Academia Bilingual School Winterthur vs KIBS Zurich

	A Academia Bilingual School Winterthur Zug, Switzerland	K KIBS Zurich Zug, Switzerland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CHF 25,200 - 27,240	Fees / year CHF 22,000 - 26,400
Age range	Age range 3 - 15 years	Age range 0 - 12 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary), Swiss Curriculum	Curriculum Swiss Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 220
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 14
Instruction language	Instruction language German, English	Instruction language English, German
Opened	Opened 2021	Opened 2013
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service Yes
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location WIN4 Campus, Grüzefeldstrasse 34, 8400 Winterthur, Switzerland	Location Located in Seebach, Zurich. The address is Schaffhauserstrasse 550, 8052 Zürich, Switzerland.
Stages	Stages Kindergarten to Year 8	Stages Daycare, Pre-K, Kindergarten, Primary
School type	School type Private bilingual day school	School type Private German-English day school in Zurich
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Language booster lessons; smaller classes; differentiation; newcomer language support.	Additional learning support Individualised support is part of the bilingual learning approach.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Switzerland	Country affiliation —
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 —
Bus service details	Bus service details Bus connections; WIN4 campus well connected by bus; Winterthur-Grüze railway station within walking distance.	Bus service details —
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 - A registration process and associated deposit/registration fees apply for all groups (Early Years, Pre‑K/Kindergarten, Primary). Tuition — Primary (Years 1–6, ages 6–12) - Tuition: CHF 2,200 per month. The monthly tuition covers supervision from 07:30–18:30, supervised homework time, breakfast and a healthy morning snack. Tuition — Early Years, Pre‑K and Kindergarten - The school publishes separate tariffs for Early Years groups (Little Teddies, Little Pandas & Little Bees) and for Pre‑K / Kindergarten (Little Stars & Little Einsteins). Specific monthly rates for these groups are shown in the school's tariffs. The monthly tariff for early years and kindergarten includes childcare, after‑lunch clubs, homework support and project weeks. Per‑term / Per‑year presentation - The published tuition figure for Primary is presented as a monthly amount (CHF 2,200 per month). Billing is structured around the monthly tariff; parents should expect charges expressed on a monthly basis. Per‑term or per‑academic‑year totals are therefore derived from the monthly tariff (school publishes the tariff as a monthly figure). Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition is published as a monthly tariff. The school's general terms and conditions (Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen, AGB) set out contractual payment and price provisions. Families make arrangements in line with the school's AGB and the tariffs. Boarding - KIBS Zürich operates as a private day school; there is no boarding provision. Meals and extras - For Kindergarten groups (Little Einsteins, Stars and Bees), with the exception of the afternoon snack, all meals are included in the monthly tariff. For Primary pupils, breakfast and a morning snack are included; lunch is available at an additional charge of CHF 10 per day. School lunch is prepared on site by the school's chefs. Other charges and optional extra costs - A school shuttle bus service is offered for selected areas at an additional cost. - There is no school uniform and therefore no uniform cost. Parents are asked to dress children appropriately. - The tariffs page references deposits, registration fees and discounts for all groups; those additional one‑off or periodic charges may apply at enrolment. Refunds and contract termination - Refunds, notice periods and contract termination terms are governed by the school's Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen (AGB). The AGB set out rights and obligations relating to prices, contracts and obligations between parents and the school. Fee payment options - The school's tariffs and AGB describe the contractual and payment framework. Specific accepted payment methods (for example bank transfer or card) are set out in the school's payment instructions and contractual terms. Summary of available numeric figures - Primary tuition published: CHF 2,200 per month. - Meal extra for Primary lunch: CHF 10 per day. Brief note about missing detail (what could not be located on the published tariff pages) - The publicly presented tariff headings confirm the existence of deposits, registration fees and separate tariffs for each age group, but the site's published pages that were accessed do not contain the full line‑by‑line amounts for each age group and per‑term totals in a directly extractable form. The school's AGB holds the formal payment and refund rules.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements No boarding is offered; it is a day school.	Boarding arrangements No boarding is offered; it is a day school.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Freshly prepared daily lunch in the WIN4's L'Arena restaurant.	Food options The tuition includes breakfast and a healthy morning snack.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership Private school; recognized by the Canton of Zurich.	Governance and ownership KIBS is a non-profit organisation.
