The Elementary School at the International School of Florence addresses the academic and social-emotional needs of students from Grade 1 to Grade 5. Located in a historic Renaissance environment, we combine international standards with local cultural roots, ensuring every student develops the foundational skills needed for future academic success.
Book an Elementary School TourWhy Choose International School of Florence for Elementary School in Florence, Italy
Finding the right Elementary School in Florence requires a balance of global perspectives and practical academic development. International School of Florence provides this through three concrete pillars:
- The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP): Students engage in active, inquiry-based learning that connects core subjects to real-world scenarios.
- A True Bilingual Environment: Children learn in English and Italian from Grade 1 till Grade 5, with an optional Integrated Italian Equivalency Programme for Italian-speaking families.
- A Unique Learning Setting: Our Junior School Campus (Villa le Tavernule) in Bagno a Ripoli features extensive grounds, allowing teachers to take lessons outside and integrate nature directly into the daily curriculum.
What is the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) at International School of Florence
Instead of memorizing facts from traditional textbooks or listening to passive lectures, children at International School of Florence become active investigators. In the classroom, you see students working in groups, conducting science experiments, analyzing data, and presenting their findings. Teachers frame lessons around central questions, encouraging children to connect mathematics, language, and science. This hands-on approach teaches students how to analyze resources critically and solve complex problems independently.
Inquire nowSubjects and Curriculum at the International School of Florence Elementary School
Our curriculum covers a comprehensive range of subjects, ensuring a well-rounded and balanced educational experience every single week:
- English: Students develop reading, writing, and speaking skills daily through literature workshops and collaborative research projects.
- Mathematics: Teachers dedicate daily blocks to problem-solving, spatial reasoning, and numerical fluency using concrete manipulative tools.
- Science: Children explore biology, physics, and earth sciences through weekly laboratory experiments and field observations on campus.
- Italian: Students practice grammar, conversation, and reading for several hours a week, tailored precisely to their starting proficiency.
- Visual Arts: Specialized instructors teach drawing, painting, and sculpting techniques during dedicated weekly studio sessions.
- Music: Children study rhythm, vocal expression, and basic instrumentation in specialized lessons every week.
- Physical Education: Students build coordination, team-play skills, and physical fitness during weekly sessions on our sports field.
- Library: Classes visit our multilingual library weekly to learn research methodologies and select books for independent reading.
How the Italian Programme works for Italian-speaking families
For families who want to maintain full compatibility with the national educational system, International School of Florence offers an Integrated Italian Equivalency Programme from Grade 1 to Grade 5. This specialized pathway runs parallel to our international framework and fully prepares students for the official Esame di Quinta (the Italian primary school leaving examination). By combining these two systems, International School of Florence allows children to remain completely flexible, keeping options open for either a pure international academic pathway or a transition back into local Italian schools.
Empowering Language Acquisition: ELL Support
Moving to an international environment can seem daunting for non-English speaking families. At ISF, we view multilingualism as a profound asset, and our dedicated team supports English Language Learners (ELL) to ensure they thrive both academically and socially. Rather than treating language acquisition as an isolated subject, our framework is fully integrated into the daily life of the classroom.
Through in-class support, specialists work directly alongside the child within the standard classroom, co-teaching and scaffolding lessons so students can access the core curriculum and the inquiry-based Primary Years Programme (PYP) right away. When needed, pull-out support provides targeted, small-group instruction to accelerate academic vocabulary, reading comprehension, and communicative confidence.
From their very first week of school, children with no prior English background participate fully in daily classroom life. Our educators utilize a rich array of visual aids, peer mentoring, and tailored interactive strategies to ensure every student understands routines, builds meaningful connections, and feels psychologically safe. By removing initial communicative barriers in a nurturing environment, we empower young learners to develop authentic academic proficiency while celebrating their diverse cultural backgrounds.
Wellbeing and Pastoral Care at the International School of Florence Elementary
The emotional health of our students drives their academic growth. Every class operates under the close guidance of a dedicated class teacher, who monitors the daily social dynamics and individual development of each child. Supported by our professional school counselor and learning support specialists, this team builds a proactive network of care. They address emotional needs early, teach conflict-resolution strategies, and ensure that every child finds a safe, supportive environment to thrive.
Apply NowFrom Elementary to Middle School: how the International School of Florence prepares students
The transition from primary education to Middle School requires careful pedagogical planning. International School of Florence ensures a seamless shift as children complete Grade 5 and advance into Grade 6. Moving from a single primary class teacher to multiple specialized subject teachers can feel like a major shift. We prepare students by gradually increasing independent project management and introduce them directly to the structural changes they will encounter within our Middle Years Programme (MYP).
A day at the International School of Florence’s Junior Campus: Schedule and Facilities
The daily routine at our Junior Campus (Villa le Tavernule) runs from 08:30 to 15:30 every day, except on Tuesdays when school finishes early at 14:45. The physical environment plays a fundamental role in our educational delivery:
- The Villa Facilities: Classrooms feature modern technological tools alongside dedicated creative spaces like the Library and a specialized Art Studio.
- Sports and Recreation: Our campus houses structured playgrounds and a sport field designed for year-round physical activity.
- Nature Integration: The surrounding olive groves and formal gardens provide an expansive outdoor classroom where students apply scientific theories to the living world around them.