Parent's Review of The American School of Milan in Milan
What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)
The American School of Milan
In what town or city is this school located?
Milan
How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)
American
What grade levels are represented at this school?
pre k through 12
How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)
Bus and car
How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?
Good extra-curricular activities run by the teachers. They choose - so it changes every year but some have been cooking, soccer, piano and tennis.
What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?
A very friendly school welcoming to people from all over. The negative is that they have no English requirement and your English-speaking child (mostly in the elementary section) could be in a class with only a few other English-speaking children. This clearly brings the level of academics down as the teachers are focused on bringing the others children's English up to standard.
How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?
Very good, almost too good. They have a mandatory participation policy, which can be tiresome to some.
What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?
Check all the other schools in Milan first so that you are making the right choice! They have a multi-age program (4/5 through 7 and 8 through 11), which is usually the cause of much debate! The academics are not strong so if your child is very able consider the other schools. But, if you are living only temporarily in Italy (a year or so), this is not a bad choice for it's friendly and welcoming attitude.
The Italian program for foreigners is weak and you must accept that you will be doing lots of home study if you want to keep your children up to the standard of an International School or good US school.
More Parents' Reviews of International Schools in Italy
Write a Comment about this Expat Report
Comments about this Report
guestI think this is the "truest" post I have read so far. We have been attending ASM, and at times, feel that only the teachers have our best interest in mind. I feel the director, especially, is more concerned about his bonus at the end of the year. He is not approachable at all. I am sure others feel differently, but again, it's how much money you bring to the table. I suppose I was just brought up to believe education is what is important. There are many decisions being made without the children's best interest in mind. Many decisions are made by individuals who don't even have degrees. My child was in a classroom where he was the ONLY native English speaker. I feel there was quite a bit of struggle and boredom due to that. There is a lot of bullying at the school that is not addressed by the proper individuals. I could go on and on.
guestASM no longer has a multiage program and academics are considered by far the best of all the international schools here in Milan. The school has a fabulous new facility with a huge focus now on excellence at all levels.
