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Lycée Victor Hugo - French International School in Florence

Italy, Florence

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, Italian, English
Fees €6,000 - 9,900
Ages 3 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1976
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum French Curriculum
Taught languages English, French, German, Italian, Latin, Spanish
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Lycée Victor Hugo in Florence is a French international day school housed in Palazzo Venturi Ginori. It serves preschool to terminale within the Mission laïque française network, and is part of AEFE. The curriculum follows the French national education system, with instruction delivered in French and an emphasis on Italian culture. From kindergarten, students study French, Italian, and English; from the fourth year a fourth language (German, Spanish, or Chinese) is added, and Latin is introduced from fifth grade. Languages are taught by native-speaking teachers, with groups organized by competence and recognized certificates (Cambridge English, CILS, DELE, etc.). In secondary, students take the DNB and the French Baccalauréat, and from seconde they may pursue EsaBac for a bi-national diploma. The school offers CHAM music, instrumental ensembles and orchestras in partnership with the Music School of Fiesole; a CDI; and a range of ateliers and exchanges to foster an international outlook.

Via della Scala, 85, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy

The Essentials

Lycée Victor Hugo - French International School in Florence has instruction in French, Italian, English.

Location
Florence, Italy. The school is housed at Palazzo Venturi Ginori, Via della Scala 85, 50123 Florence. It is an establishment of the Mission laïque française and affiliated with the AEFE network. Languages taught include English, Italian, Chinese, German, and Spanish.

Stages
From preschool (maternelle) to terminale (final year of lycée). The school covers early childhood through high school.

Type
French international day school. It operates within Palazzo Venturi Ginori in Florence and serves students from preschool through terminale.

Country affiliation
Affiliated to Mission laïque française (MLF); part of the AEFE network.

Religious affiliation
Secular (laïcité).

Bus service
No school bus service is offered.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniform is mandatory and must be clean and in accordance with the Uniform Charter. The daily uniform includes a top with the school logo; polo, shirt, and/or sweater; and a dark blue bottom; boys wear trousers or Bermuda shorts; girls wear trousers/Bermuda or skirt/dress/culotte. A complete sports uniform is mandatory: jacket, trousers, and T-shirt. The uniform can be purchased at BOUTIQUE FIRENZE, Palazzo Frescobaldi, Via Santo Spirito 11, 50125 Firenze. Tel +39 055 6282130; email firenze@school-uniforms.it.

Food Options
The dining team, led by Mr. Emanuele Menchetti, prepares balanced meals from ingredients of certified origin, in strict compliance with hygiene and safety standards. A ‘nutrition committee' with students, parents, and staff oversees meal variety and themed menus. Menus are published for February 2026 and March 2026 (and a snack menu for 2026).

Governance and Ownership
The school is an establishment of the Mission Laïque Française.
Fees

Annual tuition at Lycée Victor Hugo - French International School in Florence ranges from EUR 6,000 to EUR 9,900 for 2026/27.

Application and registration fees
- First registration fee (new pupils): EUR 1,500.
- Annual re‑registration fee (paid each year to reserve a place): EUR 440 (due before 30 May). These fees are not deductible from current-year tuition and are generally non‑refundable except in exceptional cases approved by school leadership.

Annual tuition fees by school cycle (academic year 2025/2026)
- Maternelle (nursery): EUR 7,580 (single full payment before 20 September).
- Elémentaire (primary): EUR 8,450 (single full payment before 20 September).
- Collège (lower secondary): EUR 10,180 (single full payment before 20 September).
- Lycée (upper secondary): EUR 11,520 (single full payment before 20 September).
- CHAM (specialised music class) supplement: EUR 1,300 (annual).

