The Italian school system can be considered peculiar for people living outside the EU, actually sometimes even for people living in the EU. So, in this article I’ll try to outline the main features of the Italian school system in case you’re deciding to move here permanently.
Structure
The Italian school system is divided into three main levels: Scuola dell’Infanzia (preschool), Scuola Primaria (primary school), and Scuola Secondaria (secondary school). Each level has distinct characteristics and serves as a stepping stone for students as they progress through their academic journey.
Scuola dell’Infanzia (Preschool)
The journey begins with Scuola dell’Infanzia, which caters to children aged three to five. While attendance is not compulsory, many parents choose to enroll their children to foster early socialization and cognitive development. This stage focuses on play-based learning, introducing children to basic skills and fostering a love for learning.
Vocabulary:
o Scuola dell’Infanzia: Preschool
o Asilo nido: Nursery school
o Gioco didattico: Educational game
o Insegnante: Teacher
Scuola Primaria (Primary School)
Compulsory education kicks in at the Scuola Primaria level, starting at age six and lasting for five years. The curriculum is diverse, covering subjects like Italian, mathematics, science, history, music, religion and English. Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping a child’s academic foundation, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and collaboration. Children go to school from Monday to Friday and the families can choose to make them study from a minimum of 24 hours per week to 40 hours per week. In my town, for example, the standard time is from 8:30 to 16:30 with a long pause for lunch.
Vocabulary:
o Scuola Primaria: Primary school
o Materie: Subjects
o Insegnante di italiano: Italian teacher
o Compito in classe: In-class assignment
Scuola Secondaria (Secondary School)
After completing primary education, students enter Scuola Secondaria, which is divided into two cycles: Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado (lower secondary school) and Scuola Secondaria di Secondo Grado (upper secondary school). The lower secondary school starts when you are 11 years old and spans three years, introducing a more specialized curriculum, such as the introduction of a second foreign language, while the upper secondary school lasts for five years and prepares students for higher education or vocational paths. There are different upper secondary schools and you must decide the path you prefer. For example, we have schools with a scientific path, schools with a linguistic path, schools with an artistic path, etc. You can also choose a technical or vocational path, if you prefer. So, students are kind of required to decide what they’d like to do in their future when they’re 13 years old.
Both in lower and upper secondary school students are tested throughout the school year with both written tests and oral tests.
Vocabulary:
o Scuola Secondaria: Secondary school
o Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado: Lower secondary school
o Scuola Secondaria di Secondo Grado: Upper secondary school
Esame di Stato (State Exam)
A pivotal moment in the Italian education system is the Esame di Stato, a state exam taken at the end of Scuola Secondaria di Secondo Grado. Success in this exam is crucial for obtaining the high school diploma, which is a prerequisite for university admission. The exam typically includes written and oral components, testing students’ knowledge and skills in some of the subjects they’re learnt throughout their school path. The final grade goes from 0 to 100. The exam is passed with a minimum of 60.
Vocabulary:
o Esame di Stato/Maturità: State exam/high school diploma
o Prova scritta: Written test
o Prova orale: Oral test
Higher Education
Italy boasts a prestigious higher education system, with renowned universities offering a wide array of academic programs. The process of entering university involves submitting standardized test scores or passing an entrance exam, depending on the chosen field of study. Students can pursue a bachelor’s degree that lasts 3 years first. During the bachelor’s degree students can be tested both orally and written. At the end of the third year, they have to write and discuss a dissertation on a chosen topic in front of a commission. Then, they can decide if they’d like to continue and study for a master’s degree, that lasts two years. During the master’s degree students can be tested both orally and written. At the end of the second year, they have to write and discuss a thesis on a chosen topic in front of a commission. After that, students can choose if they want to enroll for a Ph.D program that generally lasts from 3 to 4 years.
Vocabulary:
o Università: University
o Laurea triennale: Bachelor’s degree
o Laurea magistrale: Master’s degree
o Dottorato di ricerca: Ph.D. program
I hope I gave you some insights on the Italian school system. Is it very different from the one in the Country where you live? How?
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