Public schools in Switzerland
Students can enter schools, where language of instructions can be German, French, Italian or even Romansch. However, language block is very wide and international students can study second official language and/or English. Parents do not have to pay any tuition fees at public schools. However, during public primary schools, it can be some fees and extra charges, depending on the canton. Certain educational materials, school trips, extracurricular activities can be extra paid during educational period.
List of extra charges:
- Medical insurance;
- Trips and excursions;
- Extracurricular activities;
- Sport sections and circles of interest.
Application procedures for state primary schools in Switzerland depend on the canton. Swiss schools begin accepting students from the age of six years old. Primary schools generally accept children at any time during the year. It is better to think about application process at the beginning of a term. Enrollment is not a difficult process, but students or their parents should prepare all package of documents. List of documents and requirements to prepare for enrollment:
- Level of language of instructions: above average;
- Previous educational certificates for last 2-3 years (if available);
- Medical card;
- Personal characteristics;
- Motivation letter;
- Personal information:
- Child’s birth certificate;
- Health and accident insurance;
- Resident’s permit.
- Testing and interviews: personal or via Skype.
The optimal age for studying abroad is from 12 years old, but international students can join Swiss educational system from primary level. Foreign students will have enough time for integration into the Swiss environment.
List of best schools in Switzerland:
- Lakeside School Horgen:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: residence;
- Educational groups: 3-13;
- Offered programs: British, German programs.
- St. George's International School:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: boarding form;
- Educational groups: 3-18;
- Directions of studying: primary school, summer courses.
- Saint-Charles Collège et Lycée:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: boarding form;
- Age of students: 10-20;
- Offered programs: primary and middle classes, IB program, High classes (French), summer holidays + French courses, academic summer.
- College Du Leman:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Type of accommodation: residence;
- Age of students: 2-18;
- Directions of studying: French Baccalaureate, Swiss Bilingual Federal Maturite, Primary School, Secondary School, (I) GCSE, A-level, IB.
- Leysin American School:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: boarding form;
- Age of students: 7-18;
- Offered programs: Advanced Placement, GCSE, A-level, Abitur, Schweizer Maturitat, Italian certificate.
- SiBS Swiss International Boarding School:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: boarding form, hotel;
- Age of students: 12-18;
- Offered programs: GCSE, Diploma + Advanced Placement, English + summer vacation, winter English courses.
- Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Type of living: boarding;
- Educational groups: 11-18;
- Directions of studying: Abitur, IB program, Schweizer Maturitat, English + summer vacation, German + summer holidays, summer French for kids.
- Institut Monte Rosa:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: boarding;
- Educational groups: 6-19;
- Offered programs: Trans-Academic Program (Business + Economics), primary school, high school, GCSE, A-level, Advanced Placement, summer, winter courses.
- Surval Montreux boarding school:
- Separate school for girls;
- Accommodation type: residence;
- Educational groups: 11-21;
- Offered programs: Bachelor of Business Administration, American High School Program, IGCSE, A-level.
- HIF Swiss International School and Sports Academy:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: boarding school;
- Educational groups: 12-18’
- Offered programs: Schweizer Maturitat, IB program, GCSE, language integration year, English + summer vacation, German courses for kids.
- College Champittet:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: residence;
- Educational groups: 6-18;
- Offered programs: primary and middle school, IB program, English courses, French academic courses.
- Aiglon College:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: boarding form;
- Educational groups: 14-18;
- Offered programs: GCSE, IB.
- Institut Montana Zugerberg:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: boarding form;
- Educational groups: 10-19;
- Offered programs: Schweizer Maturitat, IB, Institut Montana Cambridge English Foundation Year.
- TASIS The American School:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: boarding form;
- Educational groups: 11-18;
- Offered programs: middle school, IB.
- Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande Lausanne:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Offered programs: IB, Swiss Federal Maturity.
- Educational groups: 16-19;
- Accommodation type: residence;
- Institut International de Lancy:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: residence;
- Educational groups: 6-13;
- Offered programs: French, IB, IGCSE, UK EYFS.
- Eden School:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: residence;
- Educational groups: 3-12;
- Offered programs: French, British.
- International School of Geneva:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: residence;
- Educational groups: 6-13;
- Offered programs: IB.
- Institut auf dem Rosenberg:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: boarding form;
- Educational groups: 14-18;
- Offered programs: A-level, Diploma + advanced placement.
- La Decouverte School:
- Type of education: mixed;
- Accommodation type: residence;
- Educational groups: 6-16;
- Offered programs: IB, English and French courses.
- And others.