Tuition when paid by monthly instalments (annual totals and monthly amounts)
- The school offers a 10‑instalment monthly payment plan; the published annual totals when choosing monthly payment are:
- Maternelle: EUR 7,900 (monthly instalment: EUR 790).
- Elémentaire: EUR 8,800 (monthly instalment: EUR 880).
- Collège: EUR 10,600 (monthly instalment: EUR 1,060).
- Lycée: EUR 12,000 (monthly instalment: EUR 1,200).
- CHAM: EUR 1,365 appears in the tariff sheet in close relation to CHAM; the main CHAM annual charge is listed as EUR 1,300.

Per‑term equivalents (for database entry use)
- The school publishes annual fees and a 10‑month instalment option rather than official term charges. For practical per‑term entries the equivalent amounts obtained by dividing the published annual fee by 3 are:
- Maternelle (annual full‑payment EUR 7,580): per‑term equivalent EUR 2,526.67.
- Elémentaire (EUR 8,450): per‑term equivalent EUR 2,816.67.
- Collège (EUR 10,180): per‑term equivalent EUR 3,393.33.
- Lycée (EUR 11,520): per‑term equivalent EUR 3,840.00.
- CHAM (EUR 1,300): per‑term equivalent EUR 433.33.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Full annual payment option: single payment due strictly before 20 September.
- Instalment option: 10 equal monthly payments. Monthly payments are due before the 15th of each month; the September instalment may be collected by 30 September.
- Payment by bank transfer must include a copy of the transfer receipt showing pupil name and class. The school may refuse admission for the following school year if fees for the current year are not fully paid by 31 August.

Accepted payment methods and banking details
- Accepted methods: bank transfer, automatic direct debit (prélèvement automatique), and payment by credit/debit card (including Bancomat and American Express) at the Administrative and Financial Office.
- Published bank account (EUR): IBAN FR76 3056 8199 2600 0127 5061 870 — BIC CMCIFRPP (use of the bank details requires attaching the transfer receipt to the accounting office).

Meals, childcare and other recurring fees
- School meals (demi‑pension) – annual forfait options:
- Primary (primaire): 4 meals/week EUR 1,100; 5 meals/week EUR 1,300.
- Secondary (secondaire): 4 meals/week EUR 1,200; 5 meals/week EUR 1,400.
- Late pick‑up / exceptional after‑care charge: EUR 50 per incident for primary pupils taken into the after‑school care service outside the scheduled collection time.
- The following items are explicitly not included in tuition and will be billed separately where applicable: exam fees (DNB, BAC and various language/certification exams), CHAM registration fee (if any, additional to the CHAM annual charge), the uniform purchase, transport costs, extracurricular activities, certain school trips and outings, small personal supplies and textbooks, and mobility/exchange dossier fees (EUR 50 per individual dossier; EUR 100 for a finalized exchange).

Sibling discounts
- Reductions apply only to tuition fees (not to meal fees): 15% on the 3rd child; 20% on the 4th child and subsequent children. Discounts are applied in descending order by birth year. The full discount applies only when the full tuition rate is charged.

Refund and withdrawal policy
- The school applies the rule "any month started is due." Refunds are calculated pro rata by month on a 10‑month basis (N/10). Departures after 30 April do not give entitlement to any refund. Requests for refunds for absences shorter than one consecutive month are not granted except in exceptional, documented circumstances and subject to the Director's discretionary approval.

Boarding
- No boarding or residential education fees are listed; the published fees and regulations cover day‑school tuition, meals and associated services.

Late payment and consequences
- The school reserves the right to suspend or withdraw admission for pupils whose fees or instalments are not paid on time. Unpaid sums may be pursued with interest and recovery costs; parents/tutors are jointly and severally liable for payment.
Academics

Lycée Victor Hugo - French International School in Florence teaches French Curriculum for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum
The Lycée Victor Hugo belongs to the Mission laïque française network and teaches French national education programs from preschool through the lycée. From kindergarten, students study French, Italian, and English, and from 4th grade a fourth language (German, Spanish, or Chinese) is added; Latin is introduced from 5th grade. Language instruction is delivered by native-speaking teachers, with students grouped by language competence and their levels certified (Cambridge English, CILS, DELE, etc.). The curriculum emphasizes French and Italian cultural traditions while fostering an international outlook, with courses taught in French according to the French education system. In secondary school, students take the DNB and the French Baccalauréat, and from seconde they may pursue EsaBac (Esame di Stato e Baccalauréat) for a bi-national diploma. Starting in seconde, students can select specialist subjects in 1ère—Humanities, Literature and Philosophy; Economics and Social Sciences; Language and Literature in a Foreign Language (English); Mathematics; Physics and Chemistry; Life Sciences and Earth—preparing for higher education at leading universities worldwide.

