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.
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.
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.
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.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
German, Italian, English (from the 5th grade) and French (from the 6th grade) are taught.
Admissions
Admissions for the 2026/2027 school year are open.
