Originally Posted by LifeShadows

HELP!

We are new to the Compania region of Italy (still in our hotel after 30 days here). We are moving into a home in Bacoli, near Monde Di Procida and are very excited to immerse ourselves into this country and culture. Our three children, ages 4, 8 and 10 will need to go to local schools, but I am finding the process of choosing a school to be incredibly difficult! Especially as most of the schools are closed for visits until they open for the school year in a week or two.

Is there a central location that I can access school information? Does anyone have specific advice for me in this area/region of Italy? How can I tell how religious-based a curriculum is (I would prefer this is to be minimal, but its not a deal breaker as I also see it as part of the cultural experience).

I prefer a bilingual school (to some degree), but with a mostly Italian student population, and I would like the teacher's main language to be Italian. I am finding some schools in this area started by the NATO parents that teach Italian, but the teacher's mainly speak English. This is not what I am looking for.

Schools I am looking at so far (mostly because they have been recommended by someone at some point): Green Garden School in Pozzuoli, Froebel in Aversa (quite a far distance though), Scuolo De Santis in Pozzuoli, & Tonino Schiano in Monte De Procida. I am VERY open to sending them to a non-private school but that option seems even more difficult as I do not speak very much Italian ...YET.

Also, are all Italian schools open M-Sat? Attending school on Saturday will be the most difficult sell of all to my girls

Thank you SO very much,
Shawn

Originally Posted by Patty

was just reading the Corriere and this letter about Unis.

http://italians.corriere.it/2012/08/...icorso-a-vita/

basically in France you can only delay (or fail) one year of you Uni course and then you are out. Instead in Italy you can stay at Uni for life - doesn't matter how many years or how many times you fail, you can just keep on going
I'm not sure about the UK - is it like France?

Originally Posted by LifeShadows

HELP!

We are new to the Compania region of Italy (still in our hotel after 30 days here). We are moving into a home in Bacoli, near Monde Di Procida and are very excited to immerse ourselves into this country and culture. Our three children, ages 4, 8 and 10 will need to go to local schools, but I am finding the process of choosing a school to be incredibly difficult! Especially as most of the schools are closed for visits until they open for the school year in a week or two.

Is there a central location that I can access school information? Does anyone have specific advice for me in this area/region of Italy? How can I tell how religious-based a curriculum is (I would prefer this is to be minimal, but its not a deal breaker as I also see it as part of the cultural experience).

I prefer a bilingual school (to some degree), but with a mostly Italian student population, and I would like the teacher's main language to be Italian. I am finding some schools in this area started by the NATO parents that teach Italian, but the teacher's mainly speak English. This is not what I am looking for.

Schools I am looking at so far (mostly because they have been recommended by someone at some point): Green Garden School in Pozzuoli, Froebel in Aversa (quite a far distance though), Scuolo De Santis in Pozzuoli, & Tonino Schiano in Monte De Procida. I am VERY open to sending them to a non-private school but that option seems even more difficult as I do not speak very much Italian ...YET.

Also, are all Italian schools open M-Sat? Attending school on Saturday will be the most difficult sell of all to my girls

Thank you SO very much,
Shawn

Originally Posted by MarkRD

Ok so you want:
1. bi-lingual
2. non Saturday attendance
3. non-private
4. minimal religious

...erm, sorry - I really don't think you can be that choosy.
Round our way 'religion' was theoretically confined to a one hour lesson per week, although you might find it creeping in here and there. However many State schools are less 'religious' than UK schools I reckon.

Originally Posted by LifeShadows

OH no, I am absolutely not being that choosy. I assume that there WILL be some religion, but I just wanted to understand how much (it isn't really listed in curriculum) and I assume they WILL have Saturday school, but wasn't sure if this is actually standard (the websites list school hours but not days of the wek), private vs. non-private isn't an issue at all except that I have found very few provate schools close enough to where we will live and bilingual is just a pipe dream.

Originally Posted by LifeShadows

Like I said, I have compiled a short list of schools that we will be visiting this week and next that seem like they might be appropriate. Froebel is rteally a fabulous option, but my kids do not want to be in transport for hours every day & I can't say that I blame them.

I do know that there are other local schools listed with the Monte Di Procida and Bacoli city websites, but I have not quite figured out how to even approach them. They do not answer emails (assuming b/c closed for August) and calling is difficult as I do not speak the language. I suppose I was looking for fabulous links, like the montessori school listing sent earlier, and any advice from people who have put their children into a local neighborhood state school.

Thanks so much for all of the input so far

Originally Posted by Sancho

I think it may be worth telephoning the head of one of the Montessori schools near the base, who'll almost certainly speak English, explaining the situation, and asking her if she has any ideas. Are there are schools near you that are almost Montessori, so to speak, that she's particularly enthusiastic about ?

Originally Posted by HADENOUGHPIZZA

If you think you might opt for the state run schools then your first stop must be the local council offices who will be able to explain what catchement area you are in and maybe suggest suitable schools.

http://www.comune.bacoli.na.it/?idar...licaistruzione

http://www.comuni-italiani.it/063/006/scuole/

The private ones will only take you if they have spare places available the state is obbliged to offer you a place. Schools start mid - september so you need to make a choice soon .