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Weaving the study of big ideas through multiple subjects leads students to collaboratively ask probing questions and discover the answers for themselves.

In and out of Design class, our middle schoolers take a ‘design thinking’ approach to projects. This iterative process leads students from posing an inquiry, to analyzing the parameters of the challenge, to evaluating, improving, and advancing solutions.

Through this cycle, students learn to overcome emotions, process setbacks and successes, and experience consequences. They stretch their intelligence and independence, learning to ask and answer their own questions.

Culture isn’t something that you just inherit; it’s something that you shape.

La Scuola students take part in a special Atelier of Democracy and Culture, accentuating the value of taking an active role in civic learning, advocacy, and democratic society. Through Residential Service Learning Projects and then Community Projects students think globally while acting locally.

A cornerstone of the student experience, our Middle School Advisory Program provides every learner with both a trusted adult advocate and a dedicated space for reflection, connection, and growth. Regular advisory meetings help students build meaningful relationships with peers and advisors, through which they develop self-awareness, empathy, and a sense of belonging.

Across Grades 5–8, students engage in a thoughtfully sequenced curriculum that evolves alongside their developmental needs. They learn to build healthy relationships, communicate with integrity, explore and celebrate their identities, develop organizational and self-management skills, and strengthen their capacity for reflection and leadership. Our Advisory Program also addresses topics essential to life in today’s world, including digital citizenship, AI literacy, academic integrity, conflict resolution, emotional well-being, and responsible decision-making.

As students progress through middle school, they increasingly apply their learning beyond themselves and into the broader community. Through service learning, advocacy, civic engagement, and their Grade 8 Community Projects, students develop the confidence and agency to contribute meaningfully to the world around them.

Early adolescence presents numerous opportunities for significant personal and social development. Each La Scuola middle school grade engages in extended experiential learning trips that bring developmentally appropriate physical, social, and cultural challenges.

Our fifth graders and sixth graders enjoy 5-day camping trips to Caritas Creek and Yosemite, respectively, while seventh graders do the same in Mendocino. In eighth grade, students travel to Italy for a two-week experience in intercultural and language immersion, alpine adventure, and service in a global context.

La Scuola was originally founded as an in-home play group by and for Italian and Italian-American families. Since then, it’s grown to encompass four campuses and a training institute!

We love Italian and Spanish for how they help students ground themselves in the Latin roots of English, for the introduction they provide to Romance languages, and how they open the door to exploration of European art, music, history, and science.

Adding heritage-level Spanish as the third language in our program reflects our environment and our role within our community. With our California campuses and particularly our San Francisco Mission District location — with its Spanish-speaking history — our families, and neighbors share a long history of cultural, traditional, and linguistic connection with romance languages such as Italian. Spanish is a language that connects us with the Americas and the world.

Early exposure to other languages — such as Italian and Spanish — enables more neural connections to form in student’s brains, giving growing adolescents better control over their attention, decision making, and planning.

Students do not need any knowledge of Italian or Spanish to enroll in La Scuola.

La Scuola International School’s inclusive and robust athletics program focuses on integrity, hard work, and honoring the game. Our program is designed to help all our student-athletes gain confidence, develop self-esteem and leadership skills, and learn the value of fair play and teamwork. We champion the merits of athletics and provide a high-quality experience to every student-athlete and coach.

Beyond the classroom, La Scuola students have space to explore their interests, build leadership skills, and find community.

Clubs give students the chance to dive into shared passions — from photography and art to cooking and science to sports and games — in a low-pressure, student-driven setting. Clubs in middle school are held during designated community time, not over lunch or during movement/break time.

Middle school students have a voice in school life through the Student Council. The experience gives them practice in leadership, collaboration, and civic responsibility as they help plan events, initiatives and represent their peers. True to La Scuola’s Reggio Emilia Approach roots, Student Council reflects our deep belief in the rights of the child — students learn democracy by living it, practicing real decision-making, negotiation, and shared responsibility for their community rather than just being taught about it.

Affinity groups create dedicated spaces where both families and students with shared identities or experiences can connect, feel seen, and build a sense of belonging — reflecting La Scuola’s broader commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

La Scuola empowers students with technology, opening paths for appropriate use and setting clear guidelines that lead to responsible digital citizenship.

Each student gets their own Chromebook and learns coding, robotics, online research skills, and more. That’s paired with a clear A.I. policy, preparing students and faculty to use but not abuse these rapidly evolving tools.

La Scuola International School, San Francisco campuses are device-free environments for students. No phones or other similar technology are allowed during school.