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Italian International School Italo Calvino

Russia, Moscow

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Italian
Fees RUB 7,400 - 10,300
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 1973
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Italian Curriculum
Taught languages Italian, English, Spanish, Russian, German
Typical class size 10
Strengths Languages, Performing Arts, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Located at Leninsky Prospekt 78A, the Italian International School Italo Calvino delivers education under the Italian Ministry of Education for Italian pupils. The school follows the five-year Italian primary program, with Italian as the language of instruction, and continues through a three-year middle school and a four-year linguistic lyceum that deepens Italian, English, Spanish and Russian or German, plus Latin. From the second year, CLIL integrates content and language learning, and internships and international projects broaden opportunities, including overseas options in the EU, UK, USA and Canada. The diploma of maturity is recognized, with nostrification possible in Russia. The campus includes a language laboratory, a theatre laboratory, a gym and a soccer field, and spaces for applied arts, chess and logic games. All students receive music instruction, and the school organizes summer camp and end-of-year arts and cultural program. The school collaborates with Dante Alighieri Society and offers PLIDA certificates.

Leninskiy prospekt 78A, building 1, 119261, Moscow, Russia

The Essentials

Italian International School Italo Calvino has typical class sizes of 10, instruction in Italian.

Location
The Italo Calvino Italian International School is located in Moscow, Russia, at Leninsky Prospekt 78A, building 1, 119261. It is the Italian international school under the Italian General Consulate in Moscow. It follows the Italian state education program approved by the Italian Ministry of Education and is applicable in Russia and other countries.

Stages
Kindergarten; Primary School; Middle School; Linguistic Lyceum (four-year language lyceum).

Type
Italian international school affiliated with the Italian General Consulate in Moscow.

Additional learning support
Inclusive education; accepts children with developmental differences; provides psychological support and psycho-pedagogical consultations.

Country affiliation
Italy; affiliated with the Italian Ministry of Education and part of the Italian educational system abroad; associated with the Italian General Consulate in Moscow.

School day structure
The school day runs from 8:30 to 16:45, Monday through Friday.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
A balanced menu tailored to age with hot lunches, snacks and safe foods; Mediterranean diet (Italian cuisine) offered at an additional cost; individual diets available if necessary.

Governance and Ownership
The Italo Calvino Italian international school operates at the General Consulate of Italy in Moscow. It is the only Italian general education school in Russia. The curriculum is approved by the Italian Ministry of Education. The school is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Education and is part of the Italian education system abroad. It is part of the ADASIM Foundation, a network of Italian schools supported by the Dante Alighieri Society.
Fees

Annual tuition at Italian International School Italo Calvino ranges from RUB 7,400 to RUB 10,300 for 2026/27.

Application / Registration fees

- Application (registration deposit at time of submitting the enrollment form): EUR 300 (non‑refundable if you withdraw after paying the deposit).
- One‑off registration fee on first formal enrolment: EUR 650 (paid on enrollment; non‑rateizzabile and non‑refundable). From the second year of attendance the registration fee is EUR 200.

Tuition fees by school year (annual amounts)

- Kindergarten (Scuola dell'infanzia): EUR 7,400 per year. Meals are charged separately.
- Primary school (Scuola primaria): EUR 8,950 per year. Textbooks for primary pupils are included in the tuition; meals are charged separately.
- Middle school (Scuola secondaria di I grado): EUR 9,500 per year. Meals are charged separately.
- Linguistic lyceum (Scuola secondaria di II grado / Liceo linguistico): EUR 10,300 per year. Meals are charged separately.

Per‑term / payment breakdown and schedule

- Tuition may be paid in a single annual payment or in three instalments. Available options: single payment due by 15 June (one‑off annual payment) or three instalments with the following deadlines: 1st instalment by 30 September, 2nd instalment by 15 November, 3rd instalment by 15 December. A separate non‑refundable base annual quota must be paid by 31 August and is not subject to discount, instalment or refund. Parents choose the single or three‑instalment option on the enrolment contract. Late payment penalties apply (0.01% of the overdue amount for each day of delay). Certificates and admission to classes can be withheld until outstanding fees are settled.

