Our Headmaster

Santino Bellisario is Canadian College Italy's Head of School. 

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, I have been a teacher for more than 35 years in private education. For most of my career, I have nurtured a passion in public speaking and debating. Twenty years ago, I began a summer school programme in Rome, Italy. Like the rest of our CCI staff, I understand firsthand the transformative power of travel.

Canadian College Italy is an independent, co-educational institution that makes Bell’Italia its classroom. Our students experience its art, history, and culture in an educational environment like no other. In Florence, the world's great Renaissance treasures await. In Rome, students follow the footsteps of ancient Romans through the Forum. While in Venice, the Rialto reminds us of one of the greatest trading powers in European history. With an emphasis on academic excellence, CCI sees young people as individuals deserving of individual attention, in the hope of nurturing their full potential as human beings.

As the Greek philosopher Euripides once said, “Experience, travel—these are as education in themselves.” At CCI, the intimate nature of the school environment, with its small class sizes, makes it a great opportunity for growth and independence. It gives young people the chance to broaden their horizons in a safe and caring atmosphere. Having seen it with my own eyes, I know that the experience of travel will change lives.

Our core values are service to the young; collaboration among teachers sharing the same vision and values; and a curriculum designed to meet the needs of our student.

Much of this is achieved by remaining focused on our core values: teaching viewed as service to the young; collaboration among teachers sharing the same vision and values; and a curriculum designed to meet the needs of our students. As Headmaster, I know staff and students will work together to achieve these goals.

Canadian College Italy celebrated its twenty-fifth year of excellence in education in 2020. In the years to come, we look forward to building on our remarkable achievements with a renewed vision and mission: to inspire young people to be their very best selves, and to make travel the focus of transformational learning experiences.

As Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do...Explore. Dream. Discover.” I am proud to work with our strong and dedicated staff, as we welcome you to CCI.

Santino Bellisario

Headmaster