doris
Currency
A

Acorn International School

Italy, Rome

Save school

· Reviewed by · Chief Marketing Officer

Independently researched by doris.
Not yet claimed by the school
Claim your profile
The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Italian
Fees €9,000 - 14,900
Ages 3 - 19 years
Pupil numbers 400
Type Co-educational
Opened 1999
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Reggio Emilia Approach
Taught languages English, Italian, Spanish, Latin
Typical class size 18
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, STEM
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Academic and Intellectual
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Acorn International School of Rome offers a bilingual English/Italian education with a dual curriculum that blends the UK framework with the Italian national syllabus. From age 3 to 19, students progress through Early Years, Primary, Middle School and the International Baccalaureate High School. The school is an IB World School and a Cambridge partner, and is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, ensuring alignment with international standards while celebrating Italian heritage. The Vejo Park Campus in northern Rome houses science laboratories, libraries, theatres, music and fabrication labs, two sport gyms, three sport fields and an in‑house canteen, all supporting small class sizes averaging 18 students for personalized learning. Distinctive programs include a strong emphasis on cross‑cultural literacy and immersion in both curricula, plus a sustainability initiative where students produced Acorn olive oil since 2024. A wide range of after‑school activities complements classroom learning to develop well‑rounded global citizens worldwide.

Via della Giustiniana, 1200, 00189 Roma RM, Italy

The Essentials

Acorn International School has 400 pupils, typical class sizes of 18, instruction in English, Italian.

Location

Vejo Park Campus, Via della Giustiniana, 1200, 00189 Roma (RM), in the Vejo Park area of northern Rome, Italy.

Stages

Early Years; Primary School; Middle School; High School.

Type

Dual curriculum (English/Italian); IB World School.

Pupil Nationality Mix

More than 30 nationalities are represented.

Additional learning support

English language support is provided for students who need improvement.

Country affiliation

Italy

Bus service

A bus and shuttle service is offered, with routes designed to provide a safe, timely, and cost-efficient journey to and from school; students come from across Rome, including Castelli and Bracciano.
Diving Deeper

Food Options

The school has an internal canteen serving main lunch and healthy snacks. Meals are a learning tool to promote healthy eating. Since 2024, students have produced Acorn olive oil from olive trees on campus.

House System

In the KS2 department, students are assigned to one of four houses; houses earn points for good work, inspired answers, thoughtful behavior and demonstrating school values; each house has a house captain; weekly points are recorded in a House Points Log; the House Cup is awarded to the winning house; the school decorates in the color of the winning house.
Fees

Annual tuition at Acorn International School ranges from EUR 9,000 to EUR 14,900 for 2026/27.

Application / registration / enrolment fees
- An admission / enrolment / registration fee is required at the time families submit the enrolment form and secure a place.

Tuition fees by year group (per term / per year)
- The school does not publish a full, itemised tuition fee schedule by year group or per term for the current academic year on its public pages. No definitive per-term or per-year tuition numbers for Early Years, Primary, Middle or High School are publicly available on the school's published pages.

Billing schedule and payment terms (school-wide and specific services)
- Payment timing for the general school tuition and the detailed billing schedule (term dates, instalment dates, discounts or penalties) are not published in a public, itemised schedule on the school's site.
- School bus service billing and instalment dates are published by the bus provider used by the school: a registration fee is payable by mid‑June with the balance split into two instalments (example schedule: first instalment by July 15 and second instalment by December 15 for the school year). Late-payment and non‑refund terms for the bus service are stated by the provider. Specific amounts for routes and service types are available from the bus provider.

Boarding fees
- Acorn International School operates as a day school with bus and on‑campus services; there is no published boarding or residential provision and no boarding fees are listed.

Other costs and typical additional fees
- Bus / school-transport fees: annual fees and the provider's registration and instalment schedule are published by the school's transport supplier. Example service-type annual amounts and the registration/instalment schedule are published by the transport provider.
- Cambridge English and extra-curricular course fees: the school publishes fees for its short/term Cambridge English courses and individual tuition packages (examples: Weekly group course €590 + €70 enrolment; Bi-weekly 80-hour course €1,000 + €70 enrolment; private 20-hour package €750 + €70 enrolment). These items are charged separately from standard school tuition.
- Summer school / camp: the summer programme is offered with lunch and snacks included in the camp fee; transport meeting points (where provided) are charged as an additional fee. Specific summer-camp fees and transport supplements are published seasonally for the camp.
- Canteen / lunches: the school operates an internal canteen (lunch and healthy snacks) but individual lunch-price items are not published on the school pages.
- Uniforms and textbooks: the school requires standard school uniforms and textbooks for the relevant year groups, but specific uniform pricing and textbook charges are not published on the school's public pages.

Refund information
- Transport (bus) provider: the provider states that the registration fee and any instalments already paid for the bus service are non-refundable in case of cancellation of the bus service.
- For other school fees (tuition, enrolment, lunches, uniforms, textbooks, exams), no public, itemised refund policy or full fee refund schedule is published on the school's public pages; specific refund and cancellation rules are handled in the school's terms and conditions and are provided at enrolment.

