Istituto Gonzaga

An educational tradition since 1919

A private school in Palermo, founded by the Society of Jesus and part of the network of Jesuit colleges in the Euro-Mediterranean province.

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Our History

An educational tradition that has its roots in 1548, when the Jesuits founded the first college in Messina. Istituto Gonzaga, founded in 1919, continues this centuries-old tradition of educational excellence in Palermo.

1548

The First Jesuit College

The first Jesuit college in history was founded in 1548 in Messina. In 1549, the fathers arrived in Palermo, at the behest of the Viceroy of Sicily Juan de Vega, and founded the Palermo college, the second in Italy of the Company.

1586

Collegio Massimo

After using the church of Sant'Antonio and the church of Santa Maria alla Grotta for schools, in 1586 work began on the construction of the Collegio Massimo at 'Cassaro'.

1767

Suppression and Continuity

With the suppression of the Society of Jesus in 1767, the Jesuit College was replaced by the Real Convitto Ferdinando, keeping the educational tradition alive.

1919

Foundation of Istituto Gonzaga

Istituto Gonzaga was founded in 1919, when the Jesuits purchased 'Villa Lisetta' from the Whitaker family, a rustic building in a 25,000 square meter park.

1939

Ancelle School

The Ancelle del Sacro Cuore school was founded, creating an important parallel educational institution.

1970

Opening to Female Students

In the seventies, the first female students were admitted, marking a moment of openness and modernization of the institute.

1970

Public Library

The institute opened its library to the public, containing over 35,000 volumes. Furthermore, the library houses one of the three locations of the Ancient Book Fund of the Euromediterranean Province of the Society of Jesus.

1996

Ignatian Educational Center

In 1996, the college, after merging with the Ancelle del Sacro Cuore school, changed its name to Centro educativo ignaziano (CEI).

2016

Restoration of the Name

After the separation from the Ancelle, the name 'Istituto Gonzaga' was restored, dedicated to the Jesuit saint Luigi Gonzaga, protector of students.

2019

Centenary

The institute celebrated its centenary, an important milestone that testifies to the continuity and evolution of the Jesuit educational tradition in Palermo.

Gonzaga Campus Today

Sports Facilities

Gonzaga Campus contains 4 football fields (2 of which are multipurpose for tennis/volleyball), 1 basketball/tennis court, 1 open gym, 1 covered gym outside and one more inside.

Library

The library, open to the public since the 1970s, contains over 35,000 volumes and houses one of the three locations of the Ancient Book Fund of the Euromediterranean Province of the Society of Jesus.

About Us

Gonzaga Campus is our educational institution, led by the Jesuits, and we present ourselves as an educational, cultural, sports and social campus. We want to be a sign of hope and a place of integral formation for the new generations. Our mission is to educate young people not only to academic excellence, but also to human and spiritual excellence, forming competent, conscientious and compassionate people, ready to serve others.

Values and mission

Gonzaga School is inspired by Ignatian pedagogy, focusing on the integral formation of the person. The fundamental values include:

Openness to the world

Promoting an international and intercultural mindset.

Care for the uniqueness of the person

Personalized attention to enhance each individual's peculiarities.

Interactive and digital teaching

Use of innovative methodologies for dynamic learning.

Human and academic excellence

Aiming for the maximum development of individual potential.

Men and women for others

Forming altruistic people committed to serving the community.

Our Team

The Board of Directors of Gonzaga Campus, chaired by General Director Father Vitangelo Carlo Maria Denora, is composed of a close-knit team of professionals with complementary experiences and skills. United by a shared educational vision, the Board promotes a work culture based on listening, collaboration and innovation, guiding the strategic and human development of the Campus.

Director