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Willowbrook International School was founded in 1998 by Ikuyo Maeda and visionary early childhood educators who sought to create an optimal environment for young learners of all nationalities. As a result of our past and present teacher efforts, an integrated curriculum was created with an emphasis on human values, interpersonal skills, and a broader understanding of various cultures. With the cooperation of conscientious and caring parents whose support has been integral in our development, we are a community of dedicated learners. Children, parents, teachers, and staff learn from each other, actively seeking and exploring ways to deepen our awareness and understanding of the world around us. At Willowbrook, our mission is to plant the seeds of wisdom and nurture them in each child so that each one can become a well-rounded individual who shines in his/her chosen pursuits -- One who can lead others to work together in harmony for the good of society. One who can become a dedicated, responsible global citizen with respect for the diversity of backgrounds and cultures in a global community. Together with the children, let us grow as a learning community and carry through with the spirit of Willowbrook into the future. We feel honored and take seriously the responsibility to provide children with their foundational, early-school learning environment. We value the opportunity to share many firsts in your child's development, from developing trust to separating from family at the beginning of the school year to reading first words. It is our main objective to enable our students to become responsible members of society with respect for one's themselves, their community, and their environment as exemplified in our five value pillars. Confidence We believe that the best environment for learning and development is one in which children gain self-esteem and confidence in their abilities at an early age. From a well-articulated five-year-old singing loud and proud for all to hear at our Spring Concert to our youngest students saying their name for the first time during morning circle time, we endeavor to make these moments a model for how our students will function in future classrooms and life. Creativity We foster creativity by providing the canvas and the tools for children to create their world. We nurture the creative process through which children observe and make meaning of their experiences. We believe nature plays an integral role in early childhood discoveries. Therefore, our curriculum provides activities for the children to interact with nature and our proximity to Arisagawa Park is ideal for exploration. Willowbrook is committed to providing a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, religion, marital status, or family lifestyle. We take the individual needs of each child into account regardless of background or ability. We see each student as a responsible global citizen and future leader. Through a collaborative effort among students, peers, parents, teachers, and staff we provide the supportive framework to allow our students to exceed beyond all expectations. Our teachers are facilitators that assist, motivate, and inspire students in a nurturing, safe and happy environment. As educators, it is our responsibility to become experts in our field of early childhood education and to share our knowledge to raise the standard of education in our international community and throughout Japan. Each preschool classroom consists of lead teachers, assistants, and aides, depending on the teacher-to-student ratio at each age level. Lead and assistant teachers are internationally credentialed from their home countries (e.g. Australia, US, UK, etc.). We require all of our teachers to be certified in early childhood education (from pre-K to early elementary) and to have early childhood teaching experience. We are also fortunate to have art teachers. Our staff is as diverse as the student population. The home countries of our staff include Australia, Canada, England, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Scotland, South Africa, Thailand, USA, and more. Turnover of our faculty and staff is infrequent. Willowbrook is committed to the safety of our students. In the classrooms, teachers develop and implement safety rules. For example, all toys and materials are age-appropriate. Locks on separating doors are located out-of-reach from students. Balconies used for sand and water play are enclosed, safe and secure. When the students go to Arisugawa Park, Willowbrook hats are worn to easily identify students. Students use safety rope handles to walk to and from the park. Our youngest students are transported to the park via buggy or stroller. We have a park guard on staff who assists each class in crossing the road. As an added measure of security, the guard also stands at the entrance/exit gate that students utilize during park time. In the event of a fire or earthquake, the school will evacuate to Arisugawa Park. An earthquake and fire drill is practiced at least once a month with the children. All emergency notifications regarding evacuations and school closures will be posted on our website homepage and announced via Twitter and Facebook! View full school

As you look through the site I hope you will get a sense of how YIS is a great place to learn and grow. We are proud of our heritage as the world's second-oldest international school and of the reputation that YIS enjoys as a school with passionate and dedicated educators driven to keep YIS at the forefront of international education while still maintaining its small school feel and a strong sense of community and culture. Everything that happens in the school is based upon a strong sense of values, guided by our mission - Live Learn Lead. Live Learn Lead. Three simple and dynamic words that capture the essence of who we are as a school community and what we are striving for, and which serve as an ongoing catalyst for growth and for telling our stories - students’ stories, faculty and staff’s stories, and families’ stories. The simplicity of our mission enables a common understanding of our shared purpose but at the same time allows interpretations as diverse as the