The rankings for the new biennial ‘Schools Open in the Afternoon, Evening, and on Weekends’ initiative have been published. City Hall announced that this latest round brings the total number of winning schools to 145. When combined with other projects promoted by Roma Capitale—Pui and Iep—the overall number of institutions remaining open beyond ordinary school hours rises to 164.
As a result, half of all schools in Rome will now be animated by cultural, educational, and community-building activities that extend beyond daily lessons, creating inclusive spaces rich with opportunities for students, families, and local communities. The new call for proposals also increased the resources available to schools, with the total investment rising from €1.77 million to €2.55 million for each of the two years—an increase of €780,000 annually. It further encouraged participation from student and parent associations, aiming to position them not merely as beneficiaries but as co-authors and co-managers of the projects.
Particular attention was paid to the participation of students at risk of academic failure and social exclusion. More than half of the participating schools are located in the city’s suburban areas. As nearly all offer academic support in a variety of forms, the initiative provides concrete help to families, reducing the need for paid private tutoring.
“Rome is the city of open schools,” stated School Councillor Claudia Pratelli. “One in two is now a school that stays open in the afternoon, evening, and on weekends. This is an extraordinary result that confirms this Administration’s choice to invest in schools as a neuralgic center of the city and a focal point for the community.”
“We strongly wanted and believed in a school that does not close when the bell rings, but remains a living, accessible, and welcoming point of reference—a school that builds community. In this way, we have also contributed to the fight against educational poverty and school dropout rates, while weaving a network among local associations, families, services, and educational institutions. It is a contagious phenomenon, spreading from the center to the periphery, creating opportunities for encounter and learning, and turning on hundreds of lights in our neighborhoods. It is the sign of a city that grows around the school, making it its shared, beating heart.”