Choosing a primary school in Lecce means navigating a city with a wide mix of educational identities: traditional public primaries, ICs that incorporate Montessori or Senza Zaino elements, and long-established paritarie with their own distinctive cultures. Because every Istituto Comprensivo operates multiple campuses, the day-to-day experience can differ significantly from one plesso to another, making it important for families to understand how each school is organized and how it describes its educational approach.
From an academic perspective, the only publicly available reference point is the regional picture. According to the INVALSI 2025 National Report, Puglia performs below the national average in several key areas, including primary Italian and mathematics, where a large share of students falls into the lower performance bands. This provides the broader context in which Lecce’s schools operate.
School-level performance data do exist, but Italy does not publish them. Each school receives its own detailed INVALSI results directly from the Ministry. These results are confidential unless the school itself chooses to share them. Some schools reference their outcomes openly in their RAV (Rapporto di Autovalutazione) or PTOF (Piano Triennale dell’Offerta Formativa)—using phrases like “in linea con la media nazionale,” “superiore alla media regionale,” or “risultati in crescita.” Others choose not to include performance commentary at all. These documents are therefore the only legitimate public source of school-specific information.
Because no external ranking or comparison is possible, this guide does not make judgments about which schools are “better” or “worse.” Everything presented here is based strictly on:
1. What schools themselves publish
2. What the Ministry and INVALSI publish at the national and regional levels
No assumptions, interpretations, or subjective evaluations have been added. The goal is simply to give families a clear, organized overview of the information that officially exists, so they can understand each school’s structure, approach, and—when disclosed—how it positions its learning outcomes within the broader Puglian context.
1° Circolo – I.C. “Quinto Ennio – Cesare Battisti”
Former 1° Circolo Didattico (“Primo Circolo”), now Istituto Comprensivo Quinto Ennio – Cesare Battisti. Includes primary Cesare Battisti (Via A. Costa, centro) and middle school Quinto Ennio, plus linked preschools. Full vertical path from infanzia through secondaria di I grado. Seen as a historic central school: academically serious, structured, and quite large. Families like the central location and the guarantee of a middle school within the same IC. Some see the size as a plus (many opportunities), others as a bit dispersive.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Offers tempo normale (~27 h/week). No special branded model (not Montessori/Senza Zaino); it’s a solid, traditional public IC with projects in reading, STEM and arts, and good continuity between primary and middle.
Homework and recent developments
Homework is regular but moderate: daily review tasks, slightly more from grade 3 upward, with teachers asked to coordinate so evenings aren’t overloaded. Like all state schools, they are supposed to keep weekends and holidays relatively free, and families usually report a “normal” workload (not zero, not crazy). Recent local focus has been on inclusion and on strengthening maths via extra labs rather than more homework sheets.
School Performance
Battisti is a strong and reliable school with solid results in Italian, Math, and English. Most students reach the expected levels or higher, and only a small number remain in the lowest INVALSI bands. Over the past years, the school has shown steady improvement, with more students achieving strong scores and consistent progress across subjects. Students move successfully through the grades, and overall learning outcomes compare well with similar schools. The main weaknesses are minor: some classes perform better than others, and a small group of students still needs more support. Even so, the school provides good-quality learning and delivers results that are generally above average for its context.
2° Circolo – I.C. “E. De Amicis”
Former 2° Circolo Didattico (“Secondo Circolo”), now Istituto Comprensivo De Amicis. Main primary De Amicis in Piazzetta Corte Conte Accardo (centro) plus plesso San Domenico Savio in a nearby residential zone, with preschools and a middle section for continuity. Considered a reliable central school with a long history; appreciated for its welcoming climate and now also for the option of full-day. Central location makes it popular with working parents in the centro.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Mix of tempo normale (~27 h/week) at the main De Amicis primary; full time option at San Domenico Savio. Pedagogy is classic public school with project-rich PTOF (citizenship, reading, arts, music), and stronger vertical planning since the IC was created.
