The Italian School System, Told by Someone Who Lived It (and Why It's So Tough)

Did you know that in Italy students go to school even on Saturday mornings and study for thirteen years? You might be thinking, “Wait, what? Thank goodness I wasn’t born in Italy!”. That’s exactly the reaction I used to get whenever I complained about it to my friends in Texas, Germany, or Spain.

I’ve always loved discovering how schools work in other countries. Every small difference makes me wonder: what if things were a little different in Italy? What if we could do sports for free after class, or choose our subjects freely? What courses would we take?

In this article, I’ll explain how the Italian school system is organized so you can compare it to yours and imagine what it would be like if it followed our traditions.

The Italian School System in a Nutshell

In Italy, students go to school for thirteen years (not twelve, like in most countries!). Everything starts at the age of six and is divided into three main stages: primary school, middle school, and high school.

Primary School

It lasts five years, from age 6 to 11. Classes usually have about twenty children, and they stay with the same classmates and teachers throughout the entire cycle. Lessons usually start around 8:30 am and finish at 4:30 pm, with an optional lunch break. The long school day is meant to help working parents who can’t look after their children during the day.

Middle School

It lasts three years, from 11 to 14 (for me, the most traumatic stage of life, but that’s another story). Students stay in the same class, and the curriculum is the same across the country. Main subjects include Italian, Maths, English, History, Science, Geography, Art, Technology, and Music. Some schools offer a musical focus, with afternoon lessons dedicated to learning an instrument.

Classes usually run from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, and lunch in the cafeteria is only available on days with extra activities. At the end of these three years, students must pass a national exam (with written and oral tests) to move on to high school.

High School

It lasts five years, from 14 to 19. Students stay in the same class for the whole cycle, usually with 25 to 30 classmates. Lessons begin around 8:00 am and finish at 1:00 pm. There’s no cafeteria, so everyone goes home for lunch.

The Three Types of High School

After middle school comes a big decision: choosing which type of high school to attend and what to specialize in. It’s often the first real “adult” choice for Italian teenagers, and it can be quite stressful. There are three main paths:

1. Licei (Academic High Schools)

Designed for students who plan to go to university, they offer a broad theoretical and cultural education, with subjects such as literature, philosophy, history, math, foreign languages, and science.

I chose a linguistic liceo: thanks to that, I now speak three foreign languages! Languages were always my passion, but what really convinced me were the study trips included in the program. I had amazing experiences abroad: a trip to Berlin, a week with a host family in Salzburg, and another in Augsburg, where I took an intensive German course.

2. Technical Institutes

These combine theory and practice and prepare students both for work and university. Subjects vary depending on the specialization: economics, IT, tourism, electronics, mechanics, agriculture, and more. They’re a good balance between academic and professional training.

3. Vocational Schools

More practice-oriented and sometimes only four years long. Students learn hands-on trades like cooking, mechanics, beauty therapy, fashion, or social services. It’s a great choice for those who want to enter the job market early with real skills.

What Makes the Italian School System Unique

Here are some things that might surprise you about Italian schools. I’d love to know if it’s the same in your country or totally different!

1. The Duration

Thirteen years of school! In countries like the U.S., Spain, or Germany, it’s usually twelve. That’s why Italian students typically finish at 19, a bit later than the European average. When I studied in Texas, my classmates were graduating at 17 or 18 and already thinking about college or work. I couldn’t believe they were done with school so early.

2. Saturday Classes

Many Italian schools still have lessons on Saturday mornings. Some have switched to a “short week” (Monday to Friday), but the Saturday tradition is still common. This is because many students live far from school, and finishing later in the day would make it hard to get homework done. In the U.S., Saturdays were sacred: no school, just sports and free time. At first, it felt unreal to have two full days off.

3. Only Morning Classes

Most Italian schools finish around 1 or 2 p.m., but students then have a ton of homework to do. In other countries, students often stay at school all day, do sports or extracurriculars, and go home with nothing left to study. In Texas, classes ended at 2:30 pm; then I’d eat in the cafeteria (which looked like a small shopping mall) and sometimes head to the Rock Club to sing. In Italy, I’d spend my afternoons buried in books and notebooks.

4. Fixed Classes

In Italy, you stay with the same classmates for five years, often in the same building. This creates a family-like bond that can last for life. Abroad, students change groups depending on the subjects they choose. In the U.S., I changed classrooms and classmates every hour. This made school feel more dynamic but also a bit impersonal. I sometimes missed the stability of my Italian class.

5. Compulsory Subjects

In Italian high schools, subjects are predetermined. Students can’t choose freely as they do elsewhere. You pick one academic path and follow its curriculum strictly. When I was in Texas, I could take dance, singing, or forensic psychology alongside English and math. At first, it felt like living in a movie.

6. Formality with Teachers

Another very Italian thing: formality. In primary school, you address teachers informally ("tu"), but starting at age eleven, in middle school, you must suddenly use the formal “Lei.” It was a shock for me. I remember practicing with my mom before the first day of class so I wouldn’t make a mistake. In Texas, it was the opposite: we called teachers by their first names and chatted openly. The atmosphere was more relaxed, though sometimes also more chaotic.

7. The Final Exam (Maturità)

This is the grand finale. After five years of high school, all students take the Maturità: a national exam with written and oral parts, graded out of 100 points. It’s seen as a true rite of passage. The night before, students in many cities gather outside their schools to “greet the dawn” together. In the U.S., the last year of high school feels more like a celebration: prom, graduation caps, and photos. In Italy, that final bell feels like a real achievement.

Italy vs. the U.S.: Two Worlds Apart

Comparing both systems, I realize how different their spirits are.

• In Italy, there’s more rigor, theory, and continuity. You grow up with the same classmates, know everyone deeply, and school becomes almost a second family.

• In the U.S., there’s more flexibility, more choice, and more space for individuality. Students experiment, switch groups every hour, and learn to explore different interests.

Neither system is better: they’re simply two ways of growing up. The Italian one shapes solid, knowledgeable minds; the American one nurtures curiosity and self-confidence.

Conclusion

Sometimes I think the Italian system is tough, but it’s also deeply formative. It teaches discipline, perseverance, and how to handle exhaustion (anyone who’s taken the Maturità knows what I mean). If I could take the best of both worlds, I’d choose a school where American curiosity meets Italian depth.