Fee payment options
- Bus / transport payments: the transport provider accepts bank transfers and publishes full bank details (IBAN and BIC/SWIFT) for payment to the transport company. Example banking details are provided by the provider for school-bus payments.
- The school's public pages do not publish a complete list of accepted payment methods for general tuition (for example: whether tuition can be paid by credit card, online card payment, direct debit or bank transfer). Parents are required to complete the enrolment process and follow the school's invoicing instructions at registration.

Availability note (what is and is not publicly published)
- Publicly available and itemised fees on the Acorn pages include short-course (Cambridge) programme fees, summer-school inclusions (lunch included for camp), and the transport provider's fees and payment schedule.
- The school's detailed annual tuition schedule by year group (per term / per year), exact admission/enrolment fee amounts, uniform and canteen price lists, and the school's full refund terms for tuition are not published in an itemised fee schedule on the school's public pages; these details are held in the school's formal fee schedule and enrolment paperwork. Where a specific numeric tuition table or per-term breakdown is required, the school's admissions or finance office holds the current, definitive fee schedule.
Academics

Acorn International School teaches British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Reggio Emilia Approach for students aged 3 to 19.

Curriculum

The school offers a dual curriculum that integrates the UK curriculum with the Italian national curriculum. It serves students from age 3 to 19 and includes Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, and International Baccalaureate High School.

Student Teacher Ratio

Average class size is 18 students.

Exam Results

Students achieve top results in their exams and in their study path beyond Acorn.

Higher Education Progression

Includes an International Baccalaureate High School as part of its curriculum, supporting study beyond Acorn.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

A Psychotherapist provides weekly professional psychological support for families and students, a service available since 2003. The school organises workshops for parents on topics around childhood and pre-adolescence and informative sessions for Middle School students; there is availability for one-to-one meetings with parents and/or students. EYFS and Year 1 collaborate to observe the development of Italian language alongside emotional-social development, and staff use these observations to inform teaching and support across departments.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school runs a SEN procedure with a SENCO coordinator and holds monthly SEN meetings. The process includes Attitudinal questionnaires and the management of PDPs, with guidance offered to teachers on assessments and intervention strategies, and coordination with the Head teacher to support identified learners.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Tailored pathways exist for English as an Additional Language (EAL) and Italian as an Additional Language (IAL). These programs support non-native speakers in developing speaking, listening, reading and writing, focusing on vocabulary and grammar with cultural awareness, delivered through individualized lessons and small-group activities.

Mental Wellbeing

Weekly professional psychological support is provided by a psychotherapist, with accompanying parent workshops and middle-school information sessions, plus availability for one-to-one meetings with parents or students to discuss concerns.

Safeguarding

There is a whistleblowing regulation and a privacy policy, with contact details for reporting concerns: written reports to Acorn International School and a telephone option for verbal reports.
Parent Experience

History

Acorn International School of Rome was founded in 1999. It developed a dual curriculum path that combines the UK curriculum with the Italian national curriculum. The school celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024. The school serves students aged 3 to 19, from early years through the International Baccalaureate High School.

Community

Community events at Acorn International School include Our Christmas Market, Live Christmas Show by students, Soccer Tournaments, Annual Sport Day in May, Earth Day, and the Annual Exchange Fair.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is open to all parents in the Acorn community and operates on a volunteer basis. The PTA promotes dialogue between families and the school, fosters unity within the school community, and organizes events and initiatives for students while supporting fundraising for educational and charitable initiatives.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

Vejo Park Campus is in northern Rome at Via della Giustiniana, 1200. The campus provides a balanced environment between classroom and laboratory spaces and meaningful outdoor experiences. Acorn offers a bilingual English/Italian curriculum for ages 3 to 19 and integrates UK and Italian programs. The campus features gyms, sport facilities, theatre, music labs and fabrication labs to support a broad range of activities. Classes are small, averaging 18 students per class.

Sports Facilities

The school has gyms and sport facilities. A garden area is used for PE activities and sport days. Sport days involve teachers and parents and are designed to engage students across ages and activities.

Academic Facilities

The Vejo Park Campus provides a balanced environment between classroom and laboratory spaces and meaningful outdoor experiences. The school offers a bilingual English/Italian curriculum with immersion into both the UK and Italian curricula. The campus includes spaces such as gyms, theatre, music labs, and fabrication labs to support a broad range of learning activities. Small class sizes (average 18 students) support personalized learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities

For 2025-2026, the school offers a wide range of after-school activities across arts, sports, languages and STEM. Examples include Art Lab, Kapla Club, Storytelling, Cooking, Gardening, Performing Arts, Choir, Music Lab, Judo, Basketball, Football, Rugby, Acrobatics/Gymnastics, Dance, Swimming, Science Club, Chess, Coding & Robotics, and language courses in Spanish and Chinese, plus Cambridge English Qualifications and ESL. Additional offerings include School of Music group and private lessons and collaborations with local sports programs such as ASD Roma 1927 Futsal Serie A and American Football.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Acorn International School offers a dual curriculum from age 3 to 19, spanning Early Years, Primary, Middle School and International Baccalaureate High School. The bilingual English/Italian program provides deep immersion in both the UK and Italian curricula. The school is an IB World School and a Cambridge partner, and is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education. The campus features science laboratories, libraries, open spaces, two sport gyms, three sport fields, an auditorium and an in‑house canteen, while classes are small to support personalized learning (about 18 students per class).

