International Schools in Abruzzo: Options, Costs, and Trade-offs

What's Available

Here's the honest answer: Abruzzo has very few international schools. Unlike Rome, Milan, or Florence, where you'll find established British, American, and IB schools, Abruzzo's expat community is smaller and more dispersed. The international school infrastructure hasn't followed.

The closest well-established international schools are in Rome, roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours from most Abruzzo locations depending on where you're based. That rules out daily commuting for most families.

What does exist in Abruzzo are a small number of private Italian schools with enhanced English programmes and, increasingly, Italian state schools in expat-popular areas that have experience with non-Italian-speaking children. Neither of these is an international school in the traditional sense, but they may serve your family's needs better than you'd expect.

Costs

International school fees in Italy vary widely depending on location and curriculum. If you're considering a Rome-based international school with boarding or a long commute arrangement, here's what to budget for.

The cost difference is stark. A family with two children could spend EUR 30,000-60,000 per year on international school fees, or essentially nothing in the state system. For many families moving to Abruzzo precisely because of the lower cost of living, international school fees would defeat the purpose.

Curriculum Options

If you do pursue an international school (in Rome or online), here are the main curriculum types you'll encounter in Italy.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The IB programme runs from primary (PYP) through middle years (MYP) to the diploma (DP). It's internationally recognised and emphasises critical thinking, research, and multilingualism. Several Rome-based schools offer the full IB continuum. The diploma is accepted by universities worldwide, including Italian ones.

British Curriculum

Follows the English National Curriculum through to GCSEs and A-Levels. Familiar for UK families and recognised globally. A few schools in Rome offer this, including St George's British International School.

American Curriculum

Based on the US educational framework, often leading to a US high school diploma and potentially AP (Advanced Placement) courses. The American Overseas School of Rome is the most established option.

Trade-offs

Choosing between an international school and the Italian state system isn't just about academics. It affects your child's social integration, your family's finances, and how deeply you embed in Italian life.

Most expat families in Abruzzo choose the state system. Not always by preference at first, but because it's what's available, affordable, and ultimately, what works. The children who struggle most are typically teenagers arriving with no Italian. Younger children adapt remarkably quickly.

Alternatives

If a full international school isn't realistic but you're not ready to commit entirely to the Italian system, there are middle-ground options.

Private Italian Schools with English Support

A handful of private Italian schools in Abruzzo offer enhanced English programmes or bilingual tracks. Fees are typically EUR 2,000-6,000 per year, a fraction of international school costs. The curriculum is Italian, but with more English instruction hours and sometimes English-speaking support staff. Availability varies by area.

Online International Schools

Online schools like Pearson Online Academy, International Connections Academy, or the UK's InterHigh offer British or American curricula remotely. This can work as a temporary bridge while your child builds Italian, or as a permanent option for older teenagers who need curriculum continuity for university entrance. Costs range from EUR 3,000-8,000 per year.

The trade-off is social isolation. An online school removes the daily social interaction that drives language acquisition and local friendships. Some families combine online schooling with Italian afternoon activities or sport to compensate.

Private Tutoring

Many expat families supplement the Italian state school with private English-language tutoring to maintain reading and writing skills, or with Italian tutoring to accelerate language acquisition. Tutoring rates in Abruzzo are typically EUR 15-30 per hour, considerably less than in Rome or Milan.

Homeschooling

Homeschooling is legal in Italy (istruzione parentale), but it comes with requirements. You must notify the school authorities annually and your child must pass an annual assessment (idoneita) at a state school covering the Italian curriculum for their age group. This means your child needs to demonstrate competence in Italian-language subjects, which can be challenging for non-Italian speakers.