Italy, Florence
Let the school know you're thinking of applying — they can share their prerequisites and help you through the process.
It's best to ask — circumstances can change at any time.
· Reviewed by Giulia Ceccon · Chief Marketing Officer
The International School of Florence (ISF), founded in 1952, offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes for students aged 3 to 18. The Upper School operates out of Villa Torri di Gattaia, located a short walk from Piazzale Michelangelo, while physical education takes place at the nearby Olympus sports complex. Instruction is entirely in English, supplemented by language courses in Italian, French, Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese. Students participate in signature initiatives such as the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme, which includes the student-led Florence Model United Nations (FloMUN) and an independently organized TEDx event held each November. Unique to ISF is the Tuskan Times, the student-run newspaper named after the school mascot. The school also offers a Monday-to-Friday weekday boarding option, allowing students to live on campus during the week while spending weekends with their families.
Viuzzo di Gattaia, 9, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
International School of Florence - Upper School Campus has typical class sizes of 13, instruction in English.
The International School of Florence operates on two campuses in the Florence area. The Junior School is at Villa le Tavernule, Via del Carota 23/25, Bagno a Ripoli, 50012 FI, Italy, about a 20‑minute drive from central Florence. The Upper School is at Villa Torri di Gattaia, Viuzzo di Gattaia 9, 50125 Florence, FI, Italy, a five‑minute walk from Piazzale Michelangelo and close to the historic center. (ISF Our Campuses) (ISF Home)
The school serves Early Years (ages 3–5), Junior School (ages 6–11), Middle School (ages 11–13), and High School (ages 14–18). The school offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for Early Years and Junior School, the IB Middle Years Programme for Middle School, and the IB Diploma Programme for High School. (ISF Home) (ISF Home)
The school is an international IB World School offering PYP, MYP and DP. The two campuses are located in Florence, Italy, and the school is accredited by multiple international bodies including the Middle States Association, CIS, WIDA, and IB, reflecting its international accreditation profile. (Accreditations and Affiliations) (ISF Home)
38+ countries represented.
The Early Years program provides a teacher‑to‑child ratio of 1:8 with a lead teacher and bilingual assistant in each class, supporting language development and learning. (Early Years)
Annual tuition at International School of Florence - Upper School Campus ranges from EUR 14,950 to EUR 26,420 for 2026/27.
International School of Florence - Upper School Campus teaches IB (MYP), IB (DP), American Curriculum for students aged 11 to 18.
ISF uses the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Early Years through Grade 5 and the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 6–10, with an optional Italian Programme for host-country students. In High School, ISF offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (DP) and an American High School Diploma. English is the language of instruction; Italian is taught as part of the integrated Italian Programme. ISF has been an IB World School since 1983 and is accredited by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association.
There are 518 students and 100 full-time faculty, giving an approximate student–teacher ratio of 5.2 to 1.
IBDP results show a top score of 41 (out of 45) and an average score of 33 (out of 45) for the Class of 2025. From 2022–2025, DP pass rates ranged from 85% to 95%, with bilingual diplomas ranging from 33% to 50%. The number of students sitting the full DP was 41 (2022), 61 (2023), 42 (2024), and 51 (2025).
The College and Careers Counseling Program provides university preparation workshops, personal visits by university representatives to ISF, and organized trips to university fairs in Italy.
The school emphasizes an internationally minded environment with a Florentine identity, supported by a community that engages in school-wide activities and programs.
The school provides support for learning within its IB framework and resources, including language development through WIDA for linguistically diverse students.
ISF teaches in English as the primary language of instruction and also offers Italian to all students as part of its internationally minded program.
The school provides wellbeing and student support services as part of its holistic education, with programs integrated into the IB framework.
The school maintains safeguarding and child protection policies to ensure student safety and well-being.
1. The application process usually begins in October and runs through February, in conjunction with the re-enrollment process. Applications received thereafter will be considered based on projected enrollment numbers. 2. To complete an application, families submit a series of supporting documents, sit a student interview and admissions test, and secure the Application Fee. 3. Applicants are required to complete their application within two weeks of registration in order to be part of the evaluation process. 4. ISF receives applications from around the world and from a variety of educational systems. Refer to the chart to determine which ISF grade aligns with your child's current grade level. 5. Important dates and deadlines: Application submission for the 2026-2027 academic year will be available starting Monday 6 October 2025; the application deadline is 7 January 2026; re-enrollment for current families typically begins in December and ends in February; final responses for yearly applicants are typically provided by early March; final responses for semester applicants are typically provided during the summer.
Three-Year Scholarship Opportunity for a Local Student. International School of Florence is offering a three-year scholarship opportunity for a motivated and academically capable student from the local Florentine community who is not currently enrolled at ISF. The student will enter Grade 6 in the 2026-2027 academic year. This scholarship will support the selected student from Grade 6 through Grade 8, concluding with the Terza Media examination, and is designed to provide access to a high-quality international education within a supportive, globally minded learning environment. It will combine an international English-language education with continued connection to the Italian system.