Billing terms and what the tuition covers

- The annual tuition covers: delivery of the educational programme (including emergency online lessons if the school is closed for force majeure), use of school premises, accident insurance. For primary pupils school textbooks are included in the tuition. Optional extra services and extracurricular courses are billed separately.

Meals / catering

- School catering (Mediterranean / Italian menu) is available but charged in addition to tuition. Meal orders and payments for catering must be placed in advance and paid by the 25th of the previous month.

Exams, language courses and other additional charges

- PLIDA (Italian language certification) examination fees apply when taken at the school; PLIDA fees start from around EUR 54 (varies by level and exam parts). Other optional language courses or extracurricular activities may be free or charged depending on the programme; optional programmes are invoiced separately.

Boarding

- Boarding is not applicable; the school operates as a day school and does not list boarding provision or boarding fees.

Uniforms and school supplies

- The school has provided a school uniform (news about a donated uniform was published); specific uniform purchase rules or fees are not listed as a standard compulsory fee. School supplies and any items beyond textbooks (where those are not included) are the responsibility of parents and may be charged separately for particular activities or optional services.

Refund and withdrawal rules

- The one‑off registration fee and the base annual quota are non‑refundable. In case of early withdrawal from the school a partial refund of the attendance quota may be granted at the administration's discretion if a written refund request is submitted at least 30 days before the withdrawal date. In the event of school closure for force majeure, reimbursement rules differ by service: optional extra services (for example catering or extracurricular activities) are not due for the period the services cannot be provided; the school may evaluate reimbursements in case of definitive closure.

Accepted payment methods and banking details

- Payments are accepted by bank transfer only (to the school's ruble or euro accounts). Payments may be made in euros or in rubles (conversion at the Central Bank of Russia rate on the payment date or another rate set by the school); all bank charges (payer and intermediary) are borne by the parents. The school's contract and administrative documents set out the beneficiary account details for transfers. No credit‑card payment option is listed.

Penalties and collection

- Late payment incurs a penalty of 0.01% per day on the overdue amount. The school reserves the right to deny access to lessons and to withhold diplomas/certificates until all amounts due are paid; legal recovery may be initiated for unpaid debts.

Other notes on costs

- Textbooks for primary pupils are included in the tuition; accident insurance is included. Additional optional activities, camps, special projects, or private lessons are charged separately. Parents are responsible for bank transfer fees and any other charges associated with payment.

If you need the exact annexed fee breakdown that itemises the non‑refundable base quota and the separate frequency components used in the contract, see the school's enrolment contract annex (Allegato 1) for the 2026/2027 year which contains those line‑by‑line figures.
Academics

Italian International School Italo Calvino teaches Italian Curriculum.

Curriculum
Five-year primary education follows the Italian state education program, with Italian as the main language of instruction. Graduates master Italian, English, and Russian and are prepared to continue to secondary education. The primary stage corresponds to four Russian grades, and graduates may enter Italo Calvino's secondary school without entrance exams. The three-year middle school continues the Italian program and adds Spanish; at the end of middle school students take the Italian state exam and receive a diploma of completion. The four-year linguistic lyceum deepens language study—Italian, English, Spanish, and Russian or German, plus Latin—and prepares students to apply to universities worldwide or in Russia (EGE required for Russian entry). The linguistic lyceum employs CLIL (content and language integrated learning) from the second year and offers internships and international projects; overseas options exist in EU/UK/USA/Canada, and the diploma is recognized internationally.

Exam Results
An Italian maturità certificate can be obtained after completing the lyceum and passing the state exam; this diploma is recognized worldwide. The school also issues an Italian certificate recognized in EU countries, the USA, Canada, and Australia. In Russia, nostrification may be required for recognition of the Italian diploma.

