Academia Bilingual School Basel vs ipso! International School

	A Academia Bilingual School Basel Basel, Switzerland	I ipso! International School Basel, Switzerland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CHF 20,760 - 23,290	Fees / year CHF 21,520 - 27,720
Age range	Age range 4 - 14 years	Age range 1 - 16 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Swiss Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), Swiss Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 140
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German	Instruction language German, English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2014
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location The school is located in Rheinfelden, Switzerland, at Bahnhofstrasse 26, CH-4310 Rheinfelden, adjacent to the old town. It is within a few minutes' walk from the SBB train station or bus station, accessible via the quiet Schützenweg. It is in a convenient location with optimum connections to public transport services near the playground and sports field next to the Schützenmatt school building.
Stages	Stages —	Stages Early Childhood Center for ages 1.5–4; bilingual all-day school for ages 4–16, including Preschool, Primary School, and Secondary School. The school follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) at kindergarten and primary level; secondary level I offers bilingual tuition according to cantonal curriculum.
School type	School type —	School type Bilingual ECCE and all-day school; IB World School.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Switzerland
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Application / registration fee - Registration fee (non-recurring): CHF 600.00. The registration fee is due at the time of registration for all programmes. Tuition fees (by programme / year group) - Early Childhood Center (full-time place, ages 1.5–4 years): CHF 27,720.00 per year. - Two-instalment option (per term): CHF 13,880.00 (includes CHF 20.00 surcharge). - Twelve-instalment option (monthly): CHF 2,330.00 (includes CHF 20.00 surcharge). - Registration fee: CHF 600.00. Family discount: 10% on the lower invoice starting from enrolment of a second child. Annual fees are invoiced pro rata if a child starts during the year. - Early Childhood Center (part‑time places, ages 1.5–4 years): - Minimum occupancy options and annual fees: - Five mornings per week: CHF 18,900.00 per year. - Two full days + one morning per week: CHF 16,380.00 per year. - Registration fee is due at registration; annual fees invoiced pro rata for mid‑year starts. - Preschool (full‑time place, ages 4–6 years): CHF 21,520.00 per year. - Two-instalment option (per term): CHF 10,780.00 (includes CHF 20.00 surcharge). - Twelve-instalment option (monthly): CHF 1,813.35 (includes CHF 20.00 surcharge). - Registration fee: CHF 600.00. Family discount: 10% on the lower invoice from the second child. Limited reduced attendance reduces fees accordingly. - Primary School (Years 1–6): CHF 23,520.00 per year. - Two-instalment option (per term): CHF 11,780.00 (includes CHF 20.00 surcharge). - Twelve-instalment option (monthly): CHF 1,980.00 (includes CHF 20.00 surcharge). - Ancillary costs: registration fee CHF 600.00; after‑school activities, longer trips and external examination fees are invoiced separately. Family discount: 10% on the lower invoice from the enrolment of a second child. Annual fees invoiced pro rata if a student starts during the year. - Secondary School (Years 7–9 / Secondary Years SY1–SY3): CHF 24,520.00 per year. - Two-instalment option (per term): CHF 12,280.00 (includes CHF 20.00 surcharge). - Twelve-instalment option (monthly): CHF 2,063.35 (includes CHF 20.00 surcharge). - Ancillary costs: registration fee CHF 600.00; after‑school activities, trips and external examination fees are invoiced separately. - Optional programme add‑on: ipso! Booster (personal coaching) CHF 1,800.00 per school year (optional). - The programme requires students to provide their own laptop (BYOD). Family discount: 10% on the lower invoice from the enrolment of a second child. Annual fees invoiced pro rata if a student starts during the year. Billing schedule and payment terms - The registration fee is due at the time of registration. Annual tuition fees are invoiced and, if a student starts during the school year, will be invoiced pro rata. - Instalment options are published for each programme (commonly 2 instalments per school year or 12 instalments per school year) with a small surcharge (CHF 20.00) applied to instalment plans. Amounts for the instalment options are shown next to each programme above. - Additional services (early drop‑off, after‑school care, clubs, private lessons) are billed separately according to the registration/additional‑services form; many of these items are payable at the beginning of the school year or on receipt of invoice if joining later, and are stated as non‑refundable on the additional‑services registration form. Boarding fees - No boarding provision is listed for ipso! International School; the school operates as a full‑day/part‑time bilingual day school and early childhood centre, so boarding fees are not applicable. Other costs and typical ancillary fees - After‑School Care (ASC) options and example prices (from the additional‑services registration form): - ASC