We have a possible opportunity to move to Naples, Italy for two years. I was wondering if anyone has ever lived there or knows someone who has. Any thoughts about living there would be sincerely appreciated. II understand that they people there are very warm and friendly, but with two children who would do 6th/7th grade and 9th/10th, my biggest concern is the schools. They have DOD schools, but I was told you really need to homeschool as they aren't very good. Does anyone have any experience with the DoD schools? Another concern with children is the air quality as I have heard that is an issue and that children can develop respiratory issues there due to the pollution. Has anyone experienced this? I absolutely hate to be picking out two possible negatives about the opportunity to live in this area of Italy as it is one of my favorite countries to visit, but as a mother, these are concerns and I don't wish to go into this decision blind.

I know I may be really shooting in the dark here to see if anyone has any information on living in Naples/the DoD schools there, but I am just hoping someone may have already had this experience and might be able to shed some light on these concerns. Thanks for any help anyone can provide!

No, but I recommend this book about an American who moves to Naples:

http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Palace.../dp/0375414401

You should try posting your question on the Slowtravel website. There are many expats on that board as well as native Italian posters and I believe there was at least one poster who lived in Naples when her husband was stationed there. Good luck!

Thanks so much Kkscrucnchy and Grinisa! I will try Slowtravel as well. So very much appreciated as we need to make this decision within a week.

Here the section of the State Department Post report on Naples:

Education Last Updated: 1/17/2004 7:53 AM

The schools in Naples vary so it is best to ask other families which school they prefer. Following is a list of the schools currently used by Consulate families:

AFSouth

Montessori School (3-14 years old)

International School of Naples (pre-school-12th) Currently undergoing the accreditation. (January 2004)

NSA Gricignano

Naples Elementary School (K-6th grade)

Naples American High School (7-12 grade) Yearly NCA accreditation.

Other options for pre-school and Kindergarten are local Italian schools. Check those close to your apartment or near the Consulate.

Education

Dependent Education Last Updated: 10/31/2001 6:00 PM

DOD. The Department of Defense operates two schools: an elementary/middle school (which includes kindergarten), and a high school, both located at the new Gricignano facility that is nearly an hour outside of Naples. The schools are staffed with trained, experienced American teachers. These schools have special educational facilities for mildly developmentally delayed children and those with hearing and speech problems. They are accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. There is an active after school athletic program that includes volleyball, basketball, football, soccer, gymnastics, track, and tennis. There is a school newspaper and other extracurricular activities such as choir, band, drama, and science club. Tuition is charged to Consulate General personnel to attend the DOD schools, but it is normally covered by the post educational allowance. Bus transportation is provided at no extra charge if you are on an established route. The DOD buses will not go to neighborhoods where military dependent children do not reside. Unfortunately, the DOD buses do not generally service the areas where Consulate General families reside. The school cafeterias serve soup, sandwiches, and milk at fair prices. The schools have no boarding facilities.

The Allied Nursery and Kindergarten School. A cooperative endeavor, it is run by wives of NATO personnel. Located in one of the buildings at NATO Headquarters at Bagnoli, it provides instruction five mornings a week. Transportation to and from school costs extra. It is well patronized by Consulate General personnel with preschool-aged children. There is usually a waiting period for admittance.

The International School of Naples. Also located on the NATO base, this private, coeducational day school of about 150 students offers instruction in English from kindergarten through grade 12. The non-graded method of class assignment is used from grade 5 on. It is accredited by the European Council of International Schools. Teachers are American and British citizens, except for the Italian-language instructor. Emphasis is placed on a classical college preparatory curriculum. Bus transportation is provided from most areas of Naples.

The Italian-American Montessori School. Also located on the NATO base, this school of about 300 students offers an English-language, American curriculum to children in kindergarten through grade 8, based on the teaching philosophy of Marie Montessori. Teachers are American or British. American textbooks are used in all classes. Bus transportation is available from most areas of Naples.

Education

Higher Education Opportunities Last Updated: 10/31/2001 6:00 PM

The University of Naples. The main campus is in the downtown section of the city. This school enjoys an excellent reputation and provides courses in agriculture, architecture, economics and commerce, engineering, law, letters and philosophy, medicine and surgery, naval affairs, oriental languages, pharmacy, science, mathematics and physics, and veterinary medicine. It is not too difficult for a foreigner to enroll in the university; however, instruction is in Italian.

Naples boasts an Academy of Fine Art and a Conservatory of Music that Americans sometimes attend. At the NATO complex, the Universities of Maryland and Oklahoma offer courses leading to master's degrees in education, business administration, and human relations, and the University of Maryland and other schools offer undergraduate classes in various subjects. The University of Maryland and a growing number of other institutions also offer undergraduate and advanced degree courses via the Internet. (There are several Internet service providers available in Naples.) The French Institute gives French-language instruction to children and adults. Upon successful completion of various levels at the Institute, University of Grenoble certificates of accomplishment are awarded. Local schools offer typing, stenography, and related business subjects in English.

