Italy · Florence
ISF teaches younger pupils at Villa le Tavernule in Bagno a Ripoli and Grades 6–12 at Villa Torri di Gattaia in Florence. Its pathway can lead to the IB Diploma or an American high-school diploma. Confirm the appropriate campus and whether standard or employer-funded tuition applies.
International School of Florence (ISF) is a co-educational day school with two campuses. The Junior School is at Villa le Tavernule, Via del Carota 23, 50012 Bagno a Ripoli, serving Early Years through Grade 5, ages 3–11. The Upper School is at Villa Torri di Gattaia, Via della Gattaia 9, 50125 Firenze, serving Grades 6–12, ages 11–18. The school does not advertise boarding.
The distinction matters for families with children in both sections: test both journeys before choosing a home. The fees-page footer gives the junior address as Via del Carota 23/25, so confirm the entrance for your visit. The school offices can be reached at juniorschooloffice@isfitaly.org and upperschooloffice@isfitaly.org.
ISF offers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), ages 3–11, and Middle Years Programme (MYP), ages 11–16, followed by the IB Diploma or American high-school diploma, ages 16–18. The school describes its high-school accreditation through Cognia/MSA-CEES. Ask how the two final diploma routes differ in subjects and graduation requirements for your child’s intended university destination.
From Grade 1 through Grade 5, children learn in English and Italian. An optional Integrated Italian Equivalency Programme prepares pupils for the Esame di Quinta, the Italian primary-stage examination named by the school. Ask what the programme requires and what recognition it provides; do not assume the international curriculum alone includes this additional route.
The Diploma page lists the following subjects:
| Area | Published choices |
|---|---|
| Language and literature | English and Italian |
| Additional languages | French B, Spanish B and Italian B; beginner Italian (ab initio) at Standard Level |
| Humanities | History and Business Management |
| Sciences | Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) |
| Mathematics | Both IB mathematics tracks |
| Arts | Visual Arts |
Language B courses are for pupils with previous experience of the language; ab initio is the beginner course. Confirm the available levels, timetable combinations and entry requirements before relying on a particular subject package.
Grade 11 transfers depend on space and compatibility with previous study. Grade 12 transfers are rare and assessed individually. SAT and ACT tests are not required for the ISF or IB diploma; ISF is an SAT test centre. University admissions requirements are a separate question.
The application fee is due when the application begins. The entrance fee is due within 15 days of the official acceptance letter. The cited pages do not establish a general application closing date; ask admissions about places and the timetable for the intended start.
For 2026–27, re-enrolment was due 7 January 2026. The first tuition instalment was due 15 July 2026, and the second is due 30 September 2026. These are the published re-enrolment and payment dates, not a statement that new applications close on those dates. Late entrants should request their own payment schedule.
The published fee schedule distinguishes standard and employer-funded tuition.
The €500 application fee applies to new applicants, is non-refundable and covers two consecutive application years. The €7,800 entrance fee applies at initial enrolment and is also non-refundable. If a pupil leaves for two academic years and returns at the start of the third, the entrance fee is payable again.
| Stage | Standard annual tuition | Corporate annual tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Early Years | €14,950 | €17,190 |
| Foundation–Grade 5 | €19,400 | €22,310 |
| Middle School, Grades 6–8 | €21,340 | €24,540 |
| High School, Grades 9–10 | €22,950 | €26,390 |
| IB Diploma, Grades 11–12 | €26,420 | €30,370 |
Corporate rates apply when the employer pays. Ask businessoffice@isfitaly.org to confirm the applicable column, especially if an employer funds only part of the cost.
For a new Grade 6 pupil paying the standard rate, application, entrance and tuition total €29,640 (€500 + €7,800 + €21,340), before any additional charges. At the corporate rate, the same calculation is €32,840. These examples do not establish the cost of transport or other extras.
The campus page describes a private bus service but does not give its price. Junior School has a drop-off area; Upper School does not have a dedicated one, with Piazza Ferrucci or Piazzale Michelangelo named as alternatives. Confirm the arrangements for the child’s age and any bus route before relying on them.
Lycée Victor Hugo, on Via della Scala, offers a different French-curriculum route. Compare the language and qualification your child needs as well as the journey; the schools are not interchangeable simply because both are in Florence.
The Florence guide and Italy guide provide the wider comparison. Confirm current availability and costs directly with ISF before accepting.
Official pages and documents we read. If a figure matters to your budget or your application, open the link and confirm it is still current.
Friendly orientation, not an application. Dates, fees, and programme details move. Confirm everything with the school.
Lycée Victor Hugo is a French day school at Palazzo Venturi Ginori, Via della Scala 85, 50123 Firenze, belonging to Mission laïque française (MLF), the French secular education network. It teaches the French curriculum from maternelle through Terminale, leading to the brevet and Baccalauréat. It does not advertise boarding.
RomeAOSR is a co-educational, not-for-profit American day school from Pre-K3 to Grade 12. Its high school combines a US diploma with Advanced Placement and the IB Diploma Programme.
Noverasco di Opera, south of MilanASM offers an English-medium American education and the IB Diploma on a day campus south of Milan. Its support limits and layered first-year charges deserve careful checking.
VareseEuropean School Varese is a multilingual day school for nursery, primary and secondary pupils. It follows the European Schools curriculum and leads to the European Baccalaureate. Admission priority depends on the family's category, and private applicants can be admitted only when places remain.
ISF offers an English-medium IB path on two campuses; Lycée Victor Hugo follows the French curriculum in central Florence. Compare qualifications, locations and current fees.
5 minAn American-style school may offer a familiar curriculum, but its diploma, courses, language support, and admissions rules need individual checks. Start with the child’s next educational step.
7 minStart with the qualification your child would actually receive. Then check its subjects, language demands, and recognition in the countries where they may study next.
7 minStart with your child and the family's likely plans. Define the non-negotiables, verify the school's claims, compare three realistic options and visit with specific questions.