Which school is located in the Venturi Ginori Palace?
The French school in Florence: the Lycée français international Victor Hugo
What kind of school is this?
This school welcomes students from the first year of kindergarten to the final year of high school. The teaching, programs, and schedules are those of French public schools, but with a trilingual program. It is a school accredited by the French Ministry of National Education.
How is the school year organized?
The school opens at the beginning of September and closes at the end of June. Generally, the schedule is 7 weeks of classes / 2 weeks of vacation in early November, late December, February, and spring. Classes are held Monday to Friday for full days except on Wednesdays when classes are only held in the morning. Extracurricular activities or daycare are offered for younger students. Homework may be required for high school students.
Is this a language school?
No. It is a general French school where the curriculum subjects are taught mainly in French, but also in Italian and English with the aim of achieving a high level of languages (C1 in English, C2 in Italian at the end of high school for a complete course).
Are all teachers French?
They are mostly French and accredited by the French Ministry of National Education. Some teachers may be native speakers of other languages: English, Italian, Spanish, or other…
Why is the school motto “2 cultures, 3 languages”?
The teaching programs are French but strongly linked to Italian culture, hence the 2 cultures. In addition, the school provides instruction in 3 languages (French, Italian, English) from the Middle Section of Kindergarten. These languages are the main languages spoken and written by all our students. Some lessons can be held in Italian or English (visual arts, technology in part, PE, mathematics, etc.). From the age of 13, students must choose a 4th language between German, Spanish or Chinese.
How are students assessed?
They are monitored through continuous assessment, frequently evaluated using age-appropriate methods. Written tests take precedence over oral examinations. The Pronote app allows parents to track all of the student's activities and communicate with the school.
What is Pronote?
It is a digital workspace on the internet where secondary school teachers continuously record the following: activities, programs, exams, tests, and grades. The School Life department also communicates student lateness, absences, and possible disciplinary sanctions. Parents should consult this information daily on the site. (Pronote website)
How are students guided?
Several orientation sessions allow high school students to help them choose their specializations for the Baccalaureate, but also to choose their path in post-Bac higher education with French, Italian or English-speaking universities around the world. In addition, Italian-speaking students who have followed an ESABAC course will be able to simultaneously prepare for the Italian state exam (Maturità) and the French Baccalaureate.
Are the diplomas recognized in Italy and worldwide?
Yes. They are recognized in Italy based on agreements between France and Italy. In addition, the French Baccalaureate, which is taken at age 18, provides access to Italian universities, which are normally accessible with the Esame di Maturità at age 19 in the Italian system. These diplomas are also recognized in all countries around the world with which France has cultural agreements.
How are families associated?
At the French school, parents are involved at various points in the school's life. Each parent adheres to a jointly developed document called the "School Project," which is the school's commitment to everyone. It is posted on the notice board and presents the lessons and related activities, such as those related to art, humanism, and the culture of Florence. Families are offered French classes and cultural activities specifically for them, often open to the public. The Parents' Associations (APE and UPEF) are very active.
What are the relations between the Italian and French authorities in Italy?
The French School of Florence operates on Italian territory. It is therefore subject to Italian laws and regulations. The school is in contact with the authorities of the French Embassy as well as with other French schools in Italy in Rome, Milan, Turin, and Naples, and all French schools of the MLF throughout the world.
Who is the profile of the school's students?
The school's unique features make it highly attractive to multilingual families. We currently welcome over 20 different nationalities. Given the cultural relations and agreements between Italy and France, as well as the context of equivalences at the European university level, French schools are also attractive to purely Italian families.