individuals who comprise our international community. Check out the stories below for a glimpse of Live Learn Lead in action. The purpose of the YIS strategic plan is to provide an overarching vision and focused pathways for the development of the school. The plan is grounded in our mission and values and driven by the fundamental desire to ensure all our students continue to make sufficient and appropriate gains in their learning. Led by the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Directors, the plan was developed over the 2017-18 school year through extensive research and an inclusive process involving faculty and staff, students and parents. Over the coming years, action plans underpinning each of the focus areas will guide our efforts to achieve the desired outcomes and ensure that YIS continues to grow and thrive. As an IB Continuum School, offering the Primary Years Program, Middle Years Program, and Diploma Program of the International Baccalaureate, we offer high-quality, international education across all grade levels. The IB is the most respected and widely-followed academic program in the international school world, and it has become increasingly popular in many national education systems, with more than 4,000 schools worldwide offering IB programs. As such, it is well suited to meet the needs of our internationally-minded and globally mobile community. The PYP is a guided inquiry approach to learning and teaching. Inquiry-based units of study, known as Units of Inquiry, are the focus for learning in homeroom classes, and when appropriate they are integrated into other curriculum areas. Students experience what it is like to think and act like a historian, scientist, engineer, or mathematician. Within each Unit of Inquiry, students and teachers identify together what they want to know, what they already know, what they need to know, and how best they might find that out. Skills are those things that students need to be able to do to succeed in a changing challenging world. Students need to master a range of skills to prepare themselves for their future education and life in general. A comprehensive set of social skills, research skills, thinking skills, communication skills, and self-management skills are taught through structured inquiry experiences in the Units of Inquiry. Students must recognize the importance of attitudes as an integral part of the curriculum. The PYP promotes tolerance, respect, integrity, independence, enthusiasm, empathy, curiosity, creativity, cooperation, confidence, commitment, and appreciation. There are many opportunities throughout the curriculum to develop and promote positive attitudes. Through the Units of Inquiry, we endeavor to create learning experiences which inspire students to actively apply new learning in their daily life. Students are encouraged to reflect, to choose wisely, and to act responsibly with their peers, school staff, and the wider community. Through our extensive activities offerings, enriching service-learning program, local, regional and international excursions, and facilities, YIS students have myriad opportunities to pursue their passions, discover new interests and develop lasting relationships. Our library acts as a learning and social hub for the entire school community and possesses an extensive catalog including selections in a variety of languages. Our makerspace, the Creative Commons, is abuzz with students, staff, and parents using technology and traditional craft materials to solve problems, innovate and create. Used for both curricular and extra-curricular activities, it is the venue for the PTSA's parent-child Maker Saturdays and Dragon Media's popular Elementary School news show. We believe our students learn best in a supportive environment and we want to help them get the most from their time at YIS. Our counseling program supports the social and emotional needs of students to allow them to face challenges in their personal and academic lives by developing their skills and unique capabilities. University and career counseling are offered to our high school students to assist them in finding the best post-secondary path for them. Our cafeteria is also a popular social venue due to the mouthwatering offerings by Dragon Dining. Exclusively at YIS, they prepare meals on-site daily with a focus on fresh, regionally sourced ingredients – including vegetables and herbs grown on campus in collaboration with students. In addition to lunch, the cafeteria is open before school for breakfast and serves healthy snacks at morning and afternoon recess. Our Connected Learning Community leverages advanced technologies and progressive teaching approaches to enhance student learning, promote collaboration and facilitate the creation and sharing of knowledge locally and globally. We aim to provide ever-present computing and network access for our students on a common learning platform, while further developing our educational practices to increase collaboration, enable flexible progression and differentiated instruction, and more actively reflect a real-world learning environment. View full school

Our school is a school offering a small bilingual elementary course in small to 1 to 6 English and Japanese unique in the Tokai region and an infant course from 2 to 5 years old only in English. In recent years, in Aichi and Nagoya, which are becoming more international, our school's "to cultivate students as" international people "that combines knowledge and integrity in the evolving global environment" There is growing interest in the mission's mission. Since its establishment in 2006, the school has welcomed students, teachers, and guardians with diverse cultures and backgrounds. Given the mission of the school, we can share not only the students but also guardians and teachers, which are examples, to share, understanding our culture deeper and at the same time We are trying to build compassion for you. "Showa" which was said to be "the era of war" has passed, 21 years have already passed since the era of "Heisei". The role of "national education" played in the reconstruction of the land after the war is truly great, a democratic education of "collectivism" and "equality" greatly raises the intellectual level of our citizens