Canadian School of Milan -Vivaio Campus vs The British American Pre-School and Bilingual European School (BAPS-BES)

	C Canadian School of Milan -Vivaio Campus Milan, Italy	T The British American Pre-School and Bilingual European School (BAPS-BES) Milan, Italy
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €13,300 - 21,650	Fees / year €12,420 - 17,530
Age range	Age range 11 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (DP), Cambridge IGCSE, Canadian Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum, Canadian Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 400	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size 18	Typical class size 22
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Italian, French	Instruction language English, Italian
Opened	Opened 2004	Opened 1999
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location Milano, Italy. The British American Pre-School and the Bilingual European School share a campus in the northern part of Milan, with two addresses: Via Val Cismon 9, 20162 Milano and Via Resegone 1A, 20159 Milano. The Istria stop on the M5 metro is about a five-minute walk from the campus.
Stages	Stages —	Stages The school accommodates students from ages 2 to 18 across four main stages. These include Nursery and Preschool for ages 2 to 6, Primary School for ages 6 to 11, Middle School for ages 11 to 14, and High School for ages 14 to 18.
School type	School type —	School type This is a co-educational day school. It does not offer boarding facilities for any year groups.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support The school uses an inclusion model to support students with special educational needs through differentiated classroom instruction. Additionally, an in-house Child Study Team featuring a school counselor, psychologist, and play therapist is available to assist students with their individual learning and developmental requirements.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation The school does not have a formal affiliation with a specific country, operating as an independent bilingual school.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation The school does not have a religious affiliation.
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure While specific daily timetables are not published, the standard school day is followed by an optional after-school program.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details The school provides a bus service for students commuting from different areas of Milan. The buses stop at various designated pick-up points around the city.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Registration Fee A non-refundable New Student Registration Fee of EUR 2,900 is payable once upon initial enrolment and must be paid within five days of receiving an offer of a place. Tuition Fees Annual tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are: * Nursery–Pre-K (ages 2–4): EUR 13,300 * Kindergarten–Grade 2 (ages 5–7): EUR 15,100 * Grades 3–5 (ages 8–10): EUR 16,000 * Grades 6–8 (ages 11–13): EUR 18,350 * Grades 9–10 (ages 14–15): EUR 20,400 * Grades 11–12 (ages 16–17): EUR 21,650 An additional corporate surcharge of EUR 1,000 applies to company-funded places. Sibling Discount A 10% tuition discount applies to the second and each additional sibling enrolled at the same time. Other Costs Additional charges include: * Lunches: EUR 1,450 * Entry assessment: EUR 250 * EAL support: EUR 600 per term * G5 Italian preparation including exam: EUR 630 per year * G8 Italian/Math preparation excluding exam: EUR 600 per year * Clubs (unless otherwise advertised): EUR 230 per term * Private music lessons (40 minutes): EUR 40 per lesson * IGCSE examinations: EUR 1,200 * IB examinations: EUR 1,150 Mandatory school trips cost EUR 150 for Nursery–Grade 5 and EUR 200 for Grades 6–10. Overnight and optional trips are billed separately. Textbooks are included in tuition for Primary School. Middle and Senior School students must purchase textbooks separately. The school states that fees are reviewed annually and may increase. Transport School bus and intercampus shuttle services are available. Fees are published separately by the school. Boarding The school does not publish boarding fees and operates as a day school.	Fee details Application & admission fees - Pre-school (BAPS) one-time admission fee: EUR 1,350. - BES Primary one-time admission fee: EUR 2,500 (reduced to EUR 1,000 for students transferring from BAPS). - BES Middle one-time admission fee: EUR 2,500 (reduced to EUR 1,000 for students transferring from BES Primary). - BES High School one-time admission fee: EUR 2,500 (reduced to EUR 1,000 for students transferring from BES Middle). For students currently in Year 8 registering into Year 9 a special admission charge of EUR 1,000 is shown in the published fees example. Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts and annual registration fees) - Pre-school (annual tuition component and annual registration): - Toddlers (age 2): Tuition contribution EUR 10,920; Annual registration EUR 1,500; Total EUR 12,420. - Nursery (age 3): Tuition contribution EUR 11,430; Annual registration EUR 1,500; Total EUR 12,930. - Transition (age 4): Tuition contribution EUR 11,430; Annual registration EUR 1,500; Total EUR 12,930. - Reception (age 5): Tuition contribution EUR 11,540; Annual registration EUR 1,500; Total EUR 13,040. - Primary School (annual tuition contribution, annual registration and totals): - Year 1: Tuition contribution EUR 11,830; Annual registration EUR 1,600; Total EUR 13,430. - Year 2: Tuition contribution EUR 11,830; Annual registration EUR 1,600; Total EUR 13,430. - Year 3: Tuition contribution EUR 11,830; Annual registration EUR 