INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF FLORENCE ANNUAL REPORT
MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Sharyn Baddeley
It is with great pride and gratitude that I share the ISF Annual Report for 2025–2026.
This year has been an important one for our school as we launch our new Roadmap to the Future, guided by our new Mission, Learning for our Shared Future, and our new Vision, Engaging together to explore and grow in our complex world. These words are more than statements on a page. They reflect who we are, what we believe, and the future we are building together as a school community.
At ISF, learning is deeply connected to people, place, and purpose. Across both campuses, we see this each day in the curiosity of our students, the dedication of our teachers and staff, the partnership of our families, and the many ways our community comes together to support, challenge, and inspire one another.
Our new focus pillars — Identity with Purpose, Teaching and Learning for Impact, and Sustainable Leadership and Organisation — give us a clear direction for the years ahead. They remind us to honour who we are as a school, strengthen the quality and consistency of learning across ISF, and ensure that our leadership, systems, resources, and decisions support the long-term sustainability of the school.
At the heart of this work are our values: Respect, Responsibility, Relationships, and Resilience. These values continue to shape the way we learn, lead, communicate, care for one another, and respond to the opportunities and challenges before us. They are the steady foundation of our community and the qualities we hope our students carry with them into the world.
The pages of this Annual Report tell the story of a school that is thoughtful, ambitious, caring, and committed to continuous growth. They reflect the achievements of our students, the professionalism of our staff, the trust of our families, and the shared belief that education has the power to shape a better future.
Thank you to every member of our community for the part you have played in this important year. As we look ahead, I feel proud and optimistic about the future we are creating together.
SHARYN BADDELEY Head of School
CIS/MSA ACCREDITATION
This academic year, ISF also completed its CIS accreditation review process in conjunction with MSA. This was an important opportunity for the school to reflect deeply on our progress, celebrate areas of strength, and identify the next steps in our ongoing journey of continuous improvement.
The review process involved collaboration across the school and provided valuable external feedback on our programmes, systems, culture, leadership, and student learning. It affirmed the positive direction of ISF and supported our commitment to providing a high quality international education that is reflective, evidence-informed, and aligned with recognised global standards.
OUR MISSION & VISION
Internationally-minded, uniquely Florentine
MISSION
Learning for our Shared Future
At ISF, our Mission, Learning for our Shared Future, reminds us that education is not a journey we take alone. Every question asked, every idea explored, every challenge faced, and every success celebrated becomes part of something larger than ourselves. We learn with one another, from one another, and for a future we all have a responsibility to shape.
VISION
Engaging together to explore and grow in our complex world, calls us to be curious, courageous, and connected. It reminds us that the world our students are entering is not simple, and their education must help them think deeply, act with care, listen with respect, and respond with purpose. This is the heart of ISF: a community where learning is shared, relationships matter, and growth is both personal and collective. Together, we are preparing students not only for what comes next, but for the kind of future they will help create.
CORE VALUES : THE 4RS
At ISF, our values — Respect, Responsibility, Relationships and Resilience — are at the heart of who we are as a school community. They are not simply words we display; they are lived each day through the way we learn, lead, communicate, care for one another, and contribute to our shared environment.
RESPECT
reminds us to value ourselves, others, and the diverse perspectives within our international community.
RELATIONSHIPS
are central to our sense of belonging, connection, and care, helping every student feel known, supported, and valued.
RESPONSIBILITY
encourages us to make thoughtful choices, take ownership of our learning and actions, and contribute positively to the life of the school.
RESILIENCE
We equip students with the resilience needed to overcome challenges, adapt to change, and thrive in any circumstance.
Together, the 4Rs provide a steady foundation for our students, staff, and families. They guide our daily interactions, shape our school culture, and support our mission of Learning for our Shared Future. Through these values, we continue to build a community where people feel connected, respected, and inspired to make a positive difference.
PLANNING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER
This year, ISF began an important and meaningful process to plan the future direction of our school. This was a deeply collaborative and engaging process that brought together many voices from across our community, including students, parents, alumni, teachers, staff, and leadership.
Over several days, we worked together to reflect on who we are as a school, what we value most, and the future we want to create for our students. Through conversations, workshops, feedback sessions, and shared reflection, our community considered the strengths of ISF, the opportunities ahead, and the qualities our students will need to thrive in an increasingly complex world.
