L'articolo School for student-athletes in Turin: balancing studies and sports at Liceo Pascal proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

Choosing a bilingual school means giving children the opportunity to use English not only during language lessons, but also to study, communicate and explore other subjects. This principle underpins the educational approach of Daisy Primary School and Holden, a state-recognised lower secondary school, both located in Chieri, just outside Turin.

The two schools offer a continuous language learning pathway from the first year of primary school through to the third year of lower secondary school. The programme combines the Italian school curriculum with selected subjects taught entirely in English by native English-speaking teachers.

Which Subjects Are Taught in English?

At Daisy Primary School, children study Art, Science and Music entirely in English. From the very first years, they use the language to take part in practical activities, observe phenomena, express ideas and acquire new knowledge.

At Holden Lower Secondary School, the programme continues with Art, Technology and Global Perspectives, a subject that explores current affairs, the environment, society and global citizenship. Through research, discussions and group projects, students develop their language skills, analytical abilities and critical thinking.

English therefore becomes a genuine language of learning, used every day in practical contexts rather than exclusively during traditional grammar and conversation lessons.

Do Children Need to Know English Before Enrolling?

One of the questions families ask most frequently concerns the level of English required for admission.

Children can enrol at Daisy from the first year of primary school even if they are Italian and have never attended an international school or acquired any particular knowledge of English.

Children do not need to be bilingual before starting a bilingual education programme.

Learning takes place gradually through regular exposure to the language, classroom activities and interaction with native English-speaking teachers.

As the years progress, children build a broader vocabulary, improve their comprehension and learn to express themselves in English with increasing confidence and naturalness.

The transition from the final year of primary school to the first year of lower secondary school represents the natural continuation of this pathway, with activities becoming progressively more complex and appropriate to the students’ age.

Cambridge English Certifications: Assessing Language Skills

The language learning pathway at Daisy and Holden is supported by internationally recognised Cambridge English certifications.

These certifications provide an objective way to assess students’ progress across different language skills, including listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Preparation for the examinations is integrated into classroom learning throughout the school years, allowing students to develop their abilities progressively and approach the tests with appropriate preparation.

Why Not Teach Every Subject in English?

The bilingual model adopted by Daisy and Holden is based on a clear educational principle: developing strong English language skills without compromising the quality and depth of the Italian school curriculum.

Teaching every subject in English is not necessarily the most effective approach for every child.

Some subjects, such as mathematics, require a particularly thorough understanding of abstract concepts, procedures and specialised terminology. For students who are still developing their English proficiency, using a foreign language exclusively could create an additional learning challenge.

For this reason, Daisy and Holden have chosen to teach selected subjects entirely in English while maintaining Italian as the main language of instruction for other subjects.

The aim is to strike a balance between academic achievement and language development, ensuring that learning English does not come at the expense of understanding the subject matter.

A Continuous Bilingual Pathway from Primary to Secondary Education

One of the defining features of the Daisy and Holden educational programme is its continuity.

Children can begin familiarising themselves with English from the age of six and continue developing their language skills over eight years, until the end of lower secondary school.

This approach allows students to build their skills gradually, without interrupting the progress made in previous years, while preparing them to approach the next stage of their education with greater confidence.

For families in Turin, Chieri and the surrounding area looking for a bilingual school, Daisy and Holden offer an educational pathway that combines the Italian school curriculum with the practical and continuous use of English.

A model in which English is not simply a subject to study, but an everyday tool for learning, communicating and discovering the world.

L'articolo Bilingual schools in Turin and its province: at Daisy and Holden, children learn in English starting from primary school proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

2026 marks an important anniversary for Licei Pascal in Chieri, founded in 1976 by Professor Gustavo Fino. Over the past fifty years, the school has gone through several phases, changes in management, expansions of its educational offering and relocations, eventually becoming today’s Pascal Institute, which comprises Daisy Primary School, Holden Lower Secondary School and Licei Pascal, now based on Via San Filippo in Chieri.

The origins: Professor Gustavo Fino’s vision

The history of Pascal began in 1976, when Professor Gustavo Fino, a humanities teacher who had also taught English at the Vittone Institute in Chieri, reached retirement age.

For some time, the professor had been planning to establish a private school together with several colleagues from the Vittone Institute who were also approaching retirement.

The founding members were Professor Gustavo Fino, his daughter Francesca Fino and accountant Merlone.

The organisational approach was unusual: rather than setting up a conventional private company, Fino decided to establish a workers’ cooperative.

