St. Stephen's School Rome

St. Stephen's School is a mixed, four-year, independent, non-denominational, boarding and day, English language international school, situated in Rome in Italy. It provides an academic programme modelled on the American independent school tradition of comprehensive college and university preparation in six academic areas: English, Foreign and Classical Language, History, Experimental Sciences, Mathematics and Arts.

St. Stephen's School was established in 1964 by the Rev. John O. Patterson, former Headmaster of the Kent School in Connecticut, and the first seniors graduated in 1966. In 1975, St. Stephen's became the first school in Italy to offer the International Baccalaureate programme and, two years later, it celebrated its first two IB Diploma graduates.

Head of School

Eric Mayer

Values and vision

St Stephen’s School aims to motivate students to achieve their personal best. Through close mentoring, intellectual inquiry and inspired teaching in a small class setting, it believes it motivates students to reach their fullest potential and take responsibility for their academic achievement, which readies them for the most competitive universities and the joys and benefits of lifelong learning. 

The school aims to foster a warm, collaborative environment – enriched by a vibrant boarding programme – so its young people gain the confidence to find their true balance and engage fully as caring citizens in a diverse international community. The school strives to provide a holistic preparatory experience that lays the foundation for continued academic achievement and a fulfilling life. 

The school’s core values are care, scholarship, creativity, integrity and independence. It believes that it draws on the strengths of both American and European education traditions to give its students a deeper understanding of the world grounded in western culture.