Unsurprisingly, Rome boasts a great number of international schools for those coming to live and work in the city – 22 at last count.
This begs the question: How do you decide which of the many international schools in Rome is right for your child?
One benchmark for high quality international schooling may be the American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR).
Heres what you should know about one of the city’s most well-established offerings.
Integrity lies at the heart of the school’s mission
AOSR celebrated its 75th birthday in 2022, and is one of the country’s oldest international schools.
With such a long history, integrity as a school is of the highest priority.
From its first home on the Via Nomentana to today’s much-expanded campus on the Via Cassia, AOSR’s commitment has been to deliver quality education from a non-denominational, non-profit foundation,
Over the decades, the school’s mission and beliefs have developed in response to the changing world around it.
Creativity, curiosity, compassion and the ability to think critically are now key values it seeks to both instil in students from ages three to nineteen, and embody when dealing with the wider community.
To this end, at the senior level, AOSR now offers 103 regular high school classes, and 20 each of Advanced Placement (AP) classes and International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma programs.
It is the only international school in Rome with such an extensive offering.
Learn more about the school with Rome’s broadest range of AP and IB courses
The school’s community is truly global
As a world capital attracting top talent from across the arts, sciences and humanities, it’s no surprise that AOSR’s student body is diverse.
Some 610 students from 55 different nationalities attend the school and are taught by experienced educators from around the world, who themselves bring a range of invaluable perspectives and experiences into the classroom.
The facilities are continuously evolving
AOSR’s current campus, stretching across six acres, has grown substantially over seventy years.
The school now describes itself as having ‘a future-ready learning campus’ encompassing the elementary, middle years and high school areas.
Future athletes are catered to by a brand new soccer pitch, two tennis courts and a basketball court.
Fianlly, after their opening in 2023, AOSR’s new, state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center and Middle School Commons area are the latest in a series of improvements meant to foster the confidence to explore in students.
Continuity of learning is key
Each of AOSR’s Elementary, Middle Year and High School levels builds upon the other, to create a continuity of learning and skill development across a school career.
At the Elementary School level, the school’s youngest learners take advantage of small class sizes and a ‘hands-on’ learning approach to develop their English, Italian, Math and technological skills early.
Students are also exposed to frequent, inspiring visits from artists, musicians and other professionals to start them engaging with the city they are a part of.
In the Middle Years, AOSR’s ‘Classroom without walls’ philosophy comes to the fore.
In addition to skill consolidation across the language arts, humanities and sciences, students are given frequent opportunities to explore Rome and learn more about it shaped our world.
Furthermore, they can take overnight trips throughout the school year to learn more about Italian history and culture – invaluable ‘cultural capital’.
High School is the final step before adult life, and as such academic excellence is prioritised across the broad offering of high school and AP classes, as well as IB diploma programs.
It’s an approach that works: Graduating AOSR students enjoy a 100% college acceptance rate.
Opportunity exists to excel outside the classroom
Away from the classroom, the AOSR student body has the opportunity to thrive in a huge range of extra-curriculars.
These come in the form of after-school activities and student clubs.
After school activities introduce children and teens to such diverse sports as Capoeira, American football, gymnastics and cheerleading.
Swimming is also an important activity for students at the school – each of the school’s three levels have their own swimming club, where students can improve their form.
Learners also have the opportunity to follow their passions through many student clubs, from the well-established Model United Nations – celebrating 50 years in 2024 – to the Robotics Club.
For those who wish to take their sporting career to the next level, the school also has an extensive varsity sports program, with many opportunities for athletes to compete with other schools across Europe.
Admissions are flexible
Unlike many international schools, AOSR operates with rolling admissions – there are no specific deadlines to meet or cut-off dates for entry.
Interested parents can enquire using the online form.
They are subsequently invited to meet with school leadership and learn more about what the school can offer their child.
This happens throughout the academic year, and as such, offers more flexibility to new arrivals.
Students are supported at every level
In addition to AOSR’s large teacher cohort, students are supported in their development by specialist staff, ranging from the school’s dedicated nurse to a psychologist and guidance counsellor.
These professionals follow the students throughout their time at the school and can provide the kind of specialist care and attention that is often hard to find, living in a foreign country.
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