Italian School of Lusaka

The Italian School secondary department consists of the Lower Secondary (grades 7, 8 and 9) and the Upper Secondary (grades 10 and 11). The Italian School believes there is strength in wisdom and aims to cater for each secondary school pupil's individual needs, helping them achieve their full potential in education. The school particularly prides itself on its music department and its mathematics department, and justifiably so.

The school was founded in 1968 to cater for Italian-speaking children whose parents worked in Zambia. Since 1993 the school has been offering quality English education with Italian taught as a second language. The school added the Lower Secondary in 2006 and the Upper Secondary in 2010. The school has since received its accreditation as a Cambridge Examinations Centre.

The proprietor of the Italian School of Lusaka is the Zambian-Italian Cultural Centre Trust. The School Board is composed of the Trustees who approve school policies, determine budget requirements and are responsible for planning and development.

There are currently 26 teaching staff, all qualified and experienced in their fields. Staff teaching subjects in the IGCSE program have accreditation from the Cambridge International Examinations Board.

Lower secondary school

This is the British Key Stage 3 (KS3) level, a three year program which takes students through Grades seven, eight and nine. Studies are based on the British curriculum with international content. Students study a broad range of subjects which include

• English Language and Literature
• Mathematics
• Sciences
• World History
• Geography
• Italian
• French
• Art
• Design and Technology
• I.C.T.
• Drama
• Music
• Physical Education
• PSHE (Physical, Social and Health Education)
• Art & design
• Enterprise

Upper secondary school

This is the British Key Stage 4 (KS4) level, a two year program which prepares the students for their IGCSE (Cambridge) Examinations. The subjects currently offered are:

• English Language and English Literature
• Mathematics (Core and Extended)
• Additional Mathematics
• Italian
• French
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• History
• Geography
• I.C.T.
• Business Studies
• Economics
• Physical Education

Sports and other extra-curricular activities

Swimming, soccer, hockey, basketball, cricket, table-tennis, badminton and volleyball are all offered. Secondary teams participate in the International Schools Association of Zambia inter-schools' galas, leagues and festivals, as well as friendly competitions with other schools.

The International Youth Award Bronze level program is available for grade nine and ten students. The school also arranges a regular science fair and art essay writing competitions, a debating society, drama class productions, week-long field trips, a Community Support program and work experience for Grade 10 pupils. The school participates in the ISAZ Secondary Science Fair and ISAZ sports events.

Important note: Places quickly fill up. It is best to phone the school to get an update on the current enrollment situation.

The Italian School secondary department offers:

• Grades seven to 11
• The British international curriculum
• IGCSE exams
• Upper secondary staff accredited by Cambridge
• Lots of sports and extracurricular activities
• A beautiful and secure campus

The Italian School kindergarten department consists of a pre-school class for ages three to four, and a reception class for ages four to five. The curriculum is based on the belief that all children have the right to excellence in education through which their academic, personal and social growth is nurtured. Children have the opportunity to continue their education right through to grade 11, all on the same campus.

History of the school

The Italian School was founded by the Zambian-Italian Cultural Centre Association in 1968 and moved to its present campus in 1971. For many years it offered a complete Italian curriculum through the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing education primarily for Italian children whose parents were working in Zambia. From 1993 it developed into a multi-cultural English-medium school in which Italian is taught as a second language.

Pre-school and the Montessori method

In the pre-school department of the Italian School, children learn through the Montessori method. This is a highly regarded "discovery" model where students learn concepts from working with materials rather than by direct instruction. At the Italian School, pre-school pupils develop skills and abilities using a wide range of Montessori equipment and materials.

In pre-school classes, there is an introduction to reading and writing using the floppy phonics system. Classes have regular music and movement sessions together with lots of story telling, arts and crafts, swimming, outdoor play and games. The children attend school assemblies and take it in turns to present, as appropriate for their ages.

Reception classes

Reception classes follow the British international curriculum. Reception programs ensure children are engaged in a hands-on reading and writing program in English, Arts, Maths and Humanities. Learning is carried out through many cross-curricular activities, including song, dance, movement, drama, art and games. The children attend school assemblies and take their turn to lead out.

General information about the Italian School of Lusaka

At present there are 32 teaching staff, qualified and experienced in their particular fields. The Italian School offer a British international curriculum right up to Grade 11. The school has a very active and well-resourced music department. The school has a learning support centre that provides assistance to children that may encounter learning difficulties in their primary years.

The dedicated staff are confident that, by enrolling your child at the Italian School of Lusaka, their future will be in good hands.

Important note: Places quickly fill up. It is best to phone the school to get an update on the current enrollment situation.

The Italian School kindergarten offers

• Pre-school classes for ages three to four
• Reception classes for ages four to five
• The Montessori method for pre-school classes
• The British international curriculum for reception classes
• Activity based programs
• An environment that encourages creativity and development
• A beautiful and secure campus

The well-established and beautifully situated Italian School of Lusaka offers the globally recognised British international primary school curriculum as part of a structured teaching program in Zambia. Monday afternoon clubs offer a broad range of extra activities and primary sports teams participate in inter-schools' galas, leagues and festivals, including swimming, soccer, hockey, basketball, cricket, table tennis and volleyball.

At the Italian School of Lusaka, the primary school curriculum is based on the belief that all children have the right to excellence in education. The school seeks to nurture its pupils academic, personal and social growth. The campus is quiet, secure and centrally located, on a landscaped 20 acre plot.

Established in 1968 to cater for Italian children whose parents were working in Zambia, the Italian School of Lusaka became a multi-cultural English-medium school in 1993. Italian is still taught as a second language and the Italian school is justifiably proud of its Mathematics Department and its well-equipped Music department.

Primary school curriculum

The primary school consists of grades one to six. The British international curriculum forms the core program of education. The subjects offered are

• English Language
• Arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• History
• Geography
• Design and Technology
• Italian
• Music and Movement
• Computer Studies
• Physical Education
• Sports and Swimming
• PSHE (Physical, Social and Health Education)

In addition to the more formal learning sessions, an integrated approach is widely used. Through cross-curricular project work, children are encouraged to research, analyse, report, discuss and debate.

Sports

Swimming, soccer, hockey, basketball, cricket, table-tennis, badminton and volleyball are all offered. Primary teams participate in the International Schools Association of Zambia inter-schools' galas, leagues and festivals, as well as friendly competitions with other schools.

Activities and events

The primary school has Monday afternoon clubs, providing a broad range of activities for primary students. There are also regular inter-school sports programs and several field trips throughout each year.

Important note: Places quickly fill up. It is best to phone the school to get an update on the current enrollment situation.

The Italian School primary department offers

• Grades one to six (from age five)
• The British international curriculum
• Cross-curricular project-based work
• Lots of sports and extracurricular activities
• A beautiful and secure campus