Milan is becoming increasingly international. Beyond its historical reputation for fashion and design, the city has evolved into one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for international families. You can feel the shift simply by walking through the city’s streets: you can hear more English being spoken, there are more international professionals and increasingly diverse neighbourhoods growing.
As Milan grows, so do the educational opportunities available to families moving to the city. Parents can choose between large international schools, smaller bilingual schools, Montessori and Reggio-inspired environments, historic Catholic institutions and the Italian public system. The challenge is not finding a school, but understanding which environment best matches your child and your family’s lifestyle.
International Schools in Milan
The schools which most international families first encounter are the larger international institutions. Schools such as Sir James Henderson, the American School of Milan, St Louis School and the International School of Milan are among the best known in the city. They offer English-speaking environments and internationally recognised programmes, including British, American and International Baccalaureate pathways. These schools are often chosen by families who may relocate again in the future and want educational continuity for their children.
Milan’s smaller bilingual schools
Alongside these larger schools, Milan also offers a growing number of smaller bilingual options, particularly for younger children. Unlike international schools, where the student body is usually highly international, many bilingual kindergartens have English-speaking teachers but a majority of Italian children. For some families, this creates the perfect balance: children are exposed to English daily while naturally integrating into Italian culture and language.
One example is Il Nano Gigante, located on the east side of Milan, ideal for families who do not necessarily want the intensity of the city centre. The school places strong importance on nature, outdoor play and childhood as a space for discovery throughout the seasons.
Education with Co-working spaces in Milan
Another interesting concept is The Magic Barn in the Argonne/Città Studi area, which combines education with coworking spaces for parents, reflecting a more modern vision of family life where childcare and work increasingly coexist.
The Reggio Children Philosophy
Milan is also home to schools inspired by the Reggio Children philosophy, an educational approach born in Italy and now admired worldwide. Schools such as Clorofilla and Jacaranda place the child at the centre of the learning process, encouraging creativity, emotional expression and exploration. Clorofilla is probably one of the most beautiful school locations: one walks into bright white spaces with high ceilings, looking up to discover a transparent glass roof while seeing little feet running around.
Milan’s established private schools
For older children, Milan has another educational world deeply woven into the city’s social and cultural fabric: its historic private schools. Collegio San Carlo is perhaps the most iconic example. The school became so associated with a polished Milanese identity that the expression “San Carlino” emerged to describe a particular Milanese style during the 1990s.
Today, San Carlo combines Catholic tradition with multilingual and international pathways. Gonzaga and Leone XIII belong to the same world of long-established Milanese institutions, increasingly integrating Cambridge programmes and bilingual options within a more traditional Italian structure.
Montessori Education in Milan
The Montessori tradition also has a strong presence in Milan. The Montessori school in Via Milazzo for kinder and primary children, located inside a beautiful old Milanese courtyard building, reflects the timeless elegance often associated with the city itself. Montessori education encourages children to reason independently, organise their environment, make choices and develop responsibility through practical life, skills that are increasingly essentials in today’s AI-driven world.
Screen-free schools in Milan
This connects with a broader educational conversation happening across Milan. More families are becoming interested in low-tech or screen-conscious schools. Choosing environments where screens and personal devices are limited, especially during the early years, and where learning is still rooted in handwriting, outdoor play, conversation and human interaction.
Montessori and Steiner-Waldorf schools are often mentioned in this context, while many public and private schools are strengthening smartphone-free policies. Another interesting example is Istituto Comprensivo Simona Giorgi, a public school in Milan experimenting with a Finnish-inspired approach focused on collaborative learning and children’s wellbeing.
For families considering single-gender education, FAES is one of Milan’s best-known schools, offering a strong academic environment with bilingual programmes and a traditional educational approach.
Public Schools in Milan
Public schools themselves should not be underestimated. Italian high schools, especially licei classici and licei scientifici, are known for their demanding curricula and rigorous preparation. From kindergarten to middle school, public schools can also be an excellent choice for families planning to stay in Italy long term. That said, many parents opting for Milan’s public schools choose to complement the curriculum with extracurricular English activities or after-school programmes.
Choosing a school in Milan is not only about curriculum or reputation. It is about understanding the personality of the child, the rhythm of the family and the type of experience parents hope to create whilst living in Italy. For advice on schools in Milan and Italy-wide, please contact us to arrange a consultation with one of our Italy consultants.
Written by Josephine Eve, Director of Arts Services, Italy
