Essential Expat Information about Schools and Education in Italy

The state education system in Italy is very highly regarded – so much so that little difference exists between the quality of education available at most state or private run institutions.  Only those expatriates moving to Italy who have older children who have no Italian language skills or those relocating temporarily make use of international schools and these are only available in the larger cities and employment centres.

In this article we cover the essential expat information about schools and education in Italy so that if you’re thinking of relocating to experience the magic of Italy with your family, you’ll be forewarned about what to expect and forearmed with the knowledge to get your children into school and learning!

If you have pre-school children you’ll be in the minority if you don’t send them to Materna which is a kindergarten type institution of which many are privately run and some are state run.  The emphasis is purely on getting used to social interaction and learning through play rather than learning formally.  Children in Italy can go to Materna between the ages of 3 and 6 when they have to attend primary school.

Education is compulsory and pretty much free for all children between the ages of 6 and 15 – and even children who pass their middle school exams and go on to secondary school are largely educated for free with an additional small tax payable by their parents who also have to contribute towards text books and learning materials.

Primary school is attended between the ages of 6 and 11…initially children learn to read and write before incorporating additional subjects into their learning scope such as maths and history.  A primary school is called scuola elemetare and classes are usually from about 8 – 1 with the occasional day extended to include some afternoon lessons or activities.

You don’t have to favour one particular school over another because of the location you live in Italy, you can register your child with whichever school you prefer and whichever school has space basically, and for more information you should go to your local town hall as soon as possible after arriving in Italy.

To enrol a pupil you will need to take any exam certificates that they have already been awarded (these should be translated into Italian), a final report and covering letter from your child’s last school translated into Italian, birth and immunisation certificates, a couple of photos of the child, your residence permit as well as a ‘family status certificate’ or certificate di stato di famiglia which you also get from the town hall.

Children over the age of 11 attend a middle school until they are 15 at which point they take state exams to see whether they are able to go on to secondary school.  If they pass these exams they either go to a grammar school equivalent from 15 – 19 or they go to a technical or vocational school for the same period.  Liceo is the word for grammar school and technical colleges are instituto technico.

If you’re still living in Italy when your student child graduates from their secondary school they can choose to go on to university in Italy as well.  Their final exams will determine whether they can go to university and which one they are eligible for in much the same way as the process works in the UK.

And finally, if you are serious about moving to live in Italy and you have children you will be giving them the best advantage possible if you at least help them get to grips with the basics of the Italian language before you move and throw them in at the deep end in an Italian school!