The liceo classico or ginnasio (lit. 'classical lyceum') is the oldest public secondary school type in Italy. Its educational curriculum spans over five years, when students are generally about 14 to 19 years of age.
Until 1969, this was the only secondary school from which one could attend any kind of Italian university courses (including humanities and jurisprudence), thus being the school where the Italian elite were educated. It is known as a social scientific and humanistic school, one of the very few European secondary school types where the study of ancient languages (Latin and Ancient Greek) and their literature are compulsory. Most of the individuals who achieved the highest levels of leadership in the Italian government, science, diplomacy and business attended the Liceo Classico.