According to the recollections of his daughters, Fabia and Francesca Fino, this may have been the first workers’ cooperative established in Italy to run a school, although this claim still requires documentary verification.

The founder had a clear vision of how a school should be organised. He considered the public education system excessively slow in its decision-making processes, describing it as a “pachyderm”, but he also disagreed with the model of private schools primarily focused on generating profits.

The cooperative offered an alternative: ensuring that employees were paid while reinvesting available resources in improving the school.

This model also made it possible to involve teachers who retained their positions in state schools while teaching at Pascal.

1976: eight students and two programmes of study

Pascal opened in the 1976–1977 academic year at premises in the Sant’Antonio area, near San Carlo, in Chieri.

The first class consisted of just eight students, divided between two programmes: the language-focused upper secondary school and the teacher-training institute.

According to the accounts of Fabia and Francesca Fino, the teacher-training programme probably followed a four-year curriculum.

Management during the early years was simple and family-run. Professor Fino’s wife handled the school’s administrative work directly from their home, even making the family telephone number available to receive enrolment enquiries.

The first student to enrol at Pascal was Giovanna Pengo, who later died at a young age in a road accident near the junction for Poirino. She was struck by a car as she was getting off a bus.

The opening of a language-focused upper secondary school represented a significant development for Chieri. In the 1970s, girls wishing to pursue this type of education had to travel to Turin, particularly to the Adorazione Institute. With Pascal, it became possible to attend a language-focused upper secondary school in the city itself.

The founder also chose the school’s name: Gustavo Fino selected “Pascal” because it was short, easily recognisable and unlikely to be mispronounced.

The expansion project between 1989 and 1991

In the following years, Chieri’s educational landscape began to change. The state-run Monti upper secondary school also introduced a language programme, becoming a competitor to Pascal.

Between 1989 and 1991, Professor Fino began working on a concrete expansion plan: opening a lower secondary school, followed by a primary school.

He believed that an upper secondary school alone would not be enough to ensure the Institute’s long-term development. Instead, he wanted to create an educational pathway that could accompany students from their first years of schooling all the way to graduation.

However, the project was not completed during the founder’s lifetime.

Gustavo Fino died in 1994, aged 79, while still serving as Pascal’s headmaster.

From 1994 to 2014: twenty years of change

Following the founder’s death, several headteachers and presidents succeeded one another at the helm of Pascal.

Over the years, different organisational and management strategies were adopted. As the Institute gradually encountered increasing difficulties, the decision was made in 2014 to put the school up for sale.

This marked a turning point in Pascal’s history.

In 2014, new ownership took over and launched a programme of reorganisation, investment and expansion of the school’s educational offering.

This initiative led to the creation of today’s Pascal Institute, comprising three educational establishments: Daisy Primary School, Holden Lower Secondary School and Licei Pascal.

In this way, without the new owners initially being aware of it, the Institute brought to life the very project Gustavo Fino had sought to develop between 1989 and 1991: bringing primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education together within a complete educational pathway.

The move to Via San Filippo and the growth of Licei Pascal

One of the most significant changes took place in 2014, when Licei Pascal moved to its current premises on Via San Filippo in Chieri.

The former premises in the Pace area had become too small to accommodate the different programmes of study. The move was therefore necessary to support the school’s continued development.

The former Pace premises are no longer part of the current Pascal Institute.

In the years that followed, the educational offering was progressively expanded. In the 2026–2027 academic year, Licei Pascal offers three programmes: the scientific lyceum, the language lyceum and the human sciences lyceum.

Particular attention is devoted to foreign language teaching and internationalisation.

The language lyceum also offers a programme in which Chinese is taught as a second foreign language within the core curriculum, complementing the other European languages.

Students can also pursue a dual Italian-American diploma, combining the Italian upper secondary school curriculum with a programme of study leading to an American high school diploma.

Licei Pascal is part of the Cambridge Assessment network, which supports the development of language skills through international certifications. The school is also connected with the Confucius Institute network through activities dedicated to Chinese language and culture.

These opportunities are complemented by international mobility experiences and Erasmus projects, which enable students to engage directly with other European educational environments.

Pascal’s growth, therefore, is not limited to expanding its range of programmes. It also involves providing students with educational pathways and qualifications that are recognised internationally.

The “Capitolo Cinquanta” conference on 27 November 2026

To celebrate fifty years since its foundation, Licei Pascal has organised a series of events beginning with the “Capitolo Cinquanta” conference on Friday, 27 November 2026, at 10:30 a.m.

