(Editor’s note: See Part 1 here of Dispatches’ guide to international schools in Rome.)
As we always say, one of the bigger challenges for English-speaking expat families – even for well-paid corporate nomads – is finding a satisfactory, English-language international school.
Such schools cater to expat students, with curricula tied to the host nation in question, or an international education organization such as Edexcel, Cambridge International Examinations, and International Baccalaureate; if you’re curious about the International Baccalaureate program, by the by, Dispatches Europe has a primer for your convenience.
Wherever you’re headed, do not wait to get there before starting the application process with your preferred international school, which can be lengthy. And with the increasingly global nature of business, enrollment can close very quickly, especially in popular corporate assignments such as Rome, Paris and Amsterdam.
Picking up from where we left off, Rome and the commune it inhabits – Roma Capitale – is Italy’s largest and most populated commune, with nearly 2.9 million inside the city limits; the metro area boasts 4.3 million.
Rome is the 14th most-visited city in the world, the third most in the European Union, and – of course – the most-visited city in Italy.
Rome is Italy’s national capital and seat of power, home to the residences of the Italian Prime Minister and President of the Italian Republic. The houses of the nation’s parliament, as well as its constitutional court, reside in the city’s historic centre, which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Rome is also home to Vatican City, the sovereign state of the Roman Catholic Church. Other seats of power Rome possesses include Polo Romano (comprised of three United Nations agencies tied to food and agriculture); European Olympic Committee; and NATO Defense College.
Finally, nearly every American corporation has a presence here including Salesforce. In addition, several of Italy’s luxury empires are based in Rome including Fendi, which completed a new Rome headquarters in 2015. So there are a lot of internationals here.
There’s so much to Rome, several guides would be needed to cover it all. Luckily, we only need three to cover The Eternal City’s English-language international schools.
Greenwood Garden School: Located in the northern part of Rome, Greenwood Garden School is for the younger students in your family.
The international preschool and kindergarten school bases its programme on the philosophy “that each child is special,” where learning is done through play and through “opportunities to explore and discover the world while allowing the child freedom of choice.”
Greenwood also teaches its students in English, the aim to “prepare the young international child with a strong foundation” in the language.
- Fees (2018-18 academic year): 450€ annual registration fee, 400€ for returning students; 600€ one-time capital assessment fee; 6,980€ – 7,930€ annual tuition, depending on age level
- Requirements: N/A; contact school for information
- Application Deadline: N/A; contact school for information
- Contact: [email protected]
- Website: www.greenwoodgardenschool.com
Kendale Primary International School: Kendale Primary International School combines its British-American curriculum with Italian classes from preschool through the 5th grade, and French classes for students 7 years old and up.
Around 100 students between 3 and 11 attend Kendale, though none will be “lost in the crowd.”
Instead, the students “thrive in the safe and secure atmosphere… nurtured both emotionally and intellectually” to “grow in self-confidence and gain a sense of identity that leads to a positive contribution to the school and society as well.” The primary school is unique with its Art Week, where students dispense with textbooks and exams, pouring themselves into art projects for an entire week.
- Fees (2017-18 academic year): 400€ registration fee for new students, 350€ for the second child, no charge for the third child and above, 200€ for returning students; 5,580€ – 10,330€ annual tuition fee, depending on grade level; 750€ yearly discount for two children attending the school at the same time
- Requirements: N/A; contact school for information
- Application Deadline: N/A; contact school for information
- Contact: [email protected]
- Website: www.kendale.it
Little Genius International: Little Genius International is an international pre- and primary school offering its 130 students between 2 ½ to 6 years of age “an education that emphasizes and encourages critical analysis, creative thinking, opportunity and freedom of thought, whilst instilling or furthering English language skills in children of all abilities.”
Little Genius’ curriculum is a combination of British and Italian curricula with the methodology of Infinite Child Evolution, the latter aimed at developing “digital natives” through “selected elements of international child-centered research and practice.”
The preschool is a Benefit Corporation, offers Cambridge examinations, and is in close vicinity to the likes of the European Space Agency, Banca D’Italia and Istituto Nazionale della Fisica Nucleare.
- Fees (2017-18 academic year): N/A; contact school for information
- Requirements: N/A; contact school for information
- Application Deadline: N/A; contact school for information
- Contact: [email protected]
- Website: www.littlegenius.it
Marymount International School Rome: Founded in 1946 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Marymount International School Rome is a private Catholic school whose curriculum is modeled upon the American education system with “an emphasis on respect, appreciation, and tolerance and the promotion of a life-long love of learning.”
Both American and IB diplomas are available to 630 students from over 60 nationalities who attend Marymount, which has 100 teachers.
The school is also accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and the European Council of International Schools. Marymount’s vision is “to develop students who are capable, honest, and respectful, and who are prepared both academically and spiritually to be lifelong learners and leaders of tomorrow.”
Finally, Marymount stands out a bit because it sits on a 40-acre campus in crowded Rome.
- Fees (2016-17 academic year): 350€ application fee for new students; 325€ re-enrollment fee for returning students; 3,500€ one-time capital assessment fee; 10,900€ – 21,000€ annual tuition fee, depending on grade level; See the full schedule of fees here
- Requirements: Download, complete and submit application form with required documentation
- Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment; application sent by January/February for September enrollment recommended
- Contact: [email protected]
- Website: www.marymountrome.org
The New School, Rome: Founded in 1972, The New School, Rome offers its 212 students between 3 and 18 years of age a programme meant to “stimulate creativity, intellectual curiosity and a sense of social responsibility.” The New School’s curriculum is based on the UK National Curriculum, with IGCSE/GCSE and GCE AS and A Level, Edexcel, and Cambridge exams available to older students. The school is a member of the Council of British Independent Schools, and recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education.
- Fees (2016-17 academic year): 550€ refundable deposit; 1,500€ one-time registration fee per student; 1,200€ one-time capital assessment fee; 9,100€ – 16,700€ annual tuition fee, depending on grade level; full schedule of fees here
- Requirements: Contact head teacher via phone or email; arrange a visit to the campus; download, complete and submit application with required documenation
- Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
- Contact: [email protected]
- Website: www.newschoolrome.com
Lifestyle journalist. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