in a short period, Bringing a lot of knowledge and skills from developed countries in the world has brought about a tremendous effect. In the blink of an eye, Japan reconstructed the nation, the economy rebuilt, decades the national income and living are going to rise to the world top class. And Heisei era. This era is the era of the world era, the relationship between friendship and cooperation between countries in the international community is rapidly deepening. In other words, Japan in the world is questioned and asked whether we can and should do for the world for "the human family all brothers", "as a member of the human race" It can be said that there is an era. People who are not far from cultures, arts, the music world, sports world, medicine world, etc. have jumped out to the world. From the everyday news, the shining appearance of Japanese seniors active all over the world is reported. However, it is still not enough. The world is seeking more excellent people. When tens of thousands of Japanese people who are welcomed, valued, and respected from the world appeared everywhere in the world, "Japanese of war and invasion" and "Japanese of economic and animal" became past and true As a member of the world, the international community will be greeted with sincere gratitude. I would like to raise a lot of children who can be active in the 21st-century world like this. This is the feeling which is pierced by AIS's management and all the operations. The site and school building of the school are self-owned belonging to the operating company NIP Corporation. In March 2006, a two-story school building with innovative Canadian log style with a courtyard set up in the site of about 300 tsubos was completed. The school has 12 classrooms, a book corner, a staff room, and a concert hall with stairs where various events are held. Although it is a small school building, various ideas are being devised so that children and children can have a fun school life. We are using overseas teaching materials and educational tools to create an international atmosphere. On the day of the open tour or reservation visit, we will set the date and time of the interview/measurement date directly or by telephone or email. Depending on the people coming from afar and circumstances, "Tour Day" and "Interview / Measurement Date" may be done on the same day. Documents required for admission application are as follows. Of these, please bring your application form directly with you the day before the interview/measurement date. Those who live far away or abroad can send by post or email. Parents and guardians need to be picked up and handed by parents. Elementary school entrance and exit for students without accompanying students require permission from parents. We offer a school lunch service by a caterer, but there is no cafeteria. For kindergartens and children, you choose to bring a school lunch or a boxed lunch (monthly). In our school, about 70% of classes are in English and 30% are in Japanese, and in principle time other than lessons with Japanese teachers is "English only". Even if it conforms to the international environment with a double curriculum, we are developing training contents and activities that are almost the same as those of Japanese elementary school students. For this reason, while maintaining the aim of "international people", there is no obstacle to entering middle and high schools in Japan, keeping "identity as Japanese". Regarding foreign children, AIS is not a typical "international school" but a school for Japanese students to provide bilingual education in their mother tongues and English, so Japanese students together with Japanese students I encourage you to participate in class teaching. However, if the degree of comprehension is insufficient, I encourage you to receive JaSL (Japanese as a second language) as support. Also, if you have been attending Japanese kindergarten / elementary school etc until now you can receive all Japanese language subjects as well as Japanese children, we are flexible! View full school

The International School of Bergamo was opened with a vision of providing international education in the Bergamo area. The development of this new venture was shared with educationalists and others experts from the International School of Milan. Committed to delivering high-quality educational programs, ISB strives to develop the intellectual, personal, emotional, and social skills needed to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world. At present, ISBergamo caters to children born in 2005 or after. Every year, the school opens subsequent classes, to provide a full international curriculum up to Grade 13. Our mission: To experience international education in English, from the first years of school, learning alongside classmates from all over the world. To become part of an open, multicultural, stimulating, and active community ready to succeed in an increasingly complex world. To access the highest standards in learning guaranteed by programs that are well established and that have a track record of excellent results. The International School of Bergamo is located in a modern building in the Eastern part of Bergamo, in a green and quiet environment. The area is rich in sporting facilities, including a modern football pitch located just next to the school as well as rugby fields and an athletics track at the end of the road. The sports program of the school can highly benefit from these facilities. All of our teachers are carefully selected from highly qualified candidates, many of whom have come to us from the international school circuit where they have lived and worked in a variety of foreign cultures. Some have stayed with us since the beginning, giving us overall stability, whereas our new teachers share their recent studies and experiences. Teachers work together on lesson planning to ensure that curriculum objectives are met taking into account the needs of each student to construct a long-term educational path. View full school

