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History & Mission

The entire school and faculty gathered in the main piazza, standing in front of the traditional Lanciano Christmas tree.

The Garda School is the sister school of Canadian College Italy (CCI), our English-language high school operating in Abruzzo for over 30 years.

Founded in 1995, CCI has earned a distinguished place in international education as the only Canadian boarding high school in Europe with credit-granting authority from the Ontario Ministry of Education. Inspected annually, CCI grants the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), a credential recognized worldwide for its rigor, breadth, and commitment to student success.

This reputation for excellence provides students with a powerful pathway into leading English-language high schools and universities across the globe. 

Eva and Gio in front of the Garda School on the first day of school.

As the next generation took up the helm at Canadian College Italy, the family’s longstanding commitment to care and academic excellence entered a new chapter.

Continuing a Tradition of Excellence

From this same vision, The Garda School was founded in 2023 by Davide D'Alessandro and his wife Cheryl Brown D'Alessandro.

The dream was to create a smaller, community-focused day school for their own children and for local families seeking a warm, high-quality international education in English.

“When we moved from Canada, we chose Desenzano del Garda as our new home because of its beauty, safety, and its central location in Northern Italy,” said Garda School Founder Mr. Davide D’Alessandro. "It is the perfect place for our children—and all of our students—to grow, learn, and thrive.”

Today, The Garda School carries forward the family-led dedication to academic excellence and personal growth established at CCI.

With a mission to nurture curiosity, confidence, and character, the school empowers students through hands-on learning, real-world experiences, and personal mentorship—preparing them to thrive both locally and globally.

The perfect place to grow, learn and thrive.