Our history The Istituto di Setificio

was born in 1869 as a school for workers of the silk industry.

It became a State School in 1903 thanks to senator Paolo Carcano, to whom it was later named after.

In 1963 it was transformed into a Technical High School (Istituto Tecnico Industriale) offering three specializations: Chemistry, Design and Textile Technology

In 1975 it moved to its current premises.

What we offerThe students who enrolled

before 2010 could choose between the three traditional courses with further specializations: Chemistry: cloth dyeing,

environmental chemistry and food chemistry.

Design: art design, textile design and graphic design.

Textile Technology.Two courses of a new

Senior High School for Science Education (Liceo Scientifico) were added in 2009.

What we offer The new options after the

reform of the school system of 2010 are: A technical course in

Chemistry of Materials and Biotechnologies.

A technical course for Fashion, specializing in textile design and textile technology.

A technical course for Graphic Design and Communication.

A Senior High School course for Science Education, with the possibility of choosing between Latin or ICT.

What we offerWe also offer

evening classes for older students who want to obtain a High School diploma by taking the official State Exams at the end of three years:a course in

Chemistry of Cloth Dyeing;

a course in Textile Technology.

Our school and its territory Our school has always had very strong ties with our city’s

industrial base. During the final three years, either in summer or during the

year, 85% of our students have working experiences in local companies.

After the end of school, the students who do not go to university usually find work in local companies relating to the field they specialized in.

A large percentage of our students continue their studies at university or higher education courses, either in Como itselfor in Milan, and then go on to find work in local companies.

Our school and its territory The Setificio Foundation was established in 1994 by silk

industry entrepreneurs of the Como area to support the activities of the school.

Since then the Foundation has provided the school with state of the art tools and laboratories as well as promoted projects to improve teaching and training.

The Foundation directly finances Higher Education courses in Textile Technology, Textile Design, Textile CAD and Chemistry, with working experience at local companies.

Projects with local Vocational Schools and Universities are also promoted, such as the one which is currently taking place in collaboration with the Milan University Institute of Engineering concerning digital printing techniques.

Our studentsThe school currently has

830 students, 661 of whom are enrolled in the Technical Courses, 111 have chosen the Senior High School and 58 attend the evening classes.

Students live in the area of Como and its province, including villages on the Lake. Many have relatives who studied at our school too.

Most students come from middle-class or working-class backgrounds.

Our studentsThe number of students of

foreign origin has been increasing over the last few years.

They come from China, Turkey, Ukraine, Romania, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Peru…. A few were born here, some have been living here for a few years but several have only just arrived and have little or no Italian.

The issues of language teaching for the newly arrived and of integration for the others are tackled through specific actions.

Our studentsOur students do not have a lot

of time off school, since many of them attend lessons for 32 - 34 hours a week, and yet several choose to attend extra lessons and activitiesto prepare for international

English language exams (PET, FCE, TOEIC);

to take ECDL exams;to train for sporting events;to prepare theatre shows.

Our studentsOur students participate in

international projects and exchanges, sponsored by the EU or by other agencies (e.g. the British Council).

Many participate in local, national or even international contests relating to the fields of textile design, textile technology and chemistry, often with excellent results and extensive recognition.

Our studentsMany of our students

actively participate in events to promote the school and its services:the yearly “open days”,

when the school opens to prospective students and their families;

the annual “creativity day”, where schools present their field of study through creative products;

shows and exhibitions of students’ products;

other local events.