Exam Results
EsaBac is a bi-national path offering the Esame di Stato italiano and the French Baccalauréat. EsaBac at LVH began in 2013; the program has operated since September 2010. The examination includes Italian-language components that substitute for the bac's language and DNL history/geography, with 4 hours for Language and Literature and 4 hours for History and Geography (3 hours in seconde). The rate of success across sessions is 100%.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates are prepared to access the best universities worldwide.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
From nursery through high school, wellbeing is integrated into the school's mission. The codes center on self-respect, respect for others, academic engagement, solidarity, and community life. Student involvement in school life and in activities with cultural and charitable associations is recognized with a diploma for community service hours each year. Sanctions for disobedience are clearly explained, and rules are tailored to each age group. A dress code and safety requirements are in place and require compliance from all students. The ultimate aim is to build a harmonious life within the school community, so everyone feels comfortable, understands expectations, develops autonomy, and engages civically.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school implements a three-language program starting in maternelle, with bilingual classes from the early years and trilingual classes from Moyenne Section. Students study primarily in French but also receive instruction in Italian and English. In the secondary, English and Italian are taught in small competency groups with four hours per week for each language. In elementary, the program includes three languages as part of the curriculum.

Mental Wellbeing
From nursery to high school, well-being is a focus of the educational approach. A post title signals emphasis on educational excellence and well-being to help students take ownership of the world.

Safeguarding
Student safety is addressed with specific requirements that impose checks which all must follow. The discipline framework includes age-appropriate rules, a dress code, and safety measures to maintain a safe school environment.
Parent Experience

History
Palazzo Venturi Ginori was built in 1498 by Bernardo Rucellai on land belonging to his wife, Nannina de' Medici. In 1459 Cosimo de' Medici founded the Neoplatonist Academy there, with Machiavelli, Jacopo Nardi and Pope Leo X among its figures. After the Medici were expelled in 1527, the palace was looted, destroying much of its art treasures; it reopened in 1534 to receive Emperor Charles V, and in 1537 the Rucellai family sold it to Bianca Cappello, who donated it to Antonio de' Medici. In 1640 Cardinal Giovan Carlo Medici renovated the gardens; after his death in 1663 the building was sold to pay debts and later enlarged, while in the 19th century the gardens were redesigned in the English style; restoration work was carried out in 1861. A Madonna and Child by Andrea della Robbia adjoins the property.

Community
Two cultures, three languages, one international outlook. The Lycée Victor Hugo belongs to the Mission laïque française network and offers two cultures—French and Italian—and three languages (French, Italian, and English) from nursery, with a fourth language (German, Spanish, or Chinese) added from the fourth grade. It is the only Florence school providing a coherent pathway from kindergarten (3 years) to university entrance, teaching the French curricula. Language instruction is delivered by native-speaking teachers and is certified (Cambridge English, CILS, DELE); the school also offers FLE/FLSco support for non-French-speaking students and runs international exchanges with partner MLf schools, including the ADN-AEFE program.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has two parent associations, APE and UPEF. A membership bulletin and an adhesion brochure are available.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is housed in Palazzo Venturi Ginori in Florence. It serves students from preschool through lycée. It is part of the Mission laïque française network and follows its international, multilingual model with three languages from the start (French, Italian, English), plus a fourth language from the fourth year. A historical garden is on the campus. The cantine provides daily meals prepared by a dedicated team, with a nutrition commission overseeing diverse menus. The library, or CDI, offers a multilingual collection (Italian, French and English) with an online catalogue, reading spaces and access to orientation resources like ONISEP.

