Exactly three decades after its founding, the International School of Monaco (ISM) has opened the doors to its stunning new campus at Testimonio II. Monaco Life’s Cassandra Tanti took an exclusive tour of the campus, observing firsthand how the new facilities embody the Principality’s world-class standards. 

Nestled in Monaco’s prime Larvotto district, the purpose-built, visually striking facility is worlds apart from the former office-like campus on Quai Antoine 1er. After years of planning and fundraising, ISM now boasts a campus worthy of the Principality’s prestige, combining advanced technology, well-being initiatives and academic excellence. 

Situated within the sprawling Testimonio II complex, the 8,000m² campus features 53 classrooms, two playgrounds, two libraries, a sports hall, an auditorium, a rooftop café and football pitch, a well-being sanctuary and more.

Once the final scaffolding is removed, the school will also boast breathtaking, million-dollar views of the Mediterranean Sea.

“The community support has been incredible,” says ISM Director Stuart Bryan. “Firstly, the Board of Trustees, both past and present, have played a key role in setting aside reserves for this project. In addition, this time last year, we launched our capital campaign and we set the goal of raising €5 million, and without the gala dinner this December, we’ve already reached €4 million, thanks to the generosity of the parents and families closely connected to the school.”

All around the campus, plaques are positioned outside rooms and facilities to highlight the generous financial support of families. These plaques not only celebrate their contributions but also ensure their legacy lives on, helping to shape the future of the school and its students.

The entrance foyer is undoubtedly the most striking feature of the new premises, showcasing a sweeping staircase that ascends to the open-plan second and third floors. A mini grand piano and a cosy parents’ corner offering fresh coffee and pastries during morning drop-off serve as a reminder of the luxury that comes with being located in one of the most prestigious cities in the world.

“At drop-off and pick-up, the Atrium transforms into a hub of friendship, where parents share stories over coffee and snacks, nurturing a community that thrives together,” shares one of the parents. 

Above the coffee stand, the school proudly displays its achievements and accreditations, including ‘Founding Member of the Alliance for Sustainable Schools’, recognition as an ‘Athlete Friendly Education Centre’, and the prestigious ‘WAS Wellbeing Award for Schools’. The school also highlights its official authorisation to now offer the complete International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, including the newly added Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP), alongside the previously established Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP).

“ISM is one of the 82 IB World Schools out of more than 6,750 to be authorised to offer all four IB programmes, placing ISM in the top 1% of all IB schools worldwide,” says Bryan. “Moreover, ISM is also accredited by the World Academy of Sport, the official sports partner of the IB, as an Athlete Friendly Education Center (AFEC), which, along with the offering of all four IB programmes, makes ISM unique as the only bilingual French-English school in the world with this combination of programmes on offer.”

In 1994, ISM was founded by parents with just 34 students. Now, the school accommodates 827 students from 63 different nationalities and is ranked among the Top 100 schools globally and the Top 10 in Europe.

Wooden crates of fresh fruit are dotted throughout the school for students to snack on and recharge the brain. A whimsical yellow submarine in the primary section sings to Monaco’s commitment to the ocean and encourages creative play, while an enormous playground allows a smooth balance between learning and play during the day. The secondary and senior hallways feature comfortable pods where students can gather, work on their laptops, or take a moment for themselves. Meanwhile, a senior-exclusive rooftop terrace with a café, a football pitch and a sheltered hang-out spot is effortlessly cool and undeniably Monaco.

Using tech to ignite curiosity

In this fast-moving technological world, the digital room is what I found most exciting: seven floor-to-ceiling android touch screens and accompanying virtual reality headsets provide students with 360° virtual reality capability. 

During his official inauguration and visit to the International School of Monaco on Friday 13th September, Prince Albert II explored how students will use this technology to enhance their learning experience. As an example, he virtually dived into the ocean aboard ISM’s yellow submarine, using a VR headset to explore marine life at different depths. This immersive technology is designed to engage students in interactive lessons, such as marine conservation, where they can dive into virtual environments, then return to the classroom to analyse and expand on the topic.

Even the canteen stands out with its spacious layout and a variety of fresh, homemade meals. The catering team, clearly passionate about their craft, take great pride in preparing delicious, wholesome food for the students, ensuring every dish is both nutritious and appealing.

For families considering relocation to Monaco, ISM’s ongoing commitment to student wellbeing, academic excellence and its newly unveiled state-of-the-art campus will undoubtedly be a key factor in their decision-making process.

“This school adds to Monaco’s attractiveness as a destination for families seeking the best education,” agrees Bryan. “Now, we have facilities that match the quality of our teaching, helping position ISM as one of the top international schools in Europe and the world.”

ISM is recognised among the Top 100 schools worldwide by the 2024 Spear’s Schools Index and among the Top 125 private schools in the world by Carfax Education’s 2023 Schools Index.

With the milestone of expanding and modernizing its campus now achieved, what lies ahead for ISM? More students, new programs?

“Now that we’ve settled into this incredible new facility, our focus shifts to the future,” says Bryan. “We’ve been working closely with the community, conducting surveys and focus groups to help shape our vision for the coming years.”

The journey ahead is sure to be watched closely, both by those within the school and the broader community.

For more information on education in Monaco, read our article on the British School of Monaco’s new secondary campus here, important dates on the 2024/25 school calendar here, and where to buy school supplies in Monaco here.

Take the video tour with our Instagram video below…

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Main photo by Monaco Life