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Scuola Svizzera di Catania

Italy, Catania

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, Italian
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 3 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 100
Type Co-educational
Opened 1904
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages German, Italian, English, French
Strengths Languages, Outdoor Education, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School
Introduction

Scuola Svizzera di Catania is a private Swiss international school abroad, recognised by the Swiss Confederation and Italian authorities, with Canton Zurich as sponsoring canton. The school offers a bespoke bilingual pathway starting in kindergarten, using a primary curriculum organized around linguistic-artistic-expressive, historical-geographic, and mathematical-scientific-technological strands. Most primary subjects are taught in German by native speakers; from first and second grade Italian lessons begin, and from third grade Italian-language subjects (history, geography, sciences and mathematics) follow ministerial programmes taught by qualified Italian teachers. English instruction starts in grade four and French in grade six. The school uses a multi-class organisation across all sections and prepares students for Italian Licenza Media exams as well as Goethe-Institut German and English language exams. Facilities include a well-equipped laboratory, computer use in some lessons, and a courtyard with a football pitch and play area. The campus supports crafts, drawing, flute performance, and field trips.

Via Matteo Renato Imbriani, 32, 95128 Catania CT, Italy

The Essentials

Scuola Svizzera di Catania has 100 pupils, instruction in German, Italian.

Location
Located in the heart of Catania, near Via Etnea. The building hosting Scuola Svizzera Catania is a villa built in 1928 and includes a Bambinopoli, a garden courtyard with a football pitch, a kitchen, a well-equipped laboratory for technical education, and a wing housing the Scuola dell'infanzia. The school hosts about 100 students from kindergarten through Scuola Media (lower secondary).

Stages
Kindergarten; Primary; Lower Secondary

Type
Private Swiss international school abroad, recognized by the Swiss Confederation and Italian authorities; Cantone patrocinante: Canton Zurigo.

Country affiliation
Switzerland; Swiss international school abroad recognized by the Swiss Confederation; Canton Zurigo is the sponsoring canton.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The Scuola Svizzera Catania was founded in 1904 and is one of the 18 Swiss Schools abroad recognized by the Swiss Confederation; its sponsoring canton is the Canton of Zurich. It is also recognised by Italian authorities and is listed in the Regional Register of non-parity schools.
Academics

Scuola Svizzera di Catania teaches Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 3 to 14.

Curriculum
The Scuola Svizzera Catania offers a bilingual pathway from kindergarten. The primary curriculum comprises three areas: linguistic-artistic-expressive, historical-geographic, and mathematical-scientific-technological. Most Primary subjects are taught in German by native speakers; from 1st and 2nd grade Italian language lessons are introduced, and from 3rd grade Italian-language subjects (history, geography, sciences and mathematics) are taught according to ministerial programs by qualified Italian teachers. English instruction begins in 4th grade; French begins in 6th grade. The school uses a multi-class organization in all sections. Certifications: preparation for Italian Licenza Media exams, Goethe-Institut German exams, and English exams.

Exam Results
Preparation for Italian Licenza Media exams, Goethe-Institut German exams, Cambridge English exams, and DELF French exams.
Wellbeing

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
German, Italian, English (from the 5th grade) and French (from the 6th grade) are taught.
Parent Experience

History
The Swiss School of Catania was founded in 1904 and is one of 18 Swiss schools abroad recognized by the Swiss Confederation, with the Canton of Zurich as its sponsoring canton. The Swiss community in Catania formed early on, with the Deutsch-Schweizer Club founded in 1881 and renamed the Schweizer Club in 1916. On January 1, 1904 the Scuola Svizzera di Catania Association was established to prepare students for further study in Switzerland, following the school's early years at the German-Swiss Club. The Casa Elvetica was built after land was purchased in 1925 and, with the 1928 foundation, became the central hub of the community and the school; World War II interrupted activities, followed by postwar growth. In 2008 the Scuola Svizzera Catania Association was formed and the 1904 statute was amended; the school joined the regional list of non-paritarie schools in 2009, renovations occurred in 2014/2015 and 2018, and today Swiss and Italian curricula are integrated to prepare students for study in either country.