Academic Facilities
The CDI is a central feature of the academic program, described as more than a library and integrated into the school's pedagogical project. It provides a multilingual collection (Italian, French and English) with fiction, documentaries and press, accessible in person or via the online catalogue (e-sidoc). A dedicated librarian coordinates resources and supports projects; students can borrow books with their year-end cards. The CDI also offers a computer and ONISEP orientation tools to assist with career guidance, and spaces for reading and quiet study. Hours of operation are posted for student access.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Activités périscolaires exist at Lycée Victor Hugo, as indicated on the site.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Biology Olympiads 2023 and Math Week 2023 involve students in biology and mathematics competitions. Problem-solving workshops (APC résolution de problèmes – cycle 2) are offered to develop logical thinking and collaborative skills. These activities supplement the curriculum with hands-on, inquiry-driven experiences.

Arts & Creative
Music is a central focus with extensive extracurricular offerings in music. The school partners with the Music School of Fiesole to provide on-site instrumental instruction; students can join orchestras or instrumental ensembles (classical, jazz, or rock) and participate in choirs. Since 2018, CHAM (Classe à Horaires Aménagés Musique) enables instrumental study during the school day through the end of middle school, with regular concerts. Atelier dessin animé provides a primary-school animation workshop where students create a stop-motion film, from storyboarding to final editing.

Cultural & Language
Ambassadeurs de l'Art is a partnership with the Musée des Offices' didactic department as part of the Ambassadeurs de l'Art project; it trains students to become guides of Florentine heritage and to present it in Italian or other languages taught at the school, including tours of the Cenacle d'Ognissanti and the monastic site. Free guided tours of the monastic site take place every Monday in June and September from 9:00 to 13:00. Échanges internationaux offers individual student exchanges with partner schools (e.g., Balzac in Paris; Lycée Alexandrie; Zaragoza; Amsterdam; Saarbrücken; Fénelon in Paris; Grenoble; Dallas; Valladolid); ADN-AEFE expands opportunities via Agora-Monde with two formats (solo or duo) and durations typically 2–4 weeks, with a selection conducted by the school.

Social & Hobbies
Activités périscolaires includes languages, visual arts, theatre, cooking, and a chess club, among other after-school activities. Atelier dessin animé showcases hands-on creative work, where students develop a story, design characters, shoot stop-motion scenes, record voices, and assemble the final animation.

Leadership & Professional
The school runs a Model United Nations (MUN) program to foster public speaking and leadership among students. Ambassadeurs de l'Art also develops leadership by training students to lead guided tours of Florentine art heritage for visitors. The school hosts conferences such as on technological innovation and its impact on society, promoting discussion and leadership in contemporary issues.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Music is a major contributor to student well-being, with opportunities to learn instruments, join ensembles or choirs, and attend regular concerts. CHAM integrates music into the school day to support balanced, holistic development, and the program has been in place since 2018 to deepen instrumental study through middle school.
Languages

Language Provision
French, Italian and English are taught from kindergarten; a fourth language begins in grade 4 (German, Spanish or Chinese). French-language courses follow the French National Education programs, and the school is homologated by the French Ministry of Education; students take the DNB and Baccalauréat exams, with EsaBac available from the second year. Language support for non-French-speaking students is provided through FLE/FLSco.

Bilingual Teaching
Two cultures (French and Italian) and three languages (French, Italian and English) are taught from kindergarten. A fourth language is introduced in grade 4 (German, Spanish or Chinese). Courses are taught by native-language teachers.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions Process LVH for School Year 2020/2021

1. Maternity/Nursery procedures
The school welcomes enrollments for the 2020/2021 school year. Enrollment in a French establishment homologated by the French Ministry of National Education implies full commitment by the parents as well as the pupil to the educational objectives and to the school's guiding principles and rules, which safeguard cohesion and mobilization of the educational community around LVH's values. Parents participate in LVH's consultative bodies by electing representatives; the school council and the board involve the school's partners, especially parents, in reflection on school life, and it is essential that you participate in these bodies.

