Programs for High Schools
As an American institution of higher education in Rome, John Cabot University promotes interaction between the international academic community and its surroundings. JCU offers cultural resources and educational activities to Italian high school teachers and their students, free of charge.
All programs are certifiable for PCTO, Work-Related Activities Requirement/Percorsi per le Competenze Trasversali e per l’Orientamento and are offered to Italian high schools in English.
Find out more about these programs and Professional Development for Teachers. While all programs are available online, some activities are in-person at JCU and at your school. Download our brochure in English or in Italian and the document How to Use the Unique Registration and Request Form.
For more information write to [email protected]
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Under a Framework Agreement with the Italian Ministry of Instruction, Universities and Research, Regional Office for schools in Latium |
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This is the suite of programs that JCU offers in English and, free of charge, to the
local community of educators. The logo: the box symbolizes the simple, replicable structure of these programs that
allows JCU to continue to offer engaging content to students and teachers. The olive
branch symbolizes our host country, Italy, and the growth we strive for together.
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Impact
Students and teachers at these schools have been involved in one or more of the Programs for High Schools offered by John Cabot University since 2009. All activities are in English and free of charge. Find your school on the map!
How to Participate
Teachers
Professional Development for Teachers - write to [email protected] to find out about opportunities and how to join.
PCTO for Students - Teachers Register Students for ONE OR MORE of the 5 programs by filling in the Unique Registration and Request Form. (see also How to Use the Unique Registration and Request Form). These programs are flexible. Most of the content can be either integrated into classroom sessions by the teachers or followed by the student autonomously.
Students
Students interested in earning PCTO certification - ask your teacher or PCTO Tutor to register you for one or more of the programs listed below.
How to Write a Successful CV and Speak in Public
This program is offered on Google Classrooms and is certifiable for 8-28 hours for PCTO. All material is presented in asynchronous form, not in live streaming.
Both sessions are equivalent. Teachers indicate ONE SESSION for their students when registering them. All activities relevant to the session must be concluded before the deadline for each session.
SESSION I - 11 November - 27 January
SESSION II - 10 February - 30 March
For more information, write to [email protected]
Italy Reads
JCU’s English language reading and cultural exchange program, Italy Reads, since 2009, provides a variety of activities around a work of American literature. Certifiable for 2-100 hours for PCTO. Read about the activities for PCTO with Italy Reads.
Teachers select from among the activities offered based on the interests and level of English of their students.
Italy Reads 2025-2026 focuses on American short-story writer and poet (1938-1988) Raymond Carver's What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.
For more information write to [email protected].
For details and to register for individual events, please see the Calendar of Events page.
September
Teacher Training Workshop
October/November
Keynote Address
Master Class with Keynote Address Speaker
Student peer-to-peer meetings, in-person and online, (JCU Italy Reads Volunteer Mentors
and high school students are scheduled from October through December and from February
through April. JCU students meet with high school students to discuss aspects of the
book and the author, they also offer guidance in preparing for the Student Video Contest
or the Interview and Digital Newsletter Project.
Teachers can request availability of one or more Italy Reads Volunteer Mentors
Students Interview Keynote Speaker
November-December
Students Interview Guest Lecturers (dates of scheduled opportunities forthcoming)
January
Deadline for teachers to purchase group tickets for the Italy Reads Theatre in collaboration
with The English Theatre of Rome. Performances will be at John Cabot University March
10-14.
Deadline to enter the Italy Reads Student Video Contest
Professional Development Course for High School Teachers (online) Teaching a Work by TBA. Jan.-May 2024) (applications due by January 17)
February
Presentation by students of Digital Newsletters including interviews conducted
Student peer-to-peer meetings, in-person and online, (JCU Italy Reads Volunteer Mentors and high school students (Feb. - April.). Teachers can request availability of one or more Italy Reads Volunteer Mentors
March
Video Contest Award Ceremony
Italy Reads Theatre in collaboration with The English Theatre of Rome. Performances will be at John Cabot University March 10-14.
Italy Reads Theatre in collaboration with The English Theatre of Rome. Performances will be at John Cabot University Feb. 24 - March 10.
April
Teacher Training Workshop
Italy Writes
Italy Writes is JCU’s national Creative Writing Contest for high school students (scuola secondaria di secondo grado) whose primary language of instruction is NOT English. Since 2010, JCU has partnered with the prestigous University of Iowa's International Writing Program for this contest encouraging students and recognizing excellence in developing their creative voices in the English language.