At the centre of this process were our students. Their learning, wellbeing, growth, and future opportunities guided our thinking and reminded us that every decision we make must support the experience and development of young people. The process also strengthened our sense of connection as a community and reinforced the importance of working together with purpose, openness, and care.
From this work, we are proud to introduce our new Mission, Learning for our Shared Future, and our new Vision, Engaging together to explore and grow in our complex world. These statements reflect our belief that education is both personal and collective. They remind us that learning is not only about individual success, but also about the contribution we make to one another and to the world around us.
Our future direction will be guided by three strategic pillars: Identity with Purpose, Teaching and Learning for Impact, and Sustainable Leadership and Organisation. Together, these pillars will help us honour who we are, strengthen the quality and consistency of learning, and ensure that ISF continues to grow as a thoughtful, caring, and sustainable school community.
As we move forward, the ISF Roadmap to the Future will guide our decisions, priorities, and actions. It represents the shared hopes and aspirations of our community and provides a clear direction for the years ahead, with our students always at the heart of our planning.
Sharyn Baddeley Head of School
THE
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
OF
FLORENCE AT A GLANCE
ABOUT US
Founded in 1952 and rooted in nearly seven decades of tradition, the International School of Florence (ISF) is one of Europe’s oldest international schools, offering an innovative, college-preparatory education culminating in the International Baccalaureate Diploma. As a non-profit, independent day school serving students from preschool through grade 12, ISF blends academic excellence with creativity, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for beauty—values inspired by its Renaissance heritage. With around 520 students from over 30 countries across two campuses in a historic Tuscan setting, ISF remains committed to nurturing the whole person and preparing students for the opportunities of tomorrow.
GOVERNANCE
The International School of Florence is a not-for-profit organization, incorporated in the United States under the name American Schools Abroad, Inc. (ASA). The Board’s main functions are to ensure the financial wellbeing of the School and the excellence of its educational programs and facilities. Apart from making sure the school has a solid financial foundation and an excellent academic program, we also take care of the mental health of the students, teachers, and administration and nurture future socially responsible citizens. The Board is governed through by-laws that can be found in the Policy Book (Section 7000), which is available
for consultation in the library of each ISF campus. Board members are all volunteers: there are no benefits accrued from being a Board member. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings during the school year and to participate in one of the Board’s five committees: Executive, Finance, Facilities, Marketing, and Strategic Planning. Board members work to promote the School’s good name within the ISF and in the Florentine community.
RECOGNITION
At ISF, our dedication to academic excellence is reflected in our longstanding accreditations and affiliations with respected educational organizations. We are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the USA, a partnership that began in 1981, and we are proud to be an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School since 1984. ISF is also a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS), the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) consortium, and the Association of IB World Schools in Italy. Additionally, we offer students the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, further supporting their personal growth and global readiness.
STUDENT NATIONALITIES
One of the defining features of the student body is its diversity. ISF students represent over 37 nationalities and speak over 25 languages. The school has two campuses, one in the Tuscan countryside near Florence, the Junior School, with 205 students; the Upper School has its home in a 13th century Florentine villa in the stunning Oltrarno area, with 309 students.
FACULTY + STAFF
MEASURES OF SUCCESS ACADEMICS
MAP RESULTS OVERVIEW
Overall academic achievement at ISF is consistently strong, with mean percentiles in the 60th-70th range, well above the 50th percentile benchmark. Upper School shows high performance, notably in Grade 10, where 54.9% of students are in the High quintile for Mathematics and 45.1% for Reading. Junior School achievement is similarly robust, with Language Usage consistently in the High Achievement band and Mathematics results reaching the 87th percentile in Grade 2, with Grades 3 and 4 at the 73rd and 62nd percentiles, respectively.
Over the past school year, students in the Italian Program consistently advanced their language proficiency through an interactive curriculum that integrated academic study, creativity, and personal development. Key initiatives included the "History of Florence and Nature Project," which focused on regional cultural heritage and environmental awareness, and the cross-grade "Carnival Project," which explored Italian traditions through the arts. Notably, Grade 5 students completed rigorous preparation for their upcoming public school eligibility exam (esame di idoneità) before transitioning to middle school. Supported by strong family collaboration, the year concluded with excellent student achievement across all components of the program.
ITALIAN PROGRAMME (QUINTA) RESULTS
The Italian Program is a national program that leads to the externally administered Italian Government Licenza Media exam in Grade 8. The program is designed for native Italian students and follows the requirements of the Italian public school. Students take courses in Italian, History, Geography and Mathematics in Italian.
