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How did Vittorino da Feltre organize education at his school in Mantua?
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Humanism
Marcus Tullius Cicero, detail of a marble bust; in the Capitoline Museums, Rome.
Vittorino da Feltre organized his school, La Giocosa, in Mantua as a pioneering boarding school that emphasized a holistic approach to humanistic education. To maintain independence from political influence, he insisted the school be located away from the Gonzaga court.12
His educational structure included several key features:
- Curriculum: Instruction was conducted entirely in Latin, with a heavy focus on the languages and literature of Rome and Greece. Students progressed through the seven arts of the trivium and quadrivium, followed by philosophy, before advancing to professional studies.12
- Physical and Mental Balance: Reflecting the Greek ideal, he integrated physical education, games, and recreation to ensure the development of both body and mind. He even arranged for students to relocate to Lake Garda or the hills during summer to protect their health.12
- Pedagogy: Vittorino adapted his methods to individual student abilities and famously eschewed corporal punishment.12
- Inclusivity: While he tutored noble children, he also admitted poor students based on their talent rather than wealth.12