Language Program. Language instruction is available for employees who arrive at post without having achieved the language level designated for their position. Language instruction is also available in the Consulate General for adult family members. NATO also offers Italian classes to Americans stationed in Naples. Private tutoring is available for persons wishing to study the language independently at a cost of approximately $25 an hour.

You can find the full report at http://www.ediplomat.com/np/post_reports/pr_it.htm

Note that these are older reports. The Department no longer posts new reports online. If you're going through State or DoD, those reports may be available to you online on request.

Fra_Diavolo - Thank you SO very much for taking your time to do this! You can't believe how much this is sincerely appreciated! You have given me a wealth of helpful information. Thankyou again!

Tracy: I found this blog by an American woman living in Naples with her family:



http://livingintheboot.squarespace.com/blog/

My experience with DOD schools is way outdated, but I think my opinion is valid.

My DDs went to DOD schools for several years. The schools did their best to expose children to local customs, history and language. One DD was way ahead in her classes when we returned to the states. Her DOD elementary school had German classes everyday. She continued to study languages and won the language prize every year in her high school back home. Because so many people want to teach in DOD schools, they can be very selective and have really excellent teachers. That is still true. Physical facilities vary from place to place and I haven't seen the schools in Naples. They are quite nice in other places I have visited. Most of that didn't matter in the end.

What we found was the educational and cultural experience of living in another country far, far outweighed any negatives of the DOD schools. My kids walked all over Rome, Venice, Florence, Paris and London. They climbed to the dome of St Peter's, visited the Louvre, the Uffizi, the Sistine chapel, Notre Dame, the Tower of London, saw lots of castles, went to concerts and plays in London and Vienna, etc. My little daughter once said, "I saw the real David in the museum, not just a copy." She also thought she looked like a girl in a Frans Halls painting and that her sister looked like the girl in Vermeer's Lace Maker. No classroom anywhere can provide those kinds of rich experiences.

So, I would not worry one bit about the schools. Choose the best one you can and once there, spend some time in your kids' classrooms so you can judge for yourself. If it doesn't work out (but I think it will), you can always make a change. I would also consider an Italian school or international school for them, just for the language and experience of being with local kids. That being said, kids in the DOD schools come from all over. Many are from different countries because someone in the military married someone from another country.

If you could home school, that would be great because you could use everything around you to teach history, art, language, etc. Whatever you do school-wise, if you use your time in Europe to expose them to all that is right there, they will come home more broadly educated than most of their classmates.

I don't know about the air quality. I think they may have problems sometimes, but I have allergies and have had no problems in recent trips to Naples.

I lived in Europe with my family for three years. The one and only big regret I have in life is that (due to elderly parents who needed care at home) we couldn't do it again. I would not think twice about this opportunity. You will be giving your children the gift of the world. Grab it while you can!

Hi Tracy! We just found out we are moving to Italy this summer.... Naples! I have three boys ages 6,8,and 11. I currently home school two of them and will there and one is either going to the DOD school or the Montessori school on base. I have had the same concerns as you, but see the benefits!!! I am very excited. Let me know if you go and we can meet!

Hi Tracy
I agree with Sassafrass. My information is also outdated. I lived in Naples for 9 years. Our son attended grade 7 - grade 12 at the DOD schools. The schools were good. A lot of the children upon returning to the states after their parents three year tour were far ahead of the schools in the states. The history there is unbeliveable. We enjoyed traveling all over. We had no problems with the air quality. We left some very dear Italian friends behind. Enjoy your stay in Italy!!

Hi there, We lived in Naples for only 7 months (Hubby was a contractor at NSA Naples), but we just moved from there 5 months ago (now in Stuttgart, Germany), so it's all still fresh. I homeschooled and had a baby there, for that matter. They have an awesome HS group! EMail me directly with any questions. Happy to share pros and cons, advice, info, tips and even travel pics so you know where to travel! Thanks, Sarah
[email protected]

Hi, we actually live in Naples, Italy right now. We arrived last year. It has been nice, just busy. The schools are great, they are very proactive for the kids, I have one in the 6th and one in the 9th. The kids are all pretty much friendly, my daughter is almost 15 and loves the school. We are currently off base, the house is beautiful, but the kids tend to feel isolated. We are moving on base shortly. It is now direct assignment to base housing, and the hosuing is apartments, small but nice. Traveling here is easy and very rewarding. There is a lot to take advantage of and enjoy! Take care!

Just another thing for you. We haven't had a problem with the air, but it is a little heavy. I noticed the difference when we visited Germany, Although, Germany is very clean, so that may be why. Driving is the only thing that takes some getting used to, I am crazy driver, so I adapted easily, but my car has had some abuse. They use thier cars like bumper cars here, even the mercedes'. It is a learning experience.

This is probably too late for the original poster, but for other folks thinking about moving to Naples, here is some information useful to expats living in Naples, including information about Department of Defense schools:
www.wikinapoli.com/benvenuti

Hi USMCDuke.. I would love to get more information on Naples. Are you still living there? My husband is a marine and we will be there in Feb. Do you live on base housing? How is it? My email is [email protected]

I've recently been enjoying this website and blog about Naples, you might too: http://www.napoliunplugged.com/ Good luck!