ITALIAN PROGRAMME (TERZA MEDIA) RESULTS
INTERNATIONAL BACCALUAREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) remains a cornerstone of our academic offering, fostering critical thinking, international mindedness, and academic excellence. Each year, our students rise to the challenge of this rigorous programme, supported by dedicated educators and a strong school community.
The results presented below reflect the achievements of our IBDP cohorts over the past few academic years, offering a picture of consistent effort, growth, and success. These outcomes are a testament to the commitment and resilience of our students and staff.
Results for the 2025–2026 cohort will be released in early July 2026 and shared with our school community shortly thereafter.
2026 UNIVERSITY OFFERS AND MATRICULATION
UNITED STATES
Boston University
Emerson College
Fashion Institute of Technology
Hofstra University
Iowa State University
Loyola Marymount University
New York University (NYU)
Northeastern University
Pennsylvania State University
Pepperdine University
Purdue University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Stony Brook University
Texas A&M University
The New School, Parsons School of Design
University of California Riverside
University of California San Diego
University of California Santa Barbara
University of California Santa Cruz
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Georgia
University of Michigan
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
University of South Carolina Columbia
University of Tampa
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Virginia Tech
ITALY
Bocconi University
Instituto Europeo di Design
Instituto Marangoni
Politecnico di Milano
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Università IULM
University of Calabria
UNITED KINGDOM
Birmingham City University
Bournemouth University
City, University of London
HULT International Business School
King’s College London
Lancaster University
London School of Economics & Pol.Science
Portsmouth University
Royal Holloway, University of London
Queen Mary University of London
University of Cambridge
University College of London (UCL)
University of Bristol
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
University of Leeds
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of St. Andrews
Univeristy of Surrey
University of Sussex
University of the Arts London
University of Warwick
University of Westminster, London
EU/SWITZERLAND
American University of Paris
EHL Hospitality Business School
EHL Hospitality Business School
ESCP Business School
IE University
Instituto Europeo di Design
Leiden University College
Paris School of Business
St. Louis University, Madrid
Universidad CEU San Pablo Madrid
Universidad Pontificia Comillas
University of Groningen
Universiteit Leiden
University College Utrecht
University of Amsterdam
University of Groningen
Utrecht University
University of Vienna
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
ASIA
Chinese University of Hong Kong
University of Hong Kong
TECHNOLOGY AND AI AT ISF
This year, ISF continued to strengthen technology learning across the school, supporting students to develop digital literacy, creativity, computational thinking, design skills, robotics, and responsible technology use. From the Junior School through the Middle School, students engaged in hands-on learning experiences including coding, digital design, media creation, robotics, interactive projects, and the MYP Design Cycle.
A strong focus was also placed on digital citizenship and online safety, ensuring that students learn not only how to use technology, but how to use it responsibly and ethically. STEM learning was further highlighted through experiences such as Lego robotics, FIRST LEGO League activities, student presentations, and cross-grade mentoring opportunities.
Behind the scenes, ISF continued to invest in modern and secure technology infrastructure. This included upgrades to central servers, improvements to the Junior School wireless network, and continued progress with the transition to the Veracross Student Information System.
Artificial Intelligence was also an important area of development this year. Staff engaged in AI workshops and professional learning, while students were supported to understand the practical, ethical, and responsible use of AI tools. The school also hosted a parent engagement session on AI in education, helping strengthen the home-school partnership around this rapidly changing area. To support safe and appropriate use, ISF continued to refine its AI policies and approved applications process.
Together, these developments ensure that technology at ISF supports meaningful learning, responsible innovation, and the skills students need for the future.
MYP ACCREDITATION AND THE IB CONTINUUM
This year marked an important milestone for ISF with the successful completion of our MYP accreditation process. With this achievement, ISF is now officially a full IB Continuum School, offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme.
This is a significant moment in the story of our school. Becoming an IB Continuum School strengthens the learning journey for our students from the early years through to graduation, creating greater alignment, consistency and connection across the whole school. It allows students to build their skills, knowledge, confidence and independence progressively over time, while developing the attributes of internationally minded, reflective and compassionate learners.
The IB Continuum also supports a shared language for teaching and learning across ISF. It helps strengthen collaboration among staff, supports smoother transitions between programmes, and ensures that inquiry, critical thinking, conceptual understanding, global perspectives and student agency are embedded throughout the student experience.
