Academia Bilingual School Winterthur vs International School of Central Switzerland

	A Academia Bilingual School Winterthur Zug, Switzerland	I International School of Central Switzerland Zug, Switzerland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CHF 25,200 - 27,240	Fees / year CHF 27,200 - 32,800
Age range	Age range 3 - 15 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Swiss Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Cambridge IGCSE
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 150
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language German, English	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2021	Opened 2008
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location WIN4 Campus, Grüzefeldstrasse 34, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland	Location The school is located in Cham, Canton of Zug, Switzerland, at Lorzenparkstrasse 8 (CH-6330 Cham). The Lorzenpark area is adjacent to the school grounds.
Stages	Stages Kindergarten to Year 8	Stages Primary School, Middle School, and High School (Private Gymnasium).
School type	School type Private bilingual day school	School type Private international day school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix More than 35 nationalities are represented at ISCS.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Language booster lessons; smaller classes; differentiation; newcomer language support.	Additional learning support The Guidance Counselor provides learning support with Individualised Educational Plans (IEPs) to support students' needs.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Switzerland	Country affiliation Switzerland.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Day school with daily midday meals at L'Arena on campus and after-school care with clubs.	School day structure The school day typically starts around 8:15–8:30 and ends at 15:30; after-school clubs run 15:30–16:30 and after-school care is available 15:30–18:00.
Bus service details	Bus service details Bus connections; WIN4 campus well connected by bus; Winterthur-Grüze railway station within walking distance.	Bus service details The school offers a school bus service for local routes within the canton of Zug.
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application / registration fee - A one-time registration fee of CHF 600 is payable when enrolling a pupil. Tuition fees (annual, semester and monthly options) — current academic year - Tuition is charged by school year and may be paid as an annual amount, by semester instalments or by monthly instalments (10 months). All amounts are in Swiss francs (CHF). - Pre‑Kindergarten and Kindergarten (early years): - Annual tuition: CHF 25,200. - Semester instalments: CHF 12,600 (per semester). - Monthly instalments (10 months, incl. administrative surcharge of approx. 3%): CHF 2,595 (per month). - Primary (Grades 1 to 6): - Annual tuition: CHF 25,200. - Semester instalments: CHF 12,600 (per semester). - Monthly instalments (10 months, incl. administrative surcharge of approx. 3%): CHF 2,595 (per month). - Lower Secondary (Grades 7 to 9): - Annual tuition: CHF 27,240. - Semester instalments: CHF 13,620 (per semester). - Monthly instalments (10 months, incl. administrative surcharge of approx. 3%): CHF 2,805 (per month). Billing schedule and payment terms - School fees are invoiced in advance. If a pupil enters during the school year, fees are charged pro rata temporis. - Payment timing and instalments: - Fees may be paid as a single one‑off payment in advance or in instalments; instalment payment carries an administrative surcharge where stated. - The general time allowed for payment is 30 days unless otherwise specified on the invoice or in the price list. Specific items (for example lunch and short courses) may have shorter payment deadlines. - Deadlines and consequences: - Course/club fees are invoiced before the start of the programme and are due for payment within 10 days. Lunch invoices are due within 10 days. - If instalments are not paid on time, the school may exclude the pupil from the programme until outstanding amounts are settled; continued non‑payment may result in contract withdrawal and the imposition of administrative and cancellation fees. Interest on outstanding amounts may apply. - Registration fee / deposit timing: - Where a registration fee and deposit are required, these are due within 5 days after conclusion of the school contract; the deposit is refundable on leaving the school provided the notice periods and payment conditions are fulfilled. After‑school care, lunch and other additional charges - After‑school care: - After‑school care is billed based on actual use in 15‑minute intervals. - Hourly rate quoted: CHF 14 per hour (Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri 16:00–18:30; Wed 14:00–18:30). - Lunch: - Lunch is invoiced for the whole school year in advance and the invoice is due for payment within 10 days; changes to lunch bookings are possible only at the beginning of the following month. - First and second semester (5 days per week): CHF 1,230 per semester for Primary and Secondary; CHF 1,100 per semester for Pre‑K and Kindergarten. - 1 day per week option: CHF 246 per semester (Primary/Secondary) and CHF 220 per semester (Pre‑K/Kindergarten). - Individual meal booking: CHF 15.40 (Primary/Secondary) and CHF 14.00 (Pre‑K/Kindergarten) per meal. - Clubs, trips, camps and excursions: - Costs for after‑school clubs, holiday clubs, school trips and camps are charged in addition to tuition according to the applicable price lists or actual expenditure; club/course fees are invoiced prior to the activity and must be paid within 10 days. Teaching materials and care from 07:15 until lessons start are included in the school fee; excursions, trips, school camps and some certificates are not included. Sibling discount - A 10% sibling discount is available on the youngest child's school fee for families who are self‑financing and have more than one child enrolled concurrently. Boarding fees - Boarding fees are not applicable. Academia Bilingual School Winterthur operates as a day school; there is no boarding provision or boarding charges. Other costs or fees (summary) - One‑time registration fee: CHF 600. - After‑school care: billed per 15‑minute intervals at CHF 14 per hour. - Lunch: annual/semester prepayment options and individual meal prices as detailed above. - Clubs, holiday clubs, trips and camps: additional charges; invoiced in advance for each activity. Teaching materials and early morning care (from 07:15) are included in the tuition. Refund and cancellation rules affecting fees - Refunds and cancellations: - If an entire course of study is definitely cancelled, fees already paid shall be refunded; reimbursement of further costs is excluded. - The deposit is refundable after the student leaves the school provided the notice of termination has been submitted within the prescribed notice period (not during the probationary period) and all tuition fees and additional charges have been settled. - If the student does not attend school despite a concluded school contract, the school is entitled to an administrative fee and a cancellation fee equal to three months' school fees. - Missed lessons do not release the payer from the payment obligation; there is no automatic right to reimbursement for missed lessons. - If lessons must be changed to distance learning or are affected by force majeure, lessons are deemed to have been held and there is no entitlement to fee reductions or refunds. - In the event of late payment, the school may withhold certificates and diplomas until outstanding amounts are paid and may charge collection and reminder fees; interest on overdue amounts may apply. Fee payment options (credit card / bank transfer / other) - The published price list and the school's general terms and conditions set out billing, instalment options and deadlines but do not specify accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit card, or other electronic payment providers). Therefore the specific payment methods accepted are not listed in the school's published fee documents. Notes for budgeting - All listed school fees and supplementary charges are quoted in Swiss francs (CHF). Teaching materials and early morning care (from 07:15) are included in the tuition; additional services such as clubs, trips and camps are invoiced separately. Instalment payments incur an administrative surcharge where indicated. If a student joins mid‑year fees are charged pro rata.	Fee details Application / Registration Fees - Early Years and Primary (Ages 3–12): CHF 3,000 one-time non-refundable registration fee per student. - Middle School and all High School years (IGCSE / A-Levels; Ages 12–18): CHF 4,000 one-time non-refundable registration fee per student. Tuition fees by year group (annual, per-term and per-month breakdown) For the 2025–2026 academic year the annual tuition and the calculated billing breakdowns are: - Early Years (Ages 3–6) - Annual tuition: CHF 27,200. - Per-term (3-term billing): CHF 9,066.67. - Per-month (10 monthly instalments): CHF 2,720.00. - Primary School (Years 1–6; Ages 6–12) - Annual tuition: CHF 28,200. - Per-term (3-term billing): CHF 9,400.00. - Per-month (10 monthly instalments): CHF 2,820.00. - Middle School (Years 7–9; Ages 12–14) - Annual tuition: CHF 29,250. - Per-term (3-term billing): CHF 9,750.00. - Per-month (10 monthly instalments): CHF 2,925.00. - IGCSE (High School Years 10–11; Ages 14–16) - Annual tuition: CHF 30,300. - Per-term (3-term billing): CHF 10,100.00. - Per-month (10 monthly instalments): CHF 3,030.00. - A-Levels (High School Years 12–13; Ages 16–18) - Annual tuition: CHF 32,300. - Per-term (3-term billing): CHF 10,766.67. - Per-month (10 monthly instalments): CHF 3,230.00. Notes on these amounts: the annual tuition figures above are the published year-group tuition fees; term and monthly figures are the annual tuition divided into 3 or 10 equal instalments to match the school's available billing options (3-term or 10-month plans). Sibling discounts and other fee reductions - First sibling discount: 25% off tuition for the first sibling. - Additional siblings: 50% off tuition for each additional sibling. - Early payment discounts: 5% discount for annual payment by 30 May (Early Bird); 4% discount for annual payment between 1 June and 1 December; 2% discount applied for termly payments (3 payments on the dates shown by the school). Billing schedule and payment terms - An invoice for the annual fees is issued before the start of the new school year; annual fees are due on August 15 and payment must be received before the student attends school. - The full annual year-group fee is payable in advance unless an alternative instalment arrangement has been agreed in writing. - Payment options published by the school include: annual payment, termly payment (three instalments), or monthly instalments (ten instalments, August–May). Families seeking payment plans must sign a formalised payment schedule agreement. - Overdue balances may incur an annual interest charge of 5% plus collection fees. - If a new student is enrolled but does not take up the confirmed place on the agreed start date, 25% of the annual tuition fee becomes immediately due. Additional costs and optional services - School lunch (annual / instalment options): - 1 instalment: CHF 2,375.00. - 3 instalments: CHF 817.00. - 10 instalments: CHF 250.00. - School transport (Cham routes): - 1 instalment: CHF 1,995.00. - 3 instalments: CHF 686.00. - 10 instalments: CHF 210.00. - School transport (wider Kanton Zug): - 1 instalment: CHF 2,850.00. - 3 instalments: CHF 980.00. - 10 instalments: CHF 300.00. - School transport (Kanton Luzern and Sins): - 1 instalment: CHF 3,135.00. - 3 instalments: CHF 1,078.00. - 10 instalments: CHF 330.00. - Corporate fee packages (annual tuition + lunch + transport) are published as fixed annual amounts by year group and by catchment (Cham, Kanton Zug, Kanton Luzern & Sins). Examples: Early Years corporate fee (Cham) CHF 30,210.00; A-Level corporate fee (Kanton Luzern & Sins) CHF 36,195.00. Items expressly not included in tuition - Textbooks (where indicated on book lists), official IGCSE/AS/A-Level external exam fees, school and PE uniforms, school lunch and transport (when not included in a corporate package), after-school care / academy fees, replacement cost for lost/stolen/damaged