Welcome to this small window into our very special school, the International School of Monza. Whilst the school has a thirty-year-long year history and has close ties with its sister schools around Italy, there a fresh and unique feel to everything we do. At Monza, a full International Baccalaureate (IB) continuum school authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP), we endeavor to deliver the International Baccalaureate programs in the purest of forms, with the school’s core values and the IB’s Learner Profile embodied in everything that we do. Both the school and the group to which it belongs, have an established record of success in the IB, from age 3 all the way through to admission to the world’s leading universities at age 18. Perhaps most of note is the sense of collaboration that exists amongst all members of the school community. This is most evident in the way in which our highly qualified mother-tongue teachers and inquisitive students work towards a common goal of academic success which is seamlessly balanced with an inherent commitment to active global citizenship at every level. Although all classrooms are fitted with smart TVs and students bring tablets or laptops to school, we use technology in a blended approach where we feel it adds value to teaching and learning and not merely to replace traditional methods (yes, we do use books and, yes, we do talk to one another). We also prepare our Italian students to sit their Quinta Elementare and Terza Media examinations with us and, year on year, they achieve truly exceptional results. Furthermore, our culminating program, the IB Diploma, has legal equivalence to the Maturita’. All this takes place in our city-center campus – a stylish and colorful factory conversion – which has been specifically designed to foster collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. Our science laboratories are fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and we also boast carefully designed on-site spaces which support the delivery of our Reggio-Inspired Early Years Curriculum, three beautiful libraries, as well as studios for visual arts, drama, and music, supported by a large sports complex just a three minute walk away. That said, living in such a culturally rich part of the world, we take many opportunities to knock down our classroom walls and learn from opportunities in the local and not-so-local areas. In the heart of the city of Monza, the doors of the International School of Monza open every day to 260 students of around 30 nationalities. A perfect structure for collaborative inquiry-driven study, an environment that will help them to grow to become active citizens of “a world without frontiers”. As a fully authorized IB continuum world school, we endeavor to implement the IB programs exactly as they were intended, with education being driven by an inquiry-based and collaborative approach, giving our students a competitive advantage for their futures. An International Baccalaureate (IB) education provides opportunities to develop both disciplinary and interdisciplinary understanding that meet rigorous standards set by institutions of higher learning around the world. IB programs offer curriculum frameworks and courses that are broad and balanced, conceptual and connected. All IS Group schools have an excellent track record in using group dynamics, innovative teaching techniques, and tools that are updated continuously. An International Baccalaureate (IB) education provides opportunities to develop both disciplinary and interdisciplinary understanding that meet rigorous standards set by institutions of higher learning around the world. IB programs offer curriculum frameworks and courses that are broad and balanced, conceptual and connected. All IS Group schools have an excellent track record in using group dynamics, innovative teaching techniques, and tools that are updated continuously. These core values are embedded in our mission statement and experienced every day by students of all ages, coordinated by an outstanding team of educational leaders, and implemented by our highly skilled and dedicated professional staff. Learning at one of our international schools is exciting and engaging, as students strive for excellence in a climate that is caring and responsive to their personal needs and goals. View full school

The International School of Bologna (ISB) opened in September 2004 to provide an international education for children in Bologna and outlying areas. It provides a learning environment with a clear mission to meet the needs of the children of internationally-minded parents through the medium of the English language. There are statements of Mission and Philosophy that underpin the day-to-day operations of the school. ISB has been serving the educational needs of the international community in northern Italy for ten years. Our mission is to develop students who make an active contribution as they take their place in our ever-evolving global society. To demonstrate our accountability and commitment towards this ambitious statement, ISB has been successfully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS), and our educational programs are evaluated and authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization. ISB offers the three International Baccalaureate programs — the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, and from September 2015 the Diploma Programme with our first graduating class in 2017. This will result in a truly international early years-to-university preparatory educational experience. In addition to its programs, and the quality of the faculty that delivers them, ISB’s diverse community enhances the richness of an international school experience. Perhaps uniquely, however, the school is further defined by the local culture. Bologna has a tremendous academic history: the University of Bologna, founded in 1088, for example, is recognized as the oldest university in continuous operation. Through this combination of the local and global we are preparing students not just to cope with a changing world, but to lead the change. Our expectations are of a community that is open-minded and tolerant, kind and thoughtful, assertive and persuasive, and able to apply knowledge and skills to creative problem-solving. To participate in the education programs at ISB is to aim high. Our mission is to develop students who make an active contribution as they take their place in our ever-evolving global society. The school has, at present, a roll of over two hundred and caters for children in Early Years, Elementary School, and Middle School and expanded into High School in the 2013-14 school year. The school became a candidate school for the Middle Years Programme during the school year, 2011 -2012, and an authorized school in January 2014. The school is staffed by qualified and experienced teachers, including teachers in the specialist areas of Art, Music, and Physical Education. The Early Years classes and Grade 1 teachers are assisted by Support Teachers. The students come from twenty-nine different countries. The majority of students come from Italian families. 