ZIS Upcoming Open House Events
Join us at one of our Virtual or In-Person events coming up in January:
- Middle School In-person Open House, Monday, January 20, 09:00-11:00
- Lower School Virtual Open House, Tuesday, January 21, 17:00-18:00
Elsa Hernández-Donohue
Director
Welcome to Zurich International School (ZIS), where more than 1,200 students learn and develop. We offer a truly personal approach to education. Students come to us from all over the world with limitless potential. But that potential may express itself in different ways. We ensure that they explore a range of interests and activities to discover the talent and passion that will transform their future.
But while our approach is personalised, it does not mean it lacks structure. We provide each child with a strong foundation from which to build their lives; a foundation that will enable them to develop transferable valuable skills and plan their next steps.
ZIS is comprised of two campuses and has over 70 nationalities and 40 mother-tongue languages represented in the school community. The language of instruction is English. For students in the bilingual program, for Kindergarten to Grade 5 (ages 3-11), the languages of instruction are German and English.
ZIS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Organisation World School and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on International Education. ZIS is also approved by the Department of Education of the Canton of Zurich.
A strong academic program, centered around the traditional core disciplines.
ZIS offers:
• Advanced Placement courses (AP)
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB)
• a Bilingual Pathway for students aged 3 - 11
We have organised the information available for this school into 10 sections and 35 questions. Click or tap on the name of each section to read more.
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Number of students
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1250
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Number of nationalities represented in the school
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Over 70
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Most common nationality
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Currently 20% of ZIS students come from the USA, 14% from the UK, and 14% from Switzerland. The remainder come from countries around the world.
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Ratio of local students to international students
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14% of local students to 86% of international students
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Native English and German speaking teachers
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There are over 240 faculty working at ZIS, more than half of whom have a Master‘s or Doctorate degree. Most faculty have taught at other international schools around the world and spend an average of six years at ZIS. Like the school's student population, faculty and staff come from many different countries.
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Language support for students not fluent in English and German
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English as a Additional Language Program is designed to provide academic and social support for non-native speakers of English. The program's primary purpose is to ensure that students become proficient in English and achieve academic success.
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Additional language classes offered by the school
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German, French, Spanish. In addition there are mother-tongue language classes offered as part of After School Program. At present in this growing program at ZIS, the language offerings are: Dutch, French, Spanish and Swedish.
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Max. number of students per class
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20 in the Lower School, 18 in the Middle and Upper School
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Average number of students per class
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20 students in the Lower School, 18 students in the Middle School and 16 students in the Upper School
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Does the school employ teaching assistants?
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In the Early Childhood and the lower grades of the Lower School we employ assistants.
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Use of technology in the classroom
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Students and faculty have access to a technology-rich learning environment at all campuses. Responsible use is a focus as students employ technology and faculty promote the development of digital citizenship across the curriculum.
- Students in Early Childhood Center and Lower Schools participate in the iPads & Learning Initiative.
- Each student in Grades 1 to 5 has access to his or her own iPad for use in the classroom, authentically integrating technology and research skills into the curriculum to complement the units of inquiry.
- Students in Grades 6 to 12 participate in a one to one tablet PC program that enables students to develop critical skills while seamlessly integrating information technology into the curriculum.
- A comprehensive e-learning platform complements classroom instruction providing learning opportunities anytime and anywhere.
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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)
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We have a Continuous Learning Program through which online learning can happen.
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External examinations or assessments available
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IB Diploma
AP exams
SAT
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Results in these examinations
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Please check our website for the latest results
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Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation
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98%
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Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs
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ZIS provides support for students with moderate learning and / or emotional/social difficulties through Learning Support Team.
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Learning support offered
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Learning Support Team has professionals with expertise in a range of aspects of learning including learning disabilities/dyslexia, developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, language acquisition and literacy, speech language/communication problems, sensory integration, motor and physical disorders, and exceptionality in the area of mathematics.
All learning support faculty are specialized and work closely with classroom teachers. The school's faculty members are becoming skilled in differentiation and are open to co-teaching approaches. A full spectrum of learning support is provided:
Small group and 1:1 instruction
Mainstream support
Differentiated assessments
Individualized Education Plans
Academic Assistance Programs
Enrichment programs
Tutorial Support
Speech & Language Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Individualized Learning Program
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The school supports gifted, able and talented students
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The Learning Support Team works with gifted, able and talented students.
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Student access to education psychologist
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Yes
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Waiting list
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In certain grades there are waiting lists.
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Deadline for registration (new academic year)
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Students are accepted to ZIS on a space available basis throughout the present school year. ZIS cannot accept applications two years in advance of the expected date of entry.
