CCI combines an Ontario secondary-school education with everyday life in Italy. Rather than living on an isolated campus, students move between the school, residences, dining room, gym and local businesses within the walkable historic centre of Lanciano.

The school has remained deliberately small since its founding in 1995. Classes average 10 to 12 students, teachers know their students well and school leadership remains closely involved in both academic and residential life.

The result is a boarding experience with clear structure and attentive support, but also genuine opportunities for students to become more capable, independent and confident.

Students who complete the required credits, literacy requirement and community-involvement hours earn the Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or OSSD.

CCI has held credit-granting authority from the Ontario Ministry of Education since 1995. The school follows Ontario curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements and is inspected by the Ministry.

Yes. The OSSD is used by CCI graduates to apply to universities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other destinations around the world.

Admission requirements still vary by country, institution and programme. CCI’s Guidance Department helps students understand those requirements early enough to make appropriate senior-course choices and prepare competitive applications.

Classes average approximately 10 to 12 students. Small classes allow teachers to notice quickly when a student needs clarification, greater challenge or additional support, and give students frequent opportunities to participate.

CCI has a 99% university placement rate. That result reflects both the academic preparation students receive and the individual guidance that begins well before applications are submitted.

Students are helped to build a balanced university list, manage country-specific requirements, prepare written materials and keep track of every deadline and supporting document.

Students live in CCI’s dedicated boarding residences in the historic centre of Lanciano.

Cuore, the girls’ residence, is a spacious former convent. Boys live in Allegria, a centuries-old former inn, or Palazzo De Giorgio, an Art Nouveau palazzo known for its pink façade.

All three residences are within walking distance of the school, dining room, gym, shops, cafés and the main piazza.

Most students share a double room. A limited number of single and other room configurations may be used according to enrolment and availability. Some rooms have ensuite bathrooms, while others use shared bathrooms.

Every residence includes high-speed internet, student kitchens, laundry facilities, common rooms and spaces where students can relax or study together. Cuore also has a large terrace, while Allegria and De Giorgio have their own distinctive shared spaces and courtyards.

Residence assignments and room configurations can change according to enrolment and operational needs.

Yes. Classes, meals, activities and trips are coeducational, but boys and girls live in separate residences.

Students may occasionally attend supervised events in another residence’s common areas, such as a movie night, dinner or games evening. They do not enter one another’s private residential areas.

Yes. Whenever students are in residence, they are supervised by CCI residence dons who live in the buildings and remain available throughout the evening and overnight.

Residences are closed during the school day while students are in class and under the care of faculty and office staff. The school and boarding teams work together to maintain continuous adult responsibility for students.

CCI is designed to develop age-appropriate independence within a safe, structured environment. During permitted free time, students may visit approved areas of Lanciano with friends.

Students must remain in groups of at least two, carry a charged and working mobile phone, follow approved boundaries, check in and out as required and return for meals, activities, study hall and curfew.

Lanciano is a small community where CCI has operated since 1995. Students become familiar faces in a town that has welcomed the school for decades.

Yes. After enrolment, students complete a residence questionnaire about their habits, preferences and anything else that may help us make a thoughtful match.

We make every reasonable effort to accommodate requests to share with a friend, cousin or known student, but no particular roommate, room or residence can be guaranteed.

Students are expected to keep their rooms reasonably tidy, respect roommates and neighbours and follow instructions from their residence dons.

They must attend required meals and activities, check in and out properly, observe study hall and curfew and remain reachable during permitted free time. CCI’s Code of Conduct applies at school, in residence, throughout Lanciano and on every school trip or activity.

CCI provides bed linens, bedding, pillows and regular bath towels. Sheets and towels are collected and sent to a professional laundry service each week.

Students wash their own clothing using the non-coin-operated machines in residence, coordinating their laundry schedule with their dons and one another.

Yes. Students have access to CCI’s fitness facility, located within a short walk of the school and residences. It includes strength-training and cardiovascular equipment, and its use is supervised and scheduled around academic and residence responsibilities.

Students who plan to use the gym should bring clean indoor-only athletic shoes and a fitness towel.

Weekdays are structured around classes, meals, academic support, activities, free time and residence routines.

After the academic day, students may take part in sports, cultural programmes, service, local activities or approved free time. Evenings include dinner, residence responsibilities and supervised study hall before students prepare for the next day.

The detailed timetable varies by semester and by the student’s courses and activities.

CCI’s kitchen prepares Italian meals using fresh, seasonal ingredients from local suppliers whenever possible. Menus change regularly and include familiar favourites alongside dishes from different regions of Italy.

Breakfast is served at school. Students share lunch and dinner in the restaurant on the ground floor of Allegria, including the weekly tradition of wood-fired pizza night.

