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International School of Bologna

Italy, Bologna

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees €9,660 - 21,330
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2004
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Italian, French, Spanish, Mandarin
Strengths Sport, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

The International School of Bologna is an IB Continuum school in Bologna's center, serving ages 3 to 18. Instruction is in English in a full-immersion setting, and the school offers PYP for early years and elementary, MYP for middle school, and the DP for high school. This structure supports an IB pathway from 3 to 18 and reflects the school's long-standing commitment to international education. Founded in 2004, ISB has developed its accreditation, including CIS membership and NEASC accreditation. The campus spans 2,000 meters with 25 classrooms, science labs, a library, music and art classrooms, a theatre, outdoor playgrounds, and a gym, plus facilities off-site. The school emphasizes well-rounded learning with on-campus sports, arts spaces, and a broad after-school program featuring clubs in chess, drama, languages such as Italian and Chinese, and digital media. A signature initiative is Festival of Hope, promoting sustainability and service, led by students across Bologna.

Via della Libertà, 2, 40123 Bologna BO, Italy

The Essentials

International School of Bologna has instruction in English.

Location
Via della Libertà 2, 40123 Bologna, Italy. IS Bologna is in Bologna, northern Italy. Bologna is easily reached by train, with Florence less than an hour away and Venice about 1 hour 30 minutes by train.

Stages
Early Years; Elementary; Middle School; Diploma.

Type
The school is an international IB Continuum school in Bologna.

Additional learning support
Learning Support Services include English as an Additional Language (EAL) support and Learning Support Specialists. ISB provides inclusive education with small class sizes and collaboration with external agencies when needed.

Country affiliation
Italy.

School day structure
Daily schedule includes early drop-off 8:15–8:50, staggered entry 8:50–9:00, circle time 9:00–9:15, lunch 11:45–12:15, outdoor activities, and pick-up 4:45–5:00 PM (Extended Day options may apply).
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform exists and is listed as an optional extra in the tuition schedule. It is not included in base tuition.

Food Options
Lunch is provided on site. A Lunch Fee is charged. The full lunch service is mandatory up to Grade 5; Grades 6-12 can choose between 2, 3, or 5 days per week: €675, €1,005, and €1,590 respectively.

Governance and Ownership
The school is International School of Bologna S.r.l., an Italian private limited company (S.r.l.).
Fees

Annual tuition at International School of Bologna ranges from EUR 9,660 to EUR 21,330 for 2026/27.

Admission fees (one-time, non-refundable)
- Reception: EUR 1,100.
- Kindergarten: EUR 1,100.
- Transition: EUR 1,100.
- Grades 1–5: EUR 1,100.
- Grades 6–10: EUR 1,500.
- Diploma (Grades 11–12): EUR 1,500.

Registration fee (annual, non-refundable)
- Reception: EUR 750.
- Kindergarten: EUR 750.
- Transition: EUR 750.
- Grades 1–10: EUR 750.
- Diploma (Grades 11–12): EUR 1,000.

Annual tuition fees and per-term amounts (school year, annual and three-instalment breakdown)
- Reception (Half Day): Annual EUR 9,660 — Per term (3 instalments) EUR 3,220.00.
- Reception (Full Day): Annual EUR 10,980 — Per term EUR 3,660.00.
- Kindergarten: Annual EUR 11,910 — Per term EUR 3,970.00.
- Transition: Annual EUR 14,865 — Per term EUR 4,955.00.
- Grade 1: Annual EUR 17,505 — Per term EUR 5,835.00.
- Grades 2, 3, 4: Annual EUR 17,850 — Per term EUR 5,950.00.
- Grade 5: Annual EUR 19,095 — Per term EUR 6,365.00.
- Grades 6–10: Annual EUR 20,490 — Per term EUR 6,830.00.
- Diploma (Grades 11–12): Annual EUR 21,330 — Per term EUR 7,110.00.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Admission and/or registration fees are payable upon enrolment.
- School fees, lunch fees, and other additional fees are payable in three instalments by the following dates: 1 September, 1 November, and 1 February.
- Sibling discount: second child 10% off the tuition fee; third child 20% off the tuition fee; fourth or more children 20% off the tuition fee.

Lunch service and related fees
- Full lunch service is mandatory up to Grade 5. Grades 6–12 may choose among options.
- Two days per week: EUR 675 (annual).
- Three days per week: EUR 1,005 (annual).
- Five days per week: EUR 1,590 (annual).
- No refund is made for missed days due to absence, illness, or school closure.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) — Secondary
- 2 periods per week (listed as half EAL fee): EUR 1,200.
- 3–4 periods per week (listed as full EAL fee): EUR 1,000.

What the tuition fee includes
- Tuition fees include insurance, learning materials and books, Chromebooks for in-school use, residential trip (Grades 5–11), and assessment/IB exam fees.

Other costs / optional extras
- Optional extras not included in tuition: school uniform, optional field trips, optional trips abroad, and after-school activities.
- Stationery and other minor items may be listed separately.
- Residential trips for Grades 5–11 and IB assessment fees are included in tuition; optional trips and activities are charged additionally.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not applicable; no boarding fees are listed.

Refund information
- The admission fee and the annual registration fee are non-refundable.
- No refunds are made for unused lunch days due to absence, illness, or school closure.
- No other specific tuition-refund schedule is listed in the fee schedule.
Academics

International School of Bologna teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
ISB provides the International Baccalaureate continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages 3-6 (Early Years) and 6-11 (Elementary), Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11-16 (Middle School), and Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16-19 (High School). Instruction is in English with a full-immersion English language context.

