Reggio Emilia Informed

Bilingualism

Healthy Habits

Italian Preschool and Kindergarten in Chicago — Wicker Park and Bucktown area

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Our first year class (3+)

Classe Bosco is designed for children aged 3 and older and offers a regular routine that focuses on basic linguistic exposure and emerging independence. Rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach, the class offers a dynamic, play-based environment where learning unfolds through listening to the children’s questions, creativity, relationships and a calming sense of routine.

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Our second year class (4-5)

Classe Finestre invites 4- and 5-year-olds into a rich, art-centered environment where materials, emotions, and imagination become tools for discovery. With a strong focus on self-regulation, expression, and connection to the natural world, children learn to navigate their inner landscapes while creating beauty in the world around them. Click to explore our Reggio-inspired approach.

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Our Kindergarten (5+) and K1 blended class

Classe Montagna offers a bilingual Kindergarten and K–1st experience led by bilingual teacher Giulia Picariello Signori. With an integrated curriculum, a rich Reggio foundation, and a balanced use of Italian and English throughout the day, children are prepared with confidence, creativity, and care for both American schools and future Italian pathways. Click to learn more about our approach.

Programs open to Scuola Fermi students

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Our afternoon program

Curiosity Lab is our mixed-age, child-led afternoon program that honors children's natural curiosity through a flexible, bilingual environment. Rooted in trust and self-direction, each day adapts to the group’s energy and interests, to support autonomy, collaboration, and meaningful social learning. Click to read more about our unique approach.

Our toddler & caregiver classes: 15 mo to 3 years Italian Reggio Classes

Il Nido is a gentle, joyful introduction to Italian and the Reggio Emilia approach for toddlers and their caregivers. Led by beloved teacher Chiara Calci, this 50-minute class meets three times a week and invites the very youngest children to explore language, rhythm, and relationships through play, songs, and sensory discovery. Click to learn more.

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Our early morning program

The Breakfast Club is our new pre-care program starting the 2026-27 school year. From 7:30 to 8:30, children are offered a light breakfast and options of quiet activities in a peaceful environment. Classical music, book readings, and mandala coloring will be the softest way to start the day. Available as a drop-in or a full-year package.

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Music classes during the school year

Musica con Tommaso is a cheerful introduction to sound, rhythm, and movement guided by Tommaso Moretti and grounded in the Gordon Method. Children explore music as a language through listening, vocal play, and body expression—laying the foundation for lifelong musicality. Click to learn more (dates to be announced).

Programs for all the children in our community

Our Language Camp at Scuola Fermi

Our Summer Camp runs five days a week during part of the school closure and offers a playful, mixed-age experience. With a focus on language learning and outdoor adventure, children spend less time in the classroom and more time out in the world. Click to learn more.

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Our Saturday language classes

FantaSIEF is a Saturday Italian language and culture program for children, hosted at Scuola Fermi and led by the experienced educators of Fantavolando. Through songs, stories, games, and art, children explore the Italian language in a playful and welcoming environment. Click to learn more.

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Alumni Day passes when CPS is closed

Info on Passport Days — Click to learn more.

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MISSION AND VISION

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Mission

At Scuola Italiana Enrico Fermi, we provide a Reggio Emilia–inspired education where creativity, inquiry, and cultural identity flourish. Our full-immersion Italian program nurtures bilingualism as a lifelong gift, while our curriculum integrates academic excellence with social-emotional growth, self-discovery, and healthy daily habits. We prepare children to become confident, curious, and compassionate citizens, ready to thrive in a global and multicultural world.

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Vision

We envision Scuola Fermi as a model of bilingual, Reggio-inspired education in Chicago—where Italian language and culture meet innovation, community, and care. Guided by our three pillars—Reggio Emilia pedagogy, bilingualism, and healthy habits—we aspire to:

Honor each child’s individuality and potential.
Inspire exploration, creativity, and critical thinking.
Foster resilience, well-being, and a sense of belonging.
Strengthen cultural bridges between Italy, Chicago, and the world.

Our vision is to grow into a thriving institution that not only educates children but also supports families, enriches our community, and preserves the enduring legacy of Italian excellence in education.

Visit our Italian immersion school in Chicago

The best way to learn about Scuola Fermi is to experience it yourself.

During your visit, you’ll explore our classrooms, meet our team, and ask questions about our programs and admissions. If you can’t find a time slot that works for you, feel free to email us, and we will find a dedicated slot.

Our Italian Preschool and Kindergarten is located in Chicago, in the Wicker Park / Bucktown area at:

1510 N Claremont Avenue — Chicago 60622