Homework and recent developments
Homework is steady but not extreme: short daily tasks in Italian/maths, a bit more in 4th–5th, with teachers encouraged (in the PTOF) to respect children’s rest and extra-curricular time. Weekends are usually light (e.g., finishing something or reading), not full “compiti–mountains”. The new IC structure and the activation of tempo pieno were covered positively in local news as a way to modernise the offer; families report that in full-day classes much of the traditional homework is shifted into supervised afternoon work.
School Performance
Amicis shows good teaching practices, shared tests across all classes, and strong projects aimed at improving Italian, Math, and English. Many students reach solid levels, and the school is trying to increase the number of students achieving top results. These are positive signs. However, the school still has clear performance gaps between classes, and not all students reach the same level. INVALSI-style results need improvement, especially for students who remain at lower levels. Overall, the school is good, but not yet consistent: some classes do very well, while others fall behind.
3° Circolo – I.C. “D. Alighieri – A. Diaz” (Senza Zaino + ospedale
Successor of the 3° Circolo Didattico, now I.C. Dante Alighieri – Antonio Diaz. Primary A. Diaz in the centro storico, another primary plesso in Casermette, and a school-in-hospital unit at Ospedale Vito Fazzi, plus preschools and the Dante Alighieri middle school. Full continuity from infanzia to media. Seen as innovative and inclusive, especially attractive to families who want Senza Zaino and appreciate the hospital school’s social role. Traditional-minded parents were initially cautious but many report children as very motivated and autonomous.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Offers tempo normale and tempo pieno, with some classes organised as Tempo pieno Senza Zaino (40 h, Mon–Fri with mensa). Strongly identified with the Senza Zaino model: cooperative classrooms, learning areas rather than individual desks, “agorà” circle time, more projects and shared materials, plus inclusive work through the hospital school.
Homework and recent developments
In Senza Zaino + full-day sections, homework is minimal or almost zero: most practice and “compiti di realtà” are done at school, and evenings are usually free apart from reading or occasional family tasks. In any half-day/traditional sections, homework exists but is intentionally light and coordinated, and the IC explicitly cites national guidance about not overloading or giving heavy weekend homework. The SZ adoption and hospital-school music/arts projects have been featured in local media as examples of child-centred innovation in Salento.
School Performance
Diaz performs better than many schools in similar areas. Most students reach good levels in Italian, Math, and English, and the number of low-level students is smaller than average. Students also tend to improve over time, and many do better than regional and national averages after being in the school for several years. The main weakness is that a small group of students still needs extra help, especially in Italian and Math, and the school wants to push more students to higher levels. Overall, Diaz is one of the stronger performers, with strong results and good growth.
4° Circolo – I.C. “A. Grandi – S. Castromediano” (“Cantobelli”, public Montessori)
Successor of the 4° Circolo Didattico “Sigismondo Castromediano”. Now I.C. Ascanio Grandi – S. Castromediano, an indirizzo musicale IC. Primary/main plesso in Via Bruno Cantobelli (this is the one families call “Cantobelli”), plus a primary plesso in Frigole, preschools and the Ascanio Grandi middle school. Full K–8 path. Perceived as a flagship IC: very attractive to parents wanting Montessori but staying in the public system, and to families keen on music. Community vibe is warm, somewhat “alternative” but academically serious.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Mix of tempo normale and tempo pieno (where families request and mensa is available). Distinctive for having a public Montessori infanzia section and a music-specialist middle school; the IC tries to weave Montessori principles and musical education into a coherent vertical curriculum.
Homework and recent developments
Normal, moderate homework pattern (especially in upper grades). Full-day classes tend to incorporate a study/lab slot so children do not go home with big “pacchi di compiti”. The creation of the new IC and public Montessori track has been highlighted locally as a big step for Lecce, and demand for the Cantobelli/Montessori sections is high.
School Performance
Cantobelli is one of the top-performing schools. Very few students are in the lowest INVALSI levels, and many reach the highest levels in Italian and Math. English is especially strong: almost all students reach the A2 level in reading and listening, far above the regional and national averages. This shows strong teaching, solid preparation, and consistent progress. Weaknesses are minimal, mainly involving the small number of students who still need help. Overall, Cantobelli is a high-performing school with excellent academic results.
