International School of Trieste

Trieste, Italy, in the Opicina district. Located at Via di Conconello 16, 34151 Opicina (Trieste).

The school is organized into five age-based sections: Nursery (ages 2–3); Early Childhood (ages 3–6); Elementary School (ages 6–11); Middle School (ages 11–14); High School (ages 14–19). The High School opened in 2006.

Non-profit English-language international school. Diplomas are fully and legally recognized by Italian law and enable admission to Italian and foreign universities.

31 nationalities represented.

Italy.

Morning supervision is available from 7:30 am or 8:00 am; Afternoon supervision runs 3:00–3:45 pm. The Trieste bus shuttle operates daily between the city centre and IST (8:00 am from Piazza Oberdan; 4:00 pm from IST), with IST arrivals at 8:25 am and 4:25 pm; regional shuttles to Udine and Ronchi dei Legionari are available with stops along the route, subject to availability and health guidelines.

Trieste bus shuttle: daily service to and from the city centre; morning 8:00 am departure, IST arrival 8:25 am; afternoon 4:00 pm departure, IST arrival 4:25 pm; stops can be arranged; regional shuttles to Udine and Ronchi dei Legionari with stops in Monfalcone, Duino and Sistiana; subject to seat availability and health guidelines.

The IST Curriculum uses a total-immersion English program across Early Childhood through High School, with Italian taught by native-speaker teachers and Italian as a core subject. Early Childhood (Kinder 2–5) covers Literacy, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, with Physical Education introduced in Kinder 4 and 5. Elementary (Grades 1–5) includes Literacy, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, with Italian taught by native speakers; Physical Education, Art and Music complete the program. Middle School (Grades 6–8) offers English Language and Literature, Italian Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies, and World Languages (French, German or Spanish); Grade 8 may take the A2 CEFR examinations in French (DELF), Spanish (DELE) or German (ÖSD). High School (Grades 9–13) provides English Language and Literature, Italian Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and World Languages; World Language external exams at B1/B2 CEFR levels are available in Grades 12–13. Electives in Grades 9–11 include 2D Art, Mandarin Chinese I, Math Lab, Communication or Latin, with Latin introduced in Grade 7; Grades 12–13 electives include 3D Art, Mandarin Chinese II, Physics II, Study Hall, Communication or Latin. PE is taught in Grades 9–10. The final two years include Research Design to support the Senior Thesis (an 8000-word capstone). The Diploma is fully and legally recognized under Italian law designed for the school.

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IST graduates have been accepted to prestigious universities around the world. Since the first High School graduates in 2011, more than 120 students have gone on to study at universities in Italy and abroad. The majority pursue English-language programs. Recent acceptances include St Andrews (UK), Dartmouth College (USA), Bocconi University (Italy), Florida Tech (USA), Northeastern University (USA), University of Trieste (Italy), Sciences Po (France), University of Surrey (UK), UCL (UK), King's College London (UK), Cambridge (UK), Sorbonne University (France), The University of Hong Kong, Waseda University (Japan) and Yonsei University (South Korea).

Graduates enroll in universities in Italy and abroad, with many pursuing English-language programs. Since 2011 IST has produced High School graduates who attend universities worldwide; the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States and Italy are among the most popular destinations. Recent acceptances include St Andrews, Dartmouth, Bocconi, Florida Tech, Northeastern, Trieste, Sciences Po, Surrey, UCL, King's College London, Cambridge, Sorbonne, HKU, Waseda and Yonsei.

The International School of Trieste emphasizes social-emotional development and character education as part of a well-rounded program. In Early Childhood, the environment fosters caring behavior and the development of essential character traits, with students encouraged to be a “Caring Student.” The school describes its mission as providing a well-rounded education with a focus on character and preparing students as global citizens for diverse opportunities and studies. The school's culture centers on relationships, inclusivity, and cross-cultural understanding as core to learning. These elements support students' social-emotional growth across all grades.

Education is delivered in English through total immersion; all subjects are taught in English. For middle school, an assessment may determine the need for English or Italian language support (EAL or IAL).

The University Counseling Center offers guidance and support during the orientation and application process for Italian and foreign universities, and a detailed University Handbook is given to all Grade 11 students. Counseling programs are aligned with standards of the American School Counseling Association.

The school states that safeguarding students is taken very seriously; prospective staff are required to present background checks and follow related school procedures upon hiring.

1. Parents wishing to enroll their children should arrange an initial appointment through the Front Office via phone or email, which takes place between 8:35am and 3:45pm. A member of the Welcome Committee will greet the family, provide a tour of the school, and answer questions concerning the taught program and school life. The visit introduces families to the school environment and daily life to support the enrollment decision. The Front Office coordinates the appointment and guides families through the next steps.

2. For students seeking admission to the Middle School or High School sections, an admission test and/or an interview with the Director and/or teachers is required to determine the scholastic level of the candidate and placement for the class for which they have applied. This process also determines whether English as an Additional Language (EAL) support may be necessary. Applicants must provide their two most recent report cards upon application.

3. With some exceptions, enrollment is possible at any time during the school year provided there is space in the appropriate class. Early applications are encouraged to check space in the preferred grade. The admissions process considers test results and interviews to determine placement and EAL needs. Registration and placement decisions are managed through the Front Office and the Director.

4. For inquiries about the school or to apply now, contact the Front Office via email or telephone. The online application form is accessible through the admissions link to begin the process. The Front Office provides guidance on next steps and required documents for admission.