The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program in Rome, Italy

Welcome to the American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR), a premier private international school where global standards meet personalized education. Since becoming an authorized IB World School in 1989, AOSR has been a leader in university readiness, offering students in Rome a challenging path to academic excellence. As the only international school in Rome to offer over 20+ courses for the Advanced Placement (AP) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, AOSR gives your child a unique, competitive advantage on the global stage.

Our IB Program Results: Outperforming Global Benchmarks

At AOSR, our student-centered approach yields exceptional results. The Class of 2026 consistently surpassed worldwide metrics, validating the academic rigor and supportive environment of our campus on Via Cassia.

  • 92.3% IB Pass Rate: AOSR candidates significantly outpaced the worldwide average pass rate of 81.26%.
  • 33-Point Average: Our diploma recipients secured an average score well above the global average of 30.88.
  • Elite Placement: Nine of our scholars scored between 35 and 45 points, with our top students reaching individual scores of 40 and 41.
  • Bilingual Fluency: Six of our graduates earned the prestigious IB Bilingual Diploma, demonstrating master-level fluency across multiple languages.

The IB Diploma Curriculum at AOSR

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is a rigorous, two-year pre-university curriculum designed for students in Grades 11 and 12. Recognized by elite universities worldwide, the curriculum fosters critical thinking, global-mindedness, and the attributes of the IB Learner Profile (Inquirers, Thinkers, Communicators, and Risk-Takers). To earn the full IB Diploma, students study courses across six foundational subject groups alongside three core components:

The Three IB Core Requirements

  1. Theory of Knowledge (TOK): A class encouraging students to reflect on the nature of learning and analyze how we know what we claim to know.
  2. The Extended Essay (EE): An independent, college-level research paper of up to 4,000 words on a topic of the student’s choice.
  3. Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS): A program that challenges students to grow personally through creative projects, physical activity, and local community service.

Structured Subject Groups & Course Offerings

Students select courses at either Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL) across these six disciplines:

  • Group 1: Studies in Language & Literature (e.g., IB English Literature HL/SL)
  • Group 2: Language Acquisition (e.g., Italian, French, Spanish HL/SL/Ab Initio)
  • Group 3: Individuals & Societies (e.g., IB Economics, IB World History HL/SL)
  • Group 4: Experimental Sciences (e.g., IB Biology, IB Chemistry, IB Physics HL/SL)
  • Group 5: Mathematics (e.g., IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL/SL)
  • Group 6: The Arts & Electives (e.g., IB Visual Arts, IB Film, or an additional science/humanities course)

With our curriculum expanding from 15 to over 22 IB courses, AOSR has seen a 23% year-over-year growth in student participation - making us an academic leader for both Advanced Placement Program in Italy and IB programs in Rome and Europe.

Out of 72 graduating seniors in the Class of 2026, 26 students chose to tackle the full, rigorous IB Diploma curriculum. Six of these graduates earned the prestigious IB Bilingual Diploma, proving master-level academic fluency across multiple languages.

Why Choose the AOSR IB Program?

Selecting the right international school in Italy is an investment in your child's future. Here is what sets AOSR's IB pathway apart:

  • The AP & IB Advantage: We are Rome’s only school offering the flexibility to pursue the AP Program, the IB Diploma, or a personalized combination of both.
  • Small Class Sizes: Personalized attention ensures that each student's unique learning style is supported.
  • Dedicated University Counseling: Our on-campus AP & IB Coordinator and College Counselors guide students to find their "best-fit" universities across the US, UK, Europe, and Italy.
  • Italian University Recognition: The AOSR IB Diploma is fully recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education (MIM) for direct admission to Italian universities.

Admission & Entry Requirements

Students apply to the IB Diploma Programme in Grade 10. Admission is evaluated holistically by our academic committee based on:

  1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  2. Strong teacher recommendations.
  3. PSAT performance and demonstrated dedication to the traits of the IB Learner Profile.
1. What is the difference between AP and IB at AOSR?
While both are rigorous, college-level programs, the IB Diploma is a structured, holistic two-year curriculum (Grades 11-12) emphasizing interdisciplinary learning, a 4,000-word research essay, and community service. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are individual, subject-specific classes that can be taken independently in Grades 10-12. AOSR is the only school in Rome offering both options at such a comprehensive level. 
2. Is the AOSR IB Diploma recognized by Italian universities?
Yes. The IB Diploma earned at the American Overseas School of Rome is fully recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education (MIM) for entrance into public and private universities in Italy, provided the student meets the specific study-plan requirements.
3. How does AOSR's IB score compare to other schools in Rome?
With an average score of 33 points in 2026, AOSR graduates consistently outperform the worldwide averages, year over year. Our 92.3% pass rate reflects our balanced approach, combining high expectations with personalized student support.
4. How do universities in the US, UK, and Europe view the AOSR IB Diploma?
The IB Diploma from AOSR is highly respected by elite universities worldwide. In the US, universities often award advanced sophomore-year college credit for high scores in Higher Level (HL) subjects. In the UK, admissions offers are made based on total IB points (typically ranging from 32 to 40+ points for competitive Russell Group universities). In Europe and Italy, the diploma is recognized as a direct pathway to top institutions, with many AOSR graduates moving on to world-class universities like Bocconi, King's College London, Cambridge, Yale, and MIT.
5. What is an IB Bilingual Diploma, and can my child earn one at AOSR?
Yes. AOSR regularly graduates students with the prestigious IB Bilingual Diploma (including six graduates in the Class of 2026). To earn this, a student must complete two languages selected from Group 1 (Language and Literature) with a grade of 3 or higher. Given our highly international community and robust language departments, we actively support students who wish to maintain academic fluency in multiple languages.
6. Can a student transfer into the IB program mid-year or at the start of Grade 12?
Because the IB is a structured, two-year linear program, transfers into Grade 12 are handled on a strict case-by-case basis. If your child is transferring from another authorized IB World School with matching subject choices, a transition is often highly manageable. AOSR operates on a rolling admissions policy, and our IB Coordinator and Admissions team will work closely with your family to evaluate previous transcripts and align coursework for a seamless transition.
7. Does AOSR provide learning support or English as an Additional Language (EAL) support for IB students?
Yes. While the IB is academically demanding, AOSR is dedicated to inclusivity and belonging. We offer dedicated learning support services to help students manage the workload, develop time-management skills, and tackle the Extended Essay and TOK. For students whose native language is not English, we provide structured support to ensure they can confidently access the academic vocabulary required to excel in their examinations.
8. Is there a bus service available for students traveling to AOSR's campus?
Absolutely. Since our beautiful, green campus is located on Via Cassia, we provide a comprehensive, supervised private bus service that covers most residential areas of Rome and its suburbs. This makes commuting stress-free for both students and parents, ensuring that long-distance transit is never a barrier to enjoying the top-tier academic and extracurricular offerings at AOSR.

Outstanding Results

These achievements reflect the program's quality and the dedication of our exceptional faculty and students.

AOSR’s IB program consistently achieves remarkable outcomes:

33

Average IB Score

92%

IB Pass Rate

x3

Enrollment Growth

20+

IB courses

Join a community that values excellence, fosters growth, and prepares students for global success. At AOSR, learning meets opportunity. Your journey starts here!

AOSR IB World School in Rome Graduation Ceremony

Join Our Community

AOSR provides a warm, inclusive environment where your child can grow, discover, and thrive. Take the first step toward an exceptional education by contacting us or scheduling a visit today.

Contact us Visit AOSR

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