The Bilingual European School (BES) in Milan

Primary and Middle School in Milan

Bilingual European School (BES) is Milan’s first state-recognised bilingual school and offers a complete pathway from preschool through High School with a Double Diploma (Italian diploma and OSSD, the Ontario Secondary School Diploma).

About

BES was born from the experience of The British American Pre-School (BAPS), which was founded in 1987 by an English-speaking parent with a background in education, with the aim of combining English-language acquisition with the strength of Italian education.

BES Primary School

In Primary School, students follow both the Italian National Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). The bilingual model is based on a 50% English and 50% Italian structure.

The Italian National Curriculum is implemented in full, covering traditional subjects such as Italian, mathematics, science, social studies, humanities, arts, and personal, social, and physical education.

The PYP is an international programme structured around six globally relevant trans-disciplinary themes explored through inquiry-based learning. It encourages students to take responsibility for their learning while exploring topics of national and international relevance.

BES Middle School

The BES Middle School is now located at the new Via Resegone 1A campus, alongside the recently opened High School. Approximately 50% of instruction is delivered in Italian to ensure preparation for upper secondary education. Subjects follow Ministry of Education guidelines.

The teaching approach is based on the comparative method:

• Interdisciplinary integration across subjects
• Critical comparison of different perspectives on the same topic

The curriculum aims to develop internationally minded young citizens with a global outlook. BES adopts a constructivist approach, encouraging students to actively build their knowledge in both English and Italian and to strive for excellence as true “citizens of the world.” Learning is cooperative, fostering teamwork, awareness, and critical thinking.

Campus and Services 

The Via Val Cismon campus welcomes around 500 students in a modern facility of over 3,500 m² in Milan. Facilities include interactive whiteboards, Apple TV, Wi-Fi, science and art labs, a music room, drama room, gym, and a library with over 9,000 English and Italian books, as well as an innovative Lego studio.

BES hosts the Bruno Munari® Visual Arts Laboratory, promoting creativity and imagination through observation and experimentation. It was the first school in Milan to launch a 1:1 iPad programme, from the first year of Primary School to the third year of Middle School. Students expand their knowledge by accessing diverse sources, researching, and sharing information, with continuous monitoring by teachers and parents.

The school is surrounded by a 5,500 m² garden with anti-shock and draining surfaces. Students dine in the school cafeteria, where fresh meals are prepared daily according to personalised, age-appropriate, and seasonal menus. A school nurse is also present on campus.

After-school activities in English include sports (judo, karate, football, classical and modern dance, table tennis), arts (drama, choir, musical), and STEAM.