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Florence Bilingual School - Lavagnini Campus

Italy, Florence

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Italian, English
Fees €8,500 - 9,100
Ages 1 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1973
Bus Service Yes
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Taught languages French, Spanish
Strengths Languages, STEM, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Florence Bilingual School is an international school in Florence, part of the Cognita family, serving ages 1–18 and operating under a paritaria agreement with Italian National Education System. The curriculum blends Italian schooling with the Cambridge International Pathway, delivering a bilingual Italian–English program from nursery to high school. From grade 3, many subjects are taught in English (CLIL); a third language (French or Spanish) is offered with native-speaking teachers; DELF/DELE exams are available in L3. Cambridge assessments are taken annually, with CEFR targets of B2 by lower secondary and C1/C2 by high school. The program includes Immersion Stay in UK, Socio-Emotional Learning in English, and after-school activities via FBS Club. Facilities include five internet labs, two language labs, music and science labs, a library, assembly hall, outdoor courts, and a 1–to–1 device program from grade 2 tablets and grade 4 laptops. Founded in 1970s, Cambridge-accredited in 2016, it emphasizes wellbeing and exchanges.

V.le Spartaco Lavagnini, 11, 50129 Firenze FI, Italy

The Essentials

Florence Bilingual School - Lavagnini Campus has instruction in Italian, English.

Location
Florence Bilingual School is located near the historic center of Florence and is well-connected by public transport. The Lavagnini campus (Viale Spartaco Lavagnini, 11) serves Nursery, Pre-school and Primary (years 1–3); the Pedestrian Entrance (Via S. Gallo, 105) provides access to other levels; the Lupi campus (Via Bonifacio Lupi, 8) houses Pre-school; and the Matteotti campus (Viale Giacomo Matteotti, 52) serves Primary years 4–5 and Middle School years 6–8.

Stages
Nursery – 1-3 years; Pre-school – 3-6 years; Primary – 6-11 years; Middle school – 11-14 years.

Type
Private international school; part of the Cognita Family of Schools.

Country affiliation
Paritaria with the Italian National Education System; officially recognised as a paritaria school.

School day structure
Nursery and pre-school 9:00–16:00; Primary 8:30–16:15; Middle school 8:20–16:05. Before- and after-school care 07:30–18:00.

Bus service
Shuttle service between school buildings during school hours.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has a uniform that is worn every day from Pre-school to Middle School; the uniform expresses belonging to the educational community and promotes equality, creating a shared identity.

Food Options
The school provides a canteen service; lunch is prepared in the Conservatorio delle Mantellate's internal kitchen (Menarini Baby branch uses CIR Food - Eudania Division). The menu runs on an annual four-week cycle and is monitored for temperature, hygiene, quality and quantity under a HACCP plan. Special meal requests are available for allergies or dietary needs, including lacto-ovo/vegetarian options; home-prepared food is not allowed in the canteen; classroom celebrations require foods that are packaged and labeled.

Governance and Ownership
The Florence Bilingual School is part of the Cognita Group, an international education group with over 100 schools. It is managed by a Senior Leadership Team including the Director (Principal), the Education Coordinator – Head Teacher, the Administrative Director - Business Manager, and the Cluster Business Manager who reports to Cognita. The school is also part of the Aninsei network (Association of Non-State Schools) and the FAN federation, collaborating with local associations in Florence and supporting immersion programmes, international exchanges and trips abroad.
Fees

Annual tuition at Florence Bilingual School - Lavagnini Campus ranges from EUR 8,500 to EUR 9,100 for 2026/27.

Overview

- The school charges an annual tuition fee for each year group. The annual fee may be paid in ten equal instalments from September to June.
- Sibling discounts on the annual tuition fee apply as follows: 5% for the first child, 10% for the second-youngest child, and 20% from the third child onwards.
- The annual tuition fee includes the school canteen, extended opening hours (07:30–18:00) with supervision, and the internal shuttle service between school buildings during school hours. Extra‑curricular activities (FBS Clubs), educational visits, school trips, Immersion Stay and the morning school bus service are charged separately.

Application / Registration and Annual Enrolment Fees

- Nursery: No registration fee; an annual enrolment fee of EUR 360 applies.
- Pre‑school, Primary and Middle School (new enrolments): Registration fee (one‑off for new enrolments) EUR 820. An annual enrolment fee for enrolled FBS students is EUR 360.

Tuition fees by year group (annual and per instalment — ten equal payments)

- Nursery (Menarini Baby — Tiny Tots, from 3 months): Annual tuition EUR 8,800. Per instalment (1 of 10) EUR 880.
- Nursery (Menarini Baby — 1–3 years): Annual tuition EUR 8,500. Per instalment (1 of 10) EUR 850.
- Nursery (Lavagnini — 1–3 years): Annual tuition EUR 8,500. Per instalment (1 of 10) EUR 850.

- Pre‑school (age 3–5): Annual tuition EUR 9,100. Per instalment (1 of 10) EUR 910.

