Secondary Schools in Rome for Expat Families: A 2026 Guide
The secondary years are where the choice of international school matters most. This is the stage that ends in formal qualifications — IGCSE, and then A-Levels, the IB Diploma or the US Diploma — and shapes the route to university. For families relocating to Rome with teenagers, getting the secondary decision right means looking ahead to the sixth form and university from the outset. This guide compares the options.
How Secondary Works in Rome
Rome's English-medium secondary schools broadly follow this shape: lower secondary (roughly ages 11–14), then IGCSE courses leading to examinations at around 16, then a two-year sixth form offering one of three pathways:
- A-Levels — deep specialisation in three or four subjects, the traditional UK route.
- IB Diploma — six subjects plus core elements (Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS), valuing breadth.
- US High School Diploma with AP — a credit-based American model with Advanced Placement courses.
Some schools, notably Ambrit and Rome International School, use the IB Middle Years Programme in the lower secondary years; others follow the English National Curriculum.
The Main Secondary Options
| School | Lower secondary | Sixth-form pathway |
|---|---|---|
| St. George's British International | English NC / IGCSE | IB Diploma + A-Levels (from 2025/26) |
| The New School Rome | English NC / IGCSE | A-Levels |
| Marymount International | US / IB-aligned | US Diploma, AP, IB Diploma |
| St. Stephen's School | (enters at 14) | US Diploma and IB Diploma (day/boarding) |
| Rome International School | IB MYP / IGCSE | IB Diploma |
| Southlands English School | IGCSE | IB (+ Italian option) |
St. Stephen's is distinctive: a small, selective, American-founded school for ages 14–18 only, offering both the US Diploma and the IB, with a boarding option — well suited to families wanting a focused, college-preparatory senior environment.
Choosing for a Teenager
At secondary level, weigh:
- Sixth-form pathway. Work backwards from the qualification you want. If your child is set on A-Levels, that points to The New School or St. George's; if the IB or US Diploma, the field is wider. See GCSEs and A-Levels in Rome and IB schools in Rome.
- Timing of the move. Align with natural transition points where possible. Entering before IGCSE, or before the sixth-form programme begins, is far smoother than arriving mid-course.
- University destination. UK, US, EU and Italian universities weight qualifications and subjects differently. Our university admissions from Rome international schools guide explains the implications.
- Fit and pastoral care. Teenagers feel a move keenly. Visit, meet staff, and gauge the pastoral support and the social environment.
Moving a Teenager Mid-Secondary
Relocations rarely fall neatly between school stages. Rome's schools are experienced at integrating teenagers mid-stream, but two principles help: avoid moving in the middle of a two-year exam course (the IB and A-Level programmes are continuous and hard to join part-way), and discuss subject and option alignment with the new school before you commit, so your child can carry their progress across.
Language and Integration
An English-medium secondary school does not require prior Italian, but Italian is taught and is well worth embracing — for daily life, for friendships, and for keeping open the option of an Italian university. Older students take a little longer than young children to become fluent, but immersion plus formal lessons works. Our settling your child into school in Rome guide covers the wider transition.
Securing a Place
Sixth-form entry can be tight, as some year groups are nearly full from below. Apply early, keep a second option live, and see how to apply to international schools in Rome and international school waiting lists in Rome.
How Global Investments Can Help
The secondary years bring the twin pressures of high-stakes schooling and looming university costs, often alongside a property and residency move. Global Investments has helped internationally mobile families plan for all of this for more than three decades, taking a long-term, whole-picture view. Speak to our advisers, or explore our other guides.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, immigration or financial advice. Curricula, pathways and admissions vary by school and change; details are indicative as of 2026. Always confirm current details with each school and seek qualified professional advice for your circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
What qualifications can my teenager take in Rome?
At secondary level Rome offers IGCSE at around age 16, then a choice of sixth-form pathways: A-Levels (notably at The New School Rome and, from 2025/26, St. George's), the IB Diploma (St. George's, Marymount, St. Stephen's, Rome International School, Southlands) and the US High School Diploma with Advanced Placement (Marymount, St. Stephen's). All are recognised by universities worldwide.
Is it disruptive to move a teenager mid-way through secondary?
It can be, but Rome's schools are very experienced at integrating teenagers who arrive mid-course. The least disruptive moves align with natural transition points — entering before IGCSE, or before the start of the IB or A-Level programme. Moving in the middle of a two-year exam course is harder, so plan timing around these points where you can.
A-Levels or the IB — which should we choose?
A-Levels allow deep specialisation in three or four subjects and suit students with clear strengths heading to UK universities. The IB Diploma keeps a broad spread of six subjects plus core elements and suits students who want breadth or are aiming at US or European universities. The right choice depends on your child's strengths and university plans, not on one being better.
Will my teenager need Italian for secondary school?
Not to access an English-medium international school — teaching and assessment are in English. Italian is taught as a language subject and is valuable for daily life and any future Italian university application. Schools support teenagers who arrive with no Italian, though older students naturally take a little longer than young children to become fluent.
This guide is for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and regulations change frequently; verify current requirements with a qualified adviser before acting.