school materials (including laptops), and one-to-one exam, language or music lessons. Tuition does include exercise books, laboratory practicals, school laptop provision, classroom educational resources, SEN support, career advice and internal clubs as published. Uniforms - School uniforms are not included in tuition and are handled through the school's uniform supplier arrangement; uniform purchase is an additional cost and is not covered by the tuition fee. Boarding - The school does not operate a regular boarding provision in Switzerland. ISCS publishes an international boarding experience through SAGE College in Spain (an exchange/boarding opportunity) rather than a Swiss on-site boarding house; therefore ongoing boarding fees are not applicable to standard ISCS enrolment in Zug. Refunds and withdrawal charges - Notice requirement: a minimum of three months' written notice is required to withdraw a student unless the signed contract specifies otherwise; failure to provide the required notice may result in the school charging one term's tuition in lieu of notice. - Refunds for prepaid fees beyond the withdrawal date will only be considered when the required notice period has been observed. No refunds are given for short-term absences or withdrawal without proper notice. - Any overpayment will be refunded within 30 days following the student's final day of attendance once financial clearance is completed. Fee payment options and practical notes - The school issues invoices for registration and annual fees; the published due date for annual invoices is August 15 and payment must be received before the student's first day. - The school states that alternative payment methods may be available and that families wishing to use instalment plans must enter a signed payment agreement; the school may apply interest and collection fees to overdue accounts. Specific accepted instruments (for example, which credit cards or bank account details) are not listed in the published fee documents. Brief note on completeness of published fee information - The school's 2025–2026 published fee schedule provides annual tuition by year group, registration fees, payment schedule options (annual, termly, monthly), early-payment and term-payment discounts, additional service pricing for lunch and transport, corporate-package figures, and the school's withdrawal/refund rules. The published materials do not list specific payment instrument details (for example explicit credit-card acceptance or IBAN/BIC for bank transfers) nor a Swiss on-site boarding tariff because standard ISCS enrolment in Zug is day-school only; an international boarding experience is offered via SAGE in Spain.
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 —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Bilingual education for kindergarten, primary and secondary levels in an international environment; the school is private and recognized by the Canton of Zurich.	Curriculum details The school provides a broad and balanced Cambridge International Curriculum as part of British International Education. It promotes development across the academic, social, cultural, physical and moral dimensions and prepares children for adult life while encouraging them to become good citizens with a global mindset and respect for others. The school enables proficiency in both English and German for all students, regardless of their mother tongue.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IGCSE and A‑Level exam results reflect student and teacher effort, with a 100% A-Level pass rate in Year 13. These results support university access in many countries around the world.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Students are prepared for university in the USA, UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and many other countries.
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 —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Book a personal consultation and tour of the Winterthur campus. Academia Bilingual School Winterthur invites families to meet the team and learn about the bilingual Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary programs on the WIN4 campus. The visit includes a view of facilities and daily routines, including lunch at L'Arena and the after‑school care options. Contact the school to arrange your tour. 2. Admission is based on an interview, a recommendation from the current school, past report card, an entrance assessment and trial days where possible. When available, trial days are arranged to help both sides assess fit. This process helps us understand the applicant's readiness for bilingual instruction. 3. If a pupil does not yet speak German or English, booster lessons are provided to accelerate the acquisition of the second language. The booster lessons support both German and English language learners. These language supports are integrated with the school day to enable full participation in lessons. 4. New students can join at any time as long as there are free places. After admission, families select the schooling level (Kindergarten, Primary or Secondary) and the timetable, with options for before/after school care and lunch included in the day. The school day offers a comprehensive before and after school program from 7:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with on‑campus lunch and clubs. 5. Complete registration and costs: book the tour and follow the registration steps. Fees are invoiced in advance and include teaching materials and care from 7:15 a.m. until the start of lessons and during lunch. A one‑time registration fee is CHF 600. After‑school care and lunch are billed according to use; trips and camps are charged per the price list. The price list provides detailed fees for Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary levels.	Admissions Initial Enquiry form registers interest; admissions team will contact you promptly.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships Bursaries and scholarships for sporting, performance or academic excellence are offered and can be discussed during your application.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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