Compare Japanese Curriculum International Schools in Italy

Strada Pecetto, 34, 10023 Chieri (TO), ITALY

IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), IB Diploma Programme (DP); Italian Programme

Private, independent, non-denominational day school

36 nationalities represented at IST

ELL programme; Learning Support Programme (IEPs/Action Plans); Advisory Programme with Homeroom Advisors; Counsellor; University Guidance

Non-denominational

Opening 8:30 am every school day; closing 4:45 pm Monday–Thursday; 3:45 pm Friday

Benese Bus Service

The school is a day school; no boarding facilities are provided.

The school uniform is compulsory for Nursery to Grade 10; optional for IB Diploma students in Grades 11 and 12.

A healthy nutritional programme including high-quality fresh products (organic, local, fair trade) and a variety of menus suitable for all nutritional needs with international choices; meals are freshly cooked on site daily.

The school is legally registered as a non-profit association whose membership is composed of the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School. The Board of Directors is elected by association members every three years, appoints the Head of School, and is responsible for administering the association's affairs and ensuring the school's guiding statements and accreditations are upheld.

IST is an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The school provides a continuum from Early Years to Grade 12 and is the oldest full continuum IB World School in Piedmont. The Italian Programme runs alongside the IB path, with Italian taught as part of the curriculum; many subjects (social studies, geography, mathematics, sciences, art, music, computers, ESL and physical education) are taught in English. The IB Primary Years Programme serves ages 3-11, followed by the Middle Years Programme (11-15) and the Diploma Programme (16-18). The Diploma Programme includes six subject groups plus core elements (Theory of Knowledge, CAS, Extended Essay) and offers around 20 in-person subjects with additional online courses via Pamoja; IST is accredited by NEASC and CIS.

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In May 2025 the Diploma Programme at IST had a highest mark of 45, an IST average of 32 and an IB World average of 30.50. The IST diploma pass rate was 84% and the IB World pass rate was 81.3%.

IST graduates gain university placements worldwide. Since 2014, acceptances include Leeds University; Goldsmiths, University of London; King's College London; University of Manchester; UC Berkeley; University of Toronto; Bocconi University; Università di Torino; Politecnico di Torino; Waseda University; and many others.

Elite Athlete Programme supports high-level athletes; English Language Learner (ELL) and Learning Support Programmes provide targeted support; students identified as gifted in certain areas may be enrolled in Learning Support for accelerated programming.

Advisory Programme supports social and emotional development with Homeroom Advisors in the secondary school and class teachers in the primary school. A Counsellor works with students individually, in small groups, or with classes and collaborates with teachers and parents. IST is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of all students.

IST offers a Learning Support Programme with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or Student Success Plans; Learning Support teachers work with students and subject teachers to deliver targeted provision and may provide integrated or separate learning environments. The SEN Coordinator and Student Support Team oversee assessment, planning and progress reviews. The SEN Teacher may also support English Language Learners (ELL) or Gifted and Talented students, with a surcharge for Learning Support.

The English Language Learner (ELL) programme provides reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking support; ELL teachers collaborate with classroom teachers and parents to discuss student progress. Primary ELL is delivered in small groups, and Secondary ELL supports students joining the school with limited English; Home Language is offered as an additional service.

Wellbeing is a core focus; the Counsellor serves both Primary and Secondary and can work with individuals, small groups, or classes. The Advisory Programme supports students socially and emotionally and IST emphasizes the wellbeing of all students.

IST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; there is a designated Child Protection Officer and team, and staff receive annual training on Child Protection. The safeguarding policy is promoted to students and stakeholders; new employees must provide police background checks from their current and previous countries, with locally hired staff also undergoing checks.

IST is an independent, non-denominational, co-educational day school. Priority for admissions is given to international, English-speaking candidates, then to international candidates who do not speak English, and to enrolled students' siblings. Class size is limited, and a waiting list is created once all places in a given class are filled. To enter Nursery, students must be three years old during the calendar year of entry and toilet trained. To enter Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade, students must be four, five, and six years old, respectively, by December 31 of the entry year. IST reserves the right to determine appropriate grade level placements. After First Grade, students are placed according to their previous schooling, official transfer documents, birth date, and English language skills; placement examinations in English and mathematics may be used for Grades 6-12. Students may enter the school with no English-speaking skills at Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten and will be enrolled in the English Language Center (ELC) program; families pay an additional fee for this program for as long as the school deems it necessary, and the school will make the final ELC placement. In extenuating circumstances, IST may admit students with incomplete admission documents; if, after an initial six-week period, the school does not receive the necessary documents, it reserves the right to exclude the student(s). The Italian Parità Scolastica status in Early Childhood and Elementary School allows IST to offer the Italian national curriculum in Elementary School; in Middle School all students are offered Italian as the first foreign language. High School students are expected to meet the requirements for the IST American High School Diploma, and the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Candidates for admission to this Programme should discuss a possible course of study with the IB Coordinator before submitting the Registration Request.