The event will explore the history of the Institute, the changes that have taken place in the world of education and the prospects for schooling in the years ahead.

Representatives of public institutions, members of the education community and people who have contributed to Pascal’s development over the decades will take part.

The reconstruction of the school’s early history also draws on the accounts of Fabia and Francesca Fino, the founder’s daughters, who have helped recover stories, decisions and details from the Institute’s first years.

A time capsule hidden in a wall for students in 2076

The 50th-anniversary celebrations will also include the creation of a time capsule, which will be placed inside one of the Institute’s walls.

The capsule will contain a message addressed to the students who will attend Pascal in 2076, on the centenary of its foundation.

The aim is to preserve a snapshot of school life in 2026, including students’ studies, activities and aspirations, as well as reflections on how education might evolve over the following fifty years.

If discovered and opened in 2076, the capsule will allow future students to gain a first-hand insight into a part of school life as it is today.

The anniversary celebration at Ciliegi in Pecetto Torinese on 11 December

The celebrations will continue on Friday, 11 December 2026, at Ciliegi in Pecetto Torinese, with an evening dedicated to the 50th anniversary.

The event will bring together people connected with Pascal’s history, members of staff, representatives of public institutions and guests who have accompanied the Institute throughout its development.

The anniversary programme will offer an opportunity to look back on the school’s entire history, from its foundation in 1976 to the change in ownership in 2014 and its present-day organisation.

Fifty years after that first class of eight students, Pascal has become an educational institution encompassing three levels of schooling and three upper secondary programmes. Based on Via San Filippo, it offers a broad educational experience that includes the American dual diploma, Cambridge Assessment, Chinese language studies and international partnerships.

This achievement reflects the journey undertaken since 1976 and provides a starting point for the Institute’s next chapter.

L'articolo 1976–2026: The Pascal in Chieri celebrates fifty years of history proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

L'articolo Transferring high school proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

L'articolo Middle school transfer proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

L'articolo Elementary school transfer proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

How, then, can one determine which school is the right one?

I believe that attending an open house, listening to a presentation on the educational program, or visiting attractive classrooms is not enough. While these things are certainly important, they are not sufficient.

You need to truly get to know a school.

First and foremost, I believe it is important to understand its history. How long has it been around? What has its journey been like? Who built it, and what values ​​has it managed to preserve over time?

A school’s history especially when it is part of an educational group that supports children through various stages of their schooling is a significant factor. It means having access to an educational approach that has evolved over the years, spanned generations of students, and can be recounted by those who have experienced it firsthand.

And this brings me to a point I consider fundamental: talking to other parents.

This means going beyond conversations with the school’s administration, management, or teachers. You should seek out families who have already entrusted their children to that school, listen to their experiences, and ask questions even the simplest ones, or perhaps the kind you might not feel comfortable asking during an official meeting.

How did your child fare? Were they happy to go to school? When you encountered a difficulty, did you feel heard? Would you make the same choice again?

These questions reveal far more than any brochure ever could.

And, of course, you must observe. Observe how people speak to one another, how teachers address the children, and how parents feel a sense of belonging to school life.

Look for empathy, humanity, and that capacity for welcoming others qualities that cannot be written into a formal curriculum.

Sometimes, it is within the nuances of a conversation that a spark emerges a sudden, intuitive feeling that makes you think: “This is the right school for my child.”

It may seem like a daunting task, but I believe it is far simpler than we imagine. Because when we choose a school for our children especially when they are young and about to begin their primary education we do not choose with our heads alone.

We also choose perhaps even primarily with our hearts.

Guided by this conviction, at Daisy our primary school we have chosen to open our doors to families beyond just the scheduled introductory meetings.

We regularly invite children to spend an entire day in our classrooms alongside their future peers. It is a valuable opportunity for them to get to know the teachers, experience the daily rhythm of school life, and begin to feel part of a group.

We also invite parents to join our assemblies, celebrations, and the various gatherings where our school community comes together.

Why?

Because we want them to be able to speak freely with other parents, get to know other families, and observe the relationships that have developed over the years. We want them to truly experience the school’s atmosphere, rather than feeling like mere guests being given a formal presentation.

A school is certainly composed of qualified teachers, curricula, educational methods, and organizational structures. But, above all, it is made up of people.

And it is these people with their warmth, their openness, and their humanity who transform a school into a place where a child can feel welcomed and grow with peace of mind. I do not believe a school should try to persuade a family to enroll their child at any cost. Rather, I believe it should simply present itself as it truly is, giving parents the time and freedom to determine whether it is, in fact, the place they are looking for.

