I would love to share my personal experience of sending my daughter to secondary school in Florence, Italy. She is currently attending a fantastic state school located right in the historic center of the city. Although it is a public school, it is considered one of the best high schools in Florence, and I could not be happier with her education there!
The high school my daughter attends is called the “Economic and Social High School.” It is part of the high school of humanities but focuses on the study of two foreign languages instead of Latin and the study of economics and law. The school hours are limited to 27-30 hours per week depending on the year of enrollment, and the hours are spread over six days from Monday to Saturday.
In the afternoons, students have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities by enrolling in courses held within the school. For example, there are courses in choir, orchestra, foreign languages, theatre in French or Italian, and more. This year, my daughter applied to take the French and English courses to sit for the Cambridge and DELF exams in the spring and summer.
Additionally, thanks to the dedication of some teachers and the school management, my daughter’s class and another class will participate in a twinning program with a French school, allowing them to go to France for a week. I believe these activities are incredibly valuable for the personal growth of the students and give them the opportunity to develop talents that will be useful in their future lives.
Overall, I am thrilled with the education and opportunities my daughter is receiving at her school in Florence, and I highly recommend it to any parents considering sending their children to study in this beautiful city.
The School Experience
The school offers a wide range of extracurricular activities that truly enrich her learning experience. The teachers are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly friendly, making it a welcoming environment for all students. It’s heartwarming to see her so engaged and excited about her studies!
Enrollment Fees
Now, let’s talk about the costs involved. The enrollment fee for the school is around 90 to 100 euros, depending on the year. Out of this amount, I believe only about 20 euros is mandatory for insurance, while the remaining 70 to 80 euros goes towards school activities. When I compare this to what schooling costs in other countries, I find it to be quite reasonable.
Textbook Costs
In addition to the enrollment fee, families are responsible for purchasing textbooks for the current school year. This can range from about 150 to 250 euros, depending on the grade level. Some textbooks can be used for two years, which means there are times when she doesn’t need to buy many new books.
Additional Activities
Throughout the year, there may also be optional activities like class excursions that require additional payments. However, these costs are always limited and participation is completely voluntary. If for any reason we decide not to participate, there’s no obligation to pay.
Conclusion
During my extensive stays abroad, I have had the opportunity to gain various work experiences, not just as an engineer. For several years, I taught at a well-known private international school near Tokyo. During my tenure as a class teacher, I taught various subjects beyond my primary expertise, which allowed me to deepen my understanding of children’s learning mechanisms, especially within the school system.
I also observed firsthand the benefits of what a prestigious private school can offer. The facilities were impressive, including two swimming pools, two football fields, several tennis courts, a golf course, and a large baseball field, to name a few. This is quite different from state schools in Italy, which often have limited facilities and sometimes struggle with maintenance issues.
While a prestigious private school can offer fantastic amenities and an exclusive learning environment, such facilities are understandably challenging to find in a historic city center like Florence. My daughter’s school may not have all these amenities, but for the few hours per week needed for sports or physical education, they use school buses to travel to the Florence stadium or other affiliated sports centers. During these sessions, she has the opportunity to learn various interesting sports activities from qualified instructors, in addition to her regular physical education teacher.
The core of my message is that while the extensive facilities of a prestigious private school are a definite plus, the actual usage by students is often limited. These activities can be supplemented after school by enrolling children in local sports centers or other extracurricular activities. Regarding classroom teaching, the quality is determined by the teachers’ training and the support from the school management. In this regard, state schools have nothing to envy from private schools. Of course, finding good teachers can be a matter of luck, but this is true for both private and public schools.
In my opinion, the key to a child’s success at school is the active involvement of parents in their academic journey. I feel very fortunate that my daughter attends such a wonderful school in Florence. The costs associated with her education are manageable and reasonable compared to many other places. It is reassuring to know that she is receiving a quality education while enjoying her time in this beautiful city.
Consider the possibility of living in the historic center of Florence, where you can send your children on foot to school every morning. Imagine them walking past iconic landmarks like Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and Palazzo Pitti. In the afternoons, they could go to study or read a book in the Boboli Gardens behind Palazzo Pitti, which are open free of charge to residents of Florence and young people of any nationality under 18 years old.
Furthermore, if your children want to engage in sports, they can go to sports centers like ASSI of Florence for activities such as athletics or tennis. They can also swim or play water polo at the Costoli pool in Campo di Marte or the Rari Nantes pool.
Considering that the standard teaching level is generally the same and sometimes even better at state schools, with the money you save, you can afford to hire the best music maestros and enroll your children in top sports centers with renowned instructors. However, if you want your child to spend the entire day in a place equipped with all the necessary facilities for a wide range of activities, a private school or a large campus might be the best option.
Overall, I feel very fortunate that my daughter is attending such a wonderful school in Florence. The costs associated with her education are manageable and reasonable compared to many other places. It’s reassuring to know she’s receiving a quality education while enjoying her time in this beautiful city. If you’re considering schooling options abroad, I hope my experience helps you feel more informed and confident!