The successful MYP accreditation reflects the commitment, professionalism and hard work of our teachers, coordinators and leadership teams. It also reflects ISF’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and to providing a high quality international education that prepares students to engage thoughtfully, responsibly and confidently in a complex world.
THE ARTS
During the past academic year, the International School of Florence (ISF) Creative Arts department truly flourished, drawing deep inspiration from our unique Florentine surroundings to nurture critical thinking, empathy, and global citizenship across both campuses. This vibrant season gave our community the chance to see our students' artistic talents shine through many different creative paths, providing a rich tapestry of expression including musical performances, concerts, art exhibitions, and theatre shows to include:
Arts Showcase
Brother Grimm Play
Theater Intensive Weekend
Musical Assemblies
Festival of Song
IBDP Art Exhibition
Shadow Dance
Welcome Back Cocktail Cantabile Choir
• Palazzo Vecchio Re-Imagine Peace Conference
• Lunar Celebration at Piazzale Michelangelo
• London Trip with concert in -----church
• Summer Social Event End of Year Assemblies
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES + SPORTS
Extracurricular activities are an important part of the holistic learning experience at ISF. They provide students with opportunities to explore interests, develop new skills, build confidence, and connect with others beyond the classroom. Through creative, physical, cultural, service, and academic experiences, students are encouraged to discover their strengths, take risks, collaborate, and develop a deeper sense of belonging within the school community.
Our ECA and sports programmes also support the development of important life skills, including teamwork, commitment, leadership, resilience, and responsibility. Whether students are participating in creative clubs, physical activities, performances, competitions, or team sports, they are learning how to challenge themselves, support others, manage success and disappointment, and contribute positively to a group.
These experiences are an important part of educating the whole child. They help students grow not only as learners, but also as confident, caring, and engaged young people. As we continue to develop our ECA and sports opportunities, our aim is to ensure that students across both campuses have meaningful ways to participate, connect, and thrive.
UPPER SCHOOL ECAS 2023-2025
Broadcast Club
Environmental Club
HSSC (High School Student Council)
HS Basketball (Boys & Girls)
HS Football (Boys & Girls)
HS Football (Girls)
HS Volleyball (Boys & Girls)
Investors and Entrepreneurs
Math HL Preparation Club
Model United Nations (MUN)
MS Football (Boys & Girls)
MS Volleyball (Boys & Girls)
MSSC (Middle School Student Council)
Musical Theatre Club
Art Club
Speech Club
Training and Fitness Club
Tuskan Times
Yearbook
UPPER SCHOOL SPORTS
MS Volleyball Girls and Boys
HS Volleyball Girls and Boys
MS Football Girls and Boys
HS Football Girls and Boys
UPPER SCHOOL SPORTS COMPETITION
ASSI Trofeo ASSI INTESA SAN PAOLO La GARA di TRIATHLON - Middle School
ASSI Trofeo NTESA SAN PAOLO Long Jump, High Jump, Shot putt, 80m Sprint - High School
Padua MS football - Males and Females
Padua MS basketball - Males
Padua MS volleyball - Females
Geneva HS Volleyball - Males and Females
Brussels HS Football - Males and Females
Treviso HS volleyball, padel, and beach volleyball - Males and Females
JUNIOR SCHOOL ECAS 2023-2025
Crafternoon Club
JS Cake Design
JS The Shadow Dance and the Colours1
JS Sew Sustainable
JS Italian language development
JS Gratitude Journal Writing Club
Mind & Movement
Cantabile (Choir)
JS Chess Club
JS Drama club
Multi Skills and Movements Activity Club
Fencing Club
JUNIOR SCHOOL SPORTS
October 2025 Biathlon Grades 2 - 5 ASSI
November 2025 I piu veloce, forte e resistenti di Firenze Grade 5 and selected grades 3 and 5 students.
January 2026 Colour Cross Country JS
March 2026 Med Cup Football Tournament Grades 4 and 5 girls and boys
March 2026 Biathlon Grades 2 - 5 ASSI
FIELD TRIPS & RESIDENTIALS
UPPER SCHOOL
In the Upper School, excursions in the 2025–26 academic year bridged the gap between academic theory and real-world application across all grade levels:
• Orientation Voyages: At the start of the year, Grade 6 to 10 students participated in overnight Orientation Field Trips focused on team building, outdoor learning, and developing personal resilience.
• IB Diploma Programme: High school students took part in specialized Theory of Knowledge, Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS), and Physics excursions, which included sampling water from the Arno River and visiting the Ducati facility.
