St. Stephen's School in Rome: Academics and Faculty

St. Stephen's School is a five-year, independent, non-denominational, boarding and day school founded in 1964 and was the first school in Italy to offer the International Baccalaureate. In our international setting we seek to combine what is best in the American and European educational traditions by providing a demanding classical liberal arts education taking full advantage of our location in the historic center of Rome. Our objectives are, amongst others; academic excellence, the fostering of a sense of fellowship and cooperation among students and faculty and the promotion of students as independent, responsible and involved contributing members of the larger world community. Our curriculum reflects our response to the needs of students in an international environment who aim to further their studies throughout the world.

.INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB)

St. Stephen's realized in the early 70's the potential importance of the International Baccalaureate as a university entrance qualification with an international dimension. Although the scheme was just emerging from its pilot stage, we made application for membership in 1975 and saw our first two students receive their diplomas in 1978. Our low official IB school number, 0061, testifies to our pioneer spirit; our pass rate of 96% over the past four years (the worldwide pass rate is 75%) indicates that we have learned, over the years, to do justice both to the program and to the students taking it with us. The IB Organization describes its program as a comprehensive and rigorous two-year curriculum leading to examinations for students aged sixteen to nineteen. It is a deliberate compromise between the specialization required in some national systems and the breadth preferred in others. The general objectives of the IB are to provide students with a balanced education, to facilitate geographic and cultural mobility and to promote international understanding through a shared academic experience.

All Diploma candidates are required to offer one subject from each of the groups. At least three and not more than four are taken at the Higher Level (HL), while the others are taken at the Standard Level (SL). Each examined subject is marked on a scale of 1 (minimum) to 7 (maximum). The award of the Diploma requires a minimum total of 24 points with no failing condition, or 28 points with only one failing condition, and the satisfactory completion of an Extended Essay, a course entitled Theory of Knowledge, and participation in CAS (Creativity-Action-Service).

The IB diploma is awarded for satisfactory performance on six subjects as follows:

-- Language A1 ( best language );

-- Language A2 and Ab initio ( a second language );

-- Individuals and Societies: History, Economics, Classical Greek and Roman Studies, Islamic Studies;

-- Experimental Sciences: Biology, Chemistry or Physics;

-- Mathematics;

--One of the following:

-- Art/Design;

-- a third language;

-- a second subject from the Individuals and Societies area;

-- a second Experimental Science;

-- Latin.

Here is the graphic representation of the IB Program and how it is divided into six major areas

In order to earn the IB Diploma a student must complete each of the following requirements:

- Complete the full two year prescribed IB course of study.

- Take all parts of the exams for each of the six required subjects.

- Achieve at least 24 points from test scores, TOK (Theory of Knowledge), and the Extended Essay.

- Average at least a 3 on Standard Level exams.

- Average at least a 4 on Higher Level exams.

- Complete and submit all Internal Assessments and Oral Components.

- Complete and submit an Extended Essay of approximately 4,000 words.

- Complete and document a minimum of 150 hours of CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) activities during the junior and senior year.

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Much more information about the IB Program at St. Stephen's can be found in the IB Handbook and School Profile. Please click on the linka in the left column. They link to PDF document and to view them you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.