Ask St. Stephen's School, Rome

Question 1

What is St. Stephen's School?

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's School is a non-profit American international high school and IB World School in Rome, offering both day and boarding places to students aged roughly 14-19. Founded in 1964 at the foot of the Aventine Hill, its approach is "Excellence. Done differently."

Question 2

When was St. Stephen's founded?

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's School was founded in 1964 and has been educating students in the heart of Rome ever since.

Question 3

Where is St. Stephen's located?

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's is at Via Aventina 3, 00153 Rome, at the foot of the Aventine Hill, steps from the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla and Rome's great imperial sites.

Question 4

Who is the Head of School?

Accepted Answer

The Head of School is Maria Nunes.

Question 5

What does “Excellence. Done differently.” mean?

Accepted Answer

It captures how St. Stephen's combines a rigorous American and IB education with Rome itself as a classroom and a close, truly international community.

Question 6

What is the school's mission?

Accepted Answer

To provide an international education in a caring, culturally rich environment that prepares students for a complex and changing world.

Question 7

What is the school motto?

Accepted Answer

The school's motto is Mens, Voluntas, Gratia, Latin for Mind, Will and Grace, as borne on its crest.

Question 8

Is St. Stephen's a day school?

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's is both a day and a boarding school, welcoming local families as day students and boarders from around the world.

Question 9

Is St. Stephen's religious?

Accepted Answer

No. St. Stephen's is a non-profit, non-denominational American international school, open to students of all backgrounds.

Question 10

What ages and grades does it serve?

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's serves students aged roughly 14-19, the American high school grades 9 through 12.

Question 11

What academic programs are offered?

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's offers an American college-preparatory curriculum leading to a US High School Diploma, the full International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, and Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Question 12

Can students earn both an American diploma and the IB?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Students earn the US High School Diploma and can add the full IB Diploma, a dual pathway, with AP courses available too.

Question 13

What is the IB Diploma Programme?

Accepted Answer

The IB Diploma is a rigorous, globally recognized two-year programme of six subject groups plus a core (Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS). St. Stephen's was the first IB school in Italy.

Question 14

Do you offer AP courses?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered alongside the American and IB pathways.

Question 15

How strong are the IB results?

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's students average around a 35 on the IB (out of 45), well above the global average, and the school has produced perfect 45 scores. Ask the school for the latest results.

Question 16

Is instruction in English?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The language of instruction is English, within a multilingual community where language learning is part of the program.

Question 17

What academic support is there?

Accepted Answer

Small classes, an international faculty, a learning center and an advisory system support students individually.

Question 18

How does St. Stephen's use Rome as a classroom?

Accepted Answer

The campus sits among Rome's greatest sites, so history, classics, art and more are taught on location, from the Roman Forum to the Baths of Caracalla, with the city itself as part of the curriculum.

Question 19

What can you study in Rome itself?

Accepted Answer

Classes connect to nearby landmarks: ancient history and Latin at the Circus Maximus and the Forum, art and reflection in the Aventine's Orange Garden, Roman engineering at the Baths of Caracalla, and more.

Question 20

How close are Rome's major sites?

Accepted Answer

Many are a short walk: the Circus Maximus about 5 minutes, the Baths of Caracalla and the Orange Garden about 10, the Roman Forum about 15, and the Colosseum about 15 to 20 minutes.

Question 21

Tell me about boarding.

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's has a close boarding community of students from around the world, living and learning together near the center of Rome, with residential staff, wellness support and activities.

Question 22

Who lives in the boarding community?

Accepted Answer

Boarders come from many countries and form a family-like community, supported by residential staff, advisory and wellness programs.

Question 23

Can students from abroad board?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Boarding is a core part of St. Stephen's and welcomes students from abroad to live and study in Rome.

Question 24

What support do boarders receive?

Accepted Answer

Boarders are supported by residential staff, an advisory system and wellness programs, so they thrive academically and personally.

Question 25

What is student life like?

Accepted Answer

Student life is close and international, with clubs, sports, performing and visual arts, service, and student publications, all in the setting of Rome.

