Compare International Schools in Como, Italy

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.

English Gate School is located in the town of Cantù in the Brianza area of northern Italy. The campus is geographically positioned to serve families living in or commuting from nearby municipalities, including Monza and Como.

The school caters to students from ages 1 to 14, divided into four main sections. These consist of a Nursery for ages 9 to 36 months, a Kindergarten for ages 3 to 5, Primary School for ages 6 to 10, and Middle School for ages 11 to 13.

English Gate School is a co-educational day school. It does not offer boarding facilities to any age group.

During the admissions process, the school conducts initial assessments to identify areas where a student may require extra help. If needed, a personalized support plan is developed to facilitate integration, which includes dedicated assistance for English language transition. The school also accommodates practical requirements, such as providing specific dietary options in the canteen for children with allergies or intolerances.

The school does not have a single country affiliation.

The school has no specific religious affiliation.

The core school day typically runs from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, though exact times vary slightly depending on the age group

A multi-route school bus service is available for children aged three and older. The service provides home-to-school transportation and covers routes up to 20 kilometers from the campus in Cantù.

English Gate School employs a bilingual curriculum that integrates the English National Curriculum with the Italian Ministerial Guidelines across all age groups. In the early stages of Nursery and Kindergarten, the educational framework incorporates methodologies drawn from the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches. As students progress into Primary and Middle School, the curriculum focuses on Project Based Learning to teach core subjects like English, Mathematics, and Italian through practical, interdisciplinary tasks. The program is designed to ensure students develop strong literacy and fluency in both languages. At the conclusion of Middle School at age 14, students complete the Cambridge English certification to formalize their language proficiency, with most achieving a C1 level. This structured pathway prepares students to transition smoothly into either Italian or international high school systems.

1. Introductory Interview
The admissions journey begins with an initial interview that includes both the family and the prospective student. This meeting provides an opportunity for the school to outline its educational framework and for parents to ask specific questions regarding the curriculum. It functions as a practical discussion to ensure the school's offerings align with the family's expectations and the student's requirements.

2. Availability Check and Assessment
After the initial meeting, the school verifies if there are available places in the student's target year group. If a spot is open, early years applicants are invited for a "Stay&Play" or "Stay&Learn" familiarization session. Applicants for Primary and Middle School must complete an Admission Test covering English, Mathematics, and Italian to help the school identify if a personalized academic support plan is needed for the student's integration.

3. Enrollment and Registration
To finalize the enrollment, parents must complete the designated application forms supplied by the Admission Office. Families are also required to pay the annual Registration Fee to officially secure the student's seat. Once the paperwork and payment are processed, the school issues a Welcome Letter to confirm the student's placement for the approaching academic year.

The school does not currently provide information regarding scholarships, bursaries, or financial aid programs.

English Gate School does not publish information about a formal waitlist or applicant pool system. The admissions office evaluates classroom availability on a case-by-case basis during the second step of the application process. Families applying for year groups that are already at capacity should speak directly with the admissions staff to ask about potential future openings.