Istituto Italiano Scuola is a non-profit organization that promotes and expands the knowledge of Italian language and culture throughout San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Our mission – as the official language school of the Italian Cultural Institute in San Francisco – is to offer the highest quality Italian language instruction. We are committed to providing a stimulating learning environment and exposing students to the rich diversity of the Italian culture and tradition.

Instructors are all native Italian speakers and hold degrees from Italian universities. This team of qualified teachers helps to ensure a learning experience that is dynamic and lively, yet structured and effective. The goal is to expose students not only to the Italian language, but to an entire culture and its complexities and nuances.

IIS enjoys a remarkably high percentage of returning students, which we believe is a statement that we are, in fact, providing the stimulating and enriching experience to which we aspire. IIS also attracts a diverse student population, representing a wide range in age and ethnicity.

Ours is the only Bay Area Italian language school associated with the Istituto Italiano di Cultura of San Francisco. IIS and IIC share the same location at 814 Montgomery Street, near the historic Italian neighborhood of North Beach.

IIS and IIC work closely together to provide an ideal environment in which to experience the vast offerings of Italian culture. Through the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, students can choose among a wide variety of regularly scheduled events, including films, lectures, art exhibits, and culinary presentations.

The Istituto Italiano Scuola does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, gender or sexual orientation.

Executive Director
Diletta Torlasco

Assistant to the Director
Jessica Bazzoli

Board Members

Andrew Majoch – President
Sara Trélaün – Secretary
Joan Kahr – Treasurer

Other Members

Martin Cohn
Sandra Phillips
Deanne Spears
Gary P.Vannelli
Toni Veronese