• Grade 10 Language & History: Students completed a week-long cultural immersion trip to Spain or France and explored World War II historic sites within Florence for an interdisciplinary MYP unit.
• Grades 8 & 9 Exploration: Grade 9 students attended Model United Nations (MUN) trips, while Grade 8 students traveled to Mugello for a combined study of nature, science, and literature.
• Grades 6 & 7 Cultural Roots: Grade 7 students visited the Uffizi Gallery and Ravenna, the final resting place of Dante. Grade 6 students explored regional recycling facilities to study sustainability and visited the Museo degli Innocenti.
JUNIOR SCHOOL
The Junior School utilized a dynamic mix of local day trips and overnight residentials to enhance both units of inquiry and physical education goals:
• Upper Primary Residentials: Grade 5 students embarked on a community-building residential to Monte Amiata, later followed by a ski experience in Andalo. Grade 4 traveled to Rome for an overnight trip linked to their Ancient Civilizations unit and the Lego League competition, balanced by an active outdoor rafting excursion.
• Lower Primary Cultural Discoveries: Grade 3 explored the Pre-History Museum and built coordination during a "Crazy Climbing" trip. Grade 2 investigated local heritage with a "Uniquely Florentine" experience at the Boboli Gardens and an immersive fresco workshop.
• Early Years & Foundation Learning: Grade 1 students completed community scavenger hunts and visited the Pistoia Zoo. Foundation and Early Years students expanded their sensory learning at the Museo delle Illusioni, the Remida materials center, and the "In Equilibrio" circus performance.
From 26 - 31 January 2026, eight of our Grade 11 students joined over 3,000 other students from around the world participating in the 58th annual The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN) in The Netherlands. ISF has been part of THIMUN for over 35 years and each year our students return from the conference with fresh perspectives on the many problems of the world, as well as a real commitment to work toward resolving them. As the participating students themselves put it, "Over four intense days, we debated, lobbied, and collaborated in our committees, discussing major global issues while connecting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. It pushed us to see the world from new perspectives and become more internationally-minded."
In the 2025–2026 academic year, the International School of Florence proudly participated in the following MUN conferences:
THIMUN - The Hague MUN (January 2026): Typically around 200 schools from over 100 countries participate each year, bringing together more than 3,200 student delegates.
SAIMUN - St. Andrew’s International Model United Nations (February 2026): Typically around 600 student delegates from over 50 schools and 20 countries to debate global issues and develop diplomatic skills.
FloMUN - Florence Model United Nations (March 2026) hosted by ISF: This year’s conference brought together over 200 student delegates from 9 different schools and 3 countries and offered a dynamic platform in Florence for students to engage in global diplomacy and debate key international issues.
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
DUKE OF EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL AWARD
TThe Duke of Edinburgh Award offers three levels of achievement: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level encourages students to develop independence, commitment, resilience, service, and personal responsibility through a combination of skill development, physical activity, volunteering, and an adventurous journey.
This year, the focus has been on supporting students who have already met the criteria for their Bronze Award as they work towards finalising their Silver Award. As part of this process, students are required to complete a physical challenge, where they commit to regular physical activity, set personal goals, and demonstrate perseverance over time.
Students will also be heading off on their adventurous journey, an important part of the Award that requires them to work as a team, plan and prepare carefully, navigate safely, manage equipment, and take responsibility for themselves and one another. This section of the programme encourages students to step outside their comfort zones, show resilience, solve problems, and support their peers in a challenging outdoor environment.
We are very proud of our students for the dedication and perseverance they have shown throughout this process. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a meaningful opportunity for students to grow in confidence, develop responsibility, and discover what they are capable of achieving beyond the classroom.
CANTABILE CHOIR IN LONDON
Our ISF Choir’s second musical journey following the life of Dvořák brought them to London. From singing in a beautiful church to exploring the homes of Handel & Hendrix, our students experienced music history come alive through song, culture, and unforgettable memories.
MAINTAINING OUR CAMPUSES FACILITIES & MAINTENANCE
Looking ahead, the Foundation outdoor learning area is scheduled for a complete resurfacing , which will create a more durable, versatile, and secure environment for our youngest students.
