Italy’s school system is based on the right (and duty) to free education for all students, Italian and foreign. Accordingly every student must receive:
- compulsory schooling: obligation by law to attend school from the age of 6 to 16
- compulsory education: to frequent school or equivalent educational structure up to the age of 18 with a view to obtaining a certificate or professional qualification.
The educational system consists of:
- Kindergarten: from 3 months to 3 years (not compulsory)
- Nursery school: from 3 to 6 years (not compulsory)
- Primary school: from the age of 6, duration of 5 years
- Lower secondary school: duration of 3 years, for pupils that have completed primary education
- Upper secondary school: specific education given by higher education institutes, having a duration of 3 or 5 years.
Information on:
Enrolling at a state school
Secondary School
Foreign schools
See also:
Equivalence of qualifications
Recognition of qualifications