How many IB schools in Rome
Rome currently lists seven authorised IB World Schools with the International Baccalaureate Organization. By Italian standards that is a deep cluster, second only to Milan in national IB provision. The seven schools sit at different points on the IB continuum: Marymount International School Rome and Rome International School run the full PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme, Ambrit International School delivers PYP and MYP, and Saint Francis International School plus the Marymount preschool campus cover early years and primary PYP. The remaining authorisations sit with Castelli International School in the Castelli Romani belt south of the city and with the IB stream at the Ambrit MYP cohort feeding into Marymount Diploma.
About four schools offer the full IB Diploma at sixth form, with Marymount and Rome International School producing the largest senior cohorts. The cluster is mature, not new. Marymount has run the IB Diploma since 1986 and Rome International School since 2008, giving the two flagships well over a decade of consistent senior outcomes data. The newer Ambrit MYP authorisation feeds into the Marymount Diploma via a long-standing articulation arrangement, which is why families thinking about the full continuum tend to choose between these two ecosystems rather than building one from scratch.
For the curriculum framework itself see our IB curriculum hub. For our editorial pick across all the strongest options see the best IB schools in Rome guide and the broader best international schools in Rome editorial.
Fees and the Rome tiers
IB tuition in Rome groups into three rough tiers. The lower tier, EUR 9,400 to EUR 12,800 a year, captures Saint Francis International School and the early years cohorts at Ambrit and Castelli International School. The mid tier, EUR 12,800 to EUR 18,500, covers Ambrit MYP, Castelli International and Rome International School lower secondary. The premium tier, EUR 18,500 to EUR 25,800, is Marymount International School Rome at MYP and DP, Rome International School at senior phase, and the Marymount Diploma cohort.
Capital contributions of EUR 2,500 to EUR 6,000 apply at Marymount and Rome International School, partially refundable on departure. Examination fees at IB Diploma sit at EUR 1,400 to EUR 1,900 a year, plus EUR 220 per Extended Essay supervision cycle. Transport adds EUR 2,200 to EUR 3,800 a year for the school bus services that ring the city out to Cassia, Parioli and the EUR. Lunch, books, trips and Saturday clubs add a further EUR 900 to EUR 1,800. A published EUR 17,000 IB tuition is therefore closer to EUR 21,500 once everything is paid. Our dedicated Rome fees guide walks through the loading mathematics. The fees comparison tool shows IB tuition by year group across cities.
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Illustrative example schools
The four schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each holds full IB authorisation and a clear identity in the Rome market.
Marymount International School Rome on Via di Villa Lauchli in the Cassia district is the heritage IB Diploma school in Rome, founded in 1946 as a Catholic girls' school and now fully coeducational. The school has run the IB Diploma since 1986 and consistently produces the largest senior cohort in the city, with Diploma averages above 35 points. Strong languages, strong arts, and a campus with extensive outdoor space rare in central Rome.
Ambrit International School in Monteverde Vecchio runs the IB Primary Years and Middle Years Programmes. Younger campus feel than Marymount, smaller cohorts, and a deliberate American-international identity rather than a British-international one. Families who want continuity into IB Diploma move on to Marymount or Rome International School at year 11.
Rome International School in Parioli runs the IB PYP from age three, IB MYP through year 10 and the IB Diploma at sixth form. The most central of Rome's IB schools, with shorter commutes for apartment-dwelling families in Parioli, Pinciano and Salario.
Saint Francis International School in the Cassia corridor runs IB PYP with a Catholic ethos similar to Marymount but at a lower fee tier. Strong reputation for early years and primary; families targeting full continuous IB usually move on by year seven.
Where IB families live
IB families in Rome cluster around three areas shaped by school location. Cassia, Olgiata and the Via Cassia corridor for direct access to Marymount and Saint Francis, with villa stock, garden space and a long-established Anglo-American expatriate community. Parioli, Pinciano and Salario for Rome International School, with elegant apartment buildings, embassy proximity and a faster school run on foot or by tram. Monteverde Vecchio, Aurelio and Gianicolense for Ambrit, with leafier streets and a calmer feel than the Cassia or Parioli clusters.
FAO, UN World Food Programme, IFAD and the embassies anchor the IB demand pool in Rome. Many IB families stay between three and six years on diplomatic or UN postings, which is why curriculum portability matters more in Rome than in cities where the international population is more permanent. For a fuller view of where to live 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 calendar
Applications for September 2026 entry opened across Rome IB schools between October 2025 and January 2026. Marymount and Rome International School close their year seven and year 12 main intakes by late February, with priority for siblings of existing pupils and for children with a continuous IB record from another IB World School. Diploma applications require subject choices submitted at the point of application, plus a transcript, a reference and a short interview, usually conducted online for international families relocating to Rome.
Year 12 transfers after October are rare because Diploma assessments are already structured. PYP and MYP transfers operate on a rolling basis subject to capacity, with most movement happening between November and March as diplomatic and FAO contract cycles confirm relocations. For families committing to a specific Tier 1 IB school, apply six to nine months before the intended start date. Italian language support for newcomers is standard at all four flagship schools, with dedicated EAL provision through year eight.
Frequently asked questions
How many IB schools are there in Rome?
Rome currently lists 7 authorised IB World Schools with the International Baccalaureate Organization. That figure includes Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programme authorisations. Four schools deliver the full IB Diploma at sixth form, with Marymount and Rome International School running the continuous PYP through DP pathway.
What is the average IB Diploma score in Rome?
Rome IB schools averaged 33.1 points across the May 2025 examination session, slightly above the global IB mean of 30.3. Top cohorts at Marymount International School Rome and Ambrit International School consistently average above 35 points, with strong placement at LUISS, Bocconi, UK Russell Group universities and US liberal arts colleges.
How much do IB schools in Rome cost?
Tuition for the IB Diploma at Rome schools ranges from about EUR 9,400 at the lower-cost providers to EUR 25,800 at the most premium options. Median secondary fees sit near EUR 17,200 in 2026 before transport, examination fees and capital contributions, which add roughly 18 to 25 percent to the headline number.
Can you transfer into an IB Rome school mid-year?
Rome IB schools generally accept mid-year transfers where places exist, particularly in PYP years one to six and MYP years one to four. Diploma Programme transfers after October of year one are difficult because subject choices and internal assessments are already underway. Apply 8 to 12 weeks ahead of intended start date.
Is the IB Diploma recognised by Italian universities?
Yes. The Italian Ministry of Education recognises the IB Diploma as equivalent to the Italian maturita for university entry. Students can apply directly to LUISS, Bocconi, La Sapienza and other Italian universities, as well as to UK, US and Continental European institutions through the standard channels.