Menus are published each day so students understand what is being served and can learn about the dishes and their cultural significance. The kitchen also works closely with students who have documented allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements.

Activities are designed to help students develop interests, skills, resilience and a stronger connection to the community around them.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award provides a framework for service, physical recreation, skills and adventurous journeys. All CCI students participate.

Cucina and Sartoria use Italian culture as a way for students to discover more about their tastes, abilities and how they present themselves. Cucina explores regional food traditions. Sartoria includes colour analysis, fabric and fit, intentional self-presentation and an optional photoshoot.

The Quartieri system places every student in one of four houses, with points earned through academics, service, sport and community events. Additional options vary by semester and may include athletics, volunteering, arts, fitness and student-led activities.

Weekends provide a change of pace after the structured school week. Students may sleep later, spend time with friends, visit cafés and gelaterias, go to the gym, take care of laundry or join organized activities.

The academic calendar also includes school travel, cultural visits and special events. When students remain in Lanciano, approved free time gives them the chance to enjoy the town and take greater responsibility for planning their day.

Students do not need to speak Italian before arriving. Academic instruction is in English, except during Italian-language classes.

Relatively little English is spoken in Lanciano, which gives students an authentic and welcoming opportunity to practise. The people of the town are patient, and students are often surprised by how much Italian they acquire naturally.

Spending habits vary, but students do not need to carry large amounts of cash. Families may wish to establish a weekly allowance for optional meals, cafés, gelato, personal shopping and souvenirs.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted and contactless payment is common. Students should also have access to a card for unexpected or emergency expenses, and families should confirm that it works internationally.

Homesickness is natural, especially during the first days and weeks of living away from home. Residence dons and teachers recognize the signs and respond with empathy, reassurance and practical support.

Staying involved in meals, activities and everyday routines is often the most effective way to help a student settle. Staff encourage students to build connections and speak openly when they are struggling. Learning to ask for help is an important part of becoming more confident and self-aware.

Curfews vary according to the day, student age and level of independence. CCI also uses regular check-ins, sign-out procedures and mandatory return times for meals and study hall.

Current curfews and residence schedules are set out in the Student Handbook and reviewed with students at the beginning of each semester.

After enrolment, new students receive a draft course timetable, normally during the late spring for a September start.

The Head of School and Guidance Department review previous transcripts, OSSD requirements, student interests and post-secondary goals with each family. Course requests are generally submitted by mid-May so that academic needs and preferred pathways can be considered carefully.

Students normally have an add-and-drop period extending through the first week of classes. Any change must be discussed with the Guidance Officer or Head of School.

CCI makes every reasonable effort to accommodate appropriate changes, but course demand, class size, prerequisites and timetable blocks may limit availability.

Teachers are available for individual or small-group support before and after the regular academic day. Students are encouraged to ask questions early, attend help sessions and use feedback to improve their work.

Faculty members meet regularly to discuss student progress and coordinate strategies. Additional individual tutoring may also be arranged when appropriate.

Supervised study hall takes place from Sunday through Thursday. It provides a quiet, structured period for homework, projects, reading and preparation for upcoming assessments.

Study hall is not only about completing work. It helps students develop the planning, organization and time-management habits they will need at university.

Families should provide current psychoeducational assessments, individual education plans and relevant school records during the admissions process.

CCI reviews each student’s documented needs to determine which accommodations and supports can be provided within our programme. These may include additional time, assistive technology, alternative settings, teacher check-ins or other strategies appropriate to the student and course.

Because CCI is a small boarding school, it cannot provide every specialized service. Needs should be discussed fully before enrolment so families receive a clear and honest assessment of fit.

All academic courses except Italian are taught in English, making language development part of the student’s everyday school and boarding experience.

Teachers support vocabulary, comprehension and written communication across the curriculum and are available before and after school for extra help. Admissions reviews each applicant’s current English level to make sure the student will be able to access the programme successfully.

University guidance begins in Grade 11 with conversations about the student’s interests, strengths, ambitions and possible fields of study. The Guidance Department helps students understand how senior-course choices may affect future options.

As application season approaches, support includes university and programme research, country-specific admission requirements, testing when applicable, application strategy, essays and personal statements, recommendation letters, submissions, interviews, offers and final decisions.

Each student receives a personalized calendar of deadlines and deliverables. Applications are prepared on campus with careful attention, and families are kept informed throughout the process.

CCI graduates attend universities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, continental Europe and other destinations around the world.

Guidance is not built around one country or one definition of success. Students are helped to find institutions and programmes that match their academic record, interests, goals and preferred environment.

Yes. CCI is an official SAT test centre, allowing students to sit the exam in a familiar setting without travelling to another city.

