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Welcome from the Junior School Principal

Welcome to the Junior School section of The International School of Florence! 

As the Principal of the Junior School I am delighted to welcome you to the International School Florence website. 

The Junior campus occupies an idyllic location in the rolling hills just outside of Florence in Le Tavernule, a Renaissance villa in Bagno a Ripoli set in eighteen acres in the Tuscan countryside allowing us to integrate purposeful outside learning and a high level of wellbeing into our well-established academic programs.

The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) has been offered at the school since 2008 so is extremely well established and authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). The school is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association (MSA) to further strengthen the school’s credentials as an outstanding international school.

The PYP framework is child-centered and offers a holistic approach to developing each student’s understanding of the world around them. We utilize the PYP to not only develop each child’s academic strengths via an integrated, transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry, but also their social and physical wellbeing through performing arts, physical exercise and education, and an ever growing partnership with organizations in and around the city of Florence. 

For our host country students, we also offer the Italian Programmi Ministeriali which is an integrated Italian equivalency program which meets the requirements of the Ministero della Pubblica Istruzione, which recognizes in part the wonderful diversity of our school serving both the local and the international community.

Our faculty are highly skilled and knowledgeable and are committed to ensuring that the students in their care have access to the best possible learning opportunities through skilled teaching, extensive resources and specialised support. Many of our teachers have established long term links with ISF, its community and Florence itself, which strengthens continuity and provides a deep understanding of the PYP. Professional learning is ingrained in the school and offers staff opportunities to develop their own understanding and skills in key elements of the PYP programme as well as in supporting the well-being of members of the community. 

The relationships between staff and students are central to our community values, and to the success of our school. We place great value on developing and nurturing these relationships so that our students can benefit from a safe and welcoming learning environment where they can take risks, share knowledge, and explore with confidence.

I am extremely proud to be the Principal of the Junior School and would be delighted to welcome you in person to experience the vibrant learning environment first-hand. In the meantime, please enjoy browsing through our website and If you have any queries related to the school please do feel free to contact me.