Zurich International School (ZIS) is an independent non-profit day school in the greater Zurich area for students aged 3 to 18. Founded in 1963, it is the longest accredited international school in Switzerland and an International Baccalaureate World School, teaching in English with a bilingual German and English route in the lower years. This profile sets out its curriculum, fee band, admissions and location for families weighing the international schools in Zurich.
Zurich International School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | International Baccalaureate World School; English medium with a bilingual German and English lower school |
|---|---|
| Stages | Early childhood, lower school, middle and upper school, age 3 to 18 |
| Founded | 1963; the longest accredited international school in Switzerland |
| Accreditation | International Baccalaureate World School; New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) |
| Community | Over 1,200 students from more than 50 countries |
| Fee band | Upper, full fee non-profit private |
| Campus | Lower school in Waedenswil; middle and upper school in Adliswil |
Curriculum and academics
Zurich International School is an International Baccalaureate World School, with English as the main language of instruction and a bilingual German and English programme in the lower years for families who want their children to grow up strong in both languages. The school runs a continuous pathway from early childhood through the middle and upper school, where the senior years lead to the IB Diploma, a broad qualification recognised by Swiss universities, the federal institutes of technology and universities worldwide.
Because the IB Diploma rewards breadth across languages, sciences, humanities and the arts alongside its core of theory of knowledge, the extended essay and creativity, activity and service, ZIS suits families who want a rounded route rather than early specialisation. For how it compares with the city's other Diploma schools, the best IB schools in Zurich guide and the Zurich IB hub set out the field.
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Zurich International School fees
Zurich International School fees sit in the upper part of the Zurich international school fees range, reflecting its size, its non-profit IB provision and its long accreditation history. Tuition rises with age, so the early childhood and lower school years are the most affordable and the upper school is the most expensive. We do not publish a single headline figure here because ZIS sets tuition by year group and reviews it annually; treat the fees post as a guide to where the school sits in the city and confirm the current figure with admissions.
As with any full fee school, budget for costs beyond tuition. These usually include a one off registration or capital charge, a deposit, and extras such as lunches, trips, the bus service across the campuses and examination entry in the senior years. Ask the admissions office for the full schedule of charges for the relevant year group before you apply.
Admissions
ZIS runs a structured admissions process through its own office, reviewing prior school reports and references and meeting the family before a place is offered. As a popular school with a long waiting history in some year groups, it encourages families to apply early and, where a year group is full, to join the waiting pool while keeping in touch about openings.
Entry points exist across the stages, from early childhood through to the upper school, though places in the Diploma years depend on the subjects a student wishes to take and on viable class sizes. Families relocating to the Zurich area should also allow time for the residence paperwork a move to Switzerland involves and coordinate start dates with the school calendar.
Location and who goes there
ZIS spreads across the greater Zurich area, with its lower school in Waedenswil on the western shore of Lake Zurich and its middle and upper school in Adliswil to the south of the city, both within reach of the regional rail network and served by school transport. The split keeps younger children in a setting suited to them while older students have facilities geared to the Diploma years.
With over 1,200 students from more than 50 countries, the community is broadly international, drawing families posted to the Zurich region as well as local families who want an English medium IB education. For how the surrounding districts compare and where international families tend to settle, the Zurich city hub maps the options.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are Zurich International School fees?
ZIS sits in the upper part of the Zurich range, with tuition rising by age and the senior years the most expensive. Because fees are set by year group and reviewed annually, treat any figure as indicative and confirm the current tuition, registration and deposit directly with the school.
Does Zurich International School offer the IB?
Yes. ZIS is an International Baccalaureate World School and offers the IB programmes through the school, with the Diploma in the senior years. Teaching is in English, with a bilingual German and English route in the lower years.
Is Zurich International School a good school?
It is the longest accredited international school in Switzerland, founded in 1963, a non-profit IB World School accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. We do not publish a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we set out its programme and entry route rather than score it.
What ages does Zurich International School take?
ZIS takes students from age 3 in early childhood through to age 18, with primary years on one campus and middle and upper school on another in the greater Zurich area.
Where is Zurich International School?
ZIS runs campuses in the greater Zurich area, with its lower school in Waedenswil on the western shore of Lake Zurich and its middle and upper school in Adliswil to the south of the city.