55% of the students come from Mother Tongue Italian families, 25% of our families have one Italian and one non-Italian parent and the final 20% come from families representing twenty-eight different countries. Our mission is to provide stimulating learning experiences through the medium of the English language, in which children of internationally-minded parents can develop the essential skills and knowledge required to make an active contribution as they take their place in our ever-evolving global society. The International School of Bologna will be a premier, three programs (PYP, MYP, and DP), IB World School expanding one-grade level each year until we graduate our first students in June 2017. ISB will be the school of choice for internationally-minded parents in the Emilia-Romagna region and a leader of IB schools in Italy. At the International School of Bologna, we believe that: The student’s best interests will be at the center of all decision-making. Students have rights encapsulated in the UN Charter which include the right to be fully prepared to live an individual life in society in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, and equality. Students are naturally inquisitive and will learn most effectively through an inquiry-driven curriculum. Students will achieve their potential through a creative, differentiated, challenging, and planning process of teaching and learning. The host country has an incredibly rich cultural and linguistic history that should be recognized and valued through meaningful integration in the curriculum. The learning and development of students Mother Tongue are critical for ongoing linguistic development. Students’ learning should be celebrated at every possible opportunity. Parents, children, and the school form a unique partnership to support successful learning. Students need strategies to successfully prepare them for the many and varied challenges (academic and social) that they will have to manage at different stages of their lives. Students thrive in a supportive, happy, and safe environment in which they are valued and respected. Global perspectives and understandings will be encouraged and taught in an age-appropriate, open-minded, fashion. Teachers employed at the International School of Bologna will embrace and contribute to the ethos of the school. View full school

Britannia International School of Rome is situated in a modern villa in the south of Rome. It is surrounded by its large front and back garden as well as the lovely Roman hilly countryside. We aim to create a friendly and encouraging atmosphere to promote a positive attitude towards learning and strongly believe in the importance of children feeling happy, secure, and motivated. We provide an English education for children from 3-11 years old and a whole school curriculum plan based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales serves as a framework for our teaching and learning. Our school curriculum plan is based on the National Curriculum for England and Wales and serves as a framework for our teaching and learning. The school exists to provide excellent personalized education on the best British school practice always with particular regard for the unique pupil population in Rome and the School’s educational philosophy. The Kindergarten department aims to prepare the children for their primary education through directed activities, such as art and craft, sports, music and play in a stimulating environment catering to their social, emotional, and intellectual needs. A team of qualified English mother tongue teachers works together, planning the curriculum and sharing expertise to the benefit of all the children. Our main aim is to offer a broad and balanced curriculum that inspires children to achieve excellence and enjoyment in their learning. We try hard to create wide and varied opportunities for academic achievement across all subjects. We also aim to encourage and develop pupils’ skills and talents through the extensiveness and creativity of the curriculum in school and extra-curricular activities. The UK National Curriculum serves as a framework for our teaching and learning. Our Primary school caters to children aged from 5 to 11. These years are divided into two groups: Key stage 1 (ages 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11) Throughout these years children study: English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Computing, Art, Drama, Music, Design Technology, and PE. For older children access to the internet is provided, under adult supervision, enabling them to learn how to search and select information, sources, and media and assess their value and suitability for use. Italian as a native language is for mother-tongue Italian children who wish to prepare for Italian examinations. The emphasis is on competence in reading and writing in Italian. These children benefit from studies in their language. The lessons are maximum of 5 hours per week and it is understood that extra work must be done at home. Participation in the Italian language program is optional. View full school