Higher Education Progression
The school provides support for admission to Italian universities and assists with applications to universities worldwide.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Imagine your child is daily in a 'little Italy' and becomes part of the school's international community. The child is free to communicate and express themselves, and their opinion matters to others. Our priority is to create a comfortable psychological environment. An important component of our policy is inclusivity. We accept children with developmental differences and make the learning process accessible and equal for all of our students. Studios, clubs, and projects—music, visual arts, theater, and other activities—offer opportunities to develop talents outside the main program.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school supports inclusive education and accepts children with developmental differences.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Italian is the primary language of instruction: subjects are taught in Italian, with support for bilingual students in the early stages. English is studied as a second foreign language under international programs with emphasis on conversational practice. A second foreign language is Russian or Spanish (about three hours per week). In the lyceum, a third language can be added, for example German.

Mental Wellbeing
Enrollment is open year-round. If you enroll your child, we will do everything to help them adapt to the new environment, provide psychological support, and assist in mastering the curriculum and Italian language.

Safeguarding
The school prioritizes a comfortable psychological environment and inclusivity, and accepts children with developmental differences to make the education accessible and equal for all students.
Parent Experience

History
The Italian International School Italo Calvino in Moscow was opened in 1973 by the Italian ambassador Pietro Vinci at Villa Berg, named after his wife Costanza Vinci. In 1987 the primary and secondary sections were accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education. Growth prompted a move to Lobachevsky Street 38 in 1989, and three years later the kindergarten received Italian state accreditation. In 2000 the school relocated to Leninsky Prospekt 78A in central Moscow, and licensing under Italy's new standards began in 2003 after a law recognizing equality of private and public schools was enacted. In 2006 the school was renamed after the writer Italo Calvino, and in 2009 a four-year linguistic lyceum opened, licensed by the Italian Ministry of Education; since 2020 it has collaborated with the Dante Alighieri Society, and in 2023 it celebrated 50 years.

Community
Every day the child is in a 'little Italy' and becomes part of the school's international community, with free communication and self-expression, and their opinion is valued. The priority is a comfortable psychological environment, with inclusivity; the school accepts children with developmental differences and makes learning accessible and equal for all. A balanced menu for age groups includes hot lunches, snacks, and safe foods, with individual diets available if needed. Studios, clubs and projects — music, visual arts, theatre and other outlets for developing talents beyond the core program.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has a language laboratory, a gym, and a soccer field. All classrooms are equipped with the necessary technical equipment. The school houses a theatre laboratory where students perform in shows and concerts. Each student plays a musical instrument. There are spaces for applied arts, chess, and logic games, and an after-school program to complete homework.

Sports Facilities
The school has a gym for physical education and indoor sports. It has a soccer field for outdoor football activities. The gym and field support PE lessons and school sports events. These facilities support a range of sports and recreational activities.

Academic Facilities
The school features a language laboratory for language learning. There is a theatre laboratory for performances. All classrooms are equipped with the necessary technical equipment. There are spaces for applied arts, chess, and logic games, and an after-school program for homework support.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extracurricular activities include introducing students to Russian or Spanish. The mathematics Olympiad preparation course is available. This math program is designed to prepare students for Moscow's Mathematics Olympiads. These activities supplement the standard curriculum in the secondary school.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Italian general education school Italo Calvino operates in Moscow under the General Consulate of Italy. It provides a unique cultural and social environment and a high-quality international education in Italian language, aligned with the Italian Ministry of Education's program, and relevant in Russia and abroad. It is the only Italian general education school in Russia, and the curriculum is approved by the Italian Ministry of Education. The school issues an Italian diploma of maturity recognized in the EU, the United States, Canada, and Australia, and nostrification in Russia is possible; the school supports admission to Italian universities.

Arts & Creative
The school hosts an end-of-year celebration featuring music, creativity, sports, dancing, and food. It runs a Moscow-based summer city camp for children. Student artworks are showcased in the school gallery.

Cultural & Language
The school provides education in Italian language, aligned with the Italian Ministry of Education's program. It is the Italian private school operating under the General Consulate of Italy in Moscow. The school offers Italian language courses for children and for adults, and it issues the PLIDA certificate. The school collaborates with the Dante Alighieri Society.

