IST Primary School

At the International School of Turin (IST) each day is designed to support students along an active and nurturing learning path. The school environment fosters each child’s growth, helping to develop their potential through quality teaching, practical experiences and an approach encouraging curiosity and discovery.

The Primary School welcomes students aged 6 to 11, divided into Grades 1-5, following a curriculum that integrates the best international educational methodologies. Recognised by the Italian Equality of Education Act, the program provides a solid, balanced and transdisciplinary education, standing out among private elementary schools in Turin.

Cerchio giallo e blu, formato da elementi concentrici in cui sono indicate le aree disciplinari e le competenze trasversali che vengono sviluppati all’IST, eccellenza tra le scuole elementari private di torino

Organization

  • School hours: Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Weekly hours: 32.5
  • Teaching staff: IST Primary School relies on an international team of teachers from 13 different Countries. They are highly qualified professionals with solid teaching backgrounds and active in continuing education.
  • Classes: Each class has a maximum of approximately 20 students, ensuring an optimal teacher-student ratio.
  • School year: The year is divided into two semesters, promoting progressive and monitored management of acquired knowledge.

Education

The PYP provides an international education that develops open-minded and globally minded students through:

Transdisciplinary Units

  • Who we are
  • Where we are in space and time
  • How we express ourselves
  • How the world works
  • How we organize ourselves
    Sharing the planet

Subject Areas

  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Science and Social
  • Sciences
  • Italian (as a first or second language)
  • Music
  • Visual Arts
  • Physical and Personal Education
  • Civic Education
    Third language from 4th grade

In addition, students follow a co-curricular Performing Arts program starting in first grade, with the option of continuing as an extracurricular activity.

Students acquire skills and aptitudes beyond single subjects, developing abilities useful in every aspect of their life. This education helps them to think critically and autonomously explore the world surrounding them.

The soft skills that are nurtured include:

Communication

Socialization

Critical thinking

Research

Organizational autonomy

Students learn to understand and apply key concepts that help them see the world from different perspectives, such as:

Shape

Function

Causality

Change

Connection

Perspective

Responsibility

Reflection

The program develops key attitudes encouraging effort, enthusiasm, independence, curiosity, creativity, confidence, empathy and cooperation, along with core values including integrity, respect and tolerance.
Thanks to the use of tablets (iPads) as teaching and learning aids, students are introduced in a natural manner to informatic technology throughout the course.

Italian Program

The IST Italian Program is designed to best meet students’ needs, regardless of their native language or origin. Since the school is located in Italy, we believe that every student should learn Italian – an approach consistent with our school’s IB philosophy.
The IST Italian Program is a vital and essential component of the IST educational program.
Since 2002 the elementary and preschool have been recognised by the MIM (Ministry of Education and Merit) as private primary and preschool. In primary school the Italian language is grammatically and linguistically taught in compliance with the Italian ministerial programs. Social Studies, Geography, Mathematics, Science, Art, Music and Physical Education are taught in English.
Students whose native language is not Italian are offered an Italian for Foreigners course, allowing them to gradually acquire specific oral and written skills.
According to ministerial provisions, students in the 2nd and 5th grades are administered the INVALSI tests for national assessment of learning.

Afternoon activities

The afternoon activities at the International School of Turin offer students a wide range of opportunities to develop talents, passions and skills in a nurturing and creative environment. These programs, available for every age, take place at the campus from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m..

Nutrition
and wellness

The school pays close attention to students’ wellbeing, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
Meals, prepared by in-house staff, follow the Good Food Program: a principle of balanced nutrition with healthy and varied meals made with fresh, quality, locally sourced and fair-trade products.

Un ragazzo biondo con una felpa azzurra dell’IST, a un tavolo della mensa scolastica, versa con la destra del condimento da una bottiglia in una scodella con insalata di carote

Learning Environment

International School of Turin students enjoy large and bright spaces, both indoors and outdoors, designed to foster their educational, social and emotional development. The school is proud to be officially recognised as “ECO-School”, certifying its commitment toward environmental sustainability as a hallmark among private schools in Turin.

Throughout the school day, students participate in programs that actively engage them in caring for the environment, such as:

Permaculture: Through theoretical lessons and hands-on activities, students learn to cultivate organic gardens, promoting sustainability.

Biodiversity and Energy Saving: Students are encouraged to participate in initiatives aimed at improving biodiversity and implementing energy-saving solutions, thus contributing to the well-being of communities and the environment.

These programs integrate learning with hands-on experiences, enabling children to apply what they learn to create a more sustainable world.

PYP Exhibition

Primary Years education culminates with the PYP Exhibition, a collaborative project taking place at the end of Year 5.Students have the opportunity to prove the skills and knowledge they have acquired throughout the program by tackling a unit of inquiry independently and creatively.

During the PYP Exhibition, children explore a chosen topic, applying the skills developed in the diverse disciplinary areas, and present the result of their work to the entire school community.