How many American schools in Rome
Rome has three schools running a full American curriculum pathway from elementary or pre-school through to a US high school diploma at grade 12. The American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR) on the Cassia is the largest and most established, founded in 1947 to serve US diplomatic and military families. Saint Stephen's School on the Aventine hill runs a senior boarding model, grades 9 to 12, with a coeducational US college-preparatory programme alongside the IB Diploma. Notre Dame International School in Castel Gandolfo, 25 kilometres south of Rome, delivers grades 9 to 12 in an American Catholic college-preparatory setting.
The continuous pre-K to grade 12 pathway is genuinely available only at AOSR, which is why most American families relocating to Rome with younger children land there by default. Saint Stephen's is the senior choice for families who want a boarding option in Italy or who prioritise its IB Diploma alongside AP. Notre Dame attracts US families with Catholic affiliations and a small contingent of boarders. The cluster is shaped by US diplomatic, FAO, World Food Programme and corporate posting demand, with the Vatican and Holy See cohort sitting alongside.
Outcomes data is strong. AOSR posts AP pass rates (a score of 3 or higher) of 78 to 85 percent across its broad AP offering. Saint Stephen's pairs AP with the IB Diploma and consistently averages above 34 Diploma points. University placement from both schools targets the US selective universities including the Ivy League, MIT, Stanford and the top liberal arts colleges, alongside UK Russell Group and Italian universities including LUISS and Bocconi. For the curriculum framework itself see our American curriculum hub.
Fees and the Rome tiers
American curriculum fees in Rome follow two clear bands rather than three tiers because the cluster is small. The day-student band runs from EUR 12,800 a year in elementary at AOSR up to EUR 28,200 a year in grade 12 at Saint Stephen's. Notre Dame International School day fees sit around the middle of that band at EUR 19,000 to EUR 23,500. The boarding band at Saint Stephen's runs from EUR 58,000 to EUR 62,500 a year including room and board, in line with US east coast independent boarding schools.
AP examination fees of EUR 105 to EUR 130 per exam are billed separately, with most students sitting four to seven APs across grades 11 and 12. Capital contributions of EUR 3,500 to EUR 8,000 apply at AOSR and Notre Dame, partially refundable. Transport adds EUR 2,400 to EUR 3,800 a year for AOSR families on the Cassia bus loop. Read the loading mathematics in our Rome fees guide. The fees comparison tool shows American curriculum tuition by year group across cities.
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Illustrative example schools
The three schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each holds US regional accreditation.
American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR) on Via Cassia in the north of the city is the largest American school in Italy, founded in 1947. Pre-K through grade 12 with a US high school diploma, AP courses across more than 20 subjects, and a large athletic and arts programme that mirrors the US independent school template. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The campus has extensive sports fields rare in central Rome and a strong alumni network through the diplomatic and corporate community.
Saint Stephen's School on the Aventine hill above the Tiber is the only US-curriculum boarding school in Italy, founded in 1964 and accredited by NEASC. Grades 9 to 12 only, with a coeducational US college-preparatory programme paired with the IB Diploma. The boarding model attracts students from across Europe, the US and Latin America, and the Aventino location gives walking access to the Forum, Circus Maximus and the river.
Notre Dame International School in Castel Gandolfo serves grades 9 to 12 in an American Catholic college-preparatory setting. Smaller cohorts than AOSR and Saint Stephen's, with a lake setting in the Castelli Romani belt and a small boarding contingent for international families.
Where American families live
American curriculum families in Rome cluster around two areas, broadly defined by school commute. Cassia, Olgiata and La Storta for direct access to AOSR, with the villa stock, garden space and Anglo-American community that have defined the diplomatic belt north of Rome for fifty years. Many AOSR families take three to five year diplomatic or FAO postings and choose this area for the school run plus weekend space. Aventino, Testaccio and Trastevere for Saint Stephen's day families, with elegant apartment buildings, walkable access to Roman ruins and the river, and a faster school commute.
Saint Stephen's boarders live on campus through term time. Notre Dame families with school-age children live in the Castelli Romani belt at Castel Gandolfo, Marino and Frascati, or commute from Rome south along the GRA. For a fuller view of where to live in Rome with school-age children see our best areas for expat families guide. The cost calculator bundles housing, fees and transport into a total relocation budget.
Admissions, AP and the US diploma
Applications for the August or September 2026 entry opened across Rome American schools between October 2025 and January 2026. AOSR closes its kindergarten and grade 9 main intakes by mid-February, with priority for siblings and for children of current US embassy and US military families. Saint Stephen's grade 9 boarding applications close in early January for September entry, with on-campus visits running through the autumn before. Notre Dame runs a rolling admissions calendar with three intakes a year.
AP and the US high school diploma are widely recognised by Italian and European universities. AOSR and Saint Stephen's both provide formal college counselling support for US, UK, Italian and Continental European university applications. AP exam registration runs each November for the following May sitting, with each AP examination costing EUR 105 to EUR 130. For our editorial pick across all the strongest international schools see the best international schools in Rome guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many American curriculum schools are there in Rome?
Rome has 3 schools delivering a full American curriculum pathway, from preschool through to a US high school diploma at grade 12. The American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR) is the largest, with Saint Stephen's offering a senior boarding model on the Aventine hill and Notre Dame International School running grades 9 to 12 in Castel Gandolfo.
What AP results do American schools in Rome achieve?
AOSR posts AP pass rates (3 or higher) of 78 to 85 percent across its broad AP offering, with strong placement at US selective universities including the Ivy League, Stanford and the leading liberal arts colleges. Saint Stephen's pairs AP with the IB Diploma and consistently averages above 34 IB Diploma points alongside AP scores in the four to five range.
How much do American curriculum schools in Rome cost?
Annual day-student fees range from EUR 12,800 at the lower grades to EUR 28,200 at senior phase. Saint Stephen's boarding fees sit above EUR 60,000 a year including room and board. Median grade 9 day tuition sits near EUR 22,000 in 2026, before transport, capital contributions and AP examination fees.
Are AOSR and Saint Stephen's accredited by US bodies?
Yes. AOSR is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and authorised by the College Board for AP. Saint Stephen's School is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and runs both AP and the IB Diploma.
Can my child transfer from a US school mid-year?
Yes. American schools in Rome accept mid-year transfers in elementary and middle school where space exists. High school transfers in grades 9 and 10 are usually straightforward. AP and IB Diploma transfers after October of grade 11 are difficult and may require restarting individual courses where the curriculum sequence differs.