RENDERING
Investing in the Foundations of Excellence
While the daily life of our school is defined by the vibrant activities inside our classrooms, the quality of the educational experience depends fundamentally on the integrity and safety of the environment that surrounds us. This year, our focus has been on critical structural enhancements: investments that may not always be visible to the naked eye but are vital to the longevity, safety, and stability of our institution.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Staff Professional Development at ISF
Professional development is an essential part of life at ISF and reflects our commitment to continuous growth, high quality teaching and learning, and the best possible outcomes for students. As an IB World School, ongoing professional learning ensures that staff remain informed, responsive, and aligned with current curriculum, assessment, programme, and student wellbeing expectations.
Throughout the year, staff engaged in a range of professional learning opportunities, including IB training, curriculum and assessment development, safeguarding, student wellbeing, learning support, technology, data use, collaborative planning, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education. This work supports teachers in guiding students to use AI thoughtfully, ethically, and responsibly, while continuing to value critical thinking, creativity, academic integrity, and human judgement.
A key focus this year was our work connected to the CIS Development Initiatives: Using Data Effectively to Enhance Learning and Wellbeing and High Quality Learning: From Poster to Practice. Staff worked collaboratively to strengthen consistent approaches to data, teaching practice, and student support across the school. The Student Support Team also continued to develop our Multi-Tiered Support System, ensuring greater alignment across both campuses.
This year, staff also dedicated time to exploring our new strategic plan, ISF Roadmap to the Future, and developing action plans to help bring our new Mission and Vision to life. Professional development at ISF is not only about training; it is about building a culture of reflection, collaboration, shared responsibility, and continuous improvement.
WELLBEING AT ISF
Wellbeing is an essential part of learning at ISF. Across both the Junior School and Upper School, our programmes are designed to support the social, emotional, physical, and personal development of our students, helping them to feel safe, known, supported, and able to thrive.
In the Junior School, the wellbeing programme provides students with practical tools to understand themselves and others, manage emotions, solve problems, build friendships, and make responsible choices. Through evidence-based approaches such as the Second Step curriculum, Kelso’s Choices, and The Zones of Regulation, students develop a shared language for empathy, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and help-seeking. Digital wellbeing is also an important focus, with students learning about online safety, kindness, privacy, and responsible technology use.
In the Upper School, wellbeing is a structured part of the curriculum from Grades 6 to 10 and is grounded in Positive Psychology and the PERMA model: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement. The programme supports students as they navigate adolescence, friendships, identity, learning pressures, digital life, and personal decision-making. It is closely connected to our school values of Respect, Responsibility, Relationships, and Resilience, helping students develop the skills and confidence to make thoughtful, healthy, and ethical choices.
A key part of the Upper School programme is our Relationships and Sexual Health curriculum, which is delivered in an age-appropriate and progressive way by experienced educators, school health professionals, and counsellors. This supports students in understanding positive relationships, boundaries, consent, safety, healthy choices, and personal responsibility. Parent engagement sessions are also offered so that families understand the content and can support open and informed conversations at home.
Across both campuses, wellbeing is strengthened through collaboration between counsellors, teachers, learning support staff, health professionals, ICT, leadership, students, and families. Regular discussions help identify students who may need additional support and ensure that academic, social, emotional, and behavioural needs are considered together.
At ISF, wellbeing is not separate from learning. It is central to helping students grow into confident, caring, resilient, and responsible young people who are able to engage positively with themselves, others, and the world around them.
ENROLLMENT TRENDS + FINANCIALS BREAKDOWN
Ensuring robust fiscal health continues to be central to our mission of providing an exceptional education. Our financial choices this past year demonstrate a responsible use of resources, balancing day-to-day operational requirements with our long-term institutional stability. We directed strategic funding toward improving academic programs, upgrading campus infrastructure.
The 2025-2026 academic year saw a total of 514 students including 33 staff children who have the benefit of free tuition fees. While we maintain a strong presence in the region, we observed a decrease in enrollment at the Junior School level. This trend aligns with a broader global decline in birth rates affecting international schools worldwide, compounded by an increase in localized competition within our surrounding province. In response, the school remains focused on its reputation for excellence and its ongoing commitment to delivering a high-quality international education that distinguishes us in a crowded market.
As per our financial reporting calendar, the fiscal ends on 30 June 2026. The annual financial statements are prepared over the summer months and submitted for external audit beginning in September. Our accounts are audited by EY Italy, Member of Ernst & Young Global Limited, ensuring compliance with Italian accounting standards and reinforcing our commitment to transparency and financial accountability.
ENROLLMENT NUMBERS
Enrollment numbers for the past 3 years.
