English Relocating to a new country brings plenty of challenges, and finding the right school for your children is often one of the biggest. If you are researching international schools in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, you’ll find several well-established options, primarily located in Trieste, Duino, and Udine. In this article, we’ll walk through each of them, looking at their academic programs, admissions requirements, tuition fees, and unique features to help you make the right choice.
If you’re not yet familiar with the broader Italian education system, check out our previous article Understanding Italy’s Education System: Public vs. Private Schools for Expat Families.
| School Name | Location | Age Specification | Languages |
| International School of Trieste | Trieste | Kindergarten to High School | English |
| The Udine International School | Udine | Kindergarten to High School | English |
| The Mills English School | Udine | Kindergarten to Middle School | English |
| United World College of the Adriatic – Duino | Duino (TS) | Final two years of High School | English |
International School of Trieste
The International School of Trieste (IST) is an independent, non-profit institution offering education entirely in English, from kindergarten through to the end of high school.
In addition to core subjects, students have access to multiple language options, including French, Spanish, German, and Mandarin.
Applications are open year-round. Middle and high school applicants are typically asked to complete a placement test and attend an interview. The school also requires the last two report cards as part of the application. These steps help evaluate whether language support in English or Italian might be necessary.
Tuition varies depending on the grade level, ranging from €4,866 to €15,950 per year. The cost includes textbooks and daily meals. For families with multiple children, IST offers a 50% discount on registration and tuition for the third child onward.
However, after-school care and extracurricular activities such as basketball, volleyball, dance, and music come at an additional fee, with prices starting around €290. Also, a school transportation service is available from several locations, including Trieste city center, Ronchi dei Legionari, and Udine. The cost starts at €1,190 annually.
The Udine International School
Right in the heart of the city, the Udine International School offers a full English-language curriculum from Kindergarten to High School. Its academic programs are designed to align with both national and international educational standards. From the early years, students are encouraged to become bilingual in both English and Italian.
Applications are accepted throughout the year, depending on availability. While English fluency isn’t required for admission, the school does assess each child’s level to determine if English as a Second Language (ESL) support is needed. For those who require it, language assistance is available during the first year.
Annual tuition ranges between €8,830 and €11,630. School lunch and transportation are not included in the base tuition and can be added for an additional fee. Similar to IST, the school applies a 50% tuition discount starting from the third child.
The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, such as dance, yoga, art, martial arts, and a reading club. The school also stands out for its international programs, which allow students to temporarily study abroad in the UK or USA and participate in global academic and cultural competitions.
The Mills English School
The Mills English School in Udine is a bilingual private institution. It accepts children from around 20 months of age through middle school and combines Italian and international teaching methods.
One of the school’s priorities is the development of emotional intelligence and language skills, alongside academic learning. From middle school, students are required to study German, with additional extracurricular courses offered in Spanish and Chinese. Civic education is also part of the curriculum, providing students with an introduction to the Italian Constitution and public life.
Applications are accepted throughout the year. However, both English and Italian language proficiency are assessed at the time of enrollment to identify if support is needed.
Tuition falls between €7,500 and €8,500 annually. Extra services such as lunch and after-school programs come at an additional cost. Available extracurriculars include journalism, Taekwondo, rugby, embroidery, and fencing. The school also provides a full meal plan with a published menu and offers psychological support services for students.
United World College of the Adriatic – Duino
Located in the coastal town of Duino, UWC Adriatic is part of the international United World Colleges network. It provides the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for students aged 16 to 19.
This two-year program is about much more than just academics. Students engage in volunteer work, community projects, and a variety of artistic and cultural initiatives. The school’s motto is “learning to serve, to act, to know, and to be”, and that philosophy is felt in everything they do.
Admission is merit-based and competitive. The school itself does not accept direct applications, so students can apply through their country’s UWC National Committee.
Financial accessibility is a core part of the school’s mission, and the majority of students receive full scholarships that cover all tuition and living costs. The current scholarship value is €52,000 for the two-year program.
Students live on campus in student residences and are supported by personal tutors and psychologists. The learning environment includes community service, leadership training, and outdoor activities as essential parts of daily life.
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