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Students can join after academic year begins
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Yes
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School start time
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08:30 or 08:35
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School finish time
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Between 15:30 and 15:50
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Supervised care before/after school
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ZIS offers a Before and After School Care Program for children at the Early Childhood Center and Lower School.
Before-school care is from 07:00 and after-school care operates between the hours of 15:30 and 18:00. With the exception of Wednesdays operates from 14:20 to 18:00.
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School bus service available
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Yes
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School provided lunches
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Yes. Hot meals and sandwiches are available for purchase on each campus.
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Uniform required
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Students do not have a school uniform but are required to dress appropriately for school. Students do have a PE uniform.
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Facilities at the school
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There is a well-stocked Library and Multi-Purpose room/theatre, as well as a Design Lab at each campus as well as dedicated music and art rooms .
The Secondary Campus also has dedicated Science Labs.
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Sports facilities at the school
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Wadenswil Campus: All weather pitch, hard court area with climbing wall, large outdoor play areas with variety of play apparatus, gym, multi sport hall, ballet and dance studio.
Secondary Campus: rugby/soccer field, all weather tennis/basketball court, triple gym, climbing wall, weights training center.
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Qualities and characteristics best defining the school
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Zurich International School is a leading, non-profit day school offering a comprehensive education program for students aged 3 to 18 in the greater Zurich area.
ZIS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Organisation World School and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on International Education. ZIS is also officially approved by the Department of Education of the Canton of Zurich. In August 2021 a bilingual program that follows the Swiss curriculum was launched in the Lower School.
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Teaching approach of the school
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The ZIS Mission and Philosophy underpins our curriculum and its design, review, development and delivery. Learn, Care, Challenge, Lead – these give ZIS the parameters to question what it teaches and how it teaches in a complex and ever-changing global environment.
ZIS wants its students to be:
- active, not passive, learners who are critical and compassionate thinkers.
- inspired and challenged to develop a love of learning, and have this stay with them for the rest of their lives.
Therefore:
- ZIS curriculum is designed to meet the needs of all ZIS learners.
- it is relevant, challenging and engaging, allowing students to fully develop their potential in terms of the skills, attitudes, values and knowledge required to meet their current and future needs.
- inquiry, problem solving, opportunity for creativity and team-working are key features.
- learning opportunities are not restricted to the classroom.
- information technology is fully integrated and utilized across all divisions.
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Lower School (ages 3-11)
The Lower School has over 400 students from over 50 nations, speaking 40 different languages. Though each student is unique, our caring community ensures that everyone finds a place to belong.
We know that each student has different interests and abilities and will ensure that your child is challenged and supported to achieve more than they thought possible. We focus on your child's total growth, including their social, physical, emotional and cultural needs—all while offering academic excellence.
Bilingual Program: ZIS offers a bilingual for Kindergarten 1/2 to Grade 5 (children aged 3 to 11) and children in Grade 5 from August 2025. The aim is to expand the program, which will fulfill the requirements of the Swiss Lehrplan 21 curriculum, to include students aged up to 9 in the coming years.
Secondary Campus: Middle School (ages 11-14)
When students love learning, it gets easier to reach excellence. We empower them to find joy in learning. The ZIS Experience offers engaging challenges to help them grow, and support so they aren’t overwhelmed.
Our new Middle School includes:
Flexible learning spaces
Media center
Triple gym
Design Lab
STEM classrooms
Music rooms
Theater
We make space for our students to explore their sense of purpose through elective choices in the curriculum as well as outside their academics. Your child will be challenged and supported so they can achieve more than they thought possible. This happens through:
A well-rounded curriculum
Engaging local and international field trips
A wide range of co-curricular experiences
Provided personal technology (laptop)
German instruction
Secondary Campus: Upper School (ages 14-18)
ZIS provides the challenge and support to ensure you become your best self and reach your potential, whatever your interest or passion. We work with you to chart your own learning journey so you can make the most of the wide variety of academic and co-curricular options available at ZIS.
We allow you the freedom to choose your learning path. Our rigorous curriculum is respected by the world’s top universities. You can choose International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, or one of our ZIS-developed courses. We give you the opportunity to choose how to make yourself shine brightest.
We develop our Grade 9 and 10 courses to align with international benchmarks. In Grades 11 and 12 you can choose from:
International Baccalaureate courses including the diploma and bilingual diploma
Advanced Placement courses
ZIS-developed courses
Clubs and Activities
With over 100 co-curricular activities and service learning clubs, including sports, music, art, academics and competitive athletics teams you are certain to find yours!
Students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 participate in our comprehensive co-curricular program which offers over 100 co-curricular activities that grow and progress with you:
• Recreational and competitive sports
• Academic clubs
• Leadership opportunities
• Service learning
• STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)
• Arts
• Music and performance arts
• Mother-tongue language clubs
... and more!
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