Acorn House International School is a bilingual school in the Giustiniana area of north Rome, opened in 1999 and now one of the schools mapped on our Rome city hub. It teaches a dual curriculum that runs the National Curriculum for England alongside the Italian national programme, prepares students for Cambridge IGCSE in the secondary years, and offers an International Baccalaureate route in the senior school. The school is recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education and is a Cambridge International school, and it sits in the boutique fee tier for the city rather than the premium secondary band.
This profile is an independent reference page. GlobalSchoolGuide does not accept payment for coverage, and Acorn House appears here because it is a real school relocating parents ask about, not because it paid to be listed. We researched the facts below from the school and public sources at the time of writing, and mark anything we could not confirm as not published.
At a glance
Curriculum and academics
Acorn House is built around a dual pathway, which is its defining feature. From the early years onward the school teaches the National Curriculum for England in English and the Italian national curriculum in parallel, so a child can keep a foot in both systems rather than choosing one. Lessons in English are led by mother tongue teachers, and the Italian programme follows the Ministry framework that leads to the Licenza Media at the end of middle school.
In the secondary years students prepare for Cambridge IGCSE examinations, the international qualification taken at age 16 and marked by Cambridge Assessment International Education. The senior school adds an IB Diploma route for the final two years, the globally portable university entrance qualification recognised for its breadth and its extended essay. The practical question for most families is subject choice at IGCSE and Diploma level, so ask the school for its current subject list before you commit. Our IB curriculum guide explains how the Diploma is scored and how it compares with other senior routes.
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Acorn House International School fees
Acorn House sits in the boutique tier on our Rome international school fees guide, the band of smaller community and bilingual schools that runs roughly EUR 11,500 to EUR 17,000 at the secondary level, below the city's premium schools at EUR 19,000 to EUR 27,500. Published tuition at Acorn House has reported broadly from around EUR 8,500 to EUR 14,500 a year depending on the stage, with early years and primary at the lower end and the senior school nearer the top. Treat these as bands rather than a quote, because schools revise fees each year and the published schedule is the only reliable figure.
Tuition is only part of the budget. Expect a registration or enrolment charge on entry, and budget for the usual extras of lunches, uniform, books, trips and examination entry costs at IGCSE and Diploma level. School transport, where offered, is charged separately. Use our fee calculator to model the full annual figure rather than the headline tuition alone, and compare it against the wider Rome market in the city fees guide.
Admissions
The Italian academic year runs from September to June, and Acorn House accepts applications through the year for the September intake, with places filled as they arise across the early years, primary and secondary stages. The school typically asks for previous school reports and meets the family, with younger children observed informally and older applicants assessed to confirm the right year group and, where relevant, the bilingual balance that suits them.
Mid year entry is considered subject to space, which matters for families relocating to Rome outside the usual cycle. Because the senior IGCSE and Diploma years depend on subject availability, parents moving on a corporate timeline should contact admissions early to check both availability and subject fit.
Location and who goes there
The campus is on Via della Giustiniana in the Giustiniana area of north Rome, in the band of northern suburbs along the Cassia corridor where many international and diplomatic families settle. The setting is greener and more residential than the city centre, with space for sports fields and laboratories that a central site could not offer.
The intake reflects that location and the school's bilingual model: a mix of Italian families who want an English language education and international parents who value a route into the Italian system as well as a British one. Commutes are shortest for families already living in the northern suburbs. For the wider picture of where international families settle across the city and the schools near them, see the Rome city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for Acorn House International School. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish reviews only once we can confirm they come from real families. If your child attends or has attended Acorn House, we would value your first hand account. Share your experience through the school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better information.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Acorn House International School fees?
Acorn House sits in the boutique band for Rome. Published tuition has run broadly from around EUR 8,500 to EUR 14,500 a year depending on the stage, which places it below the city's premium secondary schools. A registration charge and optional extras apply on top. Confirm the current schedule with the school, as fees change yearly.
Is Acorn House International School a good school?
Acorn House is an established bilingual school founded in 1999, recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education and a Cambridge International school. Whether it is the right fit depends on your child's stage, your budget and whether you want a bilingual English and Italian pathway. We do not publish a rating without verified reviews.
What curriculum does Acorn House International School follow?
Acorn House follows a dual pathway that combines the National Curriculum for England with the Italian national curriculum, prepares students for Cambridge IGCSE in the secondary years, and offers an International Baccalaureate Diploma route in the senior school.
When do Acorn House International School applications open?
The Italian school year runs from September to June, and Acorn House accepts applications through the year for the September intake, with places filled as they arise. Mid year entry is considered subject to space, which suits families relocating to Rome outside the usual cycle.
Where is Acorn House International School located?
The campus is on Via della Giustiniana in the Giustiniana area of north Rome, near the Cassia corridor and the northern suburbs where many international families live.
