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Secondary education in Rome 2025

This content was developed and approved with active participation of Esther Diaz.

In the process of preparing the material, we referenced the following sources:

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Education_in_Rome
  • https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/qs-best-student-cities/rome
Current page last update date: 2025-07-15
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Rome's educational trajectory goes back to ancient times. The Romans pioneered a structured education system that went beyond the simple transmission of knowledge from parents to children and focused on raising cultured and informed citizens. This principle continues today: Rome offers a wide range of public, international and bilingual educational opportunities for both foreign residents and local students.

 

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?

Primary Education in Rome: Laying the Foundation

Elementary education in Rome seeks to establish a solid foundation in core subjects like Italian or English, mathematics, sciences, and humanities. Active participation and engaged learning are encouraged. From the beginning, the significance of arts, music, and physical activity is highlighted to nurture creativity and overall development.

Secondary education in Rome is divided into two segments: middle school and high school. Middle school encompasses a three-year period, delivering a well-rounded education in history, geography, literature, foreign languages, mathematics, science, physical education, and technology. High school offers varied tracks based on student passions and future career goals. Humanities streams prepare students for advanced study in fields such as literature, philosophy, or law, while technical courses equip students for careers in information technology or tourism, for example.

Types of Schools in Rome: Public, Private, and International Options

 

  • Public Education in Rome is free from primary school through university level and is accessible to foreigners. Expats planning long-term residency often opt for public schools, which are well-regarded and generally preferred by Italians over private institutions.
  • Private schools in Rome often receive public funding, obligating them to meet governmental educational requirements and standards. Unlike public institutions, private schools can be rooted in particular religious or pedagogical approaches, such as the Catholic or Montessori methods.
  • International schools in Rome diverge widely in curriculum, teaching philosophies, and languages used for instruction. Certain institutions follow the British National Curriculum (for instance, St George's and New School), the American curriculum (like the American Overseas School of Rome and Marymount International), or provide the International Baccalaureate (IB) program from the elementary level (e.g., Rome International School and Ambrit).

Inclusive Education: A Priority in Italy

Italy prioritizes inclusive education, ensuring that students with disabilities are educated alongside their peers. All types of schools, including international, state, and private, provide various support systems to prevent the segregation of students with special needs. Many schools in Rome have therapists and special education teachers on staff to help students adapt. Schools also work closely with parents and external resources to develop tailored educational plans that address the unique needs of each child.

Reasons to Choose Schools in Rome

The dedication of Roman educators to their fields and their students is a compelling reason to select schools in Rome. They aim to deliver individualized attention and support, ensuring a high-quality education for every student. Moreover, schools in Rome have access to cutting-edge resources such as science labs, computer rooms, libraries, and sports facilities, enabling students to acquire hands-on experience and explore various interests.

Top Schools in Rome: A Tradition of Academic Excellence

Rome's commitment to academic excellence is long-standing, offering a wide array of rigorous courses designed to challenge students and prepare them for higher education.

List of Schools in Rome: Community and Parental Involvement

Primary and secondary schools in Rome encourage parental involvement in the educational process by regularly organizing events aimed at fostering a sense of community and cooperation, such as parent-teacher meetings and open house days.

Schools in Rome Ranking: Reflecting a Legacy of Quality Education The consistent commitment to high academic standards and comprehensive student support has kept Roman schools high in both national and international rankings, continuing a legacy of educational excellence that dates back to ancient times.

Learning programs-summary information

Name Meaning Equivalent Min. age Duration,
years
Next stage Cost
GCSE General certificate of secondary education secondary education (non-accomplished) 14 1–2 A-Levels 15,000 USD+
A-Levels Advanced level secondary education (accomplished) 16 2 University 15,000 USD+
BTEC Business and Technology Education Board secondary special education 14 2–3 University/ work 15,000 USD+
Oxbridge Preparation Preparing for Oxford and Cambridge secondary education (accomplished) 17 1 University 15,000 USD+
International Baccalaureate International baccalaureate secondary education (accomplished) 16 2 University 18,000 USD+
Foundation/ Pathway Year Preparatory year admission to the 1st year of university 17 1 University 14,000 USD+
NCUK The Northern consortium 2 year university 17,5 1 2 year University of NCUK 13,000 USD+
Special Preparation (Medics/Math/Business) Specialized training - 14 optional optional 4,000 USD+
Academic English Academic English Language school 8 + 6–12 months School or University 8,000 USD+

Advantages and disadvantages of English schools

Advantages Disadvantages
The opportunity to enter the best universities in England, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Europe, the world Expensive
High quality of education and academic standards Strong workload
Perfect English after graduation The need to change the social environment; it takes time to adapt
Useful contacts The difficulty of choosing the most suitable school for the child, requires a qualified specialist

Top 21 boarding colleges in England 2025

1 Cardiff Sixth Form College
2 National Mathematics and Science College
3 Abbey College Cambridge
4 d'Overbroeck's College
5 MPW London
6 CATS Cambridge
7 Kensington Park
8 DLD London
9 King's College St Michael’s
10 Bellerbys Cambridge
11 Chelsea Independent College
12 MPW Cambridge
13 Bellerbys Brighton
14 CATS London
15 St Clare's Oxford
16 Bishopstrow College
17 CATS Canterbury
18 Bellerbys London
19 Ealing Independent College
20 Cambridge Tutors College
21 Abbey Manchester
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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.
Esther worked as a Head of Admissions, Engagement and Outreach at San Patricio Toledo International School until 2021. She is an expert in primary and secondary education. Esther also has a great deal of experience in teaching, marketing, translating and coaching. She thinks that it is important to consider the environment, educational institutions rankings, historical and artistic heritage, nature of the people, and unique traditions and folklore when choosing a place to study.
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