2. Admission priority and general rules
Admission is granted within the limit of available places and is determined according to the following priority order and conditions:
- 1) Nationality française: French public establishment, French private under contract, or an abroad establishment homologated by the French ministry. Admission occurs within the limit of available places, and for collège/lycée the orientation decision is taken by the class council; for primaire the decision comes from the cycle council.
- 2) Other nationalities with at least two years of schooling in the French system: same parcours as above with the same limit and class council decisions.
- 3) All nationalities: private French off-contract, non-homologated French program, Francophone establishment, or a Bulgarian education system; admission after a process involving a parents' interview for nursery and for primaire/college/lycée a dossier review plus tests in French and mathematics and an interview.

3. Age/class level rules
Children are admitted to the class level corresponding to their year of birth (the 2020-2021 table): maternelle for 2017/2016/2015 births (PS/MS/GS); élémentaire for 2014–2010 births (CP/CE1/CE2/CM1/CM2); collège/lycée for 2009–2003 births (6ème/5ème/4ème/3ème/2nde/1ère/Tle).

4. Nursery/maternelle procedure
1. Pre-registration online during February 17 to May 31, 2020 via the online link. 2. Send the pre-registration form signed by both parents, a copy of the child's identity document, and copies of the identity documents of both parents. 3. Notification of admission or admission refusal by email. 4. Family responds by email to accept or refuse admission. 5. If admitted, deposit or send the complete dossiers to the establishment between March 9 and May 31, 2020 and pay the first registration rights by the June 14 deadline.
5. Documents to provide for pre-registration and final registration (nursery)
Documents for pre-registration: the admission form signed by both parents (printable during online registration), a copy of the child's identity document or birth certificate. Documents for final registration: copies of both parents' identities, family book (for children of French nationality), a certificate of withdrawal (for students from systems homologated to France), medical form, up-to-date vaccination record, two passport photos, signed registration contract, signed consent declaration, signed internal regulations, signed financial regulations, and a copy of any court order in case of divorce. To finalize registration, the dossier must be complete and the first registration rights paid.

6. Primary/Elementary, middle school, and high school procedure
1. Pre-registration online from February 17 to May 31, 2020 on the specified site. 2. Send the pre-registration form signed by both parents, plus copies of the child's and parents' IDs. 3. Entrance tests beginning from CP (French and mathematics) for pupils not coming from the French education system; a commission of admission evaluates candidates from CP onward. 4. Notification of admission or refusal by email. 5. Family confirms by email to accept or refuse admission. 6. If admitted, deposit or send the complete dossier to the establishment and pay the first registration rights by the June 14 deadline. 7. Dossiers must be complete and registration rights paid for definitive enrollment.
Documents for pre-registration: the admission form signed by both parents to print during online registration; Documents for final registration: copies of both parents' IDs; family book (French nationality); certificate of withdrawal (for non-French systems listed above); medical form; vaccination record; two passport photos; signed registration contract; signed consent declaration; signed internal regulations; signed financial regulations; and copy of divorce decree if applicable.

7. Final steps and contact
For definitive enrollment, the dossier must be complete and the first registration rights paid.

Scholarships
Solidarity Fund: The Solidarity Fund aims to assist families facing financial difficulties within the limits of available resources. The assistance is temporary and is not designed to be renewed within the same year. It is financed through voluntary donations from families and may be supplemented by school-organized sales, such as calendars sold in December. The assistance provided may cover school fees, school restaurant, examination fees, trips, and various other school-related expenses such as school books, clothing, or school supplies. No assistance may be provided to families receiving a scholarship from the French government. The Solidarity Fund is managed by a committee comprising representatives from the administrative board and the management team. The Fund's committee meets in January; applications must be submitted by December. Regulations and an application form are available for reference.

Waitlist
Admission is granted within the limit of available places.
School Events
The school has not added events
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