International School of Como

"The International School of Como, located in Socco, Italy, is a private institution offering a fully integrated International Baccalaureate education from the earliest years of schooling through to pre-university preparation."

Founded in 2006, the school has established itself as a meaningful option for internationally minded families living in and around the Lake Como region, including the many expat professionals and relocating families drawn to this distinctive corner of northern Italy. The school offers all four IB programmes — the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme, the Diploma Programme, and the Career-related Programme — providing genuine continuity of education for students from a young age through secondary school. This full-spectrum IB framework reflects a coherent educational philosophy built around inquiry, international-mindedness, and the development of well-rounded, principled learners. Families who value the IB's globally recognised standards will find that the school can accompany their children across each stage of development without requiring a change of institution or curriculum. Instruction at the International School of Como is delivered in English and Italian, with additional languages also forming part of the learning environment. This multilingual approach is well suited to the school's international community and to the reality of living in Italy, where engagement with the local language and culture is both practical and enriching. For expat families navigating life in a new country, the combination of a familiar English-medium academic framework alongside Italian language development offers real value. Socco sits within the broader Como area, a region renowned for its natural beauty, with Lake Como and the surrounding Alpine foothills creating a distinctive backdrop for daily life. For families relocating to this part of Lombardy — whether for work in nearby Milan, in the manufacturing and design industries of the region, or for lifestyle reasons — the International School of Como represents an accessible and purposeful educational choice that does not require a long commute into a major city. What sets this school apart is the relative rarity of a full four-programme IB school in a smaller, scenic Italian city rather than a large metropolitan centre. Families who might otherwise feel they need to base themselves in Milan to access quality international education have an alternative here, one that combines academic rigour with a more intimate community setting. The school's founding in 2006 means it has had time to develop its programmes and culture, and its continued operation across nearly two decades speaks to a stable and committed community of families and educators. For parents seeking an internationally recognised education in a beautiful and accessible part of Italy, the International School of Como merits serious consideration.