About Scuola Italiana Enrico Fermi

Our Mission and Roots

Scuola Italiana Enrico Fermi (Scuola Fermi, or SIEF) is Chicago’s first Italian-American bilingual preschool and kindergarten program. Founded in 2016 by a group of passionate Italian professional women, our school was born from a desire to blend Italy’s rich educational traditions with the best of American innovation. We follow an inquiry-based, Reggio Emilia-inspired approach that inspires children’s creativity and curiosity. Through full immersion in Italian language and culture, we nurture independent thinkers who are confident navigating a global, multicultural world.

Our Community and Culture

Decorated green wall with white tree silhouette, photos of houses, and leaves. Artworks hanging on a clothesline and labels in Italian.

A Reggio Emilia-inspired classroom at Scuola Fermi, displaying children’s artwork and Italian words as part of a bilingual project.

At Scuola Fermi, children learn in a warm, dual-language (Italian and English) environment where they hear and speak Italian every day. Our full-immersion program is the only one of its kind in Chicago, creating an authentic Italian atmosphere that reflects the school’s cultural roots. From the language in our classrooms to the Italian traditions we celebrate, every aspect of our school is genuine and heartfelt. Founded by and for the Italian community, Scuola Fermi has become a welcoming hub for Italian-American and expat families. Yet our doors are open to children from all backgrounds, and we cherish the diverse, close-knit community that has grown around our mission.

Parents seeking a bilingual or Italian immersion early childhood program in Chicago will find a sincere community where each child is valued, loved, and encouraged to thrive.

Meet Our Team

  • A woman with long dark hair and bangs smiling indoors, with wooden and metal furniture and poles in the background.

    Dr. Marta Castella

    INTERIM DIRECTOR

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  • A woman with long dark hair and a big smile, wearing a black sleeveless top with white trim, sitting indoors with a wooden coat rack and white background in the background.

    Chiara Calci

    FOUNDING TEACHER

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  • A young woman with long dark hair, glasses, and a white T-shirt, smiling at the camera, with hooks and signs labeled 'ANDI' and 'SANIT' in the background.

    Giulia Picariello Signori

    KINDERGARTEN TEACHER (MONTAGNA)

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  • A woman with shoulder-length curly hair, wearing glasses, a white t-shirt, and a maroon sweater, smiling at the camera inside a room with wooden coat hooks and fixtures in the background.

    Daila Deligios

    CLASSE BOSCO HEAD TEACHER

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  • A woman with curly black hair, glasses, and a blue patterned sleeveless top, smiling in front of a wooden coat rack.

    Loredana Damiani

    CLASSE BOSCO

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  • A woman with reddish-brown hair, glasses, and a nose ring, smiling. She is wearing a blue button-up shirt and positioned in an indoor setting with hooks and labels, including one that says 'SANTINO'.

    Chiara Albani

    CLASSE FINESTRE TEACHER

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  • A woman with long wavy blonde hair wearing red glasses and a maroon blouse, smiling.

    Natalja Aicardi

    MOVEMENT ATELIERISTA

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  • Simone Russo

    OPERATIONAL MANAGER / C-LAB

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  • Rumzi Farrow

    CURIOSITY LAB LEADER

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Board of Trustees

Anna Maria Fantuzzi

Board Chair, Co-Founder, Curriculum Coordinator

Lucia Dettori

Past Board Chair

Gian Mario Besana

Vice Chair

Gennie Medici

Treasurer

Elena Conta

Co-Founder and Secretary

Laura Granara

Co-Founder and Trustee

Caterina Muti Soldi

Co-Founder and Trustee

Bonnie Wishne

Trustee

Saverio Suraci

Trustee

Michael Cappiello

Trustee

Liz Jaci

Trustee

Scuola Fermi’s founders (2016, left to right): Caterina Muti, Anna Maria Fantuzzi, Chiara Underwood, Laura Granara, Antonella Gelosia, Elena Conta

Scuola Fermi’s founders (2016, left to right): Caterina Muti, Anna Maria Fantuzzi, Chiara Underwood, Laura Granara, Antonella Gelosia, Elena Conta