International School of Turin: admissions, fees and fit

The International School of Turin, usually called IST, is a private, non-profit day school at Strada Pecetto 34 in Chieri. It is outside central Turin. The school has no boarding provision, so the daily journey matters as much as the curriculum.

IST teaches in English from early childhood through Grade 12. It is authorised to offer the IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. The IB directory independently confirms its IB status and lists it as a day school.

The closest curriculum comparison is Lycée Français International Jean Giono. Giono follows the French national programme in Turin itself. IST is the stronger candidate for a family seeking an English-medium IB path and willing to travel to Chieri.

Who should shortlist IST

IST makes most sense for a child who may move between international school systems. Its PYP, MYP and DP sequence reduces the disruption of changing curriculum between primary and secondary school.

The school also offers an alternative graduation route. Students can work towards the internally awarded IST High School Diploma, with optional Advanced Placement courses, instead of completing the full IB Diploma.

That distinction is important. IST says the internal diploma supports applications to many American universities. Its own DP page also warns that this diploma alone does not usually meet university-entry requirements in Italy, the UK or much of Europe.

Families targeting an Italian or another European university should therefore agree the Grade 11–12 route before enrolling. Ask which diploma the student will pursue, which subjects are available, and whether that combination meets the intended university’s rules.

Age range and school structure

The current Early Years page starts Pre-Nursery at 20 months. Nursery is for roughly ages three to four, while Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten cover the years before Grade 1. Early Years uses English and a play-based PYP framework.

The main sequence is:

• PYP through Grade 5
• MYP in Grades 6–10
• IB Diploma or an IST High School Diploma route in Grades 11–12

IST says its Italian preschool and primary provision has Italian ministry recognition. In Grade 8, pupils following the Italian programme can prepare for the Italian lower-secondary state examination, commonly called Terza Media.

The current middle-school page does not explain the examination registration or venue. Ask which host school enters IST candidates and which documents are required.

The Terza Media option is useful for a pupil who may move into an Italian liceo. It is not the same as attending an Italian-medium lower-secondary school, because most IST subjects remain in English.

IST presents its IB Diploma as legally equivalent to the Italian maturità. Recognition in Italy still depends on the authorised school and the student’s subject package. Ask IST to confirm the applicable route in writing for the child’s planned university entry.

Admissions and placement

Applications are made through the school’s OpenApply portal. The published procedure requires school reports, official transcripts, a recommendation, identity documents and vaccination records. Italian pupils must also provide the relevant Italian reports, nulla osta and any Terza Media diploma.

The admissions committee decides the grade after reviewing age, previous schooling, transfer documents and English level. Applicants to Grades 6–12 take English and mathematics assessments. Students transferring into Grades 9–12 must also show prior high-school credits or comparable progress.

The current admissions page publishes this priority order:

1. international applicants who speak English;
2. international applicants who do not yet speak English;
3. siblings of current pupils.

English and learning support

English Language Learner support, or ELL, is available from primary school. Grade 1 support is free when the school decides it is needed. ELL in Grades 2–5 is usually provided in small groups, while Grades 6–10 receive specialist language teaching and classroom support.

ELL pupils may miss another foreign language while they are in the programme. The 2026–27 schedule charges up to €3,000 a year from Grade 2, depending on the support required.

IST also describes individual plans and accommodations for documented learning needs. The separate SEN support fee is up to €3,000 a year. Public pages do not guarantee a particular number of hours or confirm that every level of need can be supported.

Disclose reports before acceptance and request a written support proposal. It should state staffing, frequency, classroom adjustments, review points and the exact additional fee.

2026–27 fees

The registration charge is non-refundable. For a new pupil it was €3,300 by 31 January 2026 and is €3,800 after 1 February. Returning pupils paid €600 by 31 January or €1,200 after 1 February.

Payment of the registration fee confirms enrolment only when the class has space. Annual tuition is:

Year group	Tuition
Pre-Nursery	€9,300
Nursery	€8,500
Pre-Kindergarten	€9,000
Kindergarten	€10,400
Grades 1–5	€13,400
Grades 6–8	€16,600
Grades 9–10	€16,700
Grades 11–12	€19,200

Tuition is due in three instalments: 50% by 15 September, 40% by 15 January and 10% by 15 April. The schedule says late-payment interest or charges may apply.

A pupil joining from September through December owes the full annual tuition. Entry in January or February costs 75%, while entry from March through June costs 50%.

Withdrawal also creates a substantial liability. With prior written notice, a pupil leaving by 31 January owes 50% of annual tuition. A pupil leaving from February through June owes the full year.

Sibling tuition discounts begin with the third enrolled child. The third child receives 25%, the fourth 50%, and the fifth or later child 75%. The registration fee is waived for those children.

What tuition includes

The fee schedule includes hot lunch, textbooks, teaching materials and ordinary stationery. It also includes day trips for all grades and residential trips from Grade 4.

Other inclusions are an iPad through Grade 8, secondary clubs, university counselling and the Grade 12 ceremony. The schedule also includes first sittings of MYP, DP, AP and SAT examinations, plus listed language certificates.

Budget separately for:

• the school bus;
• after-school activities;
• uniform from Nursery through Grade 10;
• ELL or SEN support when required;
• DP resit fees;
• optional home-language tuition.

The fee schedule does not publish prices for the bus, activities or uniform. The support page does not publish a price for home-language tuition.

The bus serves parts of Turin, Moncalieri, Chieri, Alba, Asti and surrounding areas. Routes can change, and transport is not available for Pre-Nursery. Obtain the stop, journey time and price for your address before accepting a place.

Residence, guardianship and daily logistics

Neither admission nor fee payment gives a family permission to live in Italy. Non-EU families should check the Italian government’s visa portal and their responsible consulate before relying on an offer.

IST is not a boarding school and does not advertise residential guardianship. A child moving without a parent may need a recognised guardian and suitable accommodation under the relevant consular rules. Confirm those arrangements independently and with the school.

For most families, the practical test is simple: travel to Chieri at the real morning and afternoon times. A workable bus stop or drive can make IST a strong long-term choice. An unreliable commute can outweigh the benefit of curriculum continuity.

Our view

Do not treat the two senior diplomas as interchangeable. Confirm the university destination, support package and complete annual cost first. If a French national pathway is the priority, compare Jean Giono before deciding.

The Turin school guide puts both campuses in context. The Italy guide explains the wider school system.

Friendly orientation, not an application. Dates, fees, and programme details move. Confirm everything with the school.