THE ITALIAN SCHOOL EDUCATION SYSTEM

Italian students start their schooling at the age of six. Pupils attend SCUOLA ELEMENTARE (Elementary School) for 5 years and they go on to SCUOLA MEDIA (Middle School) for another 3 years. School attendance is compulsory up to the age of 16 y.o. After Scuola Media, students can continue their education and proceed to different kinds of High School.

SCUOLA SUPERIORE (High School) lasts 5 years and attendance is generally mandatory for 6 days a week. Students should be prepared to attend on Saturday as well. Also, most of the students attend school only in the morning (generally from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) with a 10 minute break around 11 a.m. The school year starts in the middle of September and ends at the beginning of June.

There are many different types of High Schools. Italian students can decide which type of High School they want to attend but cannot decide the subjects, as these are all mandatory.

Liceo Classico Subjects studied: Italian Literature, Latin Language and Literature, Ancient Greek Language and Literature, one Foreign Language and Literature, Maths, Physics, History, Philosophy, Biology, Physical Education, History of Art.

Liceo Scientifico Subjects studied: Italian Literature, Latin Language and Literature, one or two Foreign Languages and Literatures, Maths, Physics, History, Philosophy, Biology or Chemistry, Physical Education, History of Art, Technical Drawing.

Liceo Linguistico Subjects studied: Italian Literature, three Foreign Languages and Literatures, Maths, Physics, History, Philosophy, Biology or Chemistry, Physical Education, History of Art.

Istituto Tecnico Subjects studied: Italian Literature, two Foreign Languages, Maths, Commerciale Physical Education, Economy and Law, Accounting.

These are the most common schools where a foreign student is likely to be placed.

School teams hardly exist, therefore students are welcome to join in a gym or join in one of the many teams that generally even small towns offer.