In recent years, the Italian government introduced a new type of high school: the Liceo del Made in Italy. The idea comes from a simple observation. Italy has built a strong international reputation in sectors such as fashion, design, food production, luxury goods, and high-quality manufacturing.
These industries represent what people often call “Made in Italy”. The label identifies products known worldwide for creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation.
The government decided that the education system should reflect this national strength. Students should learn not only traditional academic subjects, but also how Italian industries developed and why they play an important role in the country’s economy.
For this reason, policymakers created a new academic pathway that introduces teenagers to entrepreneurship, production systems, and the cultural value behind Italian brands.
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Types of High Schools in the Italian School System
After middle school (usually at age 13 or 14), students in Italy choose an upper secondary school. This choice determines their academic path for the next five years.
The Italian high school system offers three main types of institutions: licei, technical institutes, and professional institutes.
Within the licei, students can choose different specializations depending on their interests and academic goals.
The most common options include:
- Liceo Classico, which focuses on humanities, Latin, Ancient Greek, literature, and philosophy.
- Liceo Scientifico, which combines humanities with strong training in mathematics and science.
- Liceo Linguistico, which emphasizes foreign languages and international cultures.
- Liceo delle Scienze Umane, which studies psychology, pedagogy, and social sciences.
- Liceo Artistico, which focuses on visual arts and creative disciplines.
The Liceo del Made in Italy is the newest addition to this group of academic high schools.
Liceo vs Technical Institute vs Professional Institute
When families need to choose a high school in Italy, they usually face three main options: liceo, technical institute, and professional institute.
A liceo focuses on academic subjects and theoretical learning. These schools usually prepare students for university studies.
A technical institute (istituto tecnico) combines academic education with sector-specific subjects such as tourism, economics, engineering, or information technology.
A professional institute (istituto professionale) focuses more on practical skills and hands-on training for specific careers.
The key point for parents is simple: the Liceo del Made in Italy belongs to the liceo category, so it follows an academically oriented curriculum.
What Is the Liceo del Made in Italy?
The Liceo del Made in Italy combines the academic structure of a traditional liceo with a focus on Italian entrepreneurship and production systems.
Students study core subjects such as Italian literature, history, geography, law, economics, and foreign languages. At the same time, the curriculum introduces topics related to the industries that represent Italian excellence.
For example, students explore:
- the history of Italian industrial districts;
- the development of famous Italian brands;
- supply chains and production systems;
- marketing strategies and international markets;
- the cultural value of craftsmanship and design.
This approach makes the program different from a tourism technical institute. Tourism schools prepare students for careers in hospitality and travel services. The Liceo del Made in Italy instead focuses on understanding the economic and cultural ecosystem behind Italian production.
Students who graduate from this liceo usually continue to university. Many choose degree programs in economics, business, fashion, design, marketing, or cultural management.
For expat families living in Italy, the Liceo del Made in Italy offers a new way to combine academic education with a deeper understanding of the industries that shape the country’s global reputation.