1,600; Total EUR 13,430. - Year 4: Tuition contribution EUR 11,985; Annual registration EUR 1,600; Total EUR 13,585. - Year 5: Tuition contribution EUR 11,985; Annual registration EUR 1,600; Total EUR 13,585. - Middle School (annual tuition contribution, annual registration and totals): - Year 6: Tuition contribution EUR 13,130; Annual registration EUR 1,900; Total EUR 15,030. - Year 7: Tuition contribution EUR 13,130; Annual registration EUR 1,900; Total EUR 15,030. - Year 8: Tuition contribution EUR 13,130; Annual registration EUR 1,900; Total EUR 15,030. - High School (annual tuition contribution, annual registration and totals): - Year 9: Tuition contribution EUR 15,530; Annual registration EUR 2,000; Total EUR 17,530. - Year 10: Tuition contribution EUR 15,530; Annual registration EUR 2,000; Total EUR 17,530. - Year 11 and Year 12: No annual tuition/registration amounts are published in the main 2026/27 fee sheet (fields shown as blank). Other one-time and annual costs - Building fund (one-time): - Pre-school: EUR 600 (one-time). - Primary / Middle / High: EUR 1,650 (one-time); reduced rate EUR 950 for students transferring internally from BAPS or from the previous BES stage as indicated. - Refundable fee (one-time deposit): EUR 300. - School meals (Pasti): EUR 1,405 (annual). - Sibling discount: A 10% discount applies to the tuition contribution for the second and subsequent children concurrently attending the school. Discounts and special offers (as published in the fee document) - BES Ambassador Programme: a 30% reduction on the tuition contribution is published for eligible students (example shown for students currently in Year 8 admitted to Year 9). The published example shows the Ambassador discount at EUR 4,660 (30% of the Year 9 tuition contribution). Eligibility and application deadlines were specified in the published material for that promotional offer. - BES Loyalty discount (published example): a one-off discount of EUR 2,500 is shown for certain returning students (example applied to Year 9 in the published schedule). The Ambassador and Loyalty discounts are shown as cumulative where applicable. Billing schedule and payment terms - The published fees document lists the tuition contributions, annual registration fees and one-time charges but does not include a detailed billing schedule (for example precise invoice dates, term instalment dates or penalties for late payment are not shown in the public fee sheet). The fee document presents amounts as annual totals and one-time charges. Boarding fees - No boarding provision or boarding fees are listed in the published fee material; the school is presented as a day school covering pre-school through high school. No separate boarding charges appear in the fee schedule. Refund information - A refundable deposit (labelled "Refundable fee (una tantum)") of EUR 300 is listed as a one-time, refundable amount. The published fee sheet does not set out the detailed conditions or timing for return of that deposit on the face of the fee tables. Fee payment options - The published fee document sets out amounts and one-time charges but does not specify payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit/debit card acceptance, direct debit or online payment gateway) or the invoicing/payment channels in the fee tables. Payment methods and detailed payment instructions are not shown on the fee pages themselves.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options Smart Food at BES: Meals are prepared by Soluzione Servizi. The kitchen follows the rhythms of the seasons, with fruits and vegetables always present and protein sources varied. Special meals are prepared for children with dietary restrictions.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership Paritarian Primary and Secondary School with Italian and native English-speaking teachers; Globeducate member.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details The BES bilingual programme offers education in English and Italian from early years to high school. The curriculum integrates the Italian Ministerial Programme (MIUR) with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is delivered in both languages; Primary and Middle School teaching is 50% Italian and 50% English. In Primary, the PYP uses six transdisciplinary themes to connect learning across subjects and to develop cross‑curricular skills; English language teaching comprises about 15 hours per week. In Secondary, the BES curriculum meets MIUR requirements with a 50/50 language split and focuses on interdisciplinary inquiry, arts, drama and technology; the Learner Profile and international outlook mirror the IB framework and include Project Work on Wednesdays. BES High School offers a four‑year bilingual Liceo Scientifico that combines Italian parity with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), delivering a double diploma and 33 hours per week of teaching; optional online courses allow earning additional OSSD credits toward the Canadian diploma, enabling access to universities worldwide.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio Maximum class size is normally 25 students. Classes are formed by a team including the headteacher, coordinators, and teachers.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression BES High School offers a four-year bilingual Liceo Scientifico that combines Italian parity with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The program runs 33 hours per week and enables earning OSSD credits, with some online courses available to gain additional credits. The Ontario Secondary School Diploma is a Canadian diploma recognized by universities worldwide, facilitating entry to higher education in Italy and internationally.