Available for certification of up to 10 hours for PCTO. JCU will provide resources to teachers interested in guiding their students in structured preparation for the Italy Writes Contest. Teachers can register their students for PCTO, using the Unique Registration and Request Form, and receive additional resources to use in their in-class writing workshops.
All students are encouraged to participate in the contest regardless of their interest in earning PCTO certification.
Students can choose one of the following three options:
- Respond to the question: When does Generative AI expand your voice and when does it become a substitute?
- Fiction (Narrativa)
- Non-Fiction (Saggistica)
This year, considering the ongoing discussions of the use of Generative AI in the classroom, we invite participants to share their opinions on this theme by responding to the question "When does Generative AI expand your voice and when does it become a substitute?" We anticipate students using all the tools available to them and are interested in seeing how they use them to develop an argument. Students can respond to the above question following the guidelines listed below. All submissions must be presented with annotations of the prompts used and how they were developed. Submissions will be evaluated based on the quality of the argument and the prompts used as well as the degree of critical analysis of the question. This is an opportunity to express your opinions! We want to hear the voices of the students!
Resources: Student Guide to AI
1 March - Deadline to submit entries using this Contest Submission Form. The award ceremony will be held online late May/early June. Awards are announced by the Writer in Residence for JCU's Institute for Creative Writing and Literary Translation. For more information write to [email protected].
Italy Pitches
JCU’s Institute for Entrepreneurship offers this national, English-language pitching competition for Italian high-school students - Italy Pitches. Participating students will be introduced to concepts such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), creating shared value (CSV), and impact investing. They will also learn how to construct an advocacy narrative, and how to translate it visually using digital skills. Completely online and certifiable for 30 hours for PCTO. Students must register through their teacher/PCTO Tutor who will use the Unique Registration and Request Form. Deadline to apply: February 2.
Karol Passari and Angelica Farris, Class III B (Professor Roberta Barni) at IIS Eliano Luzzatti, Palestrina (RM), for Poste Italiane
Giulia Tirapelle, Olimpia Maria Vittoria Perugini, and Aurora Merlini, Class I E, (Professor Marina Schiaroli) at IIS Classico Artistico - Liceo Classico G. C. Tacito, Terni (TR), for Barilla.
Emma Biancucci and Aurora Sportoletti, Class IV N (Professor Maria Rita Mastronardi) at IIS Via delle Scienze, Colleferro (RM), for Arcor
Alessandro Barbieri, Valerio Belluzzi, and Lorenzo Tomassi, Class III L (Professor Giulia Gatticchi) at Liceo Scientifico Statale "Giovanni Keplero", Rome (RM), for Poste Italiane
Maria Prosperi, Maria Elena Valeri, and Martina Valeri, Class IV O (Professor Silvia Bartolomei) at IIS Via delle Scienze, Colleferro (RM), for Salvatore Ferragamo
Dawid Antuszewski and Matteo Minale, Class III L (Professor Giulia Gatticchi) at Liceo Scientifico Statale "Giovanni Keplero", Rome (RM), for Piaggio
Honorable Mention for performance on social media goes to Iulia Elena Danaila, Stefano Del Mastro, and Mattia Zinno, Class III L (Professor Giulia Gatticchi) at Liceo Scientifico Statale "Giovanni Keplero", Rome (RM), for Barilla.
Italy Starts
Italy Starts, a Peer-to-Peer Entrepreneurship Mentoring Program in English. University students (Mentors) volunteer to work with Italian High School Students (Mentees) to solve real business problems or develop business models for their business or social venture idea toward improving the Environment. This program is aimed at third and fourth-year students enrolled in Italian high schools. It will be conducted online. Certifiable for 40 hours for PCTO.
Students must apply for selection for this program through their teacher/PCTO Tutor who will use the Unique Registration and Request Form. Deadline to apply: 26 January 2026. Selected students will attend two obligatory preparative meetings the last week of January at 5:00pm (online). Italy Starts takes place online from 2 February - 13 April.
FIRST PRIZE
500 Euro, in the form of gift vouchers, is awarded to Team “Wild Wonders: Collectibles
and Adventure”, a startup idea for educational resources to promote Environmental
Awareness. These interactive games and collectible items fosters fun ways to learn,
play and protect Nature.