At Daisy, this is precisely what we strive to do.

We open our classrooms, share glimpses of our daily school life, and connect families with one another because we know that trust is not built through a polished presentation, but through genuine acquaintance.

And when a parent, having gotten to know us, says they can truly imagine their child being happy among these people, I believe they have already found the answer they were seeking.

After all, choosing a primary school means entrusting someone with five years of your child’s childhood.

For a decision of such significance, reason must find all the necessary answers yet, very often, the final word belongs to the heart.

Nicoletta Coppo

L'articolo How should you choose a primary school for your children? Your heart knows how to recognize the right school. proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

Key Takeaways from the Day

• Exchanging experiences and contacts with schools abroad: It was a valuable opportunity to share information, ideas, and direct contacts with colleagues and institutions from across Italy and Europe. Laying the groundwork for new partnerships and student exchanges was both immediate and inspiring.
• Navigating bureaucracy together: By engaging directly with Agency representatives and those with prior experience managing these projects, we addressed and clarified many minor “hurdles” and questions regarding the program’s bureaucratic procedures. Understanding how to streamline practical management will allow us to focus on what truly matters: the value of the experience for both students and teachers.
• New connections for the future: I am returning with a notebook full of relationships and contacts that will prove vital in the coming years. Being part of this network means never having to plan alone and being able to rely on trusted partners across Europe.

Ready to get started?

I return from Florence with enthusiasm and the certainty that the mobility projects we are preparing will be unforgettable life experiences. It is an opportunity for our students to gain independence and for our teaching team to embrace new challenges using cutting-edge methodologies.
The coming months will bring exciting new developments for the entire school community.
And what about you are you ready to come aboard for this new European adventure?

Gabriel Cortiñas
International Projects Coordinator
Scuola Holden / Istituto Pascal

L'articolo Building the school of the future, one journey at a time: my notes from the Erasmus+ kick-off in Florence proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

Don’t just listen to what a school says about itself. Ask questions, look at the students, talk to the teachers, and try to understand what really happens inside that school every day.

Because every school can present an appealing educational project. The real question is: how is it actually put into practice?

And that is exactly where I would like to start when talking about Daisy International Primary School, Holden International Middle School and Pascal High Schools.

Three different schools, because naturally the needs of a primary school child, a middle school student and a high school student are different. But the educational journey we aim to build is the same: preparation, independence, international openness and, above all, attention to each individual.

Does your child already know how to study?

Children who come from primary school rarely know how to study independently.

They are still young. They often do not yet have a study method; they may not know how to organize their time, tackle a text, identify what is important, or prepare independently for an oral test.

And that is perfectly normal.

At Daisy, we begin developing independence and responsibility from the earliest years. At Holden, this work progressively becomes a real study method.

Because middle school, in my opinion, has an enormous responsibility: teaching students how to study.

If they do not learn how to do this during these three years, they will find it much harder to organize their work once they reach high school.

We see this directly at our Pascal High Schools. By observing our high school students, we see every day how much of a difference it makes to arrive at high school having already developed independence and an effective study method.

That is why, during an Open Day, I would ask a very simple question:

How do you help a child become an independent student?

I would not be satisfied with simply hearing that the school “teaches a study method.” I would ask how it actually does so.

And what happens when a child or teenager encounters a difficulty?

I am not necessarily talking about an academic difficulty.

There may be a problem with classmates, a moment of insecurity, difficulty fitting into a new group, or simply a period when a student needs to receive a little more attention.

At Daisy, Holden and the Pascal High Schools, teachers who spend the most time with a class also have this responsibility: to know their students and notice when something changes.

A difficulty should not remain the responsibility of a single teacher.

It should be shared among the teaching staff, so that the child or student can be supported from different perspectives.

For us, this is fundamental: high academic standards must go hand in hand with students’ well-being and with feeling comfortable at school.

The two things are not alternatives.

A student must be well prepared, must learn, and must become accustomed to commitment and responsibility. But they must also be able to come to school feeling that they are part of a place where they feel comfortable and belong.

A class does not become a team by itself

That is precisely why we place so much importance on team building.

And when we talk about team building, we do not mean a single activity organized occasionally during the school year.

At Daisy, Holden and the Pascal High Schools, right at the beginning of the school year we organize a two-day experience, including an overnight stay, because we believe that the first few weeks are the time when the foundations for a positive and supportive class environment are laid.