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning The BES recognises the importance of helping students manage their emotions and behaviours in a positive and constructive way. The 'Size of the problem' method is used as a socio-emotional learning (SEL) tool to help students assess the magnitude of their problems and respond appropriately. The method teaches students to adjust their emotional response to the severity of the situation, reducing overreactions and improving coping skills. It is integrated into daily classroom routines, counselling sessions and conflict-resolution strategies, using visual tools, role-playing and group discussions. The approach fosters emotional intelligence, self-regulation and a calm, supportive learning environment for students. Studies show SEL strategies like the 'Size of the problem' method can lead to long-term benefits, including improved academic performance, better mental health and stronger interpersonal relationships, with CASEL reporting an average 11% increase in academic achievement.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) The Child Study Team, composed of two psychologists and a psychomotricist, ensures that the student and family experience the transfer to BES as smoothly as possible. The team handles all steps related to school life and guides families to make the transition a positive experience.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language The BES bilingual programme uses English and Italian. In Primary School the bilingual programme is based on a 50% English - 50% Italian model. The school integrates the Italian Ministerial Programme (MIUR) with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Italian and English. The BAPS campus provides a full-immersion English environment for early years.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing The Primary Years Programme (PYP) places great emphasis on the pupil's personal growth. The Learner Profile promotes the child's development physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. Pupils learn to learn and develop cross‑disciplinary skills within the PYP. The PSPE (Physical, Social and Personal Education) programme focuses on well-being through motor, social and personal development, with one hour of PE per week in Years 1–3 and activities at external venues from Year 4 onward. Drama nurtures self‑confidence, communication skills and awareness of one's feelings.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding The Child Study Team, consisting of two psychologists and a psychomotor therapist, supports safeguarding by ensuring smooth transitions for students and families and addressing individual needs.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The British American Pre-School and the Bilingual European School share a Milan campus with a bilingual program from ages 2 to 18. The campus is surrounded by a garden of over 4,500 square meters, supporting outdoor learning. Learning spaces include a Knowledge Centre for reading, reflection, experimentation, collaboration and critical thinking, and a 1+1 Lab that blends science and art and includes a 3D printer. A LEGO Lab provides LEGO Education Innovation Studio resources for robotics and coding. The indoor spaces include a spacious School Gym for physical education and events, while the Smart Food at BES program emphasizes seasonal meals, fresh produce, limited plastic use and meals prepared by Soluzione Servizi.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities From Year 4 to Year 8, sport activities are held at Quanta Village, with volleyball, football, tennis, hip hop, baseball and hockey on a rotating schedule. The School Gym is spacious and versatile, hosting Primary physical education, conferences, performances and other school events. Sports Day is celebrated at Quanta Village.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities Knowledge Centre is a multifunctional space where students read, reflect, experiment, collaborate and think critically. The 1+1 Lab blends science and art and includes a 3D printer to support innovative projects. LEGO Lab provides LEGO Education Innovation Studio resources for robotics, coding and hands-on learning. The learning landscapes replace traditional classrooms with flexible spaces that empower student autonomy and inquiry; outdoor spaces such as the Garden support hands-on learning.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities Extraclubs offer extra-curricular activities after school hours. The after-school programme runs Monday to Friday and has two dismissal times: 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. During the after-school programme, children participate in recreational activities and Primary and Middle School students have access to a study help service. A School Bus service is available with pick-up points around Milan.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History Founded in 1999, the Bilingual European School is the first bilingual school in Milan. It is a Paritarian Primary and Secondary School with Italian and native English-speaking teachers and has offered a cutting-edge educational approach for years. It is the natural continuation of the British American Pre-School (BAPS), a full English preschool and kindergarten founded in 1987. The school complements the Italian ministerial programme with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) of the IBO.
