Is private school really necessary for your child if you are posted to Zurich? The short answer is possibly not if you are settling permanently, your children are young and you want them on the local curriculum. But if your time here is short and your children have started school elsewhere, an international private school can be essential.
- Education in Zurich
- Choosing a school in Zurich
- Special education needs in Zurich
- Pre-schools, kindergarten and nurseries in Zurich
- Best schools in Zurich
Education in Zurich
International schools in and around Zurich offer families an international qualification, atmosphere and excellent teaching staff. The facilities are superb and there is an impressive emphasis on science, music, and afterschool sports.
The alternative is the Swiss state school system, where educational opportunities are wider than in most countries. Indeed, the system receives many plaudits. But to an outsider it can seem very baffling compared to the relatively simple alternative of a private school.
Here’s how it works. State primary education is divided into lower (classes 1-3) and middle (classes 3-6). During this time, children learn reading and writing in German, mathematics up to early geometry, Swiss history, Swiss geography, singing, handicrafts, drawing, religion, swimming, and sports. French and English are taught as first foreign languages if a teacher is motivated to do so, some basic science might be taught. There is no separation according to ability.
State secondary school lasts for three years and is divided into three departments. All secondary schools have A and B departments and a few also offer department C (for the less academic). The classification is based on an overall assessment of the child's time in primary school, including application and behaviour as well as academic ability. The subjects scrutinised are German, French, English and maths and the child is assigned to one of three levels, Level 1 being the most demanding. Moving levels (a joint decision by parents and teachers) is possible, but only on a few set dates, and after the second or third grade, pupils can re-take the entrance exam and join a short version (Kurz Gymi) of the academic programme at a Lang Gymnasium (Gymi).
Entry is via a tough 'Gymi' exam that is only passed by about 20 per cent of the pupils at primary school. If they pass they enter a six year long, elite, academic programme that leads to a baccalaureate diploma giving direct entry into Swiss universities. There is also the option of joining the short-term version (four years) mentioned above.
The alternative path at the end of the three years of compulsory education is vocational education, which teaches professional skills as well as a general education, in addition to practical training. The vocational baccalaureate (German) qualifies students for admission to a university of applied sciences. There is also an additional path to university available, of completing the 'Passarelle' (university/ETH entrance qualification). To complicate matters further, business schools (HMS) and IT schools (IMS) are alternatives, both of which require passing an exam and finally there are Specialised Intermediate schools for students wanting to join a specific occupation.
Choosing a school in Zurich
There are only a few purely international schools in Zurich, in the sense that they only provide a choice of international qualifications, either the International Baccalaureate Diploma or A levels, while others offer a combination of qualifications. There are also a couple of junior schools teaching an adapted curriculum in English. You can feel certain you are doing the best for your child if you take this international route.
It’s not, as we’ve outlined above, that Swiss state schools don’t provide a good education. But there are three concerns for international families.
First, the teachers converse in German, regularly slipping into Swiss dialect, so it is virtually impossible for children who are not fluent in Swiss German to keep up. Second, Swiss schools train children to be good Swiss citizens who will live in Switzerland. And third, curriculum requirements are not set by the federal government, but rather by the individual cantons. There are 26 cantons in Switzerland which means there are 26 different curricula. If you plan on moving someday, or if both parents work - or if you need some flexibility to travel - think this through long and hard before you commit.
If you are wondering just how big of a problem can this really be, just take a look at the map. There are four cities which define a reasonable commuting area for working in Zürich: Aarau, Winterthur, Rapperswil and Zug. Zürich and Winterthur are in Canton Zürich; Aarau is in Canton Aargau; Zug is the capital of Canton Zug; and Rapperswill is in Canton St Gallen. Now, if your child starts school in Canton Zürich, after 6th grade they will be streamed into one of three levels. However, in Canton Aargau, this streaming takes place in 5th grade. So, if you move from Zürich to Aarau when your child is starting 7th grade, they have to go back and repeat a year to make sure they are at the same level as the other kids in their class. That’s just a small domestic example. Imagine extrapolating this to an international level.