Students are accompanied by their teachers to a peaceful location surrounded by nature and sufficiently removed from their usual daily environment, specifically designed to host groups of young people and carry out team-building activities.

They are not simply left to “spend time together.”

Alongside our teachers, trained professionals work with the students to offer group activities suited to different age groups.

What does team building actually mean?

It means spending time together in a setting that is completely different from the classroom.

Going into the woods. Taking part in outdoor activities. Trying hands-on activities. Interacting with animals. Taking on small tasks and activities that require cooperation.

And, above all, doing these things together.

Because when you change the setting, relationships change too.

The classmate you may not normally talk to much can become the person who helps you during an activity. The teacher can be seen and known outside their traditional classroom role. Students learn to organize themselves, rely on one another, help each other and share experiences.

That is why we choose to do this at the beginning of the school year.

We do not wait for the group to develop a problem before working on relationships. We try to build, from the very beginning, a class where students can feel comfortable and thrive together.

And this is important not only for students starting a new stage of their education.

During the school year, a child may join Daisy, a student may join Holden, or a teenager may join the Pascal High Schools from another school, another city or even another country.

We do not want the newcomer to be the only one who has to adapt.

We want to build classes that know how to welcome others.

Team building also continues beyond Italy

The opportunities to build relationships and strengthen the group naturally do not end with the experience at the beginning of the school year.

A school trip, a project or a shared activity can become an opportunity for students to get to know one another in different ways.

And then there are the Erasmus mobility programmes, which involve students at Holden and the Pascal High Schools.

Travelling together to another country has enormous cultural and educational value, but I believe it also has another value that we sometimes talk about too little.

It is an extraordinary team-building experience.

Students find themselves away from their everyday environment. They have to deal with another language, different habits and unfamiliar situations. They have to organize themselves, help one another and take responsibility.

And inevitably, they get to know one another better.

This, too, is what being an international school means to us.

But what does “international school” really mean?

The word “international” is used very widely today.

During an Open Day, I would ask:

International in what sense?

In our case, it is a journey that begins at Daisy International Primary School, continues at Holden International Middle School, and leads to the Pascal High Schools.

At Daisy and Holden, the Cambridge curriculum is integrated into the Italian school programme, and some subjects are taught directly in English.

This changes the way students learn a language.

English is not simply a subject to be studied: it progressively becomes a language that students use to learn other things.

Alongside English, Daisy and Holden also offer Chinese, through our collaboration with the Confucius Institute, as well as Spanish.

And then there is the everyday reality of our classrooms.

We have Italian children and teenagers studying alongside international students, some of whom arrive with a very strong command of English but limited Italian.

For this reason, we provide Italian as a second language (L2) programmes for international students, as well as differentiated English levels.

We need to support those who are still developing confidence in the language while, at the same time, continuing to challenge and develop students who already have a very high level.

For me, this is one of the most interesting aspects of an international school: not making everyone the same, but being able to bring together children and teenagers who start from different levels of knowledge, languages and personal backgrounds.

And what happens after middle school?

The international journey should not stop as students grow older.

At the Pascal High Schools, it continues through languages, Chinese as a second language in the Linguistic High School, scientific and STEM programmes, and the different pathways offered by the Linguistic High School, the Human Sciences High School and the Scientific High School.

And there is one opportunity that perhaps we have not talked about enough until now: the American Dual Diploma.

Our students can combine the Italian high school programme with the American one and complete their studies with both an Italian diploma and an American diploma.

It is an opportunity that fits perfectly into the educational journey we aim to build from primary school onwards: giving students the tools that, one day, will allow them to make choices beyond Italy’s borders.

Does being international simply mean knowing languages?

For us, no.

For years, we have taken a particular interest in schools in Northern Europe, and especially in Finland.

This relationship involves exchanging ideas about teaching methods, teacher training and Erasmus mobility.

It does not mean taking a foreign model and copying it.

It means going to see what works elsewhere, exchanging ideas with other teachers and other educational systems, and then returning to our classrooms with one question in mind:

What can we do better?

At Daisy, this approach also connects with some principles inspired by the educational philosophy of Maria Montessori, particularly in our work on independence, responsibility and respect for each child’s pace of development.

For us, this too is what international education means: not limiting ourselves to a single way of doing things.

The schools have laboratories. But are they actually used?

This is another very simple question I always recommend that parents ask.

When you visit a school and see a laboratory, ask:

What do students actually do here?

