Selecting a school in Italy may seem like the most stressful part of moving with kids. Online resources seldom reveal what daily life is truly like, and every family has different priorities. This guide focuses on practical questions and a straightforward decision framework — especially for families planning a move to Rome.
First: Decide What Qualities Matter Most to Your Family
Before you start comparing schools, set your hard-and-fast requirements. Most mistakes happen because families weigh everything at once without a clear priority order.
- Commute: daily travel time matters more than you might think.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: what your child is exposed to all day.
- Support: learning support, ESL support, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: structure, discipline, communication style.
How to Choose Without Getting Overwhelmed
A practical approach that works well for expat families:
A simple process
- Shortlist by location first. In Rome, traffic can turn a decent school into a daily slog.
- Confirm availability and admissions timeline. Waiting lists are common.
- Ask about the classroom reality. Class sizes, teacher turnover, communication style.
- Ask about support. ESL / learning support / transition support for new students.
- Do one visit (or virtual tour) per finalist. Base your impressions on what you observe rather than glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a single-page checklist and rate each school after a visit. It helps avoid the “everything feels identical” issue.
Questions Worth Asking Schools
These questions tend to reveal more than generic “tell us about your program” discussions:
- What is the typical class size for this age group?
- How do you onboard new students mid-year?
- How do teachers keep parents informed (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does a typical day look like (start/end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support kids who are anxious or adjusting to a new country?
- What is the policy for language support (ESL) if needed?
- How do you handle heat/indoor/outdoor time in hotter months?
Costs & Logistics (The Part Nobody Loves)
Choosing a school is more than tuition alone; consider the complete daily costs:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing by reputation alone: the day-to-day routine matters more.
- Ignoring commute time: it impacts sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same thing everywhere: it doesn’t.
- Not asking about support: transitions can be challenging for kids.
- Waiting too long: admission timelines can be tighter than expected.
The Final Take
The ideal school usually is the one that fits your family’s real schedule: location, support, and day-to-day comfort for your child — not the one with the flashiest marketing.
If you’d like help weighing priorities for Rome (commute, routines, questions to ask), get in touch — or give us a call at +39 06 1234 5678.