La Scuola International School

The school is guided by the motto "Niente senza Gioia" (Nothing without Joy) and a mission to inspire brave learners to shape the future. It integrates the Reggio Emilia approach, which emphasizes inquiry, collaboration, and the "Hundred Languages" of expression, with the International Baccalaureate framework to foster critical thinking and global citizenship. The school prioritizes a pedagogy of relationships, viewing the environment as the "third teacher" that should inspire beauty and love for learning.

The academic programme is structured into Preschool (ages 2-5), Elementary School (Grades K-5), and Middle School (Grades 6-8). The curriculum includes the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), alongside Singapore Math, the Science of Reading, and Writing Workshop. Language immersion is central, with students becoming bilingual in Italian and English, and Spanish introduced as a third language starting in Grade 4.

Graduates are prepared for success in high school and beyond, characterized as naturally curious, lifelong learners with strong cognitive skills and high executive function. They are equipped with interdisciplinary thinking abilities, bilingual proficiency in Italian and English, and a global perspective that allows them to navigate diverse cultures and perspectives.

The school is committed to supporting neurodiversity and individual learning styles through a pedagogy of relationships that prioritizes emotional wellbeing. It employs learning specialists and student wellness directors to provide targeted support. The curriculum incorporates research-based methods such as the Science of Reading and the Polyanna racial literacy program.

The school uses the Ravenna platform to manage inquiries and applications, with a January 15 deadline for prospective families. While Italian or Spanish proficiency is not required for enrollment in Preschool, Kindergarten, Grade 1, or Middle School, students applying to Grades 2–5 are evaluated for language proficiency. The school offers a sliding scale tuition program based on demonstrated financial need, utilizing the Clarity application process.

The school operates on a standard academic calendar, with specific dates and events managed through the Blackbaud resource board. The school also offers summer camp programs across its campuses. Families can subscribe to campus-specific calendar feeds for real-time updates.

La Scuola operates four campuses: the Mission Campus in San Francisco (K-8) housed in a historic 1888 Italianate building; the Dogpatch Campus in San Francisco (Preschool); the Silicon Valley Campus in East Palo Alto (PreK-Elementary); and a campus in Milan, Italy (Preschool-Grade 8). The learning environments are designed to be beautiful and joyful, featuring specialized Ateliers for art, music, gardening, environmental studies, and design.

The school provides a range of co-curricular activities, including music, art, and garden programs, which are integrated into the curriculum through various Ateliers. Athletics and physical education are also key components of the student experience. Additionally, the school offers extended day programs and seasonal camps.