The team was composed of students from Class III B at IIS Luigi Einaudi, Rome and Class IV at Istituto Scuola San Giuseppe al Casaletto, Rome. Their Mentor was from the American University of Armenia.
SECOND PRIZE
300 Euro, in the form of gift vouchers, is awarded to Team “Hawaiki Rising Studios”,
a startup idea for an online action-adventure game that explores the devastating impacts
of climate change on Pacific island communities. The aim of this game is to educate
through immersive gameplay and combat. The team also created a website for their project.
The team was composed of students from Class III BE at Liceo Classico Europeo Marco Foscarini, Venice; Class IV at Istituto Scuola San Giuseppe al Casaletto, Rome; and Class V L at Liceo Classico Giosuè Carducci, Milan. Their Mentors were from the American University of Armenia and from John Cabot University.
THIRD PRIZE
100 Euro, in the form of gift vouchers, is awarded to Team “Bravo+”, a startup idea
that is an App to make it easier for Eco-conscious people to manage their daily tasks
while adopting greener habits. Using an integrated AI chatbot and partnerships with
sustainable brands, users benefit from suggestions and an award system.
The team was composed of students from Class IV C and IV H at Liceo Classico Statale Giosuè Carducci, Milan; Class III D at Liceo Statale Mazzini, Naples and Liceo Scientifico Statale "M. Curie" di Pinerolo, Torino. Their Mentor was from the American University of Armenia.
SPECIAL MENTION
Special Mention for Urban Improvement goes to Team “Smart Sort Collective” that developed
a startup idea for an innovative waste-management system that utilizes high-resolution
LED screen display and sensors to monitor collection bins and reduce overfill and
subsequent disarray of urban waste.
The team was composed of students from Class IIIL and IV F at Liceo Blaise Pascal,
Pomezia; Class III and IV at Istituto Scuola San Giuseppe al Casaletto, Rome and from
Class III R at IIS Luigi Einaudi, Rome. Their Mentor was from John Cabot University.
SPECIAL MENTIONS were recognized for:
Urban Improvement: Team “Smart Sort Collective”.
New Product Development: Team “Wild Wonders: Collectibles and Adventure”, which was
also awarded 1st place prize.
Responsible Consumption: Team “Bravo+”, which was also awarded 3rd place prize.
FIRST PRIZE
300 Euro, in the form of gift vouchers, is awarded to Team “Spatches,” a startup idea
for sustainable fashion by transforming discarded garments and fabric scraps into
stylish, unique clothing. “Spatches” is committed to reducing textile waste and promoting
environmental responsibility through innovative upcycling techniques. The team was
composed of students from Class 3 at Liceo Classico Statale “G. Carducci,” in Milan.
Their mentors were Giorgia Cinaglia (John Cabot University), Anna Ter-Khachatryan
and Lusine “Lucy” Khalatyan (both from the American University of Armenia).
SECOND PRIZE
200 Euro, in the form of gift vouchers, is awarded to Team “Greenbrick”, a startup idea for a sustainable solution to plastic waste in the environment. By transforming plastic waste into innovative construction materials, “Greenbrick” aims to reduce the burden of plastic pollution and repurpose this waste.
The team was composed of students from Class IV BL, IV BS, and III BS at Liceo Giordano Bruno, Rome and Class III Anr at Liceo Scientifico Statale “M. Curie” di Pinerolo, Torino. Their mentors were Chenyu “Alex” Zhou (John Cabot University), Zhanna Karapetyan (American University of Armenia), and Ani Asatryan (American University of Armenia).
THIRD PRIZE
100 Euro, in the form of gift vouchers, is awarded to Team “Pleroo by Bubblicious,”
a startup idea that creates zero-waste refill stations where customers can bring their
own containers to refill detergents, shampoos and cleaning supplies.
The team was composed of students from Class 4 at Liceo Classico Statale “G. Carducci,” in Milan. Their mentors were Tatevik Abrahamyan, Lili Gasparyan and Sona Avetisyan (all from the American University of Armenia).
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Urban Improvement: SafeClist
Sustainable Fashion Innovation: O.N. Fashion
New Product Development: Team “Greenbrick,” which was also awarded 2nd place
Responsible Consumption:Team “Spatches,” which was also awarded 1st place
Team “Pleroo by Bubblicious,” which was also awarded 3rd place
URBAN IMPROVEMENT
Team “SafeClist,” a startup idea for an App to enjoy eco-friendly and safe city bicycle
travel. “SafeClist” helps cyclists find the safest and most efficient routes, avoiding
busy roads and pedestrian areas. In addition, cyclists can find the nearest public
toilets along their route. It is also a platform for bike rental.