Tuition fees represent the primary source of income (97%). Other revenue sources include but are not limited to:
• auxiliary operations like field trip and activities reimbursements
• donations and sponsorships
• extraordinary revenues
Personnel costs represent the primary expense, accounting for 77% of total expenditures, including staff children tuition fees, salaries, professional development and benefits. Other costs:
• Didactic costs: activities, supplies, software, travel, accommodation, tools for the educational program;
• School management and administration costs: all the resources and services used to manage the support of the educational program;
• Operating costs: campus rent, facilities maintenance, consultancy for repairs and works on the buildings, cleaning services and utilities.
PYP X EXHIBITION
The PYP Exhibition represents a major milestone in our students' primary school journey, serving as the proud culmination of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. This student-led project invites our oldest primary students to take full ownership of their learning, demonstrating the independent inquiry skills, Approaches to Learning, and Learner Profile attributes they have developed over the years.
This year, the G5 cohort explored the transdisciplinary theme How We Express Ourselves, focusing on the ways in which we discover and express ideas, feelings, nature, culture, beliefs, and values, while reflecting on, extending, and enjoying our creativity. The diversity of their research topics reflected their varied passions and global awareness. For instance, students explored creative expression by using digital animation, while others focused on environmental awareness, investigating sustainable fashion and using recycled materials to advocate for the planet.
Beyond academic research, the Exhibition challenged students to turn their conceptual understandings into meaningful action. Our Grade 5 learners rose to the occasion by creating websites, organizing workshops, and expressing their values through mediums such as fine arts, digital games, and engaging presentations.
We extend our gratitude to the Grade 5 teachers, all the mentors, and parents who supported our students through this rigorous process. We are immensely proud of our G5 cohort, who have proved themselves to be critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers ready to embrace the challenges of the Middle Years Programme (MYP).
CLASS OF 2026 GRADUATION
Graduation is a very special moment in the life of ISF. It is a beautiful and meaningful end to a journey that has taken our students through many experiences, friendships, challenges, achievements, and moments of growth. It is a time to celebrate not only academic success, but also the young people our students have become along the way.
For our 2026 graduates, this moment marks the closing of one chapter, but also the beginning of many new ones. As shared by our Head of School, Sharyn Baddeley, in this year’s graduation speech, beginnings are powerful. They remind us that life continues to open new doors, offer new possibilities, and invite us to step forward with courage, kindness, curiosity, and purpose.
We are incredibly proud of our graduating students and all they have contributed to ISF. As they leave us, they carry with them the relationships, values, memories, and learning that have shaped their time at our school. We wish them every success as they begin the next part of their journey.
NEW UPPER SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
We are delighted to welcome Mr Massimo Boscherini as Upper School Principal and Mr Benjamin Fugill as Upper School Deputy Principal commencing the new academic year 2026-2027. Both are deeply committed to ISF and are passionate about leading the Upper School during this important and exciting time in our school’s development.
Together, they will work closely to ensure that high quality teaching and learning continues across the Upper School and that every student has a positive, purposeful and supportive learning experience. Guided by our new strategic plan, ISF Roadmap to the Future, they will help bring our mission, vision and values to life through a strong focus on student wellbeing, academic progress, staff collaboration and community connection.
Mr Boscherini and Mr Fugill will also work in close partnership with our Head of School, Sharyn Baddeley, to continue the positive progress already achieved and to make the Upper School even stronger for the future.
ISF ALUMNI
Launch of ISF Alumni Connect: The official new digital platform is officially live. It bridges generations from the school's founding in 1952 all the way to recent graduates. It already boasts 157 sign-ups, including successful connections with alumni from the 1960s and 1970s. Key Platform Features: Members can now take advantage of a Global Directory, a Mentorship Match program, an exclusive Job Board, Interest Groups/Circles, and early access to regional events.
A Successful 10-Year Reunion: The Class of 2015 successfully gathered at the Villa Torri di Gattaia on October 11, with 18 international alumni returning to reconnect with former classmates, teachers, and staff. The afternoon was filled with laughter, heartfelt catch-ups, and countless “Do you remember when…?” moments. Further reunions are being planned for the next school year.
Strong Community Engagement: Between September 2025 and May 2026, the school welcomed 42 individual alumni visits back to campus, while social media engagement on Facebook and Instagram continues to grow.