Castelli International School (CIS) is a private, independent day elementary and middle school, founded in 1977 situated a few kilometers south of Rome. It offers a challenging and successful program that integrates our Elementary, the Cambridge Secondary 1, and 2 curricula, with the Italian Ministerial one. English is the primary language of the school. Castelli’s highly qualified longstanding faculty is committed to delivering a holistic education and to developing inquisitive, caring, ethically-minded individuals who will make a positive impact towards creating a sustainable global society. Students, coming from all over the world, are prepared for international and national high schools and go on to study at universities to then pursue successful careers. Small classes surrounded by nature and the hands-on approach hold to the Chinese proverb: “When I hear, I forget. When I see, I remember. When I do, I understand.” Our student body is made up of approx. 15 nationalities, contribute their varied cultures and traditions, thus enriching the learning experience of the school community. Current Events focused on the major international issues, are introduced in the middle school and culminate in the “Harvard Model United Nations” conference in Boston for the graduating students. Our successful international curriculum is integrated with the Cambridge Secondary 1 and 2 curricula. All lessons are taught in English which is the primary language of the school. In school Cambridge Checkpoint, IGCSE, and the external Italian State exams, provide two challenging qualifications which allow our students to enter high schools worldwide. Our faculty all hold internationally recognized teaching qualifications. Staff turnover is low, ensuring continuity as we lead our pupils on a voyage of discovery. Our faculty comes from Australia, Ireland, England, and the USA, exposing our students to a range of accents. French, Italian as well as other optional languages, are all taught by qualified mother-tongue teachers. Our teachers support and challenge critical thinking by enabling students to make cross-curricular connections, for example, on how technical progress is affected by physical geography and how, in turn, this impacts history and current affairs, thus creating engaging and dynamic lessons. Although textbooks are useful resources, they don’t dictate what we do, or how we do it. Every child matters and our teachers plan and deliver their lessons using a differentiated approach when needed. The students’ successful exam results are not only a product of their work but also are due to the skill and dedication of an exceptional team of teachers, whose passion and joy for learning are contagious. The rich countryside of the campus inspires creativity and encourages a healthy and relaxed atmosphere which is perfect for learning. Wherever possible, lessons are held outdoors, making the most of the school’s grounds. Students also experience sowing seeds, harvesting organically grown vegetables, and preparing tasty and wholesome foods in their Food Literacy classes. Castelli International is a well-known educational institution in the area, appreciated for donating materials, time, and expertise to improve local community facilities. Funds are also raised for local community organizations. Castelli significantly contributes to local cultural initiatives, as well as to innovative educational projects in collaboration with several local schools Castelli International strongly supports cultural and academic initiatives collaborating with international schools and external visitors to share their expertise with our faculty and students. Castelli also works closely with several charity organizations, raising funds for start-up schools in developing countries and refugee centers. View full school

The Anglo-Italian School, Montessori Division, is an international school of preschool through 8th-grade students. The only English-based Montessori school in Italy. The school, founded in 1958 by a group of NATO parents, is located in a secure setting on the former NATO, JFC HEADQUARTERS Command Base. The school’s beautiful property overlooks the Bay of Naples. Mount Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri are both visible through the classroom windows. The multi-cultural student body is comprised of dependent children of NATO countries, military and diplomatic personnel, and the host nation – Italy. The area provides both a secure environment and an international setting for your child’s schooling. The school administration has invested in renovations to provide clean and attractive surroundings for the students and to ensure all standards required by Italian and European laws are met. The school has beautiful gardens and playground areas in addition to access to The Air Dome, a large gymnasium built by NATO. All teachers are mother-tongue English speakers, and except for foreign languages, classroom instruction is in English. Most teachers are certified in the United States and from other English-speaking countries. The school has a very intensive ESL program for students who arrive with limited English skills. The school follows an international and USA curriculum, tailored using the best models of various international associations. International cooperation and cultural exchange, as well as foreign languages, are emphasized. All students are multi-lingual when they leave the school. Montessori philosophies and instructional techniques are used. Small classes provide for individual instruction and attention and ensure that each student reaches his or her full potential. Information technology is also used in research, and to augment traditional instruction. The demanding curriculum provides excellent preparation for both classical and scientific follow-on study. Although the main thrust of education is international, the school also endeavors to satisfy specific requirements of individual national groups. A full range of extracurricular activities is available including physical education, drama, art, music, information technology, and foreign language study. Classes meet from 08:30 to 15:00. Extended care is available before and after school from 07:30-08:15 and 15:15-17:15. Besides our standard curriculum, we have a computer lab, a dynamic ESL (English as a Second Language) program, intensive foreign languages, extra-curricular after-school classes, and ISL (Italian as a Second Language). Our large fenced-in playground offers a variety of play equipment in a park-like setting filled with grassy areas, flowers, and trees. The school has a full library and a Multi-Media Center where students’ recreational reading and informational needs can be met through books and