American Overseas School of Rome

American Overseas School of Rome
Location
Rome, Italy
Information
Type	Private School, International School
Established	1947
Headmaster	Dr. Beth K. Pfannl
Faculty	77
Grades	Pre-K3 - 13
Enrollment	609
Average class size	15 students
Campus	Suburban
Color(s)	Red & White
Mascot	Falcon
Website	www.aosr.org

The American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR) is a private international school in Rome, Italy, accredited by the United States-based Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. It has three divisions: Elementary School, Middle School and High School. It primarily caters to the international community in Rome, Italy. Students graduating receive the American high-school diploma or the International Baccalaureate. It has been an IB World School since April 1989. The Headmaster is Dr. Beth K. Pfannl along with Mr. Ken Kunin as the Secondary School Principal and Mr. Stephen Foster as the Elementary School Principal.

History

For the first half of its existence, the school was called the Overseas School of Rome. There actually was an OSR located at the Foro Mussolini (now the Foro Italico), near Ponte Milvio before 1947, but not the same school that was incorporated in that year. When news came that the Allied Forces were being moved to Trieste, five American and five British mothers (some from the original Foro Mussolini school) got together and decided to form a school which should be undenominational and international, combining the best of the British and American systems. This group is responsible for the organization of the official corporation that became known as the American Overseas School of Rome.

The parents managed to get the British and American Ambassadors, as patrons of the school, to put pressure on the Torlonia family to rent the palazzetto of Villa Torlonia on Via Nomentana as AOSR's first campus. The school opened its doors to the public on October 16, 1947, with a grand total of 60 students.

In 1952, the school moved from its original site to the current location on Via Cassia. Enrollment continued to rise steadily, reflecting the increased numbers of parents assigned to embassies, consulates, and the United Nations, or living in Rome as scholars, artists, journalists, and business professionals. The Board of Trustees accepted the challenge and opportunity of rising enrollment by constructing a new high-school building in 1956, and in 1958 an auditorium and cafeteria were completed to replace the temporary structure that had been built.

That same year, the United States government expressed its recognition of the school's educational program, and the importance of the mutual respect and collaboration generated by the exchange of ideas and experiences among members of the multinational student body and faculty, by making a grant to the school. A new elementary school was constructed, additional high school classrooms completed, and the gymnasium installed.

In 1965, the elementary school extension was completed, as well as leveling of the field, and the school took on its present day appearance. The Hillside Theater was added in the early 70s. While enrollment peaked at over 800 students in the late 60s and early 70s, in recent years it has stabilized around 600 students. The change to the current name of American Overseas School of Rome was adopted in the late 70s.

In June 2007, AOSR celebrated its 60th Anniversary on the banks of the Tiber River.

Curriculum

The curriculum is that of U.S. general academic, college-preparatory public or private schools. The School has a strong Advanced Placement Program and also prepares students for the International Baccalaureate examinations. The School's testing program includes the College Board's PSAT, SAT/ACT, and Advanced Placement tests, as well as the full complement of IB tests. Instruction is in English. French, Spanish, Latin, Chinese, and Italian are taught as foreign languages. There is no religious instruction. The School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is the first school to be granted an International Credential from the Middle States Association.

Elementary school

The curriculum of the Elementary School is designed to follow the generally accepted philosophy and ideals of American education. Specialists teach art, physical education, music, theater, computer, English as a Second Language, reading, and Italian. Italian students are prepared for the quinta elementare examination as long as it is required by the Italian Ministry of Education.

Middle school

AOSR had a middle school. Focus on the core subjects of language arts, mathematics, science and social studies enables students to develop skills for lifelong learning. A strong foreign language program requires students to study Italian and allows them to select French, as well. Italian students are prepared for the prima, seconda, and terza media exams as long as they are required by the Italian Ministry of Education. All students are exposed to a variety of enrichment courses such as drama, art, computer, and music. Physical education is also an integral part of the curriculum. Student government, cultural trips, and after school activities supplement the academics in the middle school.

The Villa at AOSR

High school

The High School is a college preparatory day offering one year and semester courses. It also offers a boarding program that provides for a caring, structured living and academic environment for a group of students. The program houses students at Hotel Villa St. Dominique, a three star hotel located near the school and downtown Rome. A ten-subject Advanced Placement Program and the International Baccalaureate Program are available, as well as a post-graduate (13th) year. Over the years, virtually all of the school's graduates have attended universities in the United States, England, Canada, Italy, France and throughout the world.

Athletics

AOSR offers a wide range of sports, including: Football (Soccer), Basketball, Volleyball, Cross-country running, Tennis, and Cheerleading. AOSR no longer offers Wrestling as a sport, for a still unknown reason. Athletics function as an integral part of the total curriculum and life at AOSR. The school plays in the American Schools Italy League (ASIL). The ASIL is part of the Europe Interscholastic Athletic Program run by the US Department of Defense. The program has 4 divisions with the larger schools being in division 1 and 2 and the smaller in 3 and 4. AOSR is in division 2. Each sports season consists of a few months of competition and culminates at the European championships, usually held in Germany. AOSR fields one varsity team per sport, with the exception of basketball, which fields a junior varsity team, numbers permitting. Mr. Max Squarcia is the Athletic Director and he oversees the school's athletic membership in the Dodds mediterranean league besides inspiring young athletes to engage in sports. The American Overseas School of Rome athletic teams are known as the "Falcons." The school's cross-town rivals are primarily Marymount International School of Rome and St. Stephen's International School.

Nationalities

The American Overseas School of Rome is host to over fifty-five different nationalities of students of which 30% are American and 40% Italian.

Organization

The School is governed by a 12-member Board of Trustees, who are elected by the parents or guardians of children enrolled in the School. The School is recognized as a non-profit institution under Italian law and is incorporated in the State of Delaware as tax-exempt under Section 501(c) (3) of the US Internal Revenue Code.

Associations and memberships

The American University of Rome (AUR) President Dr. Robert A. Marino and American Overseas School of Rome (AOSR) Head of School Dr. Beth Pfannl signed a cooperation agreement on February 7, 2008.

This agreement will enhance the ongoing commitment of the two institutions, advancing the mission of American style education in Italy from pre-school through the college level. The schools will work together to seek outside funding for school projects and will share facilities, special programs, and opportunities for faculty development.

Reunions

AOSR celebrated its 60th anniversary from June 23 to June 25 in 2007. It included a "Roma 2007 Kick-Off" event launch on the banks of the Tiber River below Ponte Umberto I. The event included a mini-cruise, on the Tiber II, up the Tiber to Ponte Milvio with live music on board. Other reunions coming up in 2008 include New York City and Washington D.C.

References

External links

• Official website
• IB official website