The Rome school context

Rome's international schools cluster in two main areas: the historical Aventine / EUR axis serving central Rome, and the Cassia / Olgiata corridor north of the city which has grown to host most of the larger international schools. Most established schools have 50+ year histories. Capacity is moderate; admissions cycles open December to March for September entry.

The 2026 top 10

1

St Stephen's School Rome

American + IBAventinoEUR 30K to 36K9-12

Boarding-and-day American-curriculum school in Aventino. Strong AP and IB Diploma. Excellent US Ivy and top liberal-arts pipeline. Heritage central campus. Senior school only (Years 9 to 12).

2

Marymount International School Rome

American + IBCassiaEUR 17K to 25K3-18

Catholic American school with IB Diploma at sixth form. Strong faculty stability, balanced cohort. Cassia campus with substantial grounds. The default Tier 1 Pre-K to 12 choice.

3

American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR)

American + IBCassiaEUR 16K to 24K3-12

The longest-established American school in Rome. AP and IB Diploma. Strong cohort balance, particularly diplomatic family heavy. Cassia location.

4

Ambrit International School

IBCassiaEUR 15K to 22K3-15

IB World School. Strong PYP and MYP programmes. Children typically transition to St Stephen's, Marymount or Castelli for upper secondary. Cassia location.

5

Castelli International School

IB + AmericanGrottaferrataEUR 14K to 20K3-18

South of Rome (Castelli Romani area). IB Diploma with American HS Diploma option. Smaller cohort than the Cassia cluster but with consistent academic culture.

6

Lycée Chateaubriand

FrenchVilla Borghese areaEUR 6K to 11KMaternelle-Terminale

French Lycée serving Rome's francophone community. French Baccalauréat. Materially lower fees than American or British competition.

7

Acorn House International School

British (CIE)GarbatellaEUR 13K to 18K3-18

British Cambridge curriculum. Strong primary years. Smaller cohort. South-central Rome location.

8

Greek and Italian School (Scuola Italo Ellenica)

Bilingual + ItalianEUREUR 6K to 11KK-13

Bilingual Italian-English option for families committed to Italian integration alongside English-language exposure.

9

Notre Dame International School

AmericanAureliaEUR 14K to 20KK-12

Catholic American school. Solid AP outcomes. Strong cohort balance. Aurelia location, west Rome.

10

St Francis International School

British + IBAventinoEUR 13K to 19K3-18

British curriculum with IB Diploma. Aventino location near St Stephen's. Smaller cohort with focused academic culture.

Neighbourhoods

  • Cassia / Olgiata corridor: Marymount, AOSR, Ambrit. The international school hub.
  • Aventino / Testaccio: St Stephen's, St Francis. Heritage central residential.
  • Parioli / Pinciano: Lycée Chateaubriand, premium central north.
  • EUR / Ostia: South Rome residential, school-bus to Cassia.
  • Castelli Romani (Frascati, Grottaferrata): Castelli International. Hill-town family-friendly.

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