technology. With the addition of a SmartBoard, the Librarian can collaborate with other teachers to provide information literacy skills instruction that fosters self-directed learning and the love of reading. The school is periodically inspected by members of both the Italian Public Education and the Montessori Society. At the end of each school year, a special commission of the Italian Public Education Department proctors Italian students for their Italian State exams. The elementary, middle school, and 9th/10th-grade students also receive an evaluation from an American achievement test at the end of the school year. In addition to our strong academic curriculum, our school also devotes each month of the school year to learn about a different NATO country. With this program, the children develop a better understanding of the cultures of our international environment. The Anglo-Italian School is authorized by the Italian Ministry of Education (decree 3105/41-2), is accredited and guaranteed by The Association of Montessori International, and is a member of The American Montessori Society and the European Council of International Schools. Admission is based on screening exams and interviews, previous performance, and the student’s ability to benefit from the program. The common element among parents is their interest in providing their children with a high-quality education based on the principles of the Montessori Method. View full school

Greenwood Garden School was started in 1974 and has been in operation for more than forty years. We are an international pre-school and kindergarten for children aging from 2-6 with teaching being done in English by mother-tongue educators experienced with young children. The Greenwood Garden program bases its philosophy on the concept that each child is special. They learn through play, and learning centers provide opportunities to explore and discover the world while allowing the child freedom of choice. We desire to create a loving and secure “first step” environment for the young child attending school for the first time. We foster a school that emphasizes love and concern and where children are taught values and respect for others. We at Greenwood Garden School strive to prepare the young international child with a strong foundation in English and to provide comprehensive educational experiences which help to develop the whole child in a warm, supportive environment. The Greenwood Garden School program bases its philosophy on the concept that each child is special, with individual and unique needs. Children learn at their rate of development, through exploration and discovery in an integrated, multi-aged, and multi-cultural environment. Children learn best by doing, with an emphasis on the process rather than the product. We believe that the Early Childhood experience is a very important foundation for all children’s future learning attitudes. Children learn through play. What may look like “play” is a child’s “work”. Through directed play and learning centers children recreate experiences that help them understand the world. When you look in the classroom and see the children building with blocks, dressing up, modeling with clay, interacting with technology, and many other play activities, learning is taking place. We are laying cornerstones for math, science, and reading. Children are learning HOW to think, not WHAT to think. They are also enhancing positive self-esteem. We teach to the seven areas of learning identified by the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework: personal, social, and emotional development communication and language physical development literacy mathematics understanding the world (science) and expressive arts and design. We promote the educational theories of Jean Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, Maria Montessori’s practical life experiences, Daniel Goleman’s theory of emotional intelligence, and Lev Vygotsky’s theory of play and Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Your child’s transition from home to school is encouraged in a caring and safe environment. The children are allowed to learn in a variety of ways to accommodate their learning preferences (auditory, visual, kinesthetic). They learn by doing sequential activities in all areas. The program balances small group and large group activities, quiet and noisy activities, large muscle and fine motor activities, listening and participation activities. Clear, age-appropriate expectations are set for behavior, letting the children know what is expected of them at school and allowing the teacher to encourage success while minimizing frustrations. Children feel valued, and the program helps them to develop a sense of trust and ownership with their school and learning. View full school

In 2002 a group of parents was looking to provide an international education for their children and the families in the Como area. With a great deal of research and determination, they decided to open the International School of Como and they invited educators, teachers, and many other experts from the International School of Milan to share in the development of this great initiative. During its first 14 years, IS Como has grown to stand for excellence and has contributed to the expansion of international education in Northern Italy, as one of the over 4 500 IB schools located worldwide. These are schools that share a common philosophy: a commitment to high standards of education, values, and programs that challenge students to excel in their studies and encourage both personal and academic achievement. IS Como aspires to create a community where learning is the central driving factor of a journey in which our students need to become ethical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, community-minded, and individuals of action on the world stage. Learning at the International School is an international experience. It leads to a perception of the world that merges understanding of our global context with the development of skills and attitudes that young people require to participate fully in the world of tomorrow, both as national and global citizens. The school community extends to parents and staff and our network of partners