semester/year examples (1 hour/week): CHF 170.00 per semester / CHF 340.00 per year; 1 hour/day options and multi‑day options are listed with semester and annual rates; single bookings are charged per hour. Private lesson example rates: CHF 85.00 per 45‑minute lesson for one child, with scaled prices for multiple children. ipso! Booster (Secondary): CHF 1,800.00 per school year. Early drop‑off (½ hr) example: CHF 90.00 per semester / CHF 180.00 per year for one day per week; single bookings per ½ hour CHF 7.50. Many club and ASC items are billed semester or yearly and are non‑refundable when payable at the start of the year. - Lunch: a sample lunch booking charge is CHF 10.00 (bookable by quarter) for preschool; lunches are arranged via the school's catering provider and are billed separately. - Excursions and multi‑day camps: day excursions are included in tuition; camps and excursions lasting several days are invoiced separately. External examination fees are not included in the listed school fees and are charged separately. - Uniform: no compulsory uniform fee or uniform charge is listed among the ancillary costs on the programme fee pages; ancillary costs listed on the programme pages explicitly include registration, after‑school activities and external examination fees but do not list uniform charges. Refund information - Annual fees will be invoiced pro rata if a student starts during the school year. The registration fee is charged at registration; additional‑services amounts (for example ASC, clubs, private lessons) that are payable at the start of the school year or on receipt of invoice are stated as non‑refundable on the registration/additional‑services form. Cancellation of automatic re‑enrolment must be submitted in writing and registered by the school's stated deadline (cancellation by 30 April for the following school year is referenced on the enrolment form). Specific tuition‑refund schedules for mid‑year withdrawal are not listed on the programme fee pages; the enrolment/contract documentation describes automatic re‑enrolment and the April deadline. Fee payment options (invoicing, instalments and methods listed) - The school issues invoices and offers instalment schedules for the published annual fees (commonly 2 instalments or 12 instalments with a CHF 20.00 surcharge for instalment plans). Amounts and instalment figures are shown above for each programme. - The programme pages and registration forms show invoices and instalment plans but do not list explicit payment method types (for example “credit card” or “bank transfer”) on the public fee pages; invoices and the school's registration documentation indicate amounts are payable on receipt of invoice or at the start of the school year. Parents should expect to receive formal invoices that set the payment terms.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership The school is owned and operated by ipso Bildung AG in Rheinfelden, Switzerland. It is state-approved and follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) at kindergarten and primary level. In secondary level I, bilingual tuition is provided according to the cantonal curriculum.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details ipso! ISR is a bilingual ECC for children aged 1.5 to 4 years and a bilingual all-day school for children aged 4 to 16 years. The German-English early childhood support and education programme is unique in Switzerland and offers a combination of international and local curricula and a family atmosphere. It is state-approved and follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) at kindergarten and primary levels. In Secondary Level I, bilingual tuition is provided according to the cantonal curriculum. This arrangement allows a change to and from the state school system locally and internationally. The school is accredited as an IB World School and undergoes regular IB assessments.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview ipso! ISR Rheinfelden is a bilingual all-day school offering an Early Childhood Center for children aged 1.5 to 4 years and a bilingual program for children aged 4 to 16 years. The German–English early childhood program combines international and local curricula in a family atmosphere. The school is state-approved and follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) at preschool and primary levels and is an IB World School. Regular study trips abroad (England, France, Germany) support this process and aid transitions between the public education system and international paths. Language development covers German, English and French across the curriculum. A 360° Virtual Tour is available for prospective families.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The languages used in teaching are German and English; some subjects are taught bilingually, others only in one language, and French is taught as a foreign language. Language skills in German, English and French are developed across the programme. The curriculum emphasizes digital skills and 21st‑century competencies through digital learning, information technology, robotics, gamification and programming, with tech labs enriching the school day. Regular study trips and cross‑curricular work support learning and the development of MINT subjects (mathematics, informatics, natural sciences and technology).
