In Italy, the most important word to learn when looking at private schools is "paritaria". It describes a school that is privately run but legally equal to a state school, able to issue the same qualifications. Schools without that status can still operate, but their pupils face constraints. For families moving to Italy, particularly those considering an international school, the difference matters a great deal.
The Italian system in outline
Eurydice summarises the structure as follows.
| Stage | Italian name | Ages |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-school (not compulsory) | Scuola dell'infanzia | 3 to 6 |
| Primary | Scuola primaria | 6 to 11 (5 years) |
| Lower secondary | Scuola secondaria di primo grado | 11 to 14 (3 years) |
| Upper secondary | Liceo, istituto tecnico, istituto professionale | from 14 (5-year courses) |
Compulsory education starts at six and lasts ten years. It covers primary, lower secondary and the first two years of the second cycle. A final exam at the end of the lower secondary cycle allows progression, and the final exam of upper secondary leads to a certificate giving access to tertiary education.
The system is mainly public. According to Eurydice, independent schools with parity can issue qualifications, and compulsory education is free.
What a scuola paritaria is
The Constitution allows private and public bodies to set up independent schools, which can seek parity with state schools if they meet conditions laid down by law. Law 62/2000 sets the requirements. A paritaria school has a status equal to that of state schools and delivers the same certificates and qualifications.
To obtain and keep parity, a school must satisfy checks by the Regional School Office (USR), which can accept or refuse applications and can withdraw parity after repeated checks. Eurydice lists requirements that include:
- An educational project and a three-year offer plan.
- Proof of budget management and suitable premises.
- Democratic collegial bodies.
- Enrolment of eligible pupils whose parents request it.
- Qualified staff, on employment contracts that follow national collective agreements.
Paritarie are free to choose their cultural orientation and teaching approach. Many are run by religious orders or foundations, and some follow particular pedagogical methods.
Non-paritarie schools
Independent schools are not obliged to apply for parity. A non-paritaria school must still run organised teaching with an educational project, suitable premises and qualified staff, but according to Eurydice it cannot release certificates and qualifications recognised within the education system.
Further consequences follow:
- It cannot use the name of a state or paritaria school, and must state its non-parity status.
- It is entered in a register kept by each Regional School Office.
- Pupils in compulsory education at these schools must sit aptitude exams in specific cases, such as returning to a state or paritaria school, or when finishing primary or lower secondary education. The exams are held at state or paritaria schools.
For a family choosing a school, the message is simple. Ask whether a school is paritaria. If it is not, ask how its pupils will obtain recognised qualifications.
International schools in Italy
Many international schools in Italy teach a foreign curriculum, such as British, American or IB Diploma programmes, with English as a main language. Some hold paritaria status for part or all of their provision, and some operate as non-paritaria schools offering a foreign qualification. The sources we consulted do not list individual schools or give figures, so treat the points below as the questions to ask rather than a statement about any particular school.
- Which qualification will the child hold at the end? For a family expecting to leave Italy, a recognised international qualification may be what matters. For a family staying, a route into Italian higher education matters more.
- What is the school's Italian status? Ask whether the school is paritaria for each stage.
- What are the exam arrangements? If the school is not paritaria, ask how the compulsory-education aptitude exams are handled when a child changes school.
- Language. Italian will be the language of daily life, so ask how the school supports it.
Funding and what families pay
Only paritarie are described as receiving public money. Eurydice says they receive state funds according to criteria set each year by the Ministry, with priority for schools run by non-profit entities. Indirect funding comes through grants to pupils and tax relief for families, and primary and pre-primary schools also receive direct funding. Regions may add funds for schools or families. The page does not describe any public funding for non-paritaria schools.
Because the sources do not give fee levels, we do not quote any. Fees at paritarie vary widely, and international schools set their own. For tax relief, Eurydice mentions tax relief for families of paritaria pupils but gives no detail. We have not verified the current Italian rules on deducting school fees, so confirm the position with an Italian tax adviser or the Agenzia delle Entrate before assuming an amount.
A practical checklist
- Confirm the school's status, stage by stage, in writing.
- Ask what qualification the child will hold and who awards it.
- For a non-paritaria school, ask how a transfer to the state system would work.
- Visit more than one school and read the educational project.
- Ask for the fee schedule, and what it does and does not cover.