For the school year 2019-2020, the International School of Turin will make available scholarships to students currently not studying at the School, aged seventeen by 31 December 2019, and have completed the equivalent of International School of Turin's Grade 10. The scholarship recipients shall enroll in Grade 11 and continue until they finish Grade 12 (Graduation). Learn how to apply for Scholarship.

Class size is limited; a waiting list is created once all places in any particular class are filled.

The school is governed by a school governance committee composed of representatives of resident Japanese in the establishment area; it operates in accordance with Japanese education laws and provides elementary and junior high education.

Via Adda 25, 22073 Fino Mornasco CO, Italy. The campus spans more than 10,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space with specialist facilities designed for ages 2 to 18. It includes a robotics lab, three fully equipped science laboratories, two art studios, a theatre and a drama studio, a podcast studio, a well-stocked library, an indoor gym, a football pitch, two outdoor multipurpose sports facilities, a cafeteria, and playgrounds.

From Early Years through High School, the school offers the IB Continuum: Primary Years Programme for Early Years to Grade 5; Middle Years Programme for Grades 6 to 10; Diploma Programme for Grades 12 to 13. An Italian Stream option aligns with the Italian State curriculum.

Inclusion Policy provides for students with diagnosed learning or behavioural issues, with evaluations by the school's support services and a family agreement on funding necessary individual support.

Italy

A convenient and reliable school bus service with comprehensive morning and afternoon routes in and around Como, five days a week. Routes include Como (Cernobbio & Centre), Chiasso Shuttle Bus, Malgrate, and Lower Varese; service is offered at an additional cost and routes can be adjusted to meet families' needs. The transport team includes professional drivers and supervisors who are regularly vetted.

The uniform is compulsory for all students from pre-kindergarten through Grade 13. Items can be purchased from the official uniform list via OVS, the official uniform supplier.

Lunches are prepared in-house by a dedicated chef using fresh, organic, locally sourced products. Meals are tailored to each age group and can accommodate dietary requirements. Meals are provided at an additional cost, and students must not bring food from home.

The International School of Como is part of the International Schools of Europe Group and the Inspired Education Group.

The school offers the IB Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme as part of the IB Continuum. An Italian Stream option integrates with the Italian State curriculum, enabling ISC learners to sit Italian system examinations if they wish.

ISC students consistently achieve exceptional outcomes in their IBDP and Italian Primary and Middle School exams. In 2023, ISC achieved a 100% pass rate in the IB Diploma and the Global IB pass rate was 79%. In 2020–2022, ISC pass rates ranged from 90% to 100% with Global pass rates around 85–86%, and in 2021 there were COVID-related adjustments.

Graduates attend prestigious universities worldwide, including the London School of Economics, King's College London, University of Bath, Bocconi University, Politecnico di Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca, IE University, Boston College, University of Southern California, and Sciences Po.

1. Submit an Enquiry. Families submit an enquiry form to begin the admissions process. After submission, the admissions team contacts you to provide more information about the school and discuss the application process for your child's age group. Places are available for admission throughout the academic year. Diploma Years (Grades 12 and 13) require careful consideration; please reach out to the Admissions Team for guidance.

2. Book a Virtual Meeting. The virtual meeting is held on Teams and introduces the IB programmes, educational approaches, and extracurricular activities offered at the school. The aim is for both sides to understand fit and next steps.

3. Visit the Campus. Experience a personalised campus tour with the Admissions Team in our modern facilities. At this stage, present your child's reports for the previous 2 years and the ISC Teacher Recommendation Form to formalise the application. The campus visit provides an opportunity to see the learning environment firsthand.

4. Student Interview. Applicants bring the last two years of school reports together with the ISC Teacher Recommendation Form to attend a meeting with a member of the leadership team for the student interview. This is when parents meet the Principal or Head of Primary/Secondary. Grade 12 applicants must also complete a CAT4 cognitive assessment before the interview.

5. Offer & Acceptance. The Leadership Team makes the final decision on acceptance and placement, and you will receive an offer to complete enrolment. The decision is based on reports and records from previous schools, the applicant's potential to benefit from the programmes, and the school's capacity to meet their needs.

6. Registration & Admission. Once the school receives the requested documentation and the first instalment has been paid, your child will be fully enrolled at the International School of Como. Welcome!

Nsouli Scholars Programme. The Nsouli Scholars Programme is an exciting global initiative that promises to transform lives by enabling 50 extraordinary students at any one time to attend any Inspired school on a full scholarship for the duration of their education. This endowment honours Nadim Nsouli and his Lebanese heritage, and several scholarships will be awarded to individuals of Lebanese origin.

Admission is possible at any time during the school year, except for Grades 12 and 13, if places are available. The school reserves the right to deny or postpone admission if it cannot meet the applicant's needs or if a class is full, in which case the applicant will be placed on a waiting list.