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Italy, Catania
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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.
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.
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.
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.
