Ever wondered what it’s like to attend a school with a papal alumnus? Welcome to the Collegio San Carlo. This private school in Milan has a rich history dating back to 1869. Its story is deeply intertwined with the city’s evolution.
The Collegio San Carlo first opened its doors as an all-boys classical high school. Don Giovanni Battista Compagnoni was the first headmaster. The goal was noble. It was to nurture well-rounded individuals and shield them from irreligion. It was founded with archiepiscopal support.
Achille Ratti was one of its most exceptional students. He later became Pope Pius XI. He passed his final exams with flying colors in 1875.
Financial difficulties threatened the Collegio San Carlo. Carlo Ottavio Cornaggia Medici Castiglioni stepped in. He became president of the board. He shaped the school into an elite institution. It became strongly connected to the Church. However it also embraced liberal Catholicism. Ludovico Necchi graduated at the end of the century. He later co-founded the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore with Monsignor Gemelli.
During World War I, the Collegio San Carlo transformed into a military hospital. Monsignor Ceresani showed immense generosity. Classes were held at the nearby Casa degli Oblati. They also took place at the oratory of the Basilica di Sant’Ambrogio. Sadly 54 students lost their lives during the war. Their names are etched on a plaque in the school’s atrium.
Under Fascism, the Collegio San Carlo continued its educational mission. Key figures like Cardinal Ratti and Cardinal Schuster provided support. Giovanni Testori attended. He was a future writer. Vignettes he created at the Collegio were recently rediscovered. Eugenio Corti was another notable student. He is famous for his novel “Il cavallo rosso”.
The Collegio San Carlo played a significant role during World War II. Seventy-two students died in battle. The school became the headquarters of OSCAR. This was an organization that helped Jews escape the country. “Il Ribelle” was a clandestine magazine. It was created within the Collegio. It promoted anti-fascist ideas. Giovanni Barbareschi was a key figure. He helped save thousands of Jews and opponents of the Salò Republic.
Post-war Milan saw repairs to the Collegio San Carlo. Bombings had damaged the building. It became a meeting point for Catholic ex-partisans. They united in their political opposition to communism.
The Collegio abolished boarding in 1971. In 1985, girls were finally admitted. Don Aldo Geranzani led the school from 1990 to 2017. He fostered an intercultural and international dimension. He encouraged students to “take the plunge and go into deep water”. The San Carlo Sports Center was built under his leadership. The Courtyard of Honor, science labs and multimedia rooms were also added. The Cappella was restored. It features six stained glass windows by Don Domenico Sguaitamatti. The library was renovated. It was reopened in 2009. Don Alberto Torriani became Rector in February 2017.
The Collegio San Carlo is housed in the Palazzo Busca-Arconati-Visconti. The Busca family has lived here since the 16th century. The building features neoclassical design. The interiors showcase Baroque salons and decorations by Andrea Appiani.
The library’s restoration was completed in 2009. Cardinal Camillo Ruini attended the inauguration. The restoration revealed a 16th-century loggia. It also uncovered original architectural elements. The library holds precious manuscripts and incunabula.
Today, the Collegio San Carlo includes various schools. These range from nursery to high school. They also include international programs. The Collegio San Carlo continues to uphold its motto: “Ardens ad sidera” which means reaching for the stars.