Quotations from Alumni visitors
“Walking those familiar halls with you brought back memories—some of the most cherished from my childhood. … my very first day in your 2nd grade class …I could feel your genuine passion for teaching and how much you cared about each of us. Being back at the school with you reminded me of how lucky I was to have such a nurturing start to my education. You haven’t just kept the spirit of the school alive— you’ve continued to shape it with your warmth, kindness, and dedication.As I now look at it through a parent's eyes, I’m filled with hope and excitement. I truly look forward to the possibility of my son attending the same school and creating his own beautiful memories, just as I did…” MC Barducci (Class of 2003)
“Thank you for the photos and the lovely welcome. Alexandra loved discovering ISF. Perhaps we'll send a second generation some day!” Marco Marsans (Class of 2018)
“I really want to express my thankfulness from the bottom of my heart for the beautiful day we spent with you on campus. Being back in a place where so much of my life quietly began, brought up emotions I hadn’t expected and it means so so much to me . I found myself surrounded by memories of a younger version of myself, full of curiosity, hope, and completely unaware of the path life would take. Some good, some bad but I'm still here still holding on to my hopes and dreams.”
Alessandra Guarnieri (Class of 1983)
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
This year, ISF continued to strengthen its community engagement through meaningful connections with families, alumni, local businesses, cultural institutions, and community partners across Florence. These relationships help increase the school’s visibility, create opportunities for collaboration, and provide valuable benefits for our students, families, staff, and alumni.
A key focus was the continued development of the ISF Business Directory, which has expanded to include a broader range of trusted businesses, professionals, and partners connected to our community. The school also continued to explore new partnerships and sponsorship opportunities that support ISF’s presence within the wider Florentine community.
Parent engagement remained an important priority, with the Parent Engagement Program offering families opportunities to connect with school leadership, teachers, counsellors, and external experts on topics such as wellbeing, academics, curriculum, digital wellbeing, and child development.
Another highlight was the launch of the ISF Networking Night, bringing together parents, alumni, business owners, partners, and community members for an evening of connection and collaboration. Together, these initiatives reflect ISF’s commitment to building a vibrant, connected, and supportive community.
PARENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT RECAP
The International School of Florence Parent Association (ISF PA) continues to proudly support the educational goals and strategic vision of our school. By partnering closely with faculty, students, and the wider community, we strive to facilitate open communication, plan memorable events, and provide a welcoming, inclusive social environment for every family.
As a diverse group of enthusiastic parents representing numerous nationalities, we happily cross language barriers and combine our varied skills and talents for one shared purpose: the well-being and growth of our children. At ISF, being a parent automatically qualifies you as a member—there are no initiations, and everyone is welcome. Through these shared efforts, we do more than just support the school; we help one another discover and navigate the beautiful city of Florence, building lifelong community ties.
This past year has been exceptionally vibrant, filled with beloved traditions and exciting new initiatives that brought our community closer together than ever.
• The Autumn Bazaar: A classic ISF tradition, our annual bazaar brought families together to celebrate the change of seasons with wonderful food, crafts, and community connection.
• The Colour Run for Meyer Children's Hospital: One of our most impactful community events, bringing energy, laughter, and a brilliant splash of color to our fundraising efforts for a vital local cause.
• Junior School Spring Disco (New!): A fantastic new addition to our calendar this year! Led by our enthusiastic Sports and Student Council, and generously supported by the PE department, the disco was an absolute hit with our younger students.
• Stay & Play Events: These gatherings offered a relaxed, joyful space for children to play and parents to connect casually on campus.
• Coffee Mornings: A vital touchpoint throughout the year, providing a warm space for new and returning parents to share tips, chat, and settle into the school rhythm.
• Community Traditions: We also continued our proud support of core ISF events, including the New Family Welcome Breakfast, the energetic Annual Field Day, the inspiring Career Forum, our elegant Fundraising Gala, and the beautiful Festival of Song.
Every milestone achieved this year is a testament to the parents who so generously volunteer their time when possible. Being connected to the school through the PA offers our children and fellow parents a truly unique opportunity to thrive within their own community. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year so special!
UPDATING FOUNDATION AREA
For the first time at ISF our community gathered at Villa Gattaia welcoming over 180 guests to our Summer Social. What started as simple end of the year gathering with a performance by our Cantabile Choir, turned in to an action packed night with dancing, dining and drinking under the stars.
In addition, a lotteria was held for 50% off tuition and won by Morgan & Diane Fiumi who graciously donated it back to the school.
Overall, the simple social gathering still raised €25,000 for the school development fund.
