

European School of Varese
Secular, Founded 1960
Updated July 2026
Founded in 1960, the European School of Varese is one of 13 European Schools and the only one in Italy, serving approximately 1,300 students from over 50 nationalities. It provides a comprehensive, multicultural education from the nursery level through to the European Baccalaureate.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The school is committed to providing a high-quality, multilingual, and multicultural education that fosters European identity and democratic values. It aims to develop students' critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability while encouraging tolerance, cooperation, and a global perspective. The educational approach emphasizes the importance of both academic excellence and personal well-being, preparing students to become resilient citizens in a rapidly changing world.
Programmes
The school is organized into three cycles: the nursery cycle (ages 4-5), the primary cycle (ages 6-10), and the secondary cycle (7 years). It offers instruction in five language sections—Italian, English, French, German, and Dutch—while ensuring high proficiency in both mother tongue and foreign languages. The curriculum balances scientific and mathematical competence with humanities, arts, and physical education, culminating in the European Baccalaureate (BAC) at the end of the secondary cycle.
Outcomes
The secondary cycle prepares students for the European Baccalaureate (BAC), an internationally recognized qualification that grants access to universities. The school provides professional guidance during the final years of secondary education to assist students in selecting university pathways and future careers. Graduates are equipped with the academic, social, and personal skills necessary to navigate a globalized world.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides a dedicated support network that includes an educational support department and an on-site psychologist to address mental well-being and anti-bullying efforts. Students have access to 'clinics' for mathematics and science subjects, specifically tailored for students in the S4–S7 levels. Additionally, the school offers guidance for students seeking help or needing someone to talk to through its listening service.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
The school accepts students across three categories, with priority given to children of European institution employees. Applications are processed annually, typically between January and April, and require submission of formal documentation signed by both parents. The school maintains waiting lists for specific language sections and offers guided visits for prospective families.
Calendar
The school operates on an annual academic cycle. Administrative offices are open Monday through Friday, with specific morning and afternoon hours, and reduced hours on Wednesdays. Specific term dates and holiday schedules are managed through the school's internal calendar systems.
Facilities
About the campus
The campus is divided into specialized buildings: the 'Montessori' building for the nursery cycle and the 'Comenius' building for the primary cycle, both featuring libraries, gardens, and sports facilities including football and basketball courts. The secondary cycle is housed in the 'Erasmus' and 'Da Vinci' buildings, which contain laboratories for chemistry, physics, biology, and computer science, as well as art and music rooms, a canteen, and an assembly hall. A separate sports building serves the school, complemented by a 200-meter athletics track and additional outdoor sports courts.
Co-curriculars
The school promotes a strong sense of community through collaborative initiatives, such as the 'Green School' program and 'Green Week,' which involve students from both primary and secondary cycles. Students participate in various extracurricular activities, including sports competitions like Eurosport and educational trips, such as history excursions to Krakow and Auschwitz. Peer tutoring opportunities are actively encouraged to foster cooperation among different age groups.






Ariane FarinelleDirettore
Elizabeth Mc DonaldDirettore agg. Ciclo Secondario
Antonella SelvaggioDirettore agg. Ciclo Materno e Primario
Fabrizio CattariDirettore agg. Amministrazione e Finanza