Core International School is a small bilingual primary school in a leafy residential area of north central Rome, founded in 1983 and one of the schools mapped on our Rome city hub. It teaches children from nursery through the primary years in English, led by a faculty drawn mostly from the United Kingdom and Ireland, with the Italian curriculum introduced from age five and native Italian teachers supporting language and cultural learning. Class sizes are kept small at around sixteen children, and because the school covers nursery and primary only, families need a plan for secondary, with fees that sit in the boutique tier for the city rather than the premium band.
This profile is an independent reference page. GlobalSchoolGuide does not accept payment for coverage, and Core 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
Core teaches a bilingual programme that is delivered in English by a faculty drawn mainly from the United Kingdom and Ireland, with the Italian curriculum woven in alongside. Italian lessons begin at age five and are taught orally in the first year, before children move to following the Italian programme with the standard textbooks from the second year, building reading and grammar. The design is intended to leave children genuinely able to continue into either an Italian or an English secondary school, or both, rather than committing them to one system early.
The school keeps classes small at around sixteen children so that each child gets individual attention, and in the final primary year pupils take an hour a week of mathematics in Italian to get used to the phrasing and methods they will meet in the Italian system. Because the school stops at the end of primary, the practical question for most parents is the onward route into secondary, whether that is a British, international or Italian school. Our bilingual education guide explains how dual language schooling works and what to weigh when choosing the next stage.
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Core International School fees
As a small bilingual primary school, Core sits in the boutique tier on our Rome international school fees guide, well below the premium international secondaries that run roughly EUR 19,000 to EUR 27,500 a year. Primary fees across Rome typically run 15 to 25 per cent below the secondary headline, so a primary place at a small school like Core lands toward the lower end of the city range. 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, materials, trips and after school clubs. 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 school year runs from September to June, and Core accepts applications for the September intake through the year, with places filled as they arise across the nursery and primary classes. Because the school deliberately keeps classes small at around sixteen children, the most popular entry points can fill early, so it pays to enquire ahead. The school typically meets the family and gets to know the child to confirm the right class and any English or Italian language support needs.
Mid year entry is considered subject to space, which matters for families relocating to Rome outside the usual cycle. Parents moving on a corporate or diplomatic timeline should contact the school as soon as their move is confirmed to secure a place at the preferred stage, especially in the early years where demand is strongest.
Location and who goes there
The school sits in a residential part of north central Rome close to Villa Ada, one of the city's largest parks, a green and family friendly setting away from the tourist centre. The position is convenient for families living in the surrounding Parioli, Salario and Trieste neighbourhoods, which are among the areas international and professional families tend to favour.
The intake mixes international families who want an English language primary education with Italian families seeking a bilingual start for their children. Commutes are shortest for families in the north central neighbourhoods near the park. For the wider picture of where international families settle across Rome and the schools near them, see the Rome city hub.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for Core 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 Core, 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 Core International School fees?
As a small bilingual primary school, Core sits in the boutique tier for Rome, below the premium international secondaries that run roughly EUR 19,000 to EUR 27,500. Primary fees across the city typically run 15 to 25 per cent below the secondary headline. A registration charge and the usual extras apply on top. Confirm the current schedule with the school, as fees change yearly.
Is Core International School a good school?
Core is an established bilingual primary school founded in 1983, teaching in English with Italian introduced from age five and class sizes kept small. Whether it fits your family depends on your child's age and your plan for secondary, since the school covers nursery and primary only. We do not publish a rating without verified reviews.
What curriculum does Core International School follow?
Core follows a bilingual programme that teaches in English by mostly British and Irish staff, with the Italian curriculum introduced from age five so that children can continue into Italian or English secondary education, or both.
When do Core International School applications open?
The school year runs from September to June, and Core accepts applications for the September intake through the year, with mid year entry considered when places allow. Because classes are kept small, the most popular entry points can fill early.
Where is Core International School located?
The school is in a residential area of north central Rome close to the Villa Ada park, convenient for families in the Parioli, Salario and Trieste neighbourhoods.