A laboratory is not there simply because it looks good during an Open Day.

It is there to be used.

At Daisy and Holden, we want to further develop STEM activities and, this year in particular, we will be focusing heavily on robotics.

This choice also comes from the requests and feedback of our families.

And this brings me to another aspect of school life that I particularly care about.

How much can families be involved in school life?

For us, very much indeed.

From Daisy to Holden and through to the Pascal High Schools, families are not simply people to whom we communicate decisions that have already been made.

They are partners in dialogue.

They are often also our best ambassadors, but above all, they are the people who help us understand how young people are changing and what new needs are emerging.

That is why, in addition to the usual meetings with teachers, we also organize more informal gatherings called Afternoon Tea.

We sit together, have some tea and biscuits, and talk.

About trips, activities, sports and projects. About what works and also about what we can improve.

It is a simple moment, but one that is very important to me.

For a few hours, there is no longer the school on one side and the parents on the other.

We have some tea, eat a few biscuits, dream about our school and then try to make that dream a reality.

So, what should you look for during an Open Day?

Not just the facilities.

Ask how independence is developed in primary school and how a study method is taught in middle school.

Ask who notices when your child is going through a difficult time.

Ask what the school actually does to build a class where students feel comfortable and happy together.

Ask what “Cambridge” really means and which subjects are taught in English.

Ask how children and teenagers with different language levels are supported.

Ask what international experiences are actually offered to students.

Go into the laboratories and ask what students really do there.

If you are choosing a high school, ask what concrete international opportunities your child will have and find out about the American Dual Diploma as well.

Talk to the teachers.

And, whenever possible, talk to students and parents who already attend the school.

Above all, look at the children and teenagers you meet in the corridors.

Because a school can present itself very well through an educational project, a website or a brochure.

But often you can understand a school much better by looking at the people who experience it every day.

So, when you attend an Open Day, don’t come simply to listen to what a school says about itself.

Come and see for yourself.

We look forward to welcoming you at Pascal Institute, 2 Via San Filippo, Chieri:

12 October 2026 – 5:00 p.m.

Holden International Middle School and Pascal High Schools

14 October 2026 – 5:00 p.m.

Daisy International Primary School

L'articolo How to tell if a school is truly the right one: what to look for during an Open Day proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

Projects, workshops, languages, activities, innovation, trips, certifications. Sometimes it almost feels like a competition to see who can offer the most, and let’s be honest sometimes schools even promise extraordinary things.

But what, ultimately, is an Open Day?

The original concept is far simpler than what it has become today: simply opening the school’s doors. It is about allowing families to come inside, see the facilities, meet the teachers and students, talk to them, and try to understand what really happens within the school on a daily basis.

It is a moment that may be less spectacular, but far more authentic.

This is precisely the kind of Open Day we aim to return to at the Istituto Pascal (located at Via San Filippo 2 in Chieri).

When parents have to choose a school for their child, I believe they should try to look beyond the fireworks. A slick presentation can be impressive, a video can be moving, and a social media page can be expertly crafted. But ultimately, a student will have to walk through those doors every morning and spend a significant part of their life there.

So, what should parents really be looking for?

I believe they should ask questions. Lots of them.

They should ask what a typical day is actually like. Who the teachers are and how long they have been at the school. How students are supported when they face difficulties. What happens when a project doesn’t work out. How problems are addressed. Which of the showcased activities actually take place during the school year.

And then, they should talk to the people who are already part of the school community.

Talk to other parents, if possible. Talk to the students. Look not only at the image a school projects of itself but also at its history and what it has built over the years.

We live in a world where image carries enormous weight. Social media, photos, videos, blogs, and influencers can be incredibly useful tools and we use them ourselves but image cannot replace reality. You cannot choose a school based solely on a social media post.

Today, there is a wide variety of educational options available, ranging from predominantly online programs to very small organizations. This doesn’t mean they should be judged prematurely, but it does mean that families need to carefully verify who is behind the offer: where the activities actually take place, what accreditations they hold, what the facilities are like, how regulations are met, and what guarantees are provided to students.

Safety, organizational structure, and institutional stability are all part of the educational offering, too.

And then there is the school’s history.

I believe a school’s track record holds value that we sometimes overlook. A school that has been established in the community for years can be vetted: there are generations of former students, families who know the school, a history of results, mistakes, changes, and a trajectory that can be observed.

Promises, on the other hand, must always be weighed against reality.

