What are the main reasons for choosing an International School?

International Schools are chosen by families who typically want to give their children a broad perspective of the world. The total mastery of the English language as well as the continuous contacts with different cultures and traditions, help the children achieve a natural disposition to dialogue with people from all over the world. The children will learn to appreciate their own culture and family roots, while completely respecting those of others.

Which universities are chosen by IB diploma graduates?

The IB diploma is a passport for universities worldwide. ISM graduates in the past 10 years have chosen prestigious universities (among which Oxford, Cambridge, King's College, London School of Economics.) in 18 different countries, with 35% of graduates choosing Italian univeristies (Politecnico, Bocconi, Statale, Cattolica, Luiss, La Sapienza....).Recent studies on IB Diploma Programme graduates in university confirm that they perform well and have significantly higher grade point averages and higher graduation rates.

What are the professional advantages for students who have studied in International Schools?

The knowledge of different languages (being completely bilingual + speaking at least another foreign language fluently) represents an important competitive advantage in the professional arena. But an international school curriculum offers much more. The inquiry-based approach stimulates the student’s reasoning and helps him/her develop characteristics which will be fundamental to approaching future professional challenges in a dinamic and proactive way.

What if I decided to continue my child’s studies in an italian school ?

During the italian lesson, mothertongue italian students from Grade 1 to 6 follow the “Programma Ministeriale”. This allows them to enter the italian system at any time should they wish to do so.

Why does the primary school begin 1 year earlier than in the Italian system?

International schools believe that children are ready to approach reading and writing before the age of 6. An “inquiry-based”, pragmatical approach to education stimulates the natural curiosity of the children who actively enjoy every day learning.

How do we define bilingualism?

Bilingual people are able to use different languages in different places, with different people and for different purposes. A high proficiency in different languages is achieved through the development of parallel linguistic spheres. Bilingual people do not translate from one language to another (this is a major reason for not having 2 teachers speak 2 different languages in the same class). For sequential bilinguals, who learn the second language in their early childhood at school, the degree of proficiency achieved depends on the number of hours in which one is exposed to the second language (min 4/5 per day). An international context, where one is stimulated to communicate in a language different from his own, also contributes to language development.

How is the approach towards the child ?

The educational method in International Schools tends to encourage children to be independent right from the early stages. Children from 30 months are encouraged to start using the toilet on their own and take their shoes off without depending on an adult. When children reach 5/6 years of age, they are pushed towards becoming responsible for their own education. Most of the work is done in school, and when homework is issued, children are encouraged to do do it on their own, without the constant need of the presence of an adult.