High School - IB Diploma

At Rome International School, all students study six subjects  selected from the following groups - Mother Tongue, Language Acquisition, Humanities, Sciences and Maths, and there is also the option to choose a subject from the Arts or to pick another subject from Languages, Humanities or Sciences. Three are studied at Standard Level and three at Higher Level. This enables students to study virtually any discipline at university level.

In addition to these six subjects, each student completes the three core components of the IB DP: Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS (Creativity, Action and Service).

Diploma Programme Handbook

Students’ timetables are personalised and reflect individual subject choices.

During the week, students will have individual study periods during school time – in line with the belief that independent research and ownership of one’s learning are core values in the IB Philosophy. Our students can count on:

• systematic, individual guidance when choosing their subjects
• a pastoral care structure that, through the Form Tutor and the DP Coordinator, allows progress to be constantly monitored and supported

Our students have the opportunity to choose from a wealth of subjects, taught by experienced teachers, and are also able to qualify (with the right subject combinations) for the Italian Maturità.

We are currently able to offer subject combinations for the Liceo Linguistico, Liceo Scientifico and the Liceo Scienze Umane. There are certain requirements for each of these and it is important to discuss the options with the IB DP Coordinator in order to find the right fit.

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) provides the main opportunity to develop many of the attributes described in the IB Learner Profile. For this reason, the aims of CAS have been written in a form that highlights their connections with the IB Learner Profile.

The CAS programme aims to develop students who are:

• reflective thinkers— they understand their own strengths and limitations, identify goals and devise strategies for personal growth
• willing to accept new challenges and new roles
• aware of themselves as members of communities with responsibilities towards each other and the environment
• active participants in sustained, collaborative projects
• balanced—they enjoy and find significance in a range of activities involving intellectual, physical, creative and emotional experiences.

View examples of CAS activities

We expect students coming into the IB who have IGCSE grades to have at least six A* - C grades and at least B grades for the subjects they choose to take at Higher Level. 

For students without IGCSEs there is an assessment test to assess their suitability for the subjects chosen. We do take into consideration personal circumstances and other academic qualifications.