THE SCHOOL

Italian School

Primary education The primary school is commonly preceded by three years of non-compulsory nursery school and lasts five years. Until high school, the educational curriculum is the same for all pupils: although one can attend a private or state-funded school, the subjects studied are the same.

Until 2004, pupils had to pass an exam to access at the Middle School, comprising the composition of a short essay in Italian, a written math test, and an oral test on the other subjects. The exam has been discontinued and pupils can now enter to the Middle School directly.

Secondary education

Secondary education is divided in two stages:

• Middle school

• High school

The Middle School

The Middle School lasts three years (from age 11 to 13), and provides further education on the subjects studied at the primary school, with the addition of Technology and a language other than English. The curriculum is the same for all schools. At the end of the third year students sit an exam which enables them to continue their education.

The High School

The High School lasts five years. Every tier involves an exam at the end of the final year, called Esame di Maturità, required to gain a diploma and have access to further education (even though some istituti professionali might offer a diploma after only three years). The main division is between: • the Liceo, • the Istituto Tecnico • the Istituto Professionale.

Dutch School

Elementary schoolBetween the ages of 4 to 12, children attend elementary school. This school has eight grades, called group 1 through group 8. School attendance is not compulsory until group 2 (at age five), but almost all children commence school at age four (in group 1). At the end of the group 8 there is the CITO test. The Cito test is not mandatory.

High SchoolAfter attending elementary education, Dutch children (by that time usually 12 years old) go directly to High School. Informed by the advice of the elementary school and the results of the Cito test, a choice is made for:

• vmbo: is the lowest level

• vwo: is the highest level

• havo: is between vmbo and vwo

Created by Maria Solonaru & Martina Paolazzi

Antonio Rosmini School

2013/2014