scuole

In Italy, *scuole* (the plural of *scuola*, meaning "school") refer to the educational institutions responsible for providing formal education at various levels, from early childhood to higher learning. The Italian school system is structured into several stages, each with distinct objectives and durations, governed by national laws and regional regulations.

The primary stages of the school system begin with *scuola dell'infanzia* (early childhood education), which is optional and typically serves children aged three to six. This is followed by *scuola primaria* (primary school), which lasts five years and covers children aged six to eleven. After primary school, students attend *scuola secondaria di primo grado*, also known as *scuola media*, which lasts three years and includes children aged eleven to fourteen.

The next stage is *scuola secondaria di secondo grado* (secondary education), also called *liceo* or *istituto tecnico* and *istituto professionale*, which lasts five years and prepares students for university, technical training, or direct entry into the workforce. This stage is divided into various types of schools, such as classical, scientific, technical, and vocational, each offering different curricula.

For those seeking further education, *università* (universities) provide bachelor’s (*laurea*), master’s (*laurea magistrale*), and doctoral (*dottorato di ricerca*) degrees. Additionally, *scuole superiori per tecnici* and *istituti tecnici superiori* offer specialized technical and professional training.

The Italian school system emphasizes a combination of academic, technical, and vocational education, ensuring a broad range of opportunities for students to pursue their educational and career goals. The curriculum includes core subjects such as Italian language, mathematics, history, science, and foreign languages, along with specialized disciplines depending on the chosen track.