La Scuola d'Italia Brochure

New York City

MISSION

La Scuola d’Italia Guglielmo Marconi is a unique Italian/English bilingual and bicultural educational institution reflecting the best features of the Italian and American educational systems.

By becoming thoroughly conversant with two cultures, one achieves a mind that transcends both. Within this framework, La Scuola d’Italia is committed to

La Speranza “Se e` vero che il genere umano possiede in se` risorse creative inesauribili, allora possiamo intravedere per il terzo millennio la possibilita` di una nuova creazione della quale il XX secolo ha portato i germi e gli embrioni: quello di una cittadinanza terrestre. E l’educazione, che e` nel contempo trasmissione del passato e apertura della mente per accogliere il nuovo, e` al centro di questa nuova missione”.

fostering international understanding and openness in order to prepare students to become citizens of the world.

Docte sermones utriusque linguae —Horace, Ode 3.8

Hope “Because the brain – mind dialogic of human kind is not closed, because it carries the necessary resources for creation, we can glimpse the potential of a new creation – earth citizenship, in the third millennium, born of seeds and embryos contributed by the twentieth century.

And education, which both transmits the old and opens the mind to the new, is the heart of this new mission.”

(E. Morin “Seven complex lessons in education for the future”)

PRESCHOOL

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a Scuola’s Preschool program includes pre-kindergarten (3 and 4 year old children) and kindergarten: it follows the best Italian preschool tradition and best practices and is focused on the development of the child’s identity, autonomy and competences.

The preschool curriculum at La Scuola is inspired by the Reggio Emilia methodology and offers a special and unique feature: a bilingual environment in which young children are guided to acquire the ability to understand and communicate in two languages, Italian and English, thus laying the building blocks for the bilingual competence required in their further studies.

The curriculum is articulated into five so called “Campi di Esperienza,” which can also be considered pre-disciplinary educational areas. Our early childhood educators are dedicated and highly qualified, having received their training in the United States and/or in Italy. The Reggio Emilia approach emphasizes the creation of optimal conditions for learning; each child is guided to construct his or her own way of thinking and knowing about the world through a plurality of “languages”.

Consistent with Howard Gardner’s notion of schooling for multiple intelligences, the Reggio Emilia approach calls for the integration of the arts (graphic arts, music, drama, and construction activities) as tools for cognitive, linguistic, and social development. To this aim, the layout of each classroom, the furniture and materials are accurately selected and organized; preschool space also includes a Reggio inspired “art atelier” staffed by an atelierist specialized teacher. Classes are small and provide students with caring and individual attention.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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he Elementary School program (grades 1-5) has a highly structured bilingual and bicultural curriculum that adheres to the Italian (Indicazioni Nazionali per il Curricolo 2012, issued by the Italian Ministry of Education) and New York State guidelines.

La Scuola uses a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates Italian (as a first or a second language), English (as a first or a second language), History, Social Studies, Geography, Math, Science, Technology, Music, Art, and Physical Education.

The goal is to encourage students to employ critical thinking skills, to achieve an in-depth understanding of core concepts. The curriculum is designed to foster active learning in which the students evaluate, construct and generate knowledge, becoming life-long independent learners.

La Scuola’s elementary school program is unique in that it offers the students the opportunity to learn in a bilingual and bicultural setting. Students are motivated to become fluent and expressive, and to communicate effectively, both in English and in Italian. The Italian and English teachers work closely together to reach common goals.

Italian as a second language, as well as English as a second language classes, are offered to non native speakers of either language, in a small setting and are supported by the latest technology.

A Reading Literacy program is offered to students with the aim of helping them become successful and effective English language readers. Supplementary projects, which add to the learning experience, include art projects, role play, interpretation of paintings and photographs, visits to neighborhood museums and historical sights and cultural projects conducted in collaboration with local Italian Government Institutions.

A skillful, competent Italian and American staff cares for children in small classes, affording them individualized attention and guidance.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

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he Middle School (Scuola Media) strengthens the bilingual and bicultural education begun in the Lower School.

It provides an environment where the child can develop and sharpen cognitive and imaginative skills. The Middle School fosters emotional development and growth, expanding the child’s awareness and appreciation of the European and American cultures and their values.

The program of study adheres to both the Italian (Indicazioni Nazionali per il Curricolo 2012, issued by the Italian Ministry of Education) and New York State guidelines.

