ASM, ISM, St. Louis, Sir James Henderson — compared. Plus admissions timeline and how to choose.
For HNWI families relocating to Milan, school choice is often the single most time-sensitive decision. The best international schools have waiting lists that stretch 6-12 months, and a late application can delay your entire move by a year. This guide compares Milan's top international schools across every dimension that matters: curriculum, fees, class size, university placement, language support, and culture.
Founded in 1962, ASM is Milan's oldest and most established international school. It follows an American curriculum through high school, with both AP (Advanced Placement) courses and the IB Diploma Programme available in the final two years. The campus is in Noverasco di Opera, about 20 minutes south of Milan's center, set in a large green campus with excellent sports facilities.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | American + IB Diploma |
| Ages | 3-18 (Pre-K to Grade 12) |
| Annual fees | €22,000 – €31,000 |
| Class size | 18-20 students |
| Total enrollment | ~900 students |
| Nationalities | 50+ |
| IB average score | 35-36 (above global average of 30) |
| University destinations | Strong US placement; growing UK/EU |
| Language | English instruction; Italian language classes from Pre-K |
Best for: Families planning to return to the US or targeting US universities. Also strong for those wanting the broadest extracurricular offerings in Milan.
ISM is the largest international school in Milan, offering the full IB continuum from Primary Years Programme (PYP) through Middle Years Programme (MYP) to the IB Diploma. The campus is in the Baranzate/Novate area, northwest of the center, with modern facilities including a performing arts center and sports complex.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | Full IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) |
| Ages | 3-18 |
| Annual fees | €20,000 – €28,000 |
| Class size | 20-22 students |
| Total enrollment | ~1,400 students |
| Nationalities | 70+ |
| IB average score | 34-35 |
| University destinations | Strong UK and European placement |
| Language | English instruction; Italian + third language |
Best for: Families wanting the purest IB experience and the most internationally diverse student body. The size means more course options and extracurriculars.
St. Louis follows the British curriculum through IGCSE (Year 11), then offers the IB Diploma for the final two years. The school is located in central Milan — via Caviglia, near Porta Romana — making it the most conveniently located option for families living in the city center. It's smaller and more intimate than ASM or ISM.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | British (EYFS, Key Stages, IGCSE) → IB Diploma |
| Ages | 3-18 |
| Annual fees | €18,000 – €27,000 |
| Class size | 18-20 students |
| Total enrollment | ~700 students |
| Nationalities | 40+ |
| IB average score | 34-37 |
| University destinations | Strong UK; good Bocconi/Politecnico placement |
| Language | English instruction; bilingual Italian program available |
Best for: Families wanting central Milan location, British curriculum structure, and a bilingual path for genuine Italian integration.
The British School of Milan, officially named after its founder Sir James Henderson, is one of Italy's oldest British schools. It offers the English National Curriculum through GCSE and A-Levels (not IB). The campus is in the Lancetti area, northwest of center.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Curriculum | English National Curriculum → A-Levels |
| Ages | 3-18 |
| Annual fees | €17,000 – €25,000 |
| Class size | 18-22 students |
| Total enrollment | ~700 students |
| Nationalities | 35+ |
| A-Level results | Strong; A*-B rate above UK average |
| University destinations | Primarily UK (Russell Group); some Bocconi |
| Language | English instruction; Italian from Year 1 |
Best for: Families committed to the UK university pathway (Oxbridge, Russell Group). A-Levels are still preferred by many UK universities over IB.
| Factor | ASM | ISM | St. Louis | SJH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | South (Opera) | Northwest | Central | Northwest |
| Max fee | €31,000 | €28,000 | €27,000 | €25,000 |
| Curriculum | American + IB | Full IB | British + IB | British + A-Level |
| Enrollment | ~900 | ~1,400 | ~700 | ~700 |
| Class size | 18-20 | 20-22 | 18-20 | 18-22 |
| US university focus | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | ★★ | ★ |
| UK university focus | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Italian integration | ★★★ | ★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Bus service | Yes (wide) | Yes (wide) | Limited | Yes |
All four schools follow broadly similar admissions processes:
Critical: Do NOT wait until you have confirmed your move to apply. Apply speculatively to 2-3 schools as soon as you are considering relocation. You can always withdraw, but you cannot accelerate a waitlist.
Not at international schools — English is the primary language of instruction at all four. All schools offer Italian as a second language from the early years, with support programs for beginners. Children typically reach conversational Italian within one school year.
Yes, Italy has excellent public schools, and they are free. However, instruction is entirely in Italian. This works well for younger children (under 8) who absorb language quickly, but is challenging for older students. Some families use international school for the first 1-2 years, then transition to Italian schools.
No. School fees are paid from after-tax income. They are not deductible under the flat tax regime. Budget them as a direct cost.
ISM is the most natural fit — large, internationally diverse, and follows the IB curriculum that many GEMS schools align with. ASM is the second choice, particularly if children have been in an American curriculum stream.