This applies to international education as well. It is not enough to promise that a child will become bilingual in a few months. You need to ask how languages ​​are taught, by whom, using what curriculum, and within what educational framework.

Perhaps, then, the Open Day should go back to being exactly that: a meeting between people.

For our upcoming Open Days, we don’t want parents to simply come and listen to a presentation designed to win them over.

We want the opposite.

Ask us questions. Put us to the test. Grill us.

Ask us to tell you not just what we plan to do, but what we are already doing. Talk to our teachers, our students, and the parents who have already chosen our schools. Look at the facilities. Ask us about our teaching methods, languages, challenges, safety, organization, and how we support a student when things don’t go as planned.

Because, ultimately, choosing a school isn’t about a specific lab, a social media post, or a slick presentation.

It is about your child. When a family entrusts a child to a school, they are entrusting it with something of immense importance. That is why, before making a choice, they need to truly get to know the school and feel they can trust the people who will look after their child’s growth every day.

We are ready to open our doors.

The first Open House event for the Holden International Middle School and the Pascal High Schools will be held on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

For the Daisy Primary School, the first event will take place on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 5:00 PM.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Pascal Institute at Via San Filippo 2, Chieri.

And, above all, we look forward to hearing all your questions.

L'articolo Open Day: we’re truly opening our doors. proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

American open days are designed to present the local education system, educational opportunities, extracurricular programs, sports activities, and logistical aspects such as schedules, transportation, and meals. They are often opportunities to meet administrators, teachers, students, and families already involved in the school environment.
The events can be in-person, with guided tours of the facilities, or virtual, especially after the pandemic. Families participate alongside students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the school experience. In some cases, informational meetings are also organized in Italy, where international agencies present the American system to students interested in studying abroad.

The US school year generally begins between late July and mid-September and ends between mid-May and late June, divided into two semesters or three terms depending on the school. Open days are usually held in the months leading up to the start of the year, but some schools also offer tours throughout the year by appointment.
Students and families tour classrooms, laboratories, gyms, libraries, cafeterias, and recreational areas. This allows them to evaluate both the quality of the equipment and the overall school environment.
Individual or group interviews are scheduled with administrators, teachers, and counselors, who explain the educational philosophy, teaching methods, student support, and post-graduation guidance opportunities.

Schools explain how the curriculum is personalized, with required subjects (English, mathematics, American history) and a wide selection of electives (journalism, photography, criminology, etc.). The importance of extracurricular activities, from sports to student clubs, which are an integral part of school life, is emphasized.

Current and former students, as well as host families, often share their experiences and answer practical questions about daily life, integration, and the challenges of adaptation.
In the United States, students build their curriculum by choosing from many electives, unlike the more rigidly structured Italian system.
The approach is often more practical and less theoretical, with a school day that combines lectures, laboratory activities, sports, and cultural events.
Start and end dates, as well as holidays, may vary from state to state, but there are some fixed national holidays on which all schools close.

Some American and Italian schools collaborate to offer dual degrees, allowing students to take online courses with American teachers while continuing their studies in Italy, earning both degrees.
Visits and open days at American schools are structured, participatory, and highly informative events. They offer families and students the opportunity to experience an educational system characterized by flexibility, personalization, and a focus on extracurricular activities. The opportunity to interact directly with the school community, tour the facilities, and hear testimonials makes these moments crucial for making informed choices, both for those living in the United States and those coming from abroad.

In recent years, Daisy, Holden, and Pascal high schools in Chieri have also begun to follow the American school tour model, drawing inspiration from established practices in the United States. These schools have introduced open days and structured visits, aimed at facilitating the guidance of families and students in choosing their educational path, very similar to what happens overseas.
School tours in Chieri offer crucial opportunities for families to gain a firsthand understanding of the educational environment. These events are designed to showcase educational opportunities, extracurricular programs, and ways to integrate into the school environment. Just as in the United States, Daisy, Holden, and Pascal high schools also offer guided tours of the facilities, including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and recreational spaces. Students and families have the opportunity to meet with administrators and faculty, as well as current and former students, to share experiences and practical information.

For example, Liceo Pascal has organized informational meetings and workshops open to all, similar to American open days, where participants can interact directly with teachers and discover the school’s educational philosophy. Similarly, Liceo Holden has organized events that combine in-person visits with virtual ones, ensuring accessibility for all families, just as many schools in the United States do.

Furthermore, curriculum personalization is a key aspect of the schools in Chieri, where students can choose electives in addition to mandatory ones, reflecting the American approach. Extracurricular activities, including language learning and student clubs, are valued as an integral part of school life, similar to those found in American schools.