- Primary School:
- Year 2 / Grade 1: Annual tuition EUR 9,100. Per instalment EUR 910.
- Year 3 / Grade 2: Annual tuition EUR 9,100. Per instalment EUR 910.
- Year 4 / Grade 3: Annual tuition EUR 9,100. Per instalment EUR 910.
- Year 5 / Grade 4: Annual tuition EUR 9,100. Per instalment EUR 910.
- Year 6 / Grade 5: Annual tuition EUR 9,050. Per instalment EUR 905.

- Middle School:
- Year 7 / Grade 6: Annual tuition EUR 9,100. Per instalment EUR 910.
- Year 8 / Grade 7: Annual tuition EUR 9,100. Per instalment EUR 910.
- Year 9 / Grade 8: Annual tuition EUR 9,100. Per instalment EUR 910.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Annual tuition may be paid in ten equal instalments between September and June. Registration and enrolment fees are charged in addition to the annual tuition as specified for each school order (registration fee for new enrolments; annual enrolment fee for enrolled students). Extra‑curricular activities and bus services are charged separately and will appear in addition to the tuition charges.

Boarding fees

- The school does not list any boarding provision or boarding fees. All published fees are for day provision.

Other costs and typical additional charges

- Uniform: Uniforms are required starting in pre‑school. Uniforms can be purchased from the school's supplier (10 e lode srl — address and shop details given by the school). Families may buy some items (e.g., navy trousers/shorts/skirts/leggings/jeans) from any supplier in line with the uniform policy. No uniform price list is published on the fees page.
- Extra‑curricular activities (FBS Clubs), educational visits, school trips, the Immersion Stay, and the morning school bus service are not included in tuition and are charged separately. Parents should expect separate charges for clubs, trips and optional activities.
- School summer centres (where applicable) have a separate registration and payment process; payment options for these activities include payment at the front desk (cash, cheque, debit/credit card) or by bank transfer to the school's bank account (BANCO BPM — IBAN: IT64O0503402800000000002283). Refund and cancellation terms for summer centres are set out in the summer‑centre registration conditions (for example: partial refunds according to cancellation timing).

Refunds and reimbursement rules (where published)

- A general tuition refund policy is not published alongside the standard fee schedule. For educational trips and outings, pupils who have paid a participation/registration fee and who cannot attend for health reasons may request reimbursement of the participation fee by presenting medical certification; such requests are assessed and settled through the school's insurance arrangements. Specific refund and cancellation rules for short‑term activities (for example summer centres) are published with those activities.

Fee payment options (methods observed in school documents and activity forms)

- Payment methods documented for school activities include: cash, cheque, debit/credit card at the front desk, or bank transfer to the school's bank account (BANCO BPM — IBAN: IT64O0503402800000000002283). Instalment billing for tuition (ten instalments Sep–Jun) is the published billing cadence; accepted channels for settling instalments are handled by the school's administration.
Academics

Florence Bilingual School - Lavagnini Campus teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
Florence Bilingual School offers a bilingual Italian-English curriculum from nursery to high school. The Italian curriculum is enhanced by the Cambridge International Pathway, with many subjects taught in English (CLIL) from the third grade of primary onward. A third language (French or Spanish) is offered with native-speaking teachers, with DELF/DELE exams available in L3. From pre-school through high school, Cambridge exams are taken annually: progression tests and end-of-cycle Checkpoints in English and Science in primary and lower secondary, and IGCSE in English and Science in upper secondary. English-language proficiency targets follow CEFR: B2 by the end of lower secondary and C1/C2 by the end of high school. The program also includes Immersion Stay in the UK, Socio-Emotional Learning in English, and after-school activities via the FBS Club.

Exam Results
Cambridge Checkpoint examinations are taken in Year 5 (primary) and Year 8 (lower secondary). The 2023-2024 results report Cambridge Checkpoint outcomes for lower secondary and indicate English proficiency at CEFR level B2 for bilingual students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides a Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL) program in English to support each student's personal growth and wellbeing. The program runs alongside other academic and co-curricular activities.

Mental Wellbeing
The SEL program supports mental wellbeing and personal development throughout the student journey.
Parent Experience

History
The Florence Bilingual School was founded in the early 1970s and is the premier bilingual school in the heart of Florence, offering a unique bilingual pathway from nursery to age 14. It was accredited as a Cambridge International school in 2016, and runs a bilingual curriculum from kindergarten through secondary, with English taught in parallel to the Italian curriculum by native- or UK-trained teachers from multiple nationalities. The school is part of the Cognita group, a global educational company with over 100 localized schools across four continents. The bilingual program emphasizes education tailored to each student within a wellbeing‑oriented approach, balancing academic achievement with life skills.

Community
To create a school community composed of parents, teachers, students and staff, founded on respect and inclusion, to enable students to learn in a social setting, collaborate and share, and value diversity. The mission centers on educating pupils in a bilingual environment with wellbeing at the heart of everything we do, and on tailoring education to each child. The school aims to be an active community open to the territory, increasing interaction with families and the local community, and promoting organizational well-being through team-building and staff development. Core values include LEARN-LEARN, DISCOVER and SHARE, guiding the school's approach to inclusive, international education.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Five internet-connected laboratories, two language laboratories, two music laboratories, and one science laboratory; one classical library, one assembly hall, and two generic classrooms. Outdoor facilities include one basketball/volleyball court and two indoor gyms. Canteen services and a school bus are available on site. Laboratories are equipped with LIM and SmartTV; there are 560 PCs and tablets in other classrooms and 25 LIMs across classrooms. From second grade, each student receives an individual tablet, and from fourth grade, a laptop.

