This school year, The International School of Florence is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
As one of the world’s oldest International Schools, a year of events and celebrations are planned with current students, parents and alumni. Over the summer, a team from the school, including current and former staff members, have been digging through the archives and collating photos from across the decades. The photos, along with significant moments in the school’s history, are going to be displayed at the school for current students and the wider ISF Community to enjoy. Plus, a special 70th anniversary book is also being written and will be available in 2023.
New Head of School, Sharyn Baddeley, is delighted to be joining the School at this significant moment. “ISF has a fascinating history, and it is an honor to share it with current students and celebrate with parents and alumni. I am looking forward to getting to know the wider Florentine community and for ISF to continue to play an important part in the city and beyond.”
A brief history of The International School of Florence
1952 – The School was co-founded by Horace Gibson and Paul Burke- Mahony in Rome (called The Rome Tutoring Service).
1953 – The “Tutoring Service” thrived, and was renamed the Parioli Day School, then the Parioli International Day School.
1963 – The school moved to Florence and became known as St. Michael’s Country Day School on a beautiful farm villa in via del Guarlone.
1968 – The school moved to Villa Torre di Bellosguardo, where it became known as the American International School of Florence and adopted the International Baccalaureate Programme.
1980 – The school moved to Villa Tavernule in Bagno a Ripoli, the current Junior School Campus.
2003 – The Middle and High School moved to the current Upper School campus at Villa Torri di Gattaia and the school was renamed The International School of Florence.
The International School of Florence will share more information about the 70th anniversary program of events and ISF’s special links with the city over the course of the academic year. Get in touch via communications@isfitaly.org