The influence of the American model of open days and school visits is also emerging in institutions like Daisy, Liceo Holden, and Liceo Pascal, offering a unique opportunity for families and students to explore educational options in a more flexible and welcoming environment, encouraging informed choices for the future.

L'articolo How open days work at U.S. schools and international schools in Chieri proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.

What is Cambridge Lower Secondary?

Cambridge Lower Secondary is an international program that offers a comprehensive and innovative education for students aged 11 to 14. It focuses not only on English language proficiency, but also on the acquisition of transversal skills in subjects such as, in our case, Art and Global Perspectives. It is designed to develop critical thinking, a deep understanding of content, and an international approach to learning.

What’s the difference between Cambridge Lower Secondary and the MOVERS, FLYERS, or KET for Schools exams?

The MOVERS, FLYERS, and KET exams are language certification tests that primarily assess students’ English proficiency. Cambridge Lower Secondary, on the other hand, is an integrated curriculum that uses English not only as a language of study but also as a means of deepening core subjects. This approach allows students to think and learn in English, going beyond simple language exam preparation.

How does Cambridge Lower Secondary operate at Holden Middle School?

At Holden Middle School, the Cambridge program is structured around subjects such as Art, Global Perspectives, and English, taught entirely in English. These lessons are taught by qualified teachers and follow the Cambridge curriculum, ensuring immersive and stimulating learning. Students complete practical activities, projects, and assessments in English, strengthening their linguistic and academic skills.

What’s the difference between CLIL and Cambridge Lower Secondary?

CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) focuses on the occasional teaching of certain subjects in a foreign language, often with a limited approach. Cambridge Lower Secondary, on the other hand, is a truly international curriculum: all Cambridge subjects follow global standards and are designed to provide continuity with subsequent stages, such as the Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge Advanced exams.

Will subjects taught entirely in foreign languages ​​receive a double grade?

No, Cambridge subjects will be graded together and reported in English, following the international curriculum criteria. However, the skills acquired will be integrated into the overall assessment, ensuring a comprehensive view of the student’s abilities.

Is Cambridge Lower Secondary compulsory?

Yes, the Cambridge Lower Secondary program is an integral part of the curriculum at our school. We decided to make it compulsory because we firmly believe that this international opportunity can provide our students with a solid and competitive preparation for the future. It is an investment in their linguistic, academic, and global skills, which will prepare them to face any challenge with confidence!

Is there a Cambridge exam at the end of the eighth grade?

Yes, at the end of the Cambridge Lower Secondary program, students can take the Cambridge Checkpoint exams, which offer a detailed analysis of their acquired skills and provide an excellent foundation for subsequent international studies.

Do students have to be native speakers or bilingual to apply?

Absolutely not! The program is designed to accommodate students with varying levels of English. Thanks to targeted teaching support, even those with limited English proficiency can gradually integrate and develop the necessary skills. Our goal is to help each student reach their full potential.

What is the English level of students in eighth grade?

Students who complete the Cambridge curriculum in eighth grade on average achieve a B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR), preparing them for more advanced international courses.

How are teachers selected?

Cambridge curriculum teachers are highly qualified, with specific certifications issued by Cambridge Assessment International Education. Furthermore, they regularly participate in training programs to ensure innovative and cutting-edge teaching, distinct from the traditional classroom approach.

What can students who have completed Cambridge Lower Secondary do after completing eighth grade?

Students who choose our Cambridge program can continue to high school with an international curriculum. Our school offers the opportunity to obtain a dual American diploma, a qualification valid in both Italy and the United States, further expanding future opportunities.

Are there other schools in the area that offer the Cambridge curriculum?

There are few schools in the area that offer the Cambridge curriculum, but Holden stands out for its integration of the program with our innovative educational method and the option to pursue a dual degree. This makes our program unique and highly competitive.

If you are looking for an educational option that combines the excellence of the Cambridge curriculum with an innovative and personalized approach, Holden International Secondary School is an ideal choice for your children’s future.

Please feel free to contact our office at

011 94 25 382 or by email at segreteria@istitutopascalchieri.it

For more details, we also invite you to visit our website at www.istitutopascalchieri.it (http://www.istitutopascalchieri.it).

We are thrilled to accompany you on this educational journey and welcome your children into our community!

L'articolo Cambridge Program for Middle Schools: Answers to Parents’ Questions proviene da Istituto Pascal Chieri.