The British American Pre-School and Bilingual European School (BAPS-BES)

Milano, Italy. The British American Pre-School and the Bilingual European School share a campus in the northern part of Milan, with two addresses: Via Val Cismon 9, 20162 Milano and Via Resegone 1A, 20159 Milano. The Istria stop on the M5 metro is about a five-minute walk from the campus.

The school accommodates students from ages 2 to 18 across four main stages. These include Nursery and Preschool for ages 2 to 6, Primary School for ages 6 to 11, Middle School for ages 11 to 14, and High School for ages 14 to 18.

This is a co-educational day school. It does not offer boarding facilities for any year groups.

The school uses an inclusion model to support students with special educational needs through differentiated classroom instruction. Additionally, an in-house Child Study Team featuring a school counselor, psychologist, and play therapist is available to assist students with their individual learning and developmental requirements.

The school does not have a formal affiliation with a specific country, operating as an independent bilingual school.

The school does not have a religious affiliation.

While specific daily timetables are not published, the standard school day is followed by an optional after-school program.

The school provides a bus service for students commuting from different areas of Milan. The buses stop at various designated pick-up points around the city.

The BES bilingual programme offers education in English and Italian from early years to high school. The curriculum integrates the Italian Ministerial Programme (MIUR) with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and is delivered in both languages; Primary and Middle School teaching is 50% Italian and 50% English. In Primary, the PYP uses six transdisciplinary themes to connect learning across subjects and to develop cross‑curricular skills; English language teaching comprises about 15 hours per week. In Secondary, the BES curriculum meets MIUR requirements with a 50/50 language split and focuses on interdisciplinary inquiry, arts, drama and technology; the Learner Profile and international outlook mirror the IB framework and include Project Work on Wednesdays. BES High School offers a four‑year bilingual Liceo Scientifico that combines Italian parity with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), delivering a double diploma and 33 hours per week of teaching; optional online courses allow earning additional OSSD credits toward the Canadian diploma, enabling access to universities worldwide.

Maximum class size is normally 25 students. Classes are formed by a team including the headteacher, coordinators, and teachers.

BES High School offers a four-year bilingual Liceo Scientifico that combines Italian parity with the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The program runs 33 hours per week and enables earning OSSD credits, with some online courses available to gain additional credits. The Ontario Secondary School Diploma is a Canadian diploma recognized by universities worldwide, facilitating entry to higher education in Italy and internationally.

The BES recognises the importance of helping students manage their emotions and behaviours in a positive and constructive way. The 'Size of the problem' method is used as a socio-emotional learning (SEL) tool to help students assess the magnitude of their problems and respond appropriately. The method teaches students to adjust their emotional response to the severity of the situation, reducing overreactions and improving coping skills. It is integrated into daily classroom routines, counselling sessions and conflict-resolution strategies, using visual tools, role-playing and group discussions. The approach fosters emotional intelligence, self-regulation and a calm, supportive learning environment for students. Studies show SEL strategies like the 'Size of the problem' method can lead to long-term benefits, including improved academic performance, better mental health and stronger interpersonal relationships, with CASEL reporting an average 11% increase in academic achievement.

The Child Study Team, composed of two psychologists and a psychomotricist, ensures that the student and family experience the transfer to BES as smoothly as possible. The team handles all steps related to school life and guides families to make the transition a positive experience.

The BES bilingual programme uses English and Italian. In Primary School the bilingual programme is based on a 50% English - 50% Italian model. The school integrates the Italian Ministerial Programme (MIUR) with the Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Italian and English. The BAPS campus provides a full-immersion English environment for early years.

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) places great emphasis on the pupil's personal growth. The Learner Profile promotes the child's development physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. Pupils learn to learn and develop cross‑disciplinary skills within the PYP. The PSPE (Physical, Social and Personal Education) programme focuses on well-being through motor, social and personal development, with one hour of PE per week in Years 1–3 and activities at external venues from Year 4 onward. Drama nurtures self‑confidence, communication skills and awareness of one's feelings.

The Child Study Team, consisting of two psychologists and a psychomotor therapist, supports safeguarding by ensuring smooth transitions for students and families and addressing individual needs.

1. Submit an inquiry or book an interview by filling out the form on this page. The Admissions Team will respond promptly. This initial contact can be used to request information about BES and BAPS. You may also plan to attend an Open Day or book a tour as part of your preparation.

2. Admission is based on previous school experience and includes a personal interview and an assessment test for pupils aged 6 and up. Personal background is also taken into consideration to support pupils in our BAPS Full Immersion English Programme and BES bilingual programme. Applicants should be prepared to participate in the interview and the assessment test.

3. Parents and students are invited to attend an Open Day or book a tour of the school to learn more about the programme and enrollment options. Open Day events provide information about the programmes and enrollment options. Tours include explanations in Italian and/or English, and a member of the Admissions team can answer questions.

4. To see our school fees, click on the button below. View our school fees by clicking the "view our SCHOOL FEES" button. Fees information is provided on the admissions pages to help families plan enrollment.