The Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco is glad to announce that La Scuola International School in San Francisco, a private Italian non-profit school supported by the Consulate, recently hosted a Ribbon Cutting ceremony to mark the launch of the California International Reggio Center (CIRC), a groundbreaking initiative fostering global educational connections and championing the Reggio Emilia Approach®.
CIRC aims to be a hub for educators worldwide, providing a dedicated space to explore and apply the Reggio Emilia Approach®. This educational philosophy, inspired by Loris Malaguzzi, envisions schools as vibrant ecosystems where children, teachers, and families flourish through research, learning, and reflection.
After ten years of collaboration and five years of continuous dialogue, CIRC is the culmination of a beautiful partnership between San Francisco and Reggio Emilia. Valentina Imbeni, Founder and Head of the School, emphasizes, “After a collaboration of 10 years and a dialogue on this project lasting 5, we have finally created a beautiful collaboration between San Francisco and Reggio Emilia, between two institutions that believe in the centrality of the student and the teacher to inspire the love of knowledge for life.”
Developed in collaboration with the Innovative Teacher Project (ITP) led by Dr. Susan Lyon and with the active participation of Reggio Children, CIRC represents a significant milestone. We believe in creating a school environment that is lovable, inventive, and communicable.
CIRC invites educators worldwide to join our professional development and training opportunities. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, or parent, we encourage you to delve into the core principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach®. This approach sees the school as a vibrant community, valuing the potential of every child to learn and grow.
About La Scuola International School:
Founded in 2002, La Scuola International School is globally recognized for its unique approach to education. La Scuola is the only school worldwide that combines Reggio Emilia-inspired teaching, International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, and Italian language immersion. Their mission is to inspire lifelong learners by fostering trusting relationships and encouraging students to ask questions, take risks, and make discoveries.
Link to La Scuola International School website https://www.lascuolasf.org/
About the Innovative Teacher Project:
Since 1994, the Innovative Teacher Project, under the leadership of Dr. Susan Lyon, has played a pivotal role in providing professional development opportunities. Recognized nationally in North America, ITP fosters a community dedicated to elevating the quality of early childhood education.
About Reggio Children:
Reggio Children, an international center for the defense and promotion of children’s rights and potentials, actively contributes to the global diffusion of quality education inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach®. Through various initiatives, including professional development, publishing, exhibitions, and research, Reggio Children continues to experiment with and promote innovative educational practices.
