The Italian word for an upper secondary school, liceo, derives from Lyceum. Students attend the Liceo for 5 years, from the age of 13 to 18. There are three different Lyceums within the Convitto:
Liceo Classico (Classical High School)
The Liceo Classico offers an excellent general humanistic education and prepares students for an almost unlimited variety of university studies upon passing the Italian State school-leaving examination.
The Liceo Classico operates both in the main school at Piazza Monte Grappa and within the National Dance Academy at Via Arrigo VII, where the Convitto Nazionale is responsable for the academic tuition of its students, who study dance in the afternoon.
The well-balanced curriculum focuses, in particular, on the study of classical languages and the humanities. In addition, the curriculum also gives ample space to the study of scientific subjects ensuring our pupils a complete, all-round education aimed at students who wish to discover and develop their capabilities to the full. The curriculum includes:
- Greek and Latin
- Philosophy
- History
- Geography
- Italian language and literature
- Mathematics
- Physics and chemistry
- Natural sciences
- English language and literature.
The five-year course of studies is divided into two stages: the first two years, the Ginnasio, are considered the completion of the Junior High School level in which students learn the basics of Latin and Greek. In the final three years, the Liceo, students focus, in particular, on the study of the language and literature of classical and modern languages in preparation for the final State exam.
Academic subjects and timetable
Liceo Scientifico (Scientific High School)
The Liceo Scientifico offers an excellent general scientific education and prepares students for an almost unlimited variety of university studies upon passing the Italian State school-leaving examination. Students follow a specific set of courses covering a wide range of subjects, providing them with a complete, all-round scientific education which also gives ample space to the humanities. The curriculum includes:
- Mathematics
- Physics and chemistry
- Natural history and biology
- Italian language and literature
- History
- Philosophy
- Latin
- English and French languages and literatures
- Art history
Academic subjects and timetable
Liceo Classico Europeo (Classical European High School)
The Liceo Classico Europeo, founded in 1993, adheres strictly to the Maastricht programme and the educational guidelines laid down by the European Union. It offers an innovative course of studies with an emphasis not only on the humanities and modern languages but also on a wide range of other subjects. The curriculum includes:
- classical studies, Latin and ancient Greek
- Italian language and literature.
- English and French language and literature.
In their final exams at the end of the 5-year course, the students not only sit the three standard advanced level written examinations, but also take an additional fourth exam written in French, the Attestation, in French literature and geography. The diploma accompanying the Attestation is issued by the French Embassy and is recognized by Italian State universities, and some private universities, as well as by employers when the students end their studies and apply for jobs.
A central part of the basic language syllabus includes the preparation for the French DELF exams, in collaboration with the French Embassy, and the English Cambridge Language certificates from Starters for Young Learners to PET for Intermediate level students. Extra-curricula English exam preparation courses are organised for students wishing to go on to the Cambridge FCE and CAE exams.
The vehicular use of foreign languages CLIL, content and integrated language learning, is a focal point of the modern language programme and currently includes Geography in French and the History of Art in English.
In addition to the humanities, students are provided a comprehensive education in scientific subjects and social studies:
- Economics and Law
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
- Physics, and Natural Sciences.
Optional extra-curricula activities include preparatory courses for the E.C.D.L. (European Computer Driving Licence) as well as lessons leading to the patentino del ciclomotore, the Italian motorcycle driving licence for people over 14 years of age.
This state-of-the-art, highly effective study programme combines the best of the three traditional Italian high school courses: classics, science and languages with the aim of developing the students’ awareness of the issues that are crucial for their future life as European citizens in a global world.
Academic subjects and timetable
