St. Stephen's School

"St."

Stephen's School is a private international day and boarding school situated in one of the most storied settings imaginable — atop the Aventine Hill in the heart of Rome, within easy reach of the Circus Maximus, the Forum, and the Colosseum. For families considering a school where history and education quite literally intersect, St. Stephen's offers an experience that is difficult to replicate anywhere else in the world. Founded in 1975, St. Stephen's has spent five decades cultivating an academic community that draws students from across the globe to study, live, and grow in Italy's eternal capital. Formerly known as St. Stephen's International School, the institution has evolved over the years while maintaining its commitment to rigorous, internationally recognized education and its guiding motto, Mens Voluntas Gratia — a phrase that speaks to the cultivation of mind, will, and grace. Academically, St. Stephen's is anchored by the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, one of the most respected pre-university curricula in the world. The IB Diploma is well suited to the school's internationally mobile student body, as its qualifications are recognized by universities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond. For expat families and relocating professionals, this is a meaningful assurance that their children's academic credentials will travel with them wherever life leads next. The student community at St. Stephen's is genuinely international in character, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of Rome itself. The school welcomes both day students and boarders, making it an option not only for families living in Rome but also for those who may want their children to have the full immersive experience of living and studying in one of the world's great cities. The boarding component adds a dimension of community and belonging that many international families find particularly valuable when navigating a move abroad. English serves as the primary language of instruction, which makes St. Stephen's accessible to anglophone families arriving from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other English-speaking countries, as well as to the many internationally educated families for whom English is the common academic language. Being embedded in Rome naturally means that Italian language and culture are woven into the fabric of daily life at the school and in the surrounding city. What makes St. Stephen's truly distinctive, however, is its campus setting. Few schools anywhere can claim such proximity to the defining monuments of Western civilization. Students walk through a city that is itself a living classroom, and that geographical and cultural immersion shapes the educational experience in ways that extend well beyond the formal curriculum. The Aventine Hill location — one of Rome's ancient seven hills — provides a campus environment that is both intimate and extraordinary. For expat families seeking a school that combines academic credibility, an international community, and an environment unlike anywhere else on earth, St. Stephen's School offers something genuinely rare: the chance to pursue an excellent education at the center of history itself.