Arts & Creative

Art is a core value at Acorn with activities including podcasting, journalism and various art forms. In Middle and High School, students access an Art Gallery and learn to think like artists, using the visual arts to express ideas. Art in Early Years and Primary uses painting, collage, natural materials and visual play to develop imagination, coordination and confidence. Afterschool Clubs include Art Lab, Ceramics, Performing Arts, Storytelling, Choir and Music Lab.

Cultural & Language

Acorn celebrates cultural diversity and respects the world, central to its values. It teaches about cultures through a project-based curriculum that connects life and geography across cultures. The bilingual English/Italian curriculum provides deep immersion into both the UK and Italian curricula. The school aims to develop conscientious, open-minded global citizens and life-long learners.

Social & Hobbies

Afterschool Clubs encourage participation in sport, academic and music clubs to support well-being and social interaction outside the classroom. The 2025-2026 program includes Art Lab, Kapla Club, Storytelling, Cooking, Gardening, Performing Arts, Choir and Music Lab. Clubs also cover sports (basketball, football, rugby, swimming, archery, tennis), languages (Spanish, Chinese) and activities such as Coding & Robotics, MUN and more. The clubs are designed to foster a family feel and welcome participation from former students, parents and even family members.

Community & Service

The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) promotes dialogue between families and the school, supports unity within the Acorn community and organizes events and initiatives, including fundraising for educational and charitable efforts. Community Events include Our Christmas Market, Live Christmas Show, Soccer Tournaments, Annual Sport Day, Earth Day and the Exchange Fair.

Leadership & Professional

The campus is a green-inspired setting with a holistic, low-tech approach in the Early Years and a tech-integrated environment in the upper years. Small class sizes and a diverse, international student body with a strong Italian cultural foundation support personalized learning. Recruitment is centralized with rolling interviews; current job opportunities are posted as they become available. A recognized teaching qualification (PGCE, QTS, or equivalent) is mandatory for core teaching roles.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

The Nutrition program features an internal canteen serving main meals and healthy snacks, with meals used as a learning tool about healthy eating; since 2024 students have produced Acorn olive oil from the school's olive trees. Facilities include science laboratories, libraries, open spaces, two gyms, three sport fields, an auditorium and an in-house canteen. Wellbeing is supported through Sports Day events that bring together students, staff and families, and Afterschool Clubs promote social interaction and physical activity.
Languages

Language Provision

English is used in the International (English-speaking) track; Italian is used in the Italian curriculum track.

Bilingual Teaching

The school has an International (English-speaking) track and an Italian curriculum track.
Admissions

Admissions

The school has a five-step application process: 1. Initial Enquiry 2. Parents' Visit 3. Children's Visit 4. Open Day 5. Acceptance. The Initial Enquiry is submitted online by clicking Enquire and should be accompanied by the previous two years of school reports (where applicable) and a motivational letter explaining the reasons for applying, including any mid-cycle entry considerations. An initial visit with the Principal is arranged, providing a tour and informal questions; this visit is essential to understand the school's approaches. If the initial visit is successful, a time is scheduled for the child to visit the school, meet the prospective class teacher, and undergo a formal interview or entry test. If parents wish to continue, the child may have a day trial placement in the relevant class (longer if possible); after the trial, the parents meet with the Head of School and the class teacher to discuss the application and the school ethos, and the trial may be extended if deemed necessary by the admissions board. Parents must confirm unequivocal commitment to the dual curriculum and to respect school policies; if all agree, a place is offered. The first term is a probationary period to ensure the child settles in. Enquiring families may be placed on a temporary waiting list according to space availability. Age entrance for 2026-2027 is by age with a December 31 birthday cutoff, with grade placement determined by birth dates as follows: Early childhood (EC) born 1 January 2024 – 31 December 2024; Preschool born 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023; Reception born 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2022; Year 1 born 1 January 2021 – 31 December 2021; Year 2 born 1 January 2020 – 31 December 2020; Year 3 born 1 January 2019 – 31 December 2019; Year 4 born 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018; Year 5 born 1 January 2017 – 31 December 2017; Year 6 born 1 January 2016 – 31 December 2016; Year 7 born 1 January 2015 – 31 December 2015; Year 8 born 1 January 2014 – 31 December 2014; Year 9 born 1 January 2013 – 31 December 2013; Year 10 born 1 January 2012 – 31 December 2012; Year 11 born 1 January 2011 – 31 December 2011; Year 12 born 1 January 2010 – 31 December 2010; Year 13 born 1 January 2009 – 31 December 2009.

Waitlist

Waiting list for school year '25-'26 and '26-'27: For the 2025-26 school year, limited places are available in some classes and many sections have waiting lists. For 2026-27, until January 31, 2026, enrolled students have priority to enter the next class; after that date, external students are admitted until places are filled; most classes also have waiting lists for external students.
School Events
The school has not added events