Freies Gymnasium Zurich is one of the city's oldest private schools, founded in 1888 and based in the Seefeld district. It is a pioneer of genuinely bilingual education, offering a continuous German and English pathway from the lower school through to the federally recognised Swiss Matura. This profile sets out its curriculum, fee band, admissions and location for families weighing the international schools in Zurich.
Freies Gymnasium Zurich at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | Swiss Matura, with a bilingual German and English stream |
|---|---|
| Stages | From the 5th class of primary through Progymnasium to the Matura |
| Founded | 1888 |
| Accreditation | Federally recognised Swiss Matura; private Gymnasium |
| Community | Swiss and international families across Zurich |
| Fee band | Upper, full fee private |
| Campus | Seefeld district, central Zurich |
Curriculum and academics
Freies Gymnasium Zurich leads to the Swiss Matura, the federally recognised qualification that opens access to Swiss universities and the federal institutes of technology as well as universities abroad. What sets it apart is its long established bilingual route: in partnership with Lakeside School it has offered authentic German and English education for around 25 years, having been the first grammar school in the canton of Zurich to do so continuously.
All stages, the Progymnasium and the lower and upper school of the Gymnasium, can be followed bilingually, ending in a bilingual Matura. For internationally mobile families this is a distinctive middle path between a fully English language international school and a purely German language Swiss state school. The international schools in Zurich guide places it among the alternatives.
Plan the total cost of a Zurich school place
Use our fee calculator to estimate tuition plus registration, deposit and extras for Freies Gymnasium Zurich and other Zurich schools. Free and independent.
Freies Gymnasium Zurich fees
Freies Gymnasium Zurich fees sit in the upper part of the Zurich international school fees range. The school does not publish a single headline tuition figure that we can verify for this page, so we describe the band rather than quote a number that might be wrong. The city fees guide gives the wider context for what families in Zurich typically budget.
As with any full fee private school, budget for costs beyond tuition. These usually include a one off application or registration charge, a deposit, and extras such as lunches, trips, examination entry in the senior years and any bus service. Confirm the current tuition and the full list of ancillary charges with the admissions office before you apply, as these change annually and vary by year group.
Admissions
As a private Gymnasium, Freies Gymnasium Zurich guides students from the 5th class of primary upward along the path to the Matura, with admission based on prior school record and, where relevant, an assessment of readiness for the bilingual stream. Families choosing the bilingual route should discuss the language balance with the school so the fit is right for the child.
Because the school follows the Swiss academic structure, entry points align with the Swiss year groups rather than a rolling international cycle, so it is worth contacting the office early to understand timing and availability.
Location and who goes there
The school sits in Seefeld, a central lakeside district of Zurich that is well connected and popular with families. Its long history and humanistic tradition are part of its identity, and the central location makes it easy to reach from across the city.
The intake combines Swiss families seeking a private route to the Matura with international families drawn to the bilingual model. For how Seefeld and the other districts compare, see the Zurich city hub.
Reviews
No verified reviews yet. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and accepts no payment from schools, so we publish parent reviews only after confirming the reviewer is part of the school community. If your family knows Freies Gymnasium Zurich first hand, please share your experience through our school reviews hub.
Frequently asked questions
What curriculum does Freies Gymnasium Zurich teach?
It prepares students for the Swiss Matura and is a pioneer of bilingual German and English education, offering a continuous bilingual route that ends in a federally recognised bilingual Matura.
How much are Freies Gymnasium Zurich fees?
As a private Gymnasium it sits in the upper part of the Zurich range. The school does not publish a single headline figure here, so confirm current tuition and any extras directly with the school. The city fees guide gives the wider context.
Is Freies Gymnasium Zurich an international school?
It is a Swiss private Gymnasium rather than a fully English language international school, but its long running bilingual German and English stream makes it a genuine option for internationally mobile families.
What ages does Freies Gymnasium Zurich take?
It takes students from the 5th class of primary school upward, through the Progymnasium and the lower and upper Gymnasium to the Matura.
Where is Freies Gymnasium Zurich?
It is in the Seefeld district of central Zurich, on the lake side of the city.
