The International School of Milan, usually shortened to ISM, is an English language IB World School serving children from the early years through to the end of the sixth form in Milan. Run by the International School of Europe group, which is part of the Inspired Education network, it traces its lineage to 1958 and was the first institution in Italy authorised to deliver all three International Baccalaureate programmes. This profile sets out the curriculum, the fees, how admissions work and where the Baranzate campus sits.
International School of Milan at a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB continuum: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma |
| Stages | Early years to the sixth form (ages 2 to 18) |
| Founded | 1958 lineage; Baranzate campus opened 2013 |
| Status | IB World School; International School of Europe group; Inspired network |
| Fee band | Premium for the city |
| Campus area | Via I Maggio, Baranzate, northwest of Milan |
Curriculum and academics
ISM teaches the full International Baccalaureate continuum rather than a national curriculum. Children begin in the Primary Years Programme from age 2, move into the Middle Years Programme in the lower secondary years, and finish with the IB Diploma in the sixth form. English is the language of instruction throughout, with Italian and additional modern languages taught alongside it, which suits internationally mobile families who value a single, globally recognised pathway from nursery to university entry.
The school dropped the British O Level and A Level route it once offered and is now solely an IB World School, a deliberate choice that gives the whole school one coherent philosophy of inquiry led learning. To weigh ISM against the rest of the field, use the IB schools in Milan hub and ask the school for its recent Diploma results and university destinations.
Budgeting for a Milan school place?
Use our fee calculator to estimate the full cost of a place, tuition plus the registration, deposit and transport extras, before you commit.
International School of Milan fees
ISM sits in the premium band for Milan, with tuition rising at each stage and reaching its highest point in the IB Diploma years. The figures the school publishes are indicative only and should be confirmed directly, as the schedule is reviewed annually. Budget beyond tuition for a one off registration fee, a refundable deposit, and optional extras such as transport to and from the Baranzate campus, lunch, and the trips and examination costs that come with the Diploma years.
For the wider cost picture across the city see our guide to international school fees in Milan, or estimate your own total with the fee calculator.
Admissions
The academic year runs from September and the main intake follows it, with rolling entry into other year groups where places are available. Families provide recent school reports and references, and applicants complete age appropriate assessments, with sixth form entry conditional on results that meet the requirements for the IB Diploma. The early years and primary stages are usually the easiest points of entry.
As one of the longest established international schools in the city, popular year groups can carry waiting lists, so applying six to twelve months ahead of your move is sensible.
Location and who goes there
ISM is on Via I Maggio in Baranzate, just northwest of the Milan ring road, where a purpose built campus opened in 2013 united the primary, middle and high school sections on one site. The campus carries science laboratories, libraries, art and music studios, a theatre, gymnasiums and sports pitches. The northwestern suburbs and the well connected commuter towns are where many of the international and dual nationality families who choose the school tend to live. To see how the area compares for schools and commuting, and to line up alternatives, start from the Milan city hub.
International School of Milan reviews
We do not yet hold any verified parent reviews for the International School of Milan. GlobalSchoolGuide is an independent guide and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we have collected enough verified first hand accounts to be fair to both the school and to families reading them. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
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Frequently asked questions
How much are International School of Milan fees?
ISM sits in the premium band for Milan, with tuition rising at each stage and highest in the IB Diploma years. Figures are indicative, so confirm the current schedule with the school.
Is International School of Milan an IB school?
Yes. ISM was the first school in Italy authorised to offer all three IB programmes and now teaches the full continuum, the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes, in English.
Where is International School of Milan located?
The school is on a purpose built campus in Baranzate, northwest of Milan, which opened in 2013 and brought the primary, middle and high school sections onto one site.
What ages does International School of Milan take?
ISM takes children from age 2 in the early years through to age 18 at the end of the IB Diploma.
When do International School of Milan applications open?
The academic year starts in September and the main intake follows it, with rolling admissions into other year groups where places exist. Apply six to twelve months ahead of a move.