The curriculum offers an integrated study of the Italian and English language and literature, French (as a third modern language), American History, European History, Social Studies, Geography, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Technology.

Special emphasis is placed on the study of mathematics and the natural and physical sciences. This unique educational offering is also an extraordinary opportunity for Americans of Italian descent to reclaim the language of their forefathers and an understanding of their cultural roots.

The Italian language program (Italian L2) for Anglophone students is tailored to the level of knowledge of the students; the approach is gradual to enable students to acquire linguistic competence more easily. Similarly, English as a second language classes are also provided for those students who are not native speakers of English.

At La Scuola, students interact with different nationalities and are immersed in an international environment. Enrichment projects include visits to neighborhood museums and historical sites, and cultural projects developed in collaboration with local Italian government institutions.

Highly qualified and caring professionals, both Italian and American, conduct classes in Italian or English, depending on the discipline. The small student body encourages close relationships among peers and between students and faculty.

HIGH SCHOOL-LICEO SCIENTIFICO

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a Scuola High School- Liceo scientifico encompasses in its four years of study all the contents and programs covered by the Italian Licei scientifici in 5 years and reflects the Italian reform of the Licei, implemented in Italy in the academic year 2010-11 (D.I. No. 4269/2010, followed by the “Indicazioni curricolari per i Licei Italiani all’estero”).

La Scuola’s Liceo is inspired by Howard Gardner’s Five Minds for the Future. It equips students with the academic skills and character necessary for success in college and future careers. The curriculum offers a balance of studies in the classics and other humanities combined with an outstanding Math and Science program that will earn college credits in most American universities.

The humanities program, interdisciplinary and integrated throughout the four years, includes the study of Italian, English, Latin language and literature, Geography, History, Philosophy, Technical Drawing and History of Art, Law and Economics, and Physical Education. Great emphasis is also placed on the study of Mathematics, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry.

At the completion of their senior year, students are required to take the Italian Ministry of Education State Exam, the Maturità, an equivalent of the International Baccalaureate that is honored by all universities in Europe and in the United States. This dual-recognized degree allows students to embark on studies at local universities as well as universities abroad while having the knowledge and language compentencies to succeed.

Classes are small with individualized attention and additional support available for all students, including intensive classes of Italian as a second language and English as a second language for those students who are not fully bilingual.

A broad variety of cultural projects in collaboration with various Italian institutions in New York and overseas are provided on a regular basis, including exchange programs with Italian schools, special meetings with high ranking dignitaries (such as Italian Ministries, Italian Ambassador etc.), outstanding Italian artists/interpreters and theatrical performances.

Liceo students also participate in Model UN projects.

LA SCUOLA D’ITALIA GUGLIELMO MARCONI

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a Scuola d’Italia Guglielmo Marconi is the only school in North America that provides a classical, bilingual education rooted in the Italian and European traditions. It was founded in 1977 by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet the academic needs of Italians living in the New York City area.

Thanks to an ever increasing interest from American families, La Scuola has grown into a unique bilingual educational institution, from the Preschool level through Liceo (grades 9-12), reflecting the best features of the Italian and American educational systems.­

La Scuola is committed to providing a thorough multicultural education to foster international understanding and openness in order to prepare students to become citizens of the world. The challenging bilingual curriculum, deeply rooted in the European tradition, offers an intensive academic program that encompasses both the Italian and the American cultures and is open to scientific and technological innovations.

La Scuola d’Italia is legally recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education and chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York as a private, independent co-educational American school. It is also a member of the New York State Association of Independent Schools and the Guild of Independent Schools.

The main Campus (Preschool and Elementary) is housed in a historic building, once a private mansion located on East 96th Street, while La Scuola’s Middle School and High School are located on East 67th Street.

Both buildings offer state-of-the-art facilities and all the amenities to foster a productive learning environment.

No prior knowledge of either the Italian or English language is required for entering grades pre-k through 6th.

Supplemental Italian as a second language as well as English as a second language classes are provided in each Division and at all levels.

Le iscrizioni sono aperte dalle classi della scuola dell’infanzia alla prima media anche ad alunni che non conoscono la lingua italiana o la lingua inglese.

La Scuola offre corsi integrativi di italiano seconda lingua e inglese seconda lingua.

New York City

12 East 96th Street New York, NY 10128 406 East 67th Street New York, NY 10065 secretary@lascuoladitalia.org www.lascuoladitalia.org 212-369-3290