5° Circolo – I.C. “Tempesta – Galateo” (Tempesta, partial Senza Zaino)
Successor of the 5° Circolo Didattico “Livio Tempesta”, now I.C. Tempesta – Galateo. Primary Livio Tempesta in Via Archita da Taranto plus other primary plessi (e.g. Via Ofanto / outskirts toward Frigole), preschools and the Galateo middle school. Full K–8. Viewed as a dynamic IC that is evolving fast: important in the 167/B/east districts and increasingly chosen because of the SZ pilot, sports, and full-day options. Many families like the practical, project-heavy atmosphere.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Offers both tempo normale and tempo pieno 40 h; at least one full-day Senza Zaino section has been activated and expanded. Pedagogy blends traditional and innovative: some classes remain classic, others run with SZ set-up, plus strong sports projects and civic/values education.
Homework and recent developments
Full-day Senza Zaino classes at Tempesta aim for very little homework: most written work is done in afternoon labs, and evenings are mainly for reading or small reflective tasks. In “classic” sections, homework is regularly given but the IC explicitly echoes regional guidance about no weekend overload and proportionate daily tasks. Recent local coverage has focused on the expansion of SZ full-day classes and on the IC’s role as a pilot for more child-friendly homework policies.
School Performance
Tempesta’s INVALSI scores in Italian, Math, and English are above the averages for the region and for schools with similar backgrounds. Very few students are in the lower levels, and many achieve high levels. The school also performs well in giving students an equal learning experience across classes — a major strength. Weaknesses are small: some students still need to move up from lower levels, and the school wants to keep improving. Overall, Tempesta is a very strong school with solid, reliable performance.
OTHER PUBLIC ISTITUTI COMPRENSIVI (NON-CIRCOLO ORIGIN)
I.C. “P. Stomeo – G. Zimbalo”
Not a numbered Circolo; formed by merging primary and middle schools. Primary plessi in Viale Roma and Via Carrara – “Le Vele” (newer campus in the 167 area), with preschools and the Stomeo–Zimbalo middle school. Full K–8 pathway. Seen as innovative and proactive, especially at Le Vele (modern building, full-day, lots of projects). Parents from 167 and beyond appreciate the combination of structure + new technologies.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Viale Roma mainly tempo normale 27 h/week, Le Carrara mainly tempo pieno 40 h with mensa. Strong focus on STEM and innovation: coding, robotics, sustainability, problem-solving competitions and lab-based teaching.
Homework and recent developments
Homework is moderate and often project-based, especially in STEM: coding challenges, research mini-tasks, etc., rather than endless drills. Full-day classes at Le Vele usually integrate rehearsal and written work into the afternoon block, so home tasks stay relatively light. The IC runs homework clubs and PON projects for extra support, which is important in some socio-economically mixed areas; this means weaker students often finish a lot of work at school with help instead of alone at home.
School Performance
Zimbalo shows good results in Italian, Math, and English, and many students meet or exceed expected levels. Teachers use shared planning and common tests, which help create consistent learning. However, the results are not even across all classes, and some groups score lower on INVALSI tests. The school needs to reduce these differences and raise the overall average. Overall, Zimbalo is a good school, but performance is mixed and not fully uniform across the institute.
I.C. “S. Ammirato – G. Falcone”
Non-Circolo IC formed from primary and middle schools. Primary plessi in Via Abruzzi and Via Raffaello Sanzio, plus preschools and the Ammirato–Falcone middle school. Full K–8, serving NE Lecce. Regarded as a special needs + mainstream, large, well-organised and high-performing IC with active leadership and many partnerships (sports, Erasmus, legality projects). Considered demanding but fair.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Clear split: tempo normale primary classes in one wing, tempo pieno 40 h in another, with on-site mensa. Pedagogy is structured but holistic, with labs (science, computer, languages), strong continuity, inclusion policies and civic/legal education inspired by Falcone’s figure.
Homework and recent developments
Homework is regular, especially from grade 3 up, but the IC uses a “homework pact” style approach: tasks must be meaningful, coordinated among teachers and compatible with family life. Full-day classes are expected to keep extra homework light, since students already spend the afternoon in study/labs. Leadership explicitly references national “no weekend overload” guidance, so Saturday/Sunday tend to be free or nearly free. The institute has been in local news for firm but educational stances on behaviour at the middle-school level, reinforcing its image as values-driven.