Social & Hobbies
The school runs the Bridges from Words Moscow-Tbilisi project with the Italian school in Tbilisi. Three students reached the final of a mathematics competition. The Moscow-based summer camp is available for children.

Leadership & Professional
The school is led by Director Rino Papotti. The Deputy Director is Giovanni Maspes. The Primary School Coordinator is Claudio Lisi. The Secondary School Coordinator is Alessandro Marras, and the Lyceum Coordinator is Luca Lavarino.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Enrollment is open year-round. The school provides psychological-pedagogical consultations for students. The school hours are Monday–Friday, 8:30–16:45. The school operates a Moscow-based summer camp for children.
Languages

Language Provision
Italian is the main language of instruction; subjects are taught in Italian, with support for bilingual students at the early stage. English is studied as a second foreign language under international programs with an emphasis on conversational practice. The second foreign language is Russian or Spanish (about 3 hours per week), and a third language such as German can be added in the lyceum. In the middle school, instruction is conducted in Italian, with strong emphasis on English and Russian languages and literature; Spanish is also available, and the four-year Linguistic Lyceum leads to Italian and English at least at level B2-C1, with Spanish and German or Russian at level B1.

Bilingual Teaching
Italian is the primary language of instruction, with support for bilingual students in the early stages.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Enrollment period and eligibility. Enrollment begins in January of the school year preceding the year in which a child is planned to start. The school admits children of any nationality. The main language of instruction is Italian, and applicants who are not native Italian speakers must demonstrate an appropriate level of Italian proficiency. 2. Kindergarten admission criteria. For entry to kindergarten, a child must be three years old by April 30 of the following year. Two-year-olds may enroll in the Primavera program if there are places available. 3. Kindergarten admission process and waitlists. The number of new kindergarten enrollments is determined by the head of the kindergarten by January 31 based on available spaces. By August 31, parents on the waiting list are informed about acceptance or rejection of their enrollment request. 4. Primary school admission criteria. General education in Italy lasts 10 years; for primary entry, a child must be six years old by December 31 of the current year. Because instruction is conducted in Italian, admission for non-native Italian speakers is based on sufficient Italian proficiency and understanding of course material, assessed by a teachers' commission during an entrance examination. Transfers from Italian public schools require Nulla Osta. 5. First-grade documentation. For entry to the first grade of primary school, education documents and special knowledge documents are not required under the applicable law. 6. Early enrollment and second-grade entry. Early enrollment to primary is possible under certain conditions; there is a process for early entry to the first grade, and in some cases it may be possible to enter directly into the second grade after passing the first-grade examination (not available for early-entry admissions). The cost of the entrance testing and examination is specified in Appendix 1 to the Attendance Contract. 7. Nulla Osta requirement for higher grades. For entries into the second grade and above, a Nulla Osta from the child's previous Italian school is required. 8. Application, deposits, and contracts. When enrolling, parents complete a registration form and sign the Attendance Contract; an advance sum is indicated on the registration form as a place-holding deposit and is credited toward tuition. The deposit is not refunded if the family withdraws from the school. 9. Fees and meals. Tuition is 8950 euros per year. There are discounts: 10% for Italian citizens and 20% for families with two or more children (these discounts do not stack). Mediterranean diet meals are available as an optional paid service.

Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded annually for academic merit and for economic need. For the 2023–2024 academic year, two merit scholarships of 500 euros are available for the lyceum and two merit scholarships of 400 euros are available for the middle school, issued as tuition discounts. Merit is determined based on annual results and averaged scores; higher merit scholarships may be awarded to students with excellent results who are in financial need (average typically at least 8/10 with supporting documentation). More information is available from the school secretary.

Waitlist
Waitlists are used when applications exceed available places. Priority is given to Italian citizens or siblings already attending the school. Decisions on admission from the waitlist are communicated by August 31. Enrollment decisions are made in order of application when spaces are limited, and a waiting list is formed accordingly.
School Events
The school has not added events
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