Community	Community —	Community The BES and BAPS share the same campus in Milan, creating a connected community for ages 2 to 18. BES emphasizes bilingual education, developing English and Italian language proficiency and an international mindset to become global citizens. Families are invited to attend an Open Day to observe learning and meet staff.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual Chess club stimulates intellectual development and strategic thinking. Latin provides a concise foundation of the Latin language and connects students with Western cultural roots. LEGO Education Story Starter and LEGO Coding and Robotics introduce robotics and programming through hands-on projects, building literacy and problem-solving skills. Build Your Video Game teaches creative coding with Scratch, promoting collaboration and computational thinking.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Drama clubs provide opportunities to prepare performances for families and the school community, fostering creativity and communication. The School Choir prepares a wide repertoire for scheduled performances throughout the year, building teamwork and self-confidence. Ballet and Modern Dance classes, taught by qualified teachers, develop posture, musicality and social interaction. LEGO Education Story Starter, LEGO Coding and Robotics, and Build Your Video Game activities also support creative storytelling and making.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language Spanish extraclub aims to prepare for the Istituto Cervantes A2 certificate with practice using past exam materials. French extraclub focuses on DELF A2 preparation with tasks in oral and written comprehension and production. Latin extraclub provides a foundation for Latin using the Orberg method and deepens knowledge of Western culture.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies MINI GAMES include basketball and other team activities such as field hockey, handball and baseball, promoting teamwork and sportsmanship. JUDO, FOOTBALL, YOGA and KARATE offer physical activity, balance and social interaction. Drama and Choir provide social engagement and collaborative performance opportunities.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing Judo, Football, Yoga, Karate and Table Tennis build physical fitness, balance and teamwork. Ballet and Modern Dance develop posture, musicality and expressive movement, contributing to overall well-being. Yoga adds relaxation techniques and opportunities for self-reflection.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision Italian and English are the languages of instruction. The BES bilingual programme is designed around Italian and English language proficiency. The Primary School follows a 50/50 English-Italian model, and the High School offers an Italian-Canadian dual diploma (Ontario Secondary School Diploma). All levels are offered on the Milan campus.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The BES bilingual programme is based on a 50% English - 50% Italian model and operates across Primary, Middle, and High School. English language teaching in Middle School is 15 hours per week. The High School offers a four-year Liceo Scientifico delle Scienze Applicate with an Italian-Canadian dual diploma (Ontario Secondary School Diploma). The program serves students from ages 2 to 18 on the Milan campus.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs On-site, the British American Pre-School provides full immersion English education. The two institutions—the BES campus and BAPS—are located on the same campus in Milan, facilitating immersion experiences for early learners.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations MIUR recognition — Primary and Middle School recognised by the Italian Ministry of Education (MIUR) WWF-Partner — partnership with the World Wildlife Fund Avangurdie Digitale — digital partner Project Zero — collaboration with Project Zero LEGO Education — LEGO Education partner
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 1. Submit an inquiry or book an interview by filling out the form on this page. The Admissions Team will respond promptly. This initial contact can be used to request information about BES and BAPS. You may also plan to attend an Open Day or book a tour as part of your preparation. 2. Admission is based on previous school experience and includes a personal interview and an assessment test for pupils aged 6 and up. Personal background is also taken into consideration to support pupils in our BAPS Full Immersion English Programme and BES bilingual programme. Applicants should be prepared to participate in the interview and the assessment test. 3. Parents and students are invited to attend an Open Day or book a tour of the school to learn more about the programme and enrollment options. Open Day events provide information about the programmes and enrollment options. Tours include explanations in Italian and/or English, and a member of the Admissions team can answer questions. 4. To see our school fees, click on the button below. View our school fees by clicking the "view our SCHOOL FEES" button. Fees information is provided on the admissions pages to help families plan enrollment.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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