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities After‑school activities (optional subjects) include homework help, tech labs (programming), drama, chess and ballgames. A broad selection of clubs is offered for ipso ISR students and external participants, including Art, Jr. STEAM Lab, Sewing, French Starter, Little Bakers, TechLabs, Digital Explorers, Cooking and French – Advanced Conversation. English‑language clubs are available alongside bilingual offerings, with details on registration, schedules and fees published. The clubs run in Semester 2 with specific registration deadlines and a minimum participant requirement.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History The ipso! International School began in 2014 in Rheinfelden with nine students. It includes a bilingual Early Childhood Center for children aged 1.5 to 4 years and a bilingual all-day school for children aged 4 to 16 years. The school is state-approved and follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) for kindergarten and primary levels, with bilingual tuition in secondary Level I under the cantonal curriculum. The school is accredited as an IB World School. Under the leadership of Sabina Sümegi-Schärli, the school grew from a pioneering bilingual institution; founder Georg B. Weibel helped establish bilingual education in the region.
Community	Community —	Community The school has a familial atmosphere and cross-stage student support. Its curriculum blends local and international perspectives. Community life is reinforced through events, news, and parent testimonials. In June 2024, ipso! ISR celebrated its 10th anniversary with exhibitions, speeches, and activities for students and families.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual 21st-century skills such as creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking are fostered across all subjects through interdisciplinary, project-based learning and explorations. The Creaviva program combines artistic activities with foreign-language practice, including cooking, creative design and music. The ipso! Sciences module encourages exploratory learning through practical research projects and building technical objects, including robotics and electrical engineering, with visits to the Experio Roche laboratory. A strong emphasis on digital skills and STEM is integrated through media and computer science, IT skills, and tech labs.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative The Creaviva program blends artistic activities with language practice, including cooking, creative design and music. Art and music are emphasized as core creative subjects contributing to personal development. Drama and other arts-based activities are available as after-school options.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language German and English are the languages used in teaching, with French taught as a foreign language; some subjects are taught bilingually and language skills in all three languages are developed across the curriculum. History and geography are taught bilingually as part of social sciences. Regular study trips abroad to England, France and Germany support language development and cultural exposure.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies After-school activities include drama, chess and ballgames. Social internships and projects develop social competence and empathy by exposing students to diverse living conditions. These experiences support collaboration and community awareness.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Social internships and projects promote community engagement and social responsibility, enabling students to experience the living conditions of others and develop empathy.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional Career coaching, tasters days and intensive application training prepare students for apprenticeships and studies, and teach them to present themselves confidently for applications and interviews. In the Career module, students choose from focal points: Career (apprenticeships and career planning) and Studies (preparation for grammar school and upper secondary paths such as economics). Instructors, specialists and managers from diverse industries collaborate to broaden opportunities.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The Life module emphasizes practical life skills to prepare for independent living, including design technology, textiles and cookery. Students also explore and learn about the natural environment through projects in natural surroundings or in the classroom. Social internships and projects build empathy and awareness of others and their living conditions.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision The school teaches German and English. The German-English early childhood support and education programme is offered; kindergarten and primary levels follow IB Primary Years Programme, and secondary Level I provides bilingual tuition according to the cantonal curriculum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school provides bilingual German-English instruction across the Early Childhood Center and the bilingual all-day school. In Secondary Level I, bilingual tuition is provided according to the cantonal curriculum.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions —
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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