World -> Europe

Italy - Schools

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There are two stages of education in Italy: primary and secondary. Primary school can be preceded by 3 years of non-compulsory kindergarten. Primary school lasts 5 years. Until middle school, the educational curriculum is uniform for all. Secondary education (Scuole medie) is further divided in two stages: "Medie Inferiori", which correspond to the Middle School grades, and "Medie Superiori", which correspond to the Secondary School level. The lower tier of "Scuole Medie" corresponds to Middle School, lasts 3 years, and involves an exam at the end of the third year; "Scuole Superiori" lasts from 3 to 5 years. Every tier involves an exam at the end of the final year, required to access the following tier. The secondary school situation varies, since there are several types of schools differentiated by subjects and activities. The main division is between the "Liceo", the "Istituto Tecnico" and the "Istituto Professionale". Any kind of secondary 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.
Banners outside a school in Venice	Venetian school children	School in Venice
Students and teachers in Venice	Kindergarden in Venice	School building in Venice