Question 26

What clubs and activities are there?

Accepted Answer

Clubs span culture, service and the arts, including cultural outings that explore Rome, alongside sports and performing arts.

Question 27

Are there sports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Athletics are part of student life at St. Stephen's.

Question 28

Are there performing and visual arts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The arts, including theater, music and visual art, are an important part of the program and the campus.

Question 29

Is there a student newspaper?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Students run publications, including a student newspaper, giving them a voice in the community.

Question 30

How international is the school?

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's draws students from 55+ nationalities, making it a genuinely global community. (A recent published figure, confirm current details with Admissions.)

Question 31

How many students attend?

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's enrolls around 300 students, including roughly 47 boarders. (Recent published figures, please confirm current numbers with Admissions.)

Question 32

What is the campus like?

Accepted Answer

The campus is a historic villa at the foot of the Aventine Hill, named by Architectural Digest in 2024 among the world's most beautiful boarding schools.

Question 33

What facilities are on campus?

Accepted Answer

The campus includes a library, science and robotics labs, art and theater spaces, athletic courts and boarding residences, in a classic Roman setting.

Question 34

How big is the campus?

Accepted Answer

It is a compact, historic campus of about 2.5 acres in central Rome.

Question 35

Is St. Stephen's accredited?

Accepted Answer

Yes. St. Stephen's is an IB World School and is accredited by NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) and CIS (Council of International Schools).

Question 36

Is the diploma recognized by universities?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Both the US High School Diploma and the IB Diploma are recognized by universities worldwide.

Question 37

Where do graduates go to university?

Accepted Answer

Graduates attend universities around the world. Alumni have gone on to institutions such as Cambridge, Columbia, Edinburgh and École Polytechnique. (Examples from public alumni profiles, ask College Counseling for the full picture.)

Question 38

Is there college counseling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A College Counseling office guides students through university applications worldwide.

Question 39

Who are some notable alumni?

Accepted Answer

Alumni include neuroscientist Dr. Fred “Rusty” Gage ('68), fashion creative Nicola Formichetti ('96) and scientist-entrepreneur Diva Tommei ('02).

Question 40

How do I apply?

Accepted Answer

Applications are submitted through the OpenApply portal, linked from the Admissions section at sssrome.it. The Admissions team guides you through each step.

Question 41

What is the admissions process?

Accepted Answer

Begin an inquiry, apply through OpenApply, share academic records, and meet the school (families can meet the Head of School). The Admissions overview has the details.

Question 42

Can we visit or meet the Head of School?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Prospective families can arrange to visit the campus and meet the Head of School. Contact Admissions to set it up.

Question 43

When can students enroll?

Accepted Answer

Contact Admissions about openings for day and boarding places for the coming school year.

Question 44

What are the entry requirements?

Accepted Answer

The Admissions team reviews academic records and fit for each applicant. See the Admissions overview or contact the office for specifics.

Question 45

How much is tuition?

Accepted Answer

Current tuition and boarding fees are available directly from the Admissions office. Please contact Admissions for the latest figures for day and boarding places.

Question 46

Is financial aid available?

Accepted Answer

Yes. St. Stephen's offers need-based financial assistance and scholarships to support access, and giving to the school supports financial accessibility. Contact Admissions to learn more.

Question 47

How do I contact St. Stephen's?

Accepted Answer

You can call +39 06 5750605 or reach the school through sssrome.it. The campus is at Via Aventina 3, 00153 Rome.

Question 48

How do I schedule a visit?

Accepted Answer

Contact Admissions through sssrome.it to arrange a campus visit and, if you'd like, to meet the Head of School.

Question 49

Where can I follow St. Stephen's online?

Accepted Answer

St. Stephen's is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Flickr and Vimeo, all linked from the website.

Question 50

How do I make a payment or give?

Accepted Answer

Payments are made through the Pay Online page, and donations through the Giving page, both linked from sssrome.it.

Excellence,
done differently.

An education like no other

Accredited & recognized

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