Brindisi ES, San Vito (combined ES/HS 1992-94) History
Opened: 1961
Closed: 1994
Brindisi Elementary School was located in southern Italy about six miles from the San Vito del Normanni Air Station. The nearest large town was Brindisi which was on the heel of the Italian peninsula.
A DoD school was first established at San Vito in 1961. Classroom space was provided in the base gymnasium to house a population in grades one through eight of thirty-five students and two teachers. By the 1965-66 school year the enrollment had increased to 450 students, sixteen teachers and one principal. The ninth grade was added that year; four portable classrooms were in use and nine additional portable rooms were ordered to house students in grades 1–9. Students in grades 10–12 attended Vicenza High School and lived in a dormitory. In 1966, the 10th grade was added and the school was split into two separate schools. The enrollment grew during the 1967-68 school year to 580 students.
In 1976, the school operation expanded to include grades K–12. Construction of a new junior/senior high school had begun under a congressionally approved building project. The new school opened during the 1977-78 school year. In the 1980's a vigorous construction program brought a new business/computer laboratory, art room, weight room, media center extension, and covered walkways. In August 1992, the schools were combined under one administration in anticipation of pending base closure.
For the 1981-82 school year, the elementary school had twenty-four classrooms plus a media center for the 500 students in grades kindergarten through six. The elementary school shared a gymnasium and a multipurpose room with the high school. The elementary staff had twenty-six professionals. Resource personnel included music, physical education, health, reading, learning development, speech and a counselor.
According to James Stewart Williams, “The Brindisi school was composed of separate classrooms on grayish and arid land making it impossible for teachers to do any landscaping to improve its appearance.” Mr. Williams goes on to say that the three host nation teachers were excellent and energetic and the students were enthusiastic to learn the language of their playmates; most families lived in local neighborhoods not on a base. The students attended at least one field trip a month with the trips to Ostuni and Alberobello being the most popular. Italian students were often invited to visit the American school and the American students would spend a day in an Italian school.
For the 1987-88 school year, the elementary school had twenty-four classrooms plus a media center. The two schools in the complex shared a gymnasium and multipurpose room. The next school year there were 405 students in grades kindergarten through six.
The final year of the school, 1993-94, there were 400 students enrolled. The final senior class of 1994 graduated six students. The school, along with other base facilities, was returned to the Italian government. Arrivederci San Vito!
Information from James Stewart Williams, Frank O’Gara and DoDDS School Information Guides