Test dates vary from year to year and registration is completed through the College Board. Students seeking testing accommodations should speak with CCI’s SSD Coordinator well before the applicable deadline.

Enrolled families complete a detailed Student Enrolment & Information Form covering medical history, allergies, dietary requirements, medication, emergency contacts and anything else that could affect the student’s health, safety or participation.

Information must be complete and accurate. Relevant details are shared confidentially with the school personnel responsible for the student’s care, including residence, kitchen and trip staff.

A student who feels unwell should speak immediately with a residence don, teacher or member of the school office. Staff assess the situation with school leadership and determine whether rest, monitoring, a pharmacy visit, a doctor’s appointment or emergency care is appropriate.

During the school day, a student who is too unwell for class rests in CCI’s quiet infirmary, where office staff can monitor them. When outside medical care is needed, CCI arranges the appointment and a staff member accompanies the student to help with transportation, communication and reassurance.

Parents are informed promptly and receive available medical reports, invoices and receipts.

All prescription and regular medication must be declared before arrival and handed to the appropriate residence staff when the student reaches campus.

Residence dons store and administer medication according to the written dosage and timing instructions provided by the student’s parent or guardian and prescribing professional. Medication must arrive in its original, clearly labelled container.

Limited exceptions may apply to emergency medication that must remain immediately accessible, such as an asthma inhaler or EpiPen. These arrangements must be discussed with CCI in advance.

Undeclared medication or failure to follow medication procedures is treated as a serious safety and Code of Conduct matter.

CCI strongly discourages shipping medication, vitamins, contact lenses or similar supplies into Italy. These items are frequently delayed or blocked by Italian customs and may not be returned to the sender.

Students should bring an adequate supply for the semester in their hand luggage, in original labelled packaging, together with any supporting prescription or physician documentation.

Yes. Every student must have comprehensive health insurance covering the full period they are in Italy. The policy should include emergency treatment, hospitalization and medical evacuation or repatriation.

Families should review exclusions carefully and understand how reimbursement works. Italian hospitals and clinics generally do not submit claims to foreign insurers, and the school cannot file a claim on a family’s behalf.

Families are responsible for consultations, prescriptions, specialist care, hospital charges and other healthcare expenses incurred by their child. A local doctor’s visit for a common illness is generally approximately €100 to €150.

Italian providers usually require direct payment, so students should have access to a credit or debit card for unexpected medical expenses. CCI supplies available reports and receipts for the family’s insurance claim.

If the school pays an expense to prevent a delay in necessary treatment, the family is required to reimburse CCI.

CCI’s kitchen team can accommodate a range of food allergies, intolerances and documented dietary requirements. Families must disclose all relevant information before arrival so kitchen, residence and trip staff are properly informed.

Students with severe allergies, including anaphylaxis, require current medical documentation, an emergency action plan and at least one, preferably two, in-date EpiPens.

CCI takes careful precautions, but it is not a completely allergen-free environment, particularly during excursions when food preparation may be outside the school’s direct control.

On official arrival and departure days, CCI provides private, supervised coach transportation between Rome Fiumicino Airport and Lanciano for students travelling within the confirmed transfer window.

The journey normally takes approximately three to three-and-a-half hours. CCI staff monitor confirmed itineraries, welcome students after they collect their luggage and direct them to the coach.

Families should book flights that arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport within the school’s designated arrival window. Morning or early-afternoon arrivals generally allow enough time for immigration, baggage collection and the supervised coach departure.

For departures, morning flights are the most practical because the school coach brings students to the airport early and cannot provide individual supervision for late departures.

Families booking late-arriving flights are responsible for booking private transportation to campus.

Wait for the published arrival and departure guidance before purchasing non-refundable travel.

CCI monitors every confirmed student itinerary on arrival day. If a flight booked within the transfer window is unexpectedly delayed, the airport team remains in contact and adjusts the group plan as reasonably possible.

This is different from choosing a flight scheduled outside the published transfer window. In that case, the family is responsible for arranging and paying for private transportation to Lanciano.

Many airlines allow high-school-aged students to travel independently, but age requirements and policies vary by airline, route and country.

Families must confirm the applicable rules directly with the airline before booking. Students travelling without one or both parents should also carry a signed parental travel-consent letter and any other documentation required by their country or airline.

Please consult CCI before adding a formal Unaccompanied Minor service. Airline handover procedures may not be compatible with the school’s group arrival and departure arrangements.

Departure procedures are especially restrictive. Airlines may require one designated adult to complete check-in and remain at the airport until well after the flight departs. CCI staff must supervise the full student group and generally cannot remain behind for an individual handover.

Do not add an Unaccompanied Minor service to a return flight without written confirmation from CCI.

