4. Primary school lasts five years.
Children start school at the age of 6 (although some children start school at 5)
And finish when they are 11
Until middle school, the educational curriculum is uniform for all: although one
can attend a private or state-funded school, the subjects studied are the same
In the last years each class had several teachers. But now a new law is changing
the method of teaching because it introduces one teacher in each class. Some
schools have classes in the afternoon. Children learn basic skills such as reading,
writing. The subjects they study are: Math, History, English, Music, Art,
Geography, Art. Books are free. Students wear a uniform
5. It corresponds to Middle School, lasts three years,
and involves an exam at the end of the third year.
Students start first grade Secondary School at 11 and finish at 14.
Students study 2 languages: English and French/ German/ Spanish.
Other subjects they study are: Italian, Maths, Geography, History, Art,
Technology, Music, Religion, P.E. Some schools have classes in the afternoon.
Students don’t wear a school uniform .Parents have to buy the books
6. At the moment there are several kinds of High Schools differentiated by subjects
and activities. The main division is between the "Liceo", the "Istituto
Tecnico“(Technical Institutes) and the "Istituto
Professionale“(Professional Institutes) . Any kind of High school that lasts 5
years grants access to the final exam, called Esame di Stato conclusivo del corso
di studio di Istruzione Secondaria Superiore or Esame di Maturità. This exam
takes place every year in June and July and grants access to any faculty at any
University
In 2009 the minister of Public Instruction, M. Stella Gelmini approved a new law
that aims at restructuring the Italian High School System. These changes will
take efffect starting in the year 2010 and will bring about several changes. There
will be six main tipes of secondary schools:
7. CLASSICAL STUDIES (LICEO CLASSICO)
This lasts for five years and prepares the student for university level studies. Latin, Greek and Italian
literature form an important part of the curriculum. During the last three years English. philosophy and
history of art are also studied.
SCIENTIFIC STUDIES (LICEO SCIENTIFICO)
Lasts for five years with an emphasis on physics, chemistry and natural sciences. Students study Latin
and one modern language for 5 years
MODERN LANGUAGE STUDIES (LICEO LINGUISTICO) study of three foreign languages.
Starting from the third year, one subject will be taught in a foreign language, and the same will happen
with a second subject startig from the fourth year
FINE ARTS HIGH SCHOOL (LICEO ARTISTICO)
is divided in: FIGURATIVE ARTS that focuses on themes such as the safekiping and valorization of
Italy’s cultural treasures. ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENT utilizes audio visual
comunications for the actuation of cultural programs and researche. AUDIO-VISUAL, MULTIMEDIA
AND SET DESIGN helps students utilize the latest technologies to fully develop their artistic potential.
LIBERAL ARTS STUDIES (LICEO DELLE SCIENZE UMANE)
focuses on the main areas of human centered sciences. This will replace the old Liceo Sociopedagogico
with the possibility of enabling (upon the institute’s choice) a socio-economic track
MUSIC AND CHOIR STUDIES ( LICEO MUSICALE E COREUTICO)
is potencially ancillary to conservatories and dance schools. At the end of these studies the students will
have a great knowledge of the national and international musical domain accompained by the historical
and social context that inspired the works
