LIVING LATIN IN ROME HIGH SCHOOL
APPLICATION AND GUIDELINES
June 28, 2026 - July 12, 2026
Thank you for expressing interest in Living Latin in Rome High School 2026. We hope that you will join us in Rome as part of a group of enthusiastic students of the Latin language.
Please read these application guidelines thoroughly, then fill out the application linked at the bottom of this page.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Over the course of history, Latin has been the language of emperors, popes, scholars, poets, peasants, and soldiers. But the vitality and range which Latin has developed over the course of its long, layered history sometimes fails to come through in the traditional classroom setting. Too often, Latin is treated as a grammatical exercise to be dissected and translated instead of as a language to be heard, spoken, written, and read. This course treats Latin as a living language. By combining daily readings and rigorous grammar and syntax review with active oral production in situ in Rome, this course hopes to make students fall in love with Latin and make it their own.
This intensive Latin language course provides motivated high school students a continuous period of study of Latin and introduces them to the most interesting ancient sites of Rome and its surrounding areas. The course combines traditional classroom instruction with the active use of Latin as a living language. In some sessions, students meet in small groups in air conditioned classrooms to read and discuss well-known passages from Latin literature connected with an ancient Roman site and with the themes of the day. Other sessions take our learning outside. Students visit sites mentioned in the readings and work with the teachers in small groups, using Latin actively to interact with each other and the site they are visiting. Grammar, vocabulary, and syntax seen in readings are reinforced and practiced in a memorable and authentic setting. On some days, students also take full-day trips where all learning happens on-site.
ADMISSION
This course is open to high school students of all grades, including graduating seniors.The minimum requirement for participation is one year of Latin study and/or a thorough knowledge of the basics of Latin grammar. When admissions are competitive, as they have been for the past few years, preference has been given to older applicants with more language background. A firm dedication to improving one's Latin language skills is also a prerequisite. Your application and one letter of recommendation must be received by March 1, 2026 to be guaranteed full consideration. We will notify all applicants of the results approximately 3 weeks after this date. Applications received after this deadline can only be considered on a rolling basis if space is available.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
For the duration of the program, students and teachers live together and attend classes in Rome. Students will be divided into two cohorts, named Castor and Pollux. One cohort will be housed at the Casa per ferie Salesiane dei Sacri Cuori guesthouse in Rome’s Monti neighborhood and will attend classes at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, a short walk from the guesthouse. The second cohort will be housed at the Sourire Hotel in Rome’s Aventine neighborhood and will take classes at the Pius IX Institute campus nearby.
Students will be supervised at all times by the program’s teachers and student life staff, who live with the students in the same facilities. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided daily.
TUITION AND COSTS
The cost of Living Latin in Rome High School is $5500. It must be paid in full by May 1, 2026. This payment includes tuition, housing, meals, the costs of all trips, museum and site admissions, and transportation to and from Rome’s Fiumicino airport.
Airfare, snacks, and spending money are not included in the cost of tuition. Please consider the exchange rate when planning your budget.
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required of all participants by April 1, 2026. Our acknowledgement of receipt of this deposit guarantees the student a post in the course. The remaining $5000 is due by May 1, 2026.
TRAVEL
All participants will be met by Paideia Institute staff at Rome’s Fiumicino airport and driven to their accommodations, provided that their flight arrives at Fiumicino between 7:00am and 5:00 pm Central European Standard Time. The Paideia Institute will also book a chaperone on a direct flight from New York's JFK Airport. Students may travel to Rome on their own, or book their own ticket on the chaperoned flight. At the end of the program, students who will not be traveling on the chaperoned group flight will need to book a flight that leaves Rome no later than 2:00pm on departure day to take advantage of the included airport transfer.
If you do not have a valid passport, get one immediately. This process can be time consuming and should not be left to the last minute.
IMPORTANT: Please do not book non-refundable travel before the deposit deadline of April 1st. We will confirm on April 2nd whether enough students have enrolled for the program to run.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Paideia Institute is able to offer a number of full and partial scholarships to participants with demonstrated financial need. Please visit our scholarships page to learn more. Scholarship applications must be received by March 1, 2026.
QUESTIONS
Please direct all questions to [email protected].
APPLICATION
To apply, please fill out the application below and send this Teacher Recommendation Form to the teacher you would like to write your letter of recommendation. For priority consideration, please get both forms in by March 1, 2026 at 5pm EST. We will notify all applicants of the results 3 weeks after this date.