Inter-Community School Zurich, known as ICS, is a not for profit International Baccalaureate World School teaching the full IB continuum in English to children from around 18 months to age 18 on a single campus in the Zurich area. Founded in 1960 and an IB World School since 1993, it is one of the longest established international schools in the city. This profile sets out its curriculum, fee band, admissions and location for families weighing the international schools in Zurich.
At a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | International Baccalaureate: PYP, MYP and Diploma Programme, taught in English |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early Years, Primary and Secondary, roughly age 18 months to 18 |
| Founded | 1960; IB World School since 1993 |
| Accreditation | International Baccalaureate authorisation across all three programmes |
| Community | International and Swiss families from dozens of nationalities |
| Fee band | Upper, full fee private |
| Campus | Single all through campus in the Zurich area (Zumikon) |
Curriculum and academics
ICS teaches the International Baccalaureate from the Primary Years Programme through the Middle Years Programme to the two year Diploma Programme, with English as the language of instruction and German taught throughout as the language of the host country. The unbroken IB continuum is the school's defining feature: a family can follow one inquiry led framework from the early years to the university entrance Diploma without changing system. The IB Diploma is recognised by Swiss universities, the federal institutes of technology and universities worldwide.
Families who want to compare programmes sometimes weigh the IB against an American curriculum route or the British pathway. Our guide to the best IB schools in Zurich shows where ICS sits among the city's IB providers, while the round up of American schools in Zurich sets out the alternative for families who prefer a US style high school diploma with Advanced Placement.
Compare Inter-Community School Zurich with other IB schools
Use our free compare tool to view ICS side by side with up to three other Zurich schools on curriculum, ages and location. Independent and free for parents.
Inter-Community School Zurich (ICS) fees
ICS fees sit in the upper part of the Zurich international school fees range, in line with the city's established full continuum IB schools. We do not publish a specific tuition figure here because the school reviews fees annually and the current numbers should come from ICS itself. Treat any band as illustrative and confirm the exact tuition with the admissions office.
As with any full fee private school, budget for costs beyond tuition. These usually include a one off application or registration charge, a refundable deposit, and extras such as lunches, trips, examination entry in the Diploma years and any bus service. Ask the admissions office for the complete schedule of charges by year group before you commit, as these change each year.
Admissions
Admission to ICS runs through the school's own office, which reviews prior school reports and references and meets the family before a place is offered. Because the school runs a single form of entry in some year groups and demand for the Diploma years is strong, it is worth registering early to confirm availability in the relevant grade.
Families relocating to Switzerland should also plan for the residence paperwork a move to the canton of Zurich involves, and allow time for places to be confirmed before the school year begins. The school welcomes applications throughout the year subject to space.
Location and who goes there
ICS occupies a single all through campus in Zumikon, on the hillside above the eastern shore of Lake Zurich, a short ride from the city centre on the Forchbahn and the wider public transport network. Keeping every stage on one site means siblings of different ages attend together and the early years, primary and secondary share facilities.
The intake is genuinely international, drawn from dozens of nationalities, alongside Swiss families who want an English language IB route. For how the surrounding districts compare and where international families tend to settle, the Zurich city hub maps the options, and you can line ICS up against other schools in our school reviews hub.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Inter-Community School Zurich (ICS) fees?
ICS is a full fee private IB school and sits in the upper part of the Zurich range. The school reviews tuition each year and publishes current figures through its admissions office, so confirm the exact tuition, registration charge and any extras directly with ICS before you apply.
Does ICS Zurich offer the IB?
Yes. ICS has been an International Baccalaureate World School since 1993 and teaches the full IB continuum, the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the Diploma Programme, in English.
What ages does ICS Zurich take?
ICS educates children from around 18 months through to age 18, covering early years, primary and secondary on a single campus in the Zurich area.
Is ICS Zurich a good school?
It is a long established, fully accredited IB World School with a single all through campus and a community drawn from dozens of nationalities. We do not publish a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we set out its programme and entry route rather than score it.
Where is ICS Zurich?
The school occupies one campus in the Zurich area, in Zumikon on the hill above the eastern shore of Lake Zurich, within easy reach of the city by public transport.
