The scientific Liceo “Francesco Vercelli” of Asti was founded in 1944 and is the only one in Asti. It has about 1,000 students of different social classes from 14 to 19 years of age. The students, who come from the city itself and the surrounding villages, have finished primary school and are ready to enter secondary education. The cognitive and social key competences are the goals to be reached within five years. The scientific High School will normally be followed by a university level of competence, but entrance into the working market is considered, too.

The aim of the High School is to create a European citizen (living in Italy) from every point of view and to teach to learn and to learn how to learn.

In the last years the number of non-Italian students has grown (today about 35 students) and the attention of the school is aimed at really integrating them in the school system.