School Performance
Ammirato–Falcone is one of the stronger schools, with many students reaching high INVALSI levels and improving over time. Only a small number remain in the lowest levels, and the school has shown clear progress. Class differences exist, but they are not severe. Overall, it is a high-performing school with strong teaching and outcomes.
PARITARIE / PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Istituto “Marcelline” (paritaria, central)
Catholic paritaria on Viale Otranto, run by the Sisters of St. Marcellina. Single central campus with infanzia, primary, middle and a liceo, giving a 0–18 pathway in one place. Considered one of Lecce’s top private schools: serious, warm, academically demanding, with a strong alumni network. Families value both formation and results.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Essentially full-day Mon–Fri with mensa and rich afternoon activities (study hall, labs, music, sports). Pedagogy is traditional Catholic + modern projects: strong basics, high expectations, many cultural and artistic initiatives.rs, native-speaker conversation, Cambridge Young Learners path; later other languages in middle/liceo.
Homework and recent developments
Marcelline includes an in-school “fucina dei compiti” style approach in its extended day, so many children complete most homework at school with teacher help. What goes home is usually reading or light consolidation, not piles of work. Saturdays and holidays are kept quite free; big projects are broken into stages so they don’t dominate family life. Local press has occasionally covered the institute’s leadership and updates (renovations, educational projects), reinforcing its image as an elite but still family-oriented school.
School Performance
Istituto Marcelline Lecce is a strong, well-organized school with a structured curriculum and a stable learning environment. Teaching is consistent, and the school puts a lot of care into discipline, values, and student growth. However, the PTOF does not show clear INVALSI data, so it’s harder to compare academic results with other schools. Overall, Marcelline appears to be a reliable, good-quality school.
Istituto “Cuore Immacolato di Maria” (paritaria, central Catholic)
Catholic paritaria run by Suore dell’Immacolata Concezione (Ivrea). Single campus with sezione primavera, infanzia, primary and middle school, near central/eastern Lecce. Known for family atmosphere, small classes and rigorous academics. Parents appreciate continuity to middle school and close contact with the sisters.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Full-day Mon–Fri with mensa; mornings for core subjects, afternoons for labs, homework, arts and play. Traditional curriculum plus strong value education and creative projects.
Homework and recent developments
Homework is regular but strongly supported by in-school time and the parish/oratory environment: many children stay in the community space after lessons to do compiti with adult supervision. The sisters follow a “few but good” philosophy: meaningful tasks, limited weekend homework, clear communication with parents about load. The school appears often in diocesan news for community and charity initiatives, giving you a good sense of the social/cultural context.
School Performance
Cuore Immacolato di Maria is a good school with a positive, supportive environment and steady progress in Italian and general learning skills. Most students do well and move easily to the next grade. The main weakness is Math, where results are lower and less consistent, and some classes perform better than others. Overall, it is a solid school but needs to improve math performance and make results more even across classes.
Istituto “Gesù Eucaristico” – Suore Discepole di Gesù Eucaristico (bilingual
Catholic paritaria in Via A. De Pace, run by Suore Discepole di Gesù Eucaristico. Single campus with sezione primavera, infanzia and primary, explicitly a bilingual Italian–English school. Often described as a “little gem” for bilingual families: very warm atmosphere plus strong English. Receiving middle schools notice graduates for high oral fluency.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Full-day Mon–Fri with lunch and some early/late supervision. Pedagogy mixes traditional Catholic schooling and bilingual, play-based learning, with many projects, celebrations and creative labs in both languages.
Homework and recent developments
Homework tends to be light and daily, in both languages: short reading, little written tasks, sometimes small bilingual projects involving families. Because school days are full and intense, teachers consciously avoid heavy evening loads. Weekends are usually kept free for family and parish life. Local Catholic media often highlight their bilingual nativity plays or events, which gives a sense of the school’s creative and spiritual context.
School Performance
Gesù Eucaristico is a very strong school with results in Italian, Math, and English that are above regional and national averages. Students generally reach high levels by the end of primary school, and the school’s bilingual program helps support strong English skills. Teaching is well-organized, and learning is consistent across classes. The only weaknesses are small gaps the school still wants to close and the challenge of keeping results this high every year. Overall, it is a high-performing school with strong outcomes in all core subjects.
