Quick summary of key school information
All the details about this school in their own words
Nationalities
| Number of students |
100 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
21 |
| Most common nationality |
Swiss |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
52:48 |
Languages
| Native English and German speaking teachers |
80% of our teachers are native speakers |
| Language support for students not fluent in English and German |
We offer a Language Integration Year in German or English |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Depending on the curriculum, our students can study English, German, French, Italian or Romansh. |
Classroom
| Max. number of students per class |
15 |
| Average number of students per class |
7 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
No |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
The classrooms are equipped with the latest technology, such as flat screen monitors, projectors, whiteboards, computer connections and much more. |
| Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes |
| Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
All religions are welcome at HIF |
| How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
Of course, every pupil is free to practise his/her religion or not if he/she wishes to do so. This is always done with mutual respect. Rooms are available where pupils can find the peace and quiet they need for inner reflection |
Academics
| External examinations or assessments available |
Swiss Bilingual Matura (German/English, German/Romansh), Ignite: Switzerland program |
| Results in these examinations |
99% success rate of Swiss Matura |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
The students have assisted studying time in the evening 5 times/week |
Student support
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Yes, with the help of an external team |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
Admissions
| Entry evaluation for students |
Yes |
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
HIF Swiss International School and HIF Sports Academy strives to offer a fair and balanced admissions process that gives prospective students every opportunity to study at HIF. We have a min. language requirements depending on the year of study and we run a math exam as well |
| Waiting list |
No |
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
End of June |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes |
School day
| School start time |
7.50 |
| School finish time |
17.00 |
| Supervised care before/after school |
Yes |
| School bus service available |
Yes, local bus company |
| School provided lunches |
Yes |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Vegetarian meals, Lactose-free meals, Gluten-free meals |
| Uniform required |
No |
Extracurricular activities
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Arts, vocal group, psychology, team sports, natural sciences and experiments, participation in the student council |
| Sports activities included |
Alpin Skiing, Crosscountry Skiing, Snowboard Freestyle, Biathlon, Ice Hockey, Strength Training, Team Sports, ... |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
The school is a training site of the Grison Ski Nordic and Snowboard Association as well as an acclaimed regional performance center of the Swiss Ski Association for alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboard freestyle, biathlon. With its Sports Academy, HIF offers an ideal academic and athletic background for highly talented athletes on the one hand and for less competitive, but sports-interested, students on the other hand. Our sports: Cross Country Skiing, Biathlon, Alpine Skiing, Snowboard Freestlye, Icehockey. |
Facilities
| Facilities at the school |
Library, science labs, Yoga Room, Recreation Rooms, ... |
| Sports facilities at the school |
Ski slopes, Snowboard slopes, Cross-country skiing trails, Gymnasium with trampoline and airtrack, ergometer, strength and gymnastics room, therapy room, two tennis courts, football pitch, 100m sprint track, skateboard miniramp, slackline, countless biking and hiking trails in the surrounding area |
Boarding
| Grades/ages available for boarding |
Age 12-19 |
| Boarding facilities at the school |
Living, Eating, Recreation, Sports, Learning, Extracurricular Activities, Wellbeing |
About the school
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
Hochalpines Institut Ftan – School. Sport. Nature. Where Your Future Begins. Surrounded by the picturesque village of Ftan in the Romansh-speaking Lower Engadine, we have been providing students excellence in education in a unique institution for over two centuries, founded on principles of respect, responsibility, and kindness. With our bilingual Swiss Matura in German/English or German/Romansh, we not only embrace our Engadine culture but also open doors to national and international universities. Our aim is to educate young individuals into young adults who discover their individual talents and make a personal contribution to a sustainable society. For three decades, we have also been pioneers in the training of elite athletes. Our HIF Sports Academy, certified by Swiss-Ski, uniquely combines school and sports in disciplines such as cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, snowboard freestyle, and biathlon. Complementing our offerings is Ignite: Switzerland, an exciting nature experience program for international Grade 8 students, and our boarding school, placing the highest value on safety and well-being. Welcome to HIF, where your future begins! |
| Teaching approach of the school |
21st Century Learning and Teaching HIF offers some of the world’s leading programmes of study recognised for admission by the top universities in the USA, the UK, Switzerland and worldwide.
Switzerland has an education system which is second to none. It is rigorous but fair, opening doors of opportunity for young people to progress to higher education or vocational training at every stage in their secondary school careers. |