The team was composed of students from Class 3 at Liceo Classico Statale “G. Carducci,” in Milan. Their mentors were Loucine Mazloumian (American University of Armenia) and Virginia Moranti (John Cabot University).
SUSTAINABLE FASHION INNOVATION
Team “O.N. Fashion,” a startup idea to transform fast fashion waste and ocean glass
into affordable bags and jewelry, offering a distinctive blend of eco-friendliness
and Italian craftsmanship.
The team was composed of students from Class 3E and 3B at Liceo Scientifico Vito Volterra, in Ciampino. Their mentors were Knarik Margaryan and Davit Vanyan (both from the American University of Armenia) and Virginia Moranti (John Cabot University).
Congratulations to all participants for their work in this challenging program!
Participating high schools:
IIS “Blaise Pascal,” Pomezia
Liceo Classico Statale “G. Carducci,” Milano
LiceoGiordano Bruno, Roma
Liceo Scientifico Vito Volterra, Ciampino
Liceo Scientifico Statale “M. Curie,” Pinerolo
Liceo Classico e delle Scienze Umane Plauto, Roma
Liceo Ginnasio Statale Dante Alighieri, Roma
Participating Universities:
American University of Armenia
John Cabot University
Universidad de Palermo, Buenos Aires
Professional Development for Italian High School Teachers
These programs provide professional development opportunities and online resources to teachers and their students. Resources and sample lesson plans are available at Italy Reads Resources for Teachers. This material relevant to the current year is updated as we proceed through the academic year. Material from past editions can be accessed at Italy Reads Archives.
High School Teachers can apply to participate in the Italy Reads 2025-2026 Professional Development Course (Jan. - May 2025). The link to the Application Form will be posted here in November. Deadline to apply: January 17.
If you missed the Italy Reads 2025-2026 Professional Development Course, please write to [email protected] to receive all the information you need to join today.
Italy Reads 2009 - Teaching with Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird
Italy Reads 2010 - Teaching with Thornton Wilder's Our Town
Italy Reads 2011 - Teaching with Carson McCullers's The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter
Italy Reads 2012 - Teaching with F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby
Italy Reads 2013 - Teaching with Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake
Italy Reads 2014 - Teaching with Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms
Italy Reads 2015 - Teaching with Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye
Italy Reads 2016 - Teaching with Tennessee Williams's The Glass Menagerie
Italy Reads 2017 - Teaching with Emily Dickinson's Selected Poems
Italy Reads 2018 - Teaching with Flannery O'Connor's Short Stories
Italy Reads 2019 - Teaching with Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass
Italy Reads 2020 - Teaching with Rachel Carson's Silent Spring
Italy Reads 2021 - Teaching with William Demby's Beetlecreek
Italy Reads 2022 - Teaching with Margaret Fuller's Summer on the Lakes in 1843
Italy Reads 2023 - Teaching with Edgar Lee Masters's Spoon River Anthology
Italy Reads 2024 - Teaching with Gertrude Stein's The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas
Italy Reads 2025 - Teacher with Raymond Carver's What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
Spring 2018, Information and Misinformation in a Fake News World by Visiting Professor
Deanna Lee
Summer 2014, Media Literacy for Teaching English - a workshop for teachers by Professor
Antonio Lopez
PCTO - Percorsi per le Competenze Trasversali e per l'Orientamento
All of the above-listed programs can satisfy PCTO (Dlg.107/15) requirements for Italian high school students. The following is required:
- An Agreement for PCTO must be stipulated between JCU and the school. Once the agreement has been signed, the school will appear on the map "Impact of Programs for High Schools with John Cabot University" (see above)
- The teacher/PCTO Tutor for the school registers their students according to the instructions and deadlines for each program using the Unique Registration Form.
- When their students have completed each program, the teacher/PCTO Tutor verifies completion of all activities for the program and requests certification using the Unique Registration Form.
For further information about Programs for High Schools at JCU write to [email protected].
Schools across Italy (170) have participated in at least one of the Programs for High Schools, and 131 of these have signed an Agreement with John Cabot University to participate in at least one of the activities offered for PCTO. If your school is not included in the Impact of Programs for High Schools Map above, please write to us at [email protected].