Community
The school participates in Notte del racconto in Svizzera 2025, scheduled for November 14, 2025; the Notte del racconto is one of Switzerland's major cultural events, with about 700 events held each year. Notte del racconto offers an evening where children, young people, and families rediscover the magic and power of stories, creating lasting memories. The school also participates in the IOLEGGOPERCHE 2025 project, a book collection to support school libraries organized by the Italian Publishers Association and supported by the Ministry for Culture (Direzione Generale Biblioteche e Diritto d'Autore) and the Center for Books and Reading, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Throughout the year, teachers organize field trips that emphasize nature and culture, such as visits to the Greek Theatre of Syracuse with a trip to Pantalica, and excursions to Etna crater and the Lava Museum in Viagrande; for middle school students, multi-day study trips to Switzerland or other locations are arranged. These activities illustrate an active, intercultural community life bridging Swiss and Sicilian cultures.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Scuola Svizzera Catania Association was constituted in July 2008 and it was necessary to amend the 1904 statute. The Association brings together parents and the school community to support the school's life and programs. The Association can be contacted at associazione@scuolasvizzeracatania.it. The school's governance includes a Consiglio Direttivo (Board) that coordinates the work of the school, in collaboration with the Association.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Scuola Svizzera Catania offers a bilingual kindergarten path and a multi-class organization across all sections. The languages taught include German, Italian, English from the 5th grade, and French from the 6th grade. There is a well-equipped laboratory space for hands-on activities, and computers are used in some curricular lessons. The campus features Bambinopoli, a large courtyard with a football pitch and a play area. The Canton of Zurich sponsors the school, and it prepares students for Italian Licenza Media exams as well as German Goethe-Institut and English language exams.

Sports Facilities
Outdoor space includes a large courtyard with a football pitch and a play area. This space is highlighted as a key feature for active recreation and outdoor activities.

Academic Facilities
An equipped laboratory is available for hands-on activities and laboratory work for older students. Computers are used during some curricular lessons.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Creativity, field trips and traditions are highly valued at Scuola Svizzera Catania. Students carry out many manual crafts using wood, plaster, metal, fabric, and recycled materials, with a well-equipped laboratory available for older students. Drawing classes use painting and collage techniques. From the third grade, students learn to play the flute and often perform at school celebrations. Field trips during the school year include visits to museums, theaters and concerts. Swiss traditions are observed especially during the Advent and Easter periods.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Scuola Svizzera Catania offers education across three levels: Scuola dell'Infanzia (kindergarten), Scuola Primaria (primary), and Scuola Secondaria di 1° Grado (lower secondary). The school uses a multi-class organization in all sections. Languages taught are German, Italian, English (from grade 5), and French (from grade 6). The school prepares students for the Italian Licenza Media exams and for Goethe-Institut German exams and English language exams.

Arts & Creative
Creativity is emphasized with crafts using wood, plaster, metal, fabric, and recycled materials; there is a fully equipped workshop for older students; drawing lessons employ painting and collage techniques. From grade 3, students learn to play the flute and often perform at school events.

Cultural & Language
Bilingual pathway from kindergarten. Languages taught are German, Italian, English (from grade 5), and French (from grade 6). The sponsoring canton is Zurich. The school prepares students for the Italian Licenza Media exams and for Goethe-Institut German exams, as well as English exams.

Social & Hobbies
Important activities include hands-on projects and field trips. The year includes visits to museums, theatres and concerts. Swiss traditions are celebrated, especially during Advent and Easter.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
An ample courtyard with a football pitch and a play area; a well-equipped workshop; computer use during some curricular lessons.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught are German and Italian; English is introduced from grade 5; French from grade 6. A bilingual pathway is available from kindergarten. The school prepares students for Italian Licenza Media exams, Goethe-Institut German exams, and English exams.

Bilingual Teaching
A bilingual teaching pathway is offered from kindergarten. The languages taught include German and Italian; English is introduced from grade 5 and French from grade 6. The school provides preparation for Italian Licenza Media exams, Goethe-Institut German exams, and English exams.
Admissions

Admissions
Admissions for the 2026/2027 school year are open.
School Events
The school has not added events
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