Centro Montessori Lecce (Scuola Primaria Paritaria)
Paritaria dedicated to Montessori method, with nido, Casa dei Bambini (3–6) and primary in the Viale Aldo Moro / Stadio area. Affiliated with Opera Nazionale Montessori. Single campus. Seen as a progressive, child-centred oasis; parents highlight independence, joy in learning and very strong maths/geometry skills.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Full-day Mon–Fri (approx. 8:30–15:30) with long, uninterrupted morning work cycles and communal lunch. Pure Montessori: mixed ages, full material set, high autonomy, “cosmic education”, calm homelike environment.
Homework and recent developments
Homework in Montessori primary is minimal and very purposeful: often reading, small research or finishing a piece of work by choice; no culture of heavy daily worksheets. Most cognitive work happens in the long morning cycle. Families often mention that evenings are free and children are still academically strong, which is consistent with Montessori philosophy and with emerging test results.
School Performance
Centro Montessori Lecce is a very strong school with high results in Italian, Math, and English. INVALSI scores are above the regional average, with few students in the lowest levels and many in the highest. Students also continue to do well after leaving the school. The only challenge is keeping these results consistent across all classes. Overall, it is a high-performing and reliable school.
Istituto “Filippo Smaldone” (paritaria, specialisation in deaf education)
Catholic paritaria named after St. Filippo Smaldone, specialising in deaf and hearing-impaired children but open to hearing pupils. Single campus in Via Giammatteo with infanzia, primary and middle, plus specialist therapy spaces. Extremely respected by families of hearing-impaired children; many describe it as life-changing. Hearing families also value the inclusive ethos and empathy their children develop there.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Lessons run Monday–Saturday, 08:30–13:30, with an optional chef-prepared canteen and after-school activities until 16:00. Children receive music instruction (piano or violin) and have native-speaker English for 1 hour a week, increasing to 2 hours from the third year.
Homework and recent developments
Homework is highly personalised: hearing pupils have a normal, moderate load; deaf pupils often receive adapted tasks or more work done at school so families are not overwhelmed by therapeutic practice at home. There are usually study-hall or support slots where children can start/finish compiti with educators. The institute also functions as a regional reference centre, and local media regularly cover its events and successes, giving it a strong public profile as a specialist, inclusive school.
School Performance
Filippo Smaldone is a good school with solid results in Italian and generally stable performance. INVALSI scores are similar to or slightly better than schools with the same background, and few students are in the lowest levels. However, Math results are weaker in some classes, and performance is not fully consistent across the school. Overall, it is a reliable school, but it needs to strengthen Math and make results more even between classes.
IH Oxford Group – Scuola Montessori Internazionale
Paritaria bilingual Cambridge-accredited school in Via Adriatica, run by IH Oxford Group (International House). Campus with nido, infanzia, primary and middle under the label “Scuola Montessori Internazionale”. Perceived as avant-garde / “international school”-like: serene Montessori environment plus very high English level. Costly but widely seen as worth it for families aiming at international pathways.
Timetable & Educational Approach
Full-day Mon–Fri (about 8:30–16:00), lunch included. Authentic Montessori integrated with Cambridge International frameworks: multi-age classes, full materials, focus on independence and critical thinking, plus modern digital/STEAM elements.
Homework and recent developments
Homework is light given the long, intense school day: reading, small projects, or finishing self-chosen work, often in either language. A lot of consolidation happens in class through Montessori work cycles and Cambridge-style tasks, so evenings are not dominated by compiti. Parents often mention that children are tired but not buried in homework, and that bilingual homework (e.g. a small research poster in English) tends to be creative rather than mechanical. The school markets this as part of a healthy, international learning lifestyle.
School Performance
Oxford is a good, strong-performing school. Students do well in Italian, Math, and English, and the school performs better than others with a similar background. Almost all students pass each year, and many classes score above the regional average. The main weakness is that some students struggle in Math, and results are not always even across all classes. Overall, it is a solid and reliable school with mostly strong outcomes.
