about 180.
Higher Education Progression
The school prepares students to enter international English- or American high schools, as well as Italian high schools if the Ministerial Program is completed.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Students grow in a stimulating, safe, and positive learning environment, permeated by the values of tolerance, solidarity, trust, integrity, and respect for diverse cultures. Each child can reach their academic, emotional, and social potential, with constant support from teachers and staff.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Small class sizes allow close academic and emotional attention to every student, with ongoing engagement with families.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction is English; Italian and Spanish are offered as second languages.
Mental Wellbeing
Emotional development is supported through a nurturing environment, with constant support from teachers and staff.
Safeguarding
The school provides a safe and positive environment.
Admissions
Admissions
Step 1. Complete the online Enquiry Form to provide initial information about you and your child. The Enquiry Form starts the admissions process. This initial step allows the Admissions Team to identify the next steps for your family. Submit an enquiry to learn more and begin the journey.
Step 2. Upon receipt of your Enquiry Form, the Admissions Team will contact your family to arrange either a school visit or an online meeting. This provides the opportunity to learn more about the community. The meeting helps you understand how the school operates and what to expect next. Next steps are guided by the Admissions Team.
Step 3. If a place is available, your family will be invited to complete the official application form, submit the registration fees, and share the required certificates. Three-year olds must be potty-trained by September to enter Pre-school 1. Students (grades 1-8) undergo testing to determine their English and Math proficiency.
FAQs
What curriculum does Saint Francis International School follow?
American program for all grades: Pre-school I and II (3 and 4 years), Kindergarten (5 years), Elementary School and Middle School. Optional Italian Ministerial Program.
What are the tuition fees?
**Application and Registration Fees**
- Annual re-registration / registration: Existing students pay €500 per student, billed annually.
Where is Saint Francis International School located?
Via delle Benedettine, 50/b, 00135 Rome, Italy. Core education is in English for children aged 3 to 14.
What age groups does the school serve?
Early Childhood (Preschool 3-4, Kindergarten 5), Elementary School, Middle School
Does the school support students with SEN?
Small class sizes allow close academic and emotional attention to every student, with ongoing engagement with families.
Is there a school bus service?
From September 2023, bus service to and from the school via a partnership with Tuttinsieme; service must be booked directly with the association
What are the school hours?
School day 8:30–15:00; Pre-school 8:00–8:30; After-school activities 15:15–16:15
How does admissions work?
Step 1. Complete the online Enquiry Form to provide initial information about you and your child. The Enquiry Form starts the admissions process. This initial step allows the Admissions Team to identify the next steps for your family.
What languages are taught?
English is the language of instruction. Italian and Spanish are offered as second languages.
What wellbeing support is available?
Students grow in a stimulating, safe, and positive learning environment, permeated by the values of tolerance, solidarity, trust, integrity, and respect for diverse cultures.
What facilities does the school have?
The school provides a blended American and International curriculum for children aged 3-14. Core education is delivered in English for ages 3-14. Small classes maintain a close relationship with students and parents.
When was Saint Francis International School founded?
Founded in 1985, Saint Francis International School in Rome offers a blended American and International curriculum for children aged 3 to 14. The school serves a diverse, vibrant, and close-knit community.
What extracurricular activities are available?
After-school activities include Dance, Art and Craft, Sports, and Computer coding. There are arts-focused clubs such as Art Lab (EC/ES), Drama (EC), and Music-Guitar (MS).
