International School in Florence

International School of Florence:
With two locations, in Bagno a Ripoli, just south of Florence, and on the south side of the Arno in Florence in the Tuscany region of northern Italy, the International School of Florence is one of the oldest international schools in Europe. Originally catering to an international, Anglophone community, in the more than 57 intervening years, it has grown and changed, developing into a model international school. Among the programs offered are the International Baccalaureate Organisation's Primary Years Program, an integrated Italian equivalency program (grades 1 through 8) for our host country students who wish to prepare for and take the Italian Terza Media exam, and the challenging International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.

Academics:
The International School of Florence is organized into three divisions: the Junior School, the Middle School and the High School. The Junior School, including Pre-School, has its own campus in the nearby suburb of Bagno a Ripoli, while the Middle and High Schools share a brand new facility in central Florence. The Schools share some administration and faculty, but each offers an academically challenging curriculum appropriate to the needs of the age group it serves.

The variety and scope of the educational programs permit ISF students to follow an international curriculum or to prepare for Italian state exams, if so desired, and to prepare for university in the US and other countries around the world. The school offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP), following the guidelines from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

Junior School:
The purpose of our Preschool program is to educate the whole child by providing an enriching, educationally and developmentally sound learning environment for children ages 3-5. In this learning environment, children have the opportunity to develop their minds and spirits to their fullest potential through an integrated curriculum. The children are encouraged to grow in independence, curiosity, and self-expression through a wide range of learning activities in a rich and stimulating environment.

Middle School:
The required core classes for Grade 6- 8 are English or English as an Additional Language (EAL), Math, Social Studies, Science, and Italian. These classes meet for approximately 220 minutes a week for the academic year. French and Physical Education are also required and meet approximately 110 minutes each a week for the academic year. In addition, students in 6th Grade attend one semester of Information Technology and one semester of Theater Arts.

Italian Program:
In addition to the regular English-speaking program, an Italian Program prepares students to sit externally the Terza Media State Exam. The Italian Program covers (in Italian) History, Geography, Mathematics, Science, and Italian Literature.

High School:
The High School includes Grades 9 through 12. The curriculum stresses preparation for university entrance and meets all requirements for entrance to American universities. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme prepares students for entrance into European and other universities worldwide.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Program:
Students study six subjects selected from the subject groups. Normally three subjects are studied at higher level (courses representing 240 teaching hours), and the remaining three subjects are studied at standard level (courses representing 150 teaching hours). The subjects are language A1 (first language), second modern language, individuals and societies, experimental sciences, mathematics, arts and electives.

All three parts of the core — extended essay, theory of knowledge and creativity, action, service — are compulsory and are central to the philosophy of the Diploma Programme.

College Preparation Courses:
We offer a college preparation course for SAT.