There are a few other considerations. Whereas a school day in most countries has a set start time of, say, 8.30am and a finish time of, say, 3.30pm, in Switzerland your child may start school at 8am one day and 10am another day; ditto for the finish time. There is a 1.5 hour lunch break but because primary and secondary schools do not have facilities for children to eat lunch at school, it is up to you to make your own arrangements. Also note that state schools do not have sports teams and playing a musical instrument is up to the family’s own arrangement. Further, children may not be taken out of school except for illness or a family emergency. If you want to take your child out of school a day or two before the scheduled holiday break to attend your family Christmas in Australia, you will be handed a large fine (in most cantons children can only be taken out of school for 2 ‘joker days’ per year). The same applies to returning back late. If you do it twice your children may get kicked out of school entirely.
Special education needs in Zurich
All students within the public Swiss system are entitled to learning support, and for visible and physical disabilities Swiss schools are mostly dependable and caring. However, there are reports that for some invisible learning disabilities, like dyslexia and dyscalculia, there is not enough consistent screening and testing in the early years, and not enough ongoing support in learning and for exams.
Parents with children in the public system with suspected learning issues are generally advised to take the initiative and actively approach schools to have them checked, and once diagnosed, proactively work with the school to ensure their children are getting the support needed.
While fees for private schools in Zurich are high, generally speaking this does include access to quality support for SEN. Some schools (like ICS and ZIS) offer comprehensive, fully funded in-house learning support on-campus with good early detection systems in place for children with mild to moderate special education needs eg dyslexia, dysplasia, delayed reading etc, and for children severely on the spectrum eg autism, ADHD etc there are additional fees. Other schools (like Hull’s School and ISZN) help co-ordinate any support at extra cost. Private schools generally provide a good organisational structure for parents to apply for funding from their local Swiss council to assist with covering extra costs.
Pre-schools, kindergarten and nurseries in Zurich
Childcare in Switzerland is notoriously expensive in comparison to other countries. In fact, Switzerland ranks 38th out of 41 countries in terms of affordable childcare according to a recent study by UNICEF. This is mainly because childcare for under-fours in Switzerland is largely privatized (although some subsidies exist you will usually need to be a resident who has paid social security contributions to access this).
Spaces at early years public centres are limited, with most only open between 08:30–12:00, with some also opening for a couple of hours in the afternoon, forcing many parents to make alternative arrangements to cover lunchtime or after-school hours. While there is plenty of choice for private daycare in Zurich and most offer extended hours, fees are high. Childcare is generally split into two phases: daycare centers (crèches or krippen) for children aged 0–4; and preschool nurseries (or kindergartens) for children aged 4–6. Enrolment for children under four is voluntary, whereas it’s compulsory in the canton of Zurich for children who have turned four from 31st July.
Within the state system, kindergarten here is a two-year programme, starting in August each year. Kindergarten teachers are not licensed to teach reading, writing, or basic maths, so those two years are spent playing, painting, singing, and learning to socialize. If a child is not mother-tongue German, it is a great time for them to become fluent before adding academic stress. If a child is fluent, the second year is pretty boring.
The many private daycare centers and preschool nurseries on offer in Zurich are often bilingual German/English, including at some of the all-through international schools in the area who also offer childcare, which is a great way for younger children to learn multiple languages. The good private childcare options are popular with locals and expats alike so best to start your research and get your little one signed up fast!
Best schools in Zurich
Hull's School Zurich 
IGCSE/ A Level; ages 14-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 280 students
In the centre of Zurich, has recently expanded and now has four dedicated subject-specific school buildings within a few minutes’ walk, the school offers a four year programme, aiming at British university entrance but the exams are also accepted by Swiss universities. Founded by the father of the present owner in 1945, the school is composed of over 80 per cent German speaking students and ten per cent non-Swiss nationals.
Click here to read our full review of Hull’s School Zurich
Inter-Community School Zurich
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma: ages 18 mths-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 840 students
Established in 1960, this international school offers the IB programme in English, at all levels, as well as a bilingual (German/English) diploma option. Families come from mixed cultural backgrounds with about 55 nationalities represented. The largest groups are from the United Kingdom, United States, and Switzerland, followed by many European countries, especially France and Scandinavia, as well as South Africa, Japan etc. Comprehensive EAL programme and SEN support, mother tongue programme also on offer.
Click here to read our full review of Inter-Community School Zurich
International School Zurich North (ISZN)
PYP/ adapted curriculum/ IGCSE/ A Level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 220 students
Opened in 1999 by a husband and wife team but bought in 2019 by the educational group Cognita, which operates around 70 schools on three continents, 40 of them in Europe. An all-through non-selective school, including a sixth form, teaching students, from over 30 different nationalities, a part International Baccalaureate and part English, curriculum.
