How many secondaries in Rome
Rome has 11 schools running an international secondary phase in English in 2026. Five carry on through sixth form to year 13 with A Level or IB Diploma: St George's, Southlands, Marymount, Rome International School and Britannica. Three run a US high school grade 9 to 12 programme, led by the American Overseas School of Rome with two smaller US partner programmes. The remaining three exit at year 11 IGCSE, including The New School and Castelli International, sending graduates on to St George's, Southlands or AOSR for sixth form.
Sixth form pathway choice in Rome is unusually broad. The IB Diploma is the most widely offered, available at six schools. A Level sits at three schools led by St George's and Southlands, both of which uniquely offer A Level and IB Diploma side by side. The US high school diploma with AP runs at AOSR and at one smaller US partner programme. Families with university plans in the UK or Russell Group leaning lean A Level. Families with broader European or US plans lean IB. Families with explicit US university plans lean US high school with AP.
Italian language continues at every international secondary, typically two to four hours a week from year 7. Some schools also offer Italian language and literature as a full IB or A Level option, which supports university applications to Bocconi, LUISS and Sapienza where appropriate maturita equivalence is required.
Fees and the sixth form loading
Rome secondary fees follow three tiers. The lower tier, EUR 13,400 to EUR 17,800 a year, covers smaller secondary programmes and the lower years at Castelli and The New School. The mid tier, EUR 17,800 to EUR 21,600, captures Southlands, Britannica, Rome International School and Marymount. The premium tier, EUR 21,600 to EUR 26,500, is St George's senior phase, AOSR and the year 12 and year 13 IB Diploma cohorts. Year 12 and year 13 typically carry a 5 to 10 percent loading for examination registration and university counselling. Examination entry fees at IGCSE, A Level and IB Diploma add EUR 1,000 to EUR 2,200 a year. Capital contributions of EUR 2,500 to EUR 6,500 apply at the senior schools. Read the broader landscape in our Rome fees guide; the fees comparison tool places Rome alongside Milan, Madrid and Frankfurt.
Not sure which Rome secondary is the right fit?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three secondaries based on your child's year group, your sixth form preference and your home area.
Illustrative example schools
The four schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each holds British Schools Overseas, Council of International Schools, or US Middle States accreditation.
St George's British International School at La Storta is the largest British secondary in Rome, founded in 1958. IGCSE at year 11, then both A Level and IB Diploma at sixth form. Strong record on Oxbridge and US selective placement.
Marymount International School in the Cassia corridor runs the IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma. Catholic ethos, American calendar, single-sex above year 6.
American Overseas School of Rome, AOSR, is the largest US high school in Italy. Grade 9 to grade 12 with AP courses, US Middle States accredited. Strong placement at US universities and a steady flow into Italian institutions.
Rome International School in Quartiere Trieste delivers IB Middle Years Programme and IB Diploma in a centrally located setting. Unusually international cohort with strong embassy and FAO representation.
Where secondary families live
Secondary families in Rome split into four catchments. Cassia, La Storta and Olgiata for direct access to St George's, Marymount and AOSR, with villa stock and short bus rides. EUR, Casalpalocco and Axa for Southlands and the southern AOSR commute. Quartiere Trieste, Parioli and Salario for Rome International School and the IB cluster, with apartment stock and walkability. Trastevere, Monteverde and Aurelio for Britannica and central provision. The wider picture sits in our best areas for expat families guide; the cost calculator bundles rent, sixth form fees and transport into a total relocation budget.
Admissions and the IGCSE question
Applications for September 2026 entry opened across Rome secondaries between October 2025 and January 2026. Year 7 and year 12 are the most competitive intakes, closing at the premium schools by February. Year 10 IGCSE entry is tight at all three British curriculum providers because subject combinations are limited. Year 12 A Level and IB Diploma applications require subject choices submitted at the point of application, plus a transcript, a reference and a short interview, often online for families relocating from the UK or the US. Mid-year transfers in years 7 through 9 are accommodated where capacity exists. Transfers during IGCSE years 10 and 11 are difficult because subject choices and coursework are underway. Sixth form transfers after October of year 12 are very rare and usually require restarting the qualification.
Outcomes are strong by international standards. St George's posts A and A star rates of 50 to 65 percent at A Level in 2025, with IB Diploma averages near 35 to 38 points. Graduates routinely place at UK Russell Group universities, US selective universities, top European programmes, and Italian institutions including LUISS and Bocconi. For our editorial pick across all the strongest schools see the best international schools in Rome guide, and for sixth form specifically the Rome IB hub and Rome British curriculum hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many international secondary schools are there in Rome?
Rome has 11 schools running an international secondary phase in English. Five carry on through sixth form to year 13 with A Level or IB Diploma, and three run a US high school grade 9 to 12 programme. The remaining three exit at year 11 IGCSE.
Which sixth form pathway is most common in Rome?
The IB Diploma is the most widely offered sixth form pathway in Rome, available at six schools. A Level sits at three schools led by St George's and Southlands. The US high school diploma with AP runs at the American Overseas School of Rome, AOSR, and at a smaller US partner programme.
How much do secondary international schools in Rome cost?
Annual fees run from about EUR 13,400 at smaller secondaries to EUR 26,500 at premium sixth form provision. Median year 11 tuition sits near EUR 19,800 in 2026. Year 12 and year 13 typically carry a 5 to 10 percent loading for examination registration and university counselling.
Can my child transfer mid-year into a Rome secondary?
Yes for years 7 through 9 where capacity exists. Transfers during the IGCSE phase, years 10 and 11, are difficult because subject choices and coursework are underway. Sixth form transfers after October of year 12 are very rare and usually require restarting the qualification.
Where do Rome international school graduates go to university?
Graduates routinely place at UK Russell Group universities, US selective universities, top Dutch and Continental European programmes, and the leading Italian institutions including LUISS, Bocconi and Sapienza. Around 30 to 40 percent of Rome international school graduates ultimately enrol at universities outside Italy.
