Saint Stephen's School is one of the American curriculum schools mapped on our Rome city hub, and one of the few anywhere to combine day and boarding provision in a historic city centre. Founded in 1964 as a non profit, non denominational American international school, it teaches grades nine to twelve only, pairing an American college preparatory programme with the IB Diploma and a strong emphasis on university counselling.
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At a glance
Curriculum and academics
Saint Stephen's teaches an American college preparatory programme leading to the American High School Diploma, taught in English, alongside the IB Diploma Programme, the two year qualification recognised by universities worldwide. Because the school covers only grades nine to twelve, the whole programme is focused on the upper secondary years and the transition to university, rather than spanning the full age range.
University counselling and the IB emphasis on creativity, activity and service run through the senior years, and Italian and French are available as language options within the Diploma framework. The school reports that its graduates have gone on to universities including Columbia, Edinburgh, Cambridge and the Ecole polytechnique, which gives a sense of the academic destinations families can ask about. Request the current Diploma subject groups and the latest college counselling information, and use our IB guide to weigh the Diploma against the American diploma route.
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Saint Stephen's School fees
Saint Stephen's sits in the premium tier described on our Rome international school fees guide, where the leading day schools run roughly EUR 19,000 to EUR 27,500 a year at the secondary level. Boarding is charged on top of tuition and is a separate and substantial cost, so families considering the boarding option should ask for the combined figure rather than the day tuition alone. Treat these as bands rather than a quote, because the school revises fees each year and the published schedule is the only reliable figure.
Beyond tuition and boarding, expect a registration or enrolment charge on entry, and budget for the usual extras of trips, activities and examination entry costs at IB Diploma level. Use our fee calculator to model the full annual figure, and compare it against the wider city market in the Rome fees guide so the day and boarding options can be weighed side by side.
Admissions
Saint Stephen's admits into grades nine to twelve, for both day and boarding places, with the main intake in the autumn and mid year entry considered subject to space. The school typically asks for previous school reports and academic records and assesses applicants to confirm grade placement and Diploma subject readiness, and boarding applicants are considered for the residential community as well as the academic programme.
Because places in the senior grades depend on course availability, and boarding capacity is limited, parents on a fixed timeline should contact admissions early to check availability, subject fit and, where relevant, a boarding place. See the Rome city hub for how Saint Stephen's sits among the city's other American and IB options.
Location and who goes there
The campus is on the Aventine, at the foot of the Aventine Hill in the centre of Rome, a short distance from the Circus Maximus and the imperial sites, which is unusual for a school with boarding and gives the residential community a genuinely central base. As a day and boarding school it draws day students from across the city and boarders from around the world.
The intake is strongly international, reflecting the diplomatic, academic and globally mobile families drawn to a small senior school with an American and IB programme. Families weighing senior options often look at Saint Stephen's alongside the American Overseas School of Rome, the American international route at Marymount International School Rome and the IB pathway at Rome International School. For the wider picture see our roundup of the best American schools in Rome.
Reviews
We do not yet have verified parent reviews for Saint Stephen's 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 Saint Stephen's, 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 Saint Stephen's School fees?
Saint Stephen's sits in the premium tier for Rome, where leading day schools run roughly EUR 19,000 to EUR 27,500 a year at the secondary level, with boarding charged separately on top. Confirm the current day and boarding schedule with the school, as fees change yearly.
Does Saint Stephen's School Rome offer boarding?
Yes. Saint Stephen's is a co educational day and boarding school in central Rome, with a small boarding community alongside its day students, teaching grades nine to twelve.
What curriculum does Saint Stephen's School follow?
The school offers an American college preparatory programme leading to the American High School Diploma, together with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, taught in English with Italian and French available within the Diploma.
When was Saint Stephen's School founded?
Saint Stephen's School was founded in 1964 as a non profit, non denominational American international school and has operated in central Rome since then.
Where is Saint Stephen's School located?
The campus is on the Aventine, at the foot of the Aventine Hill in central Rome, close to the Circus Maximus and the city's imperial sites.