Click here to read our full review of International School Zurich North
Lakeside School (Küsnacht & Horgen)
Adapted curriculum; ages 3-12; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned; 160 students
A bilingual (German/English) nursery and primary school, specialising in immersion teaching, with two campuses located in Kuschacht and Horgen, both near Lake Zurich outside the city. Joined with the Freies Gymnasium Zurich (FGZ) to create the first bilingual middle school (grades 7 and 8) in the canton.
Click here to read our full review of Lakeside School
SIS Swiss International School Mannedorf
Adapted curriculum; ages 3-11; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned
A member of the eight strong Kalaidos Swiss Education Group (owned by the German Klett Group), which provides a bilingual (German/English) education for mainly German-speaking students. There is the option to either move on to the three year bilingual secondary programme or the six year college where they can aim for either the Swiss bilingual Matura or the International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Click here to read our full review of SIS Swiss International School Mannedorf
Zurich International School (ZIS)
Adapted curriculum/ IB Diploma/ ZIS Diploma/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,300 students
Large school, based on two campuses around Zurich. Consistently solid International Baccalaureate Diploma and AP scores from a cohort which is roughly one third UK/American. There are roughly 500 students, from over 50 countries, in the upper School, who can also earn a ZIS Diploma.
Click here to read our full review of Zurich International School
The following schools in Zurich and the wider area of Zug and St Moritz have been brought to our attention, but until we have more reports from parents, we are unable to consider reviewing them.
Academia International School Zurich (AIS)
Adapted bilingual curriculum/ A Level; ages 4-18; co-ed; day; independent; privately owned
One of two bilingual (German/English) schools run by the Swiss Academia education group. In primary school the week is divided into two, with subjects taught half in German and half in English. Students continue to learn in both languages as they progress up the school and are taught the English A Level syllabus in the sixth form.
Tandem International Multilingual School Zurich
Swiss Lerhplan/ National Curriculum for England; ages 0-12; co-ed; day; independent: private non-profit
Located in the heart of the city, Tandem International Multilingual School offers Swiss and international children from 0 – 12 years an immersive German / English bilingual programme.
Schools near Zug
Institut Montana Zugerberg
Adapted curriculum/ Cambridge/ Swiss curriculum/ IGCSE/ IB Diploma/ American High School Diploma/ Swiss Matura; ages 6-19; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; privately owned; 330 students
Founded in 1925, above the town of Zug, an hour from Zurich, as a bilingual (German/English) school with small class sizes and individual mentoring. Former pupils include the US politician John Kerry and the founder of the Swatch Group.
Click here to read our review of Institut Montana Zugerberg
International School of Zug and Luzern (The) (ISZL)
PYP/ MYP/ IB Diploma/ BTEC/ AP; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; independent; private non-profit; 1,225 students
Founded in 1961, currently includes 50 nationalities and aims to offer an international educational experience. Located in Zug, approximately 34 kilometers from Zurich and 25 kilometers from Lucerne, consists of two campuses and also owns a Chalet located in Wengen in the Bernese Alps. Until 2016, also had a campus in Lucerne. Provides EAL and mother tongue programmes and SEN support.
Click here to read our full review of International School of Zug and Luzern
International School of Central Switzerland (The)
Cambridge International Primary /IGCSEs /A level; ages 3-18; co-ed; day; Independent: privately owned
Also known as The British School of Zug as it follows a Cambridge British curriculum with IGCSEs and A levels, this private international school is located in Cham in the Canton of Zug. Opened first as a primary school in 2009, grew into a middle school in 2012 and the secondary school was added in 2014.
Schools near St Moritz
Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz
Adapted curriculum/ IB Diploma/ IB Careers/ Swiss Matura/ Bilingual Swiss Matura (German/ English or German/Italian); ages 12-18; co-ed; day and boarding; independent; private non-profit; 300 students
Founded in 1904 and called the Institut Engiadina and only 22 boys walked through the doors on the first day. Girl boarders were not admitted until 1991. As its motto ‘mens sana in corpore sano’ suggests, sport and the outdoor life has always played a large part in the school. Offering an exceptionally wide choice of qualifications including two different Swiss Bilingual Maturas.