Student Teacher Ratio
1:6
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Student Well-being is a priority at ISB. Social, emotional, and psychological wellbeing are addressed as part of teaching and learning. The PSE programme supports personal and social development across the curriculum. The School Counselor plays a central role in supporting student well-being.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
ISB provides Learning Support as part of an inclusive education. Learning Support Services remove barriers and enable equal access to the curriculum. A Learning Support Specialist team supports students, including Maria Girasoli – Student Support Services & EAL Coordinator, Anna Weitzler – Learning Support Specialist, and Rita Kosmidou – Learning Support Specialist. Support for mild to moderate needs may be provided in class or outside the classroom, as defined in the Learning Support Policy.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The English as an Additional Language Department provides support for learners who need extra help with English and for their teachers. EAL staff facilitate language acquisition and collaborate with class teachers to plan. For the students with greatest need, an in-small group EAL programme is provided, with progress monitored using the Maculaitis Assessment of Competencies Test of English Language Proficiency II, and regular parent communication is maintained.

Mental Wellbeing
The well-being of students is integral to teaching and learning. The School Counselor supports students' psychological and social-emotional needs; counselling is short-term and solution-focused with confidentiality a key feature. The Personal and Social Education (PSE) curriculum supports personal growth and well-being as part of a holistic approach.

Safeguarding
The ISB Child Protection Policy guides health, safety, and care of students and forms the foundation for safeguarding. The policy is aligned with international frameworks including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The ISB Child Protection Team safeguards all children in the ISB community; staff receive annual training on Child Protection.
Parent Experience

History
ISB was officially founded in September 2004. It became a Candidate School for the IB Primary Years Programme in September 2007, was authorised to teach the PYP in March 2009, and was awarded CIS Membership in January 2009. The school advanced to a Middle Years Programme candidate in February 2012 and began the CIS accreditation process that year. ISB opened its High School in September 2013 and became a Diploma Programme Candidate School in December 2013, marking the IB continuum across all divisions. It celebrated 10 years in 2014, gained Diploma Programme authorisation in 2015, and graduated its first class in 2017; NEASC accreditation followed in 2020 and 2024, and the 20th anniversary was celebrated in 2024.

Community
ISB has served a vibrant community of local and international families in Northern Italy since 2004. The school currently enrolls 290+ students, with 55% international students and 45 nationalities represented, and a teacher-student ratio of 1:6. The community hosts a range of school events and activities, including Festival of Hope, a community-wide day focused on ideas, creativity, and collaboration. Families are key partners in the ISB community, and parents are encouraged to take an active role through the Parents Association.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
ISB has a Parents Association. Families are key partners in ISB's community, and parents are encouraged to take an active role through the Parents Association.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Located in Bologna's historic center, the school occupies over 2,000 sq meters of space, with 25 classrooms, labs, and a theatre, plus 2 outdoor play grounds and 1 gym.

Sports Facilities
On-site facilities include a gym and a basketball court; there is also an off-site gym available for additional activities.

Academic Facilities
Academic spaces include a library, a science lab, a music classroom, and an art classroom, with a theatre for performing arts.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Chess, Hip Hop, Calligraphy, Drama/Acting, Italian, Chinese, Basketball, Media Production, Digital Design, Music
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
After School Activities (ASA) are available for students in Grades 1 through 12. Activities are determined by teachers, parents, and external organizations that volunteer their services. ASAs include Chess, Hip Hop, Calligraphy, Drama/Acting, Italian, Chinese, Basketball, Media Production, Digital Design, and Music. ASAs take place after school on scheduled afternoons, typically from late September to the end of May.

Arts & Creative
Drama/Acting, Media Production, Digital Design, and Music are offered as ASAs. Hip Hop and Calligraphy are also included among ASAs. The range of activities is determined by teachers, parents, and external organizations that volunteer their services. ASAs occur after school on scheduled afternoons.

Cultural & Language
Italian and Chinese language clubs are offered as After School Activities. These clubs provide opportunities to practice language skills after school. ASAs are organized by teachers, parents, and external organizations that volunteer their services.

Social & Hobbies
Chess, Basketball, Hip Hop, and Calligraphy are offered as ASAs. Other ASAs include Drama/Acting, Media Production, Digital Design, Italian, and Chinese. Activities are organized by teachers, parents, and external organizations that volunteer their services. ASAs occur after school on scheduled afternoons.

Community & Service
Festival of Hope is a school initiative focused on sustainability and social responsibility. On April 9, 2025, ISB hosted Festival of Hope. The day included student-led arts and theatre workshops and connected participants from across Italy and Azerbaijan.

Leadership & Professional
Festival of Hope was organized by ISB students Marco, Martina, and Altea. Student organizers led the event. This demonstrates student leadership in ISB's campus events.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
School trips extend learning beyond the classroom and are designed to enrich academic, personal, and social development. Trips range from local visits in Bologna to outdoor adventures such as hiking in the mountains or diving in the sea. During trips, students participate in activities and sports such as archery, rock climbing, ziplining, and survival skills courses. These experiences develop physical abilities, confidence, communication, teamwork, and relationships.
Reputation

Awards
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Accreditations
IS Bologna is accredited by IB, CIS, NEASC, ECIS and is Italy7s first Google for Education Premier Reference School.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1: Start your inquiry. Begin by clicking Apply Now to initiate enrollment discussions. ISB provides information and support to help families through the process.

Step 2: Start the application. To formally begin the application process, click Start Now to initiate your inquiry in the ISB OpenApply system (isbologna.openapply.com). The page also presents an Apply Now option for enrollment. The Admissions Director will assist with next steps and guide you through the process.

Step 3: Final steps and policies. ISB does not accept requests to anticipare (move a student up a grade outside standard promotion). The school is located at Via della Libertà 2, Bologna, Italy. You can enroll by selecting 'Enroll Now' on the Admissions page.
School Events
The school has not added events
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