across Italy and throughout the world. We encourage our students to feel part of a dynamic enterprise, committed to the development and cultural interaction. Each school is uniquely designed and developed in response to its environment and location. Varying in size mainly between 130 and 1 200 students, our schools provide an excellent education for both local and international students. All campuses are extremely attractive, functional, and designed around students’ needs and are equipped with libraries, professional science laboratories, creative arts centers, music and music studios, and a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports facilities. We incorporate technology to support our educational vision and balance traditional and contemporary skills. The International Schools Group was the first group in Italy to be authorized by the International Baccalaureate to offer all three of its curriculum programs: Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) Its programs are internationally recognized for their quality and the innovative approaches. There is a high value placed on learning through inquiry, which engages students to participate actively in the learning process and provides students with the most challenging and rewarding experiences available in schools today. High Standards, International Values, and Active Citizenship These core values are embedded in our mission statement and experienced every day by students of all ages, coordinated by an outstanding team of educational leaders, and implemented by our highly skilled and dedicated professional staff. Learning at one of our international schools is exciting and engaging, as students strive for excellence in a climate that is caring and responsive to their personal needs and goals. View full school

The International School of Florence (ISF) is one of the oldest international schools in Europe, culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma, the surest path to accessing the broadest choice of colleges and universities throughout the world. As a non-profit educational institution, ISF embodies the values of the Renaissance. How? By striving for academic excellence while developing our students’ creativity, intellectual curiosity, innovative spirit, and appreciation for beauty. Why? Because developing the whole person is at the heart of our mission. ISF offers challenging and internationally recognized academic programs alongside a rich extracurricular offering. At ISF – in our Renaissance villas and Tuscan setting – students are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow through a focus on their potential today. Capturing 65 years of tradition in Florence, the International School of Florence (ISF) is one of the oldest international schools in Europe. ISF is an independent, non-profit, coeducational, college preparatory day school for students in grades PS-12, with innovative academic programs, the arts, athletics, and a community that celebrates the dignity and worth of each individual. The school, with a current enrollment of approximately 480 students on two campuses, is comprised of families from over thirty countries, including about 40% of Italian Citizens. Paul Burk-Mahony and Horace Gibson co-founded the school in Rome, in 1952. Eleven years later, the school transferred to a farmhouse on Via del Guarlone just outside of Florence. In 1968, the school moved again to Torre Bellosguardo and remained there until 1980 when it transferred to the present Junior School location at Via del Carota in Bagno a Ripoli. The IB Diploma Programme was introduced in 1983. 20 years later, in 2003, the school was renamed the International School of Florence. Emerging student growth, and consequent space restrictions, caused The Board to create a Middle and High School at Villa Torri di Gattaia, a 13th-century villa immersed in the countryside just outside of Florence. These facilities incorporate classroom space, science labs, a library, art studio, computer labs. In the 65 intervening years, it has grown and changed dramatically, developing into a model international school with programs offered such as the International Baccalaureate Organization’s Primary Years Programme (grades Pre-School through 5), an integrated Italian equivalency program (grades 1 through ? for our host country students who wish to prepare for and take the Italian Terza Media exam, and the challenging International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for high schools students. The IB Diploma Program is recognized for admission to universities in Italy, the U.S., the U.K, and countries around the world. ISF is fully accredited both by the Council of International Schools and the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges. ISF aims to provide a caring learning environment that promotes personal, social, and academic growth through challenging and engaging programs, to develop respectful, responsible students who strive to have a positive impact on others and the world around them. The International School of Florence is committed to: Providing a safe and healthy school environment. Encouraging intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and enthusiasm for learning as a lifelong pursuit. Enabling students to realize their highest potential. Providing students with depth and breadth of knowledge, understanding, and skills in a broad range of academic subjects. Building confidence, self-esteem, and leadership through curricular and extracurricular activities, including athletics, the arts, and community service programs. Upholding appropriate standards for personal behavior. Nurturing intellectual, social and physical growth while identifying and meeting each student’s developmental needs. Recognizing creative expression and promoting an appreciation of beauty. Developing positive moral and social values for personal fulfillment and the good of the community. Fostering understanding and respect for diverse cultures and the differences between them. Encouraging appreciation of each student’s heritage. Promoting competence in English and at least one other language. Continuing to attract and retain exceptional staff. Ensuring financial sustainability into the future. View full school