Every student needs a valid passport and must meet the entry and study requirements applying to their citizenship, length of stay and itinerary.

Visa requirements vary by nationality. CCI provides accepted families with enrolment documents and practical guidance, but families remain responsible for submitting immigration documents or visa applications with the appropriate embassy or consulate.

CCI assists visa-holding boarding students with applying for their Permesso di Soggiorno when they arrive in Italy.

Students travelling without one or both parents should carry a signed parental travel-consent letter. Insurance information, CCI arrival instructions and emergency contacts should also remain in hand luggage.

CCI strongly discourages travel plans requiring a minor to stay alone in an airport or transit hotel. Many hotels will not permit an unaccompanied minor to check in, even when a family believes approval has been arranged.

CCI staff cannot escort individual students to hotels because they must remain with the wider student group. Families considering an overnight airport stay should contact the Admissions Office before booking so safer alternatives can be explored.

Students should bring an unlocked phone that supports an Italian SIM card or eSIM. Families may activate a travel eSIM before departure, or students can purchase a prepaid Italian plan after arriving in Lanciano.

Free Wi-Fi is available at the airport, school and residences. A working mobile phone remains essential during approved free time because students must stay reachable by their residence dons.

Send the student’s complete itinerary as soon as travel is booked. Include the airline, flight numbers, departure and arrival times, booking reference and details of all connections.

If the airline changes or cancels any part of the itinerary, notify CCI immediately, even when the change appears minor. Accurate information allows the travel team to monitor arrivals, coordinate airport staff and plan transportation.

Families receive formal reports throughout each semester:

• Preliminary Reports provide an early view of the student’s start.
• Midterm Reports give a detailed academic review and include a separate residence report for boarding students.
• Update Reports track progress before final evaluations.
• Final Reports provide final grades and teacher comments for each course.

Reporting dates are published in the Academic Calendar. School leadership also contacts families directly when an academic, health, wellbeing or disciplinary concern should not wait for a formal report.

Parents may communicate with their children regularly while respecting the school schedule and time difference. Calls should not interrupt classes, meals, activities, study hall or residence responsibilities.

Many families find that a regular, predictable call works well. Contact can be reassuring, but giving students time to become involved in their new friendships and routines is also an important part of the boarding-school experience.

Yes. Families are welcome to visit, but the academic and residence programmes continue while they are in Lanciano. Students should not miss class, study hall or required activities without prior approval from the Head of School.

Weekend travel is restricted during the first month of the semester, when students are establishing routines and friendships, and during the final three weeks, when they are preparing for final projects and examinations.

Families may take their child and up to two student guests for dinner, provided residence staff are informed and school curfews and study-hall times are respected.

Accepted families receive forms that help CCI prepare for the student’s academic, residential, health and travel needs. These normally include:

• A Student Enrolment & Information Form
• A residence questionnaire
• Medical, insurance and learning-support documents where applicable
• Travel itinerary and arrival information

Additional information may be requested according to the student’s circumstances. Enrolled families receive the current forms and deadlines directly from CCI.

The Code of Conduct sets out the expectations and shared responsibilities that keep students safe and allow the community to function respectfully.

It applies at school, in residence, throughout Lanciano and during every trip and activity. It covers attendance, academic responsibilities, check-ins, curfews, respectful conduct, prohibited items and disciplinary consequences.

Students and their parents or guardians must read and acknowledge the Code before arrival.

Most students manage well with one large suitcase, one medium suitcase and a carry-on or backpack. Because students wear the CCI uniform on school days and can wash clothing in residence, there is no need to overpack.

Students do not need to bring sheets, bedding, a pillow or regular bath towels. CCI provides and launders these items. A favourite pillowcase or small comfort item from home is entirely optional.

View the Full-Year Packing List

Essential documents, medication and valuables should remain in hand luggage rather than checked baggage. Students should carry:

• Passport, visa and required travel documents
• Parental travel-consent letter where applicable
• Health-insurance information
• CCI arrival instructions and emergency contacts
• Mobile phone, charger and portable battery
• Prescription medication in original labelled packaging
• A change of clothing and essential toiletries

Passports, medication, phones and essential travel information should never be placed in checked luggage.

Students should avoid excessive luggage, large amounts of cash and expensive belongings that are not necessary for school life.

High-drain appliances from countries using 110V electricity, including many hairdryers and styling tools, can short-circuit or create a fire risk in Italy’s 230V sockets. Suitable appliances can be purchased locally. Most phones and laptops are dual-voltage and require only a European plug adapter.

Alcohol, cannabis, illegal substances, cigarettes, vaping or nicotine products, weapons and anything prohibited by CCI’s Code of Conduct must remain at home.