Secondary education in Italy for international students

Italy's educational system encompasses three key levels:

• Primary school (5 years)
• First cycle of secondary school (3 years)
• Second cycle of secondary school (5 years)

Foreign students in Italy can pursue their education in private boarding schools or international schools. They can commence their secondary education after completing the 8th, 9th, or 10th grade, or alternatively, enroll in the International Baccalaureate program.

Esther Diaz

Education specialist, career coach and consultant. She worked for Inspired Education Group and directed the admissions department at the International School san Patricio Toledo.

What would you say is the most important when choosing a school?

This is the quality of support and work of the management, the opportunity to study at IB, the prestige of the school and the percentage of successful completion of the diploma stage of IB, recommendations for further universities. It is worth considering the national "recruitment" of campus students, opportunities for extracurricular development and activities, the availability of medical services and consultations, opportunities for language immersion. Is education at the chosen school based on the values you share? Is the school a close-knit community? Is academic support good?

Schools in Italy cater to foreign students with accommodation choices that include living with a host family or residing in a school dormitory. Host families are carefully selected by school representatives. The dormitory accommodates students between the ages of 11 and 13, offering both full and half board options. The latter entails a 5-day school stay with weekend accommodations in a family setting.

Experienced professionals overseas student activities, ensuring continuous teacher and educator supervision. Curators play an important role in helping students attain their educational goals. Schools inform parents about their children's progress through regular email updates.

• Primary School (Ages 6-11): The two-level "scuola elementare" cycle covers subjects like mathematics, writing, reading, music, drawing, and foreign languages. Additionally, students may opt for religious studies. Students undergo examinations and receive the "diploma di licenza elementare" upon completion.
• Scuola Media (Ages 11-14): During these years, students delve into natural sciences, mathematics, geography, the Italian language, history, music, art, and foreign languages.
• Secondary School (Ages 14-18): At this stage, students have the freedom to select from standard, profile, or preparatory (pre-university) curricula. The chosen profile of education during this phase often lays the foundation for future career paths.

• Diverse Fields of Study: Italy stands out as an ideal destination for those seeking education in design, fashion, art, history, architecture, and more.
• Flexible Examination System: Italian secondary schools do not impose annual standard exams, instead focusing on assessments when students advance to a new educational level.
• Gateway to Further Opportunities: Education in Italian boarding schools gives access to extensive opportunities for higher education and career development.
• Preparation for Prestigious Higher Education: Studying in Italy provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter respected institutions of higher education both in Italy itself and around the world.

Embrace the rich educational landscape of Italy, where top schools provide a nurturing environment for students from diverse backgrounds to excel and thrive.

Secondary Schools in Italy

In Italy, the secondary education system consists of two key stages: Junior High School (Scuola Media) and Senior High School (Scuola Superiore). Scuola Media is for students aged 11 to 14 and lasts for three years.

Scuola Superiore accepts students between the ages of 15 and 19 and lasts five years. The upper secondary school offers different types of institutions such as Liceo (prepares students for university), Istituto Tecnico or Istituto Professionale (offer vocational and technical training).

Cost for foreign Students

Public secondary schools are generally free for all students, including foreign ones, with the exception of some fees for books, school materials, and other expenses. However, these costs are relatively low, especially when compared to private school fees or tuition in many other countries. For foreign students, though, there might be additional costs for Italian language courses if they are not already proficient in the language, as the majority of courses in public schools are taught in Italian.

Private Schools and Fees

Private secondary schools can be considerably more expensive. The fees can vary widely depending on the reputation, location, and curriculum of the school. Some private institutions, especially those catering to international students or offering International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, can charge fees ranging from a few thousand to several thousand euros per year. Foreign students might also need to consider costs related to visas, health insurance, and living expenses, especially if they are staying in major cities like Rome, Milan, or Florence, where the cost of living is higher.