Sports Facilities
One outdoor basketball/volleyball court and two indoor gyms.

Academic Facilities
Five internet-connected laboratories; two language laboratories; two music laboratories; one science laboratory; one classical library; one assembly hall; and two generic classrooms. Laboratories are equipped with LIM and SmartTV and have internet connectivity. There are 560 PCs and tablets in other classrooms and 25 LIMs in classrooms. From second grade, each student receives an individual tablet, and from fourth grade, a laptop.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Florence Bilingual School offers a bilingual curriculum from preschool to secondary with exposure to English for 50% of the day. From primary school, Cambridge International pathway with many subjects taught directly in English (CLIL) thanks to native-speaking teachers. The school has Cambridge International accreditation since 2016 and features a two-year common curriculum shared between the Liceo Linguistico and the Liceo Scientifico for university pathway flexibility. Integrated digital teaching uses a 1-to-1 device program: tablets from second grade and laptops from fourth grade, with protective measures to ensure safe use.

Arts & Creative
Art and Music are core curriculum subjects with English-language instruction (including English-taught content in Lower Secondary). Arte e Immagine is included in the Civics Education transversal program, along with Geography, Italian, English, and Science. A cross-disciplinary project Firenze e l'arte engages students with Florence's artistic heritage and UNESCO cultural assets, fostering appreciation and preservation of art in all its forms.

Cultural & Language
The school delivers bilingual instruction in English and Italian and follows the Cambridge International curriculum with CLIL. Through the Cognita network, it offers immersion programs, international exchanges, and travel abroad. It is part of Aninsei and FAN networks and collaborates with Florence associations and organizations. Projects such as Firenze e l'arte connect language learning with Florence's cultural heritage.

Social & Hobbies
The school collaborates with external arts and culture providers such as Trillo Music School and Oniris Dance School, and with London School and MYES for language learning; theatre and museum groups like F.e.s.t.a and Amici dei Musei enrich cultural experiences. It also engages students in sport and recreational activities through local programs such as One, two, three sports.

Community & Service
The school emphasizes interaction with families and the local community, including third-sector organizations and businesses. The campus provides canteen, school transport, pre-school and post-school care. A Safeguarding Team meets periodically and there are Inclusion and Well-being Coordinators across preschool, primary and secondary levels.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
A Safeguarding Team meets periodically and there are Inclusion and Well-being Coordinators for each school level. Health and safety are supported through Cognita network collaboration. The school provides canteen, school transport, pre-school and post-school care, and uses a 1-to-1 device program from second grade onward with protective measures to ensure safe digital use.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught are English and Italian. English exposure is 50% of the day from pre-school onwards. From primary, many subjects are taught directly in English (CLIL) with mother tongue teachers. For students arriving without in-depth knowledge of Italian, linguistic facilitators provide specialised teaching strategies and work plans to support the development of the Italian curriculum and ensure inclusion.

Bilingual Teaching
The teaching offer starts from a dual-literacy course implemented from pre-school onwards with the constant co-presence of Italian and international teachers, guaranteeing exposure to English for 50% of the day. From primary school, in parallel with the Italian curriculum, pupils begin the Cambridge International pathway with many subjects taught directly in English (CLIL), thanks to the presence at school of mother tongue teachers. The Florence Bilingual School offers a unique pathway in Tuscany and is characterised by a two-year common curriculum between the Liceo Linguistico and the Liceo Scientifico, which allows students maximum flexibility in choosing their university pathway in Italy or abroad.

Immersion Programs
Immersion programs include immersive programs, international exchanges and trips abroad.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions are open throughout the year, subject to available places, with the main enrollment window in January for all school cycles. Open Days are held from October through December to present the school's offerings. The Admission Officer contacts families to understand their needs, provide information, and arrange meetings with the Head of School or coordinators to help families understand the school's learning approach and curriculum. You can request a private visit or register for an Open Day. To secure a place, you may join the waiting list, as places are limited and demand is high; because some families transfer with short notice, applications are accepted year‑round. The Admission Officer will keep you informed about availability and guide you through the enrollment process. Entry requirements: as a private school, there are no entrance tests; admission is based on places available. For Nursery and Preschool, no prior English knowledge is required. For Primary and Lower Secondary, students entering from the third grade may be evaluated for English language proficiency; if English is not sufficient, the school provides language‑support lessons during the school day and after‑school enrichment within extracurricular offerings. The Admission Officer can provide enrollment forms along with any prior reports when a place is available.

Waitlist
Join the waiting list to reserve a place for a quality education. The school enrolls a large number of students each year and places are limited. By joining the waiting list you gain priority for future enrollments and place availability. Because some families transfer with short notice, applications are accepted year‑round. The Admission Officer will keep you updated on available places and guide you through the enrollment process.
School Events
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