Secondary education in Milan 2025

Schools in Milan are divided into four levels:

• Kindergarten (age of children from 3 to 5 years old)
• Primary School (age from 6 to 11)
• Lower Secondary School (for students aged 11- 14)
• Upper Secondary School (age from 14 to 19 years old).

Students, who have reached 14 years old, make a decision which concerns their academic path, selecting a specialization which affects their future university studies and career opportunities.

Public Schools

Studying at public schools is free of charge for local students. The medium of teaching is Italian, which may not be convenient for most foreign families. Educational process stipulates obtaining a comprehensive understanding of Italian culture and education.

Schools often include Catholic religious education. However, diverse beliefs are respected. Students can attend non-religious alternative classes, involving various disciplines, ranging from human rights to mythology.

Private Schools

Private schools  are not inferior in the quality of educational services in comparison to public schools. Private institutions also receive government funding, which results in adhering to approved curricula and academic standards. At the same time private institutions offer various educational philosophies or religious teachings, which include Catholicism or the Montessori method. Parents, who are interested in a personalized approach to their children's education often choose private schools, as they provide diverse pedagogical methods, allowing them to meet individual interests and preferences.

International Schools

Milan hosts several international schools, offering a variety of programs, such as the International Baccalaureate, American, British, French, and German curricula. Tuition fees are high. However, the educational process stipulates overcoming language barriers, providing excellent opportunities for further studying. The private schools have gained popularity due to their multicultural environments and comprehensive programs.

There are institutions in Milan, which provide support for children with special educational needs. Italy adopts a progressive approach to studying, ensuring inclusivity. Students with disabilities are provided with a wide range of services to guarantee a complete education. No matter the school type, each educational institution provides  support for students with special needs.

Children of non-Italian residents living in Italy permanently have a right to obtain free public education as Milanese residents. In most schools students are not required to wear uniforms. Milan's strategic location in Europe makes it easy for residents to travel to other EU countries, such as France, Germany, Greece, or the United Kingdom, for short trips during school holidays.

Milan is a city, where a diverse population of immigrants, professionals, tourists, and foreign students are living together. Due to cultural diversity, foreigners can expect a welcoming community in Milan.

The academic year begins in mid-September and finishes in June. Winter holidays in late December give students the opportunity to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families. Additional breaks occur in February and April. On average, the duration of summer holidays is 12 weeks.

Studying is conducted from Monday to Saturdays. Usually studies begin at eight in the morning, which last for five hours.However, modern arrangements provide students with the opportunity to have a shorter week, attending longer classes on weekdays, freeing up Saturdays.

At the end of each semester, students receive report cards called pagella. Grades range from 10 (excellent) to 1 (ungradable), with a passing grade being 6 for each subject.