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 is a private German-English day school in Zurich with nearly 20 years of experience. The tailored curriculum blends international standards with the learning goals of Canton Zürich in a bilingual English–German program, using cross-curricular teaching and hands-on exploration to develop critical thinking, independent problem solving, and confident learners.
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 Holistic development is emphasized, focusing on high social competence, independence and creativity. The school culture is characterized by mutual respect. In small classes with committed and highly qualified teachers, each pupil is individually supported. A school island provides special care during lessons, ensuring targeted support for individual needs. For talent in sports or music, tailored solutions balance training with schooling. Tailor-made extracurricular care runs from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., including leisure courses, supervised homework hours and holiday programs.	Social & emotional learning The school supports social and emotional development through a nurturing, inclusive community that fosters belonging, friendships, calm transitions, and peer support so children grow socially and emotionally.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) The school island offers special care during lessons. Individual support is provided for missed lessons or for students needing extra help. New students can join any time as long as places are available. Booster lessons help pupils acquire German or English as needed.	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language Kindergarten, primary and secondary levels are bilingual. Mothertongue, qualified and dedicated teachers support language learning. If a pupil does not yet speak German or English, booster lessons ensure rapid acquisition of the second language. Booster language support is available to help new students catch up in language skills.	English as an additional language The school teaches in English and German, with 50% of instructional time in German and 50% in English.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing A positive learning atmosphere characterized by mutual respect supports pupil wellbeing. Small classes and highly qualified teachers provide individualized support to help each pupil realise their potential. The school island and tailored after-school care contribute to a balanced, supportive environment. The multilingual and international setting fosters resilience and independence.	Mental wellbeing Mental wellbeing is central to the learning approach, with emphasis on emotional well-being and a caring, safe community.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The school is located on the WIN4 Campus in Winterthur. The campus offers modern sports, conference and catering facilities. It also houses the Academia International School and the Swiss Academy Zurich, enabling our secondary students to transfer to our international high school without exams. As a day school, daily lunch is freshly prepared at L'Arena restaurant on campus and there is comprehensive afternoon care with attractive clubs. The campus has excellent public transport connections and is easy to reach by car.	Facilities overview The school is a private German-English day school in Seebach, Zurich, serving children from daycare through primary. It runs a full-day program open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with care from early morning to late afternoon. The school offers all-day care, project weeks, and After-Lunch Clubs included in the tuition, and provides a bus service. It operates a fully bilingual environment with a 50/50 curriculum, half the instruction in German and half in English, and uses a tailored curriculum that combines international standards with the Canton's educational goals. The school emphasizes small classes, an inclusive community, and intercultural understanding.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities The WIN4 Campus provides modern sports facilities and is adjacent to the Deutweg sport complex.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities Lessons are held in a modern temporary facility on campus during the construction of our new classrooms. The WIN4 Campus also hosts Academia International School and the Swiss Academy Zurich, and offers on-campus dining and meeting spaces.	Academic facilities The school has a custom bilingual curriculum that blends international programs with the educational goals of the Canton of Zurich; instruction is cross-disciplinary, linking subjects to build meaningful learning; students are encouraged to think critically, solve problems independently, and take increasing responsibility for their learning.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities After-school clubs range from free play to cooking, coding, football and dance; holiday clubs are offered; after-school supervision is provided; midday meals are served at L'Arena restaurant on campus.	Extra curricular facilities Ganztagsbetreuung (full-day care), project weeks, and After-Lunch Clubs are included in the tuition; a bus service is available.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History Established in Basel in 2010, Academia Bilingual School opened its second campus in Winterthur in August 2021.	History KIBS was born from a mother's vision in 2008. Unable to find a day school where her daughter could grow up truly bilingual in German and English, she set out to create the learning environment she dreamed of. Guided by extensive research into the benefits of bilingual education, she developed her own curriculum—and founded Kid's Island: a daycare and kindergarten designed to give children the gift of bilingual learning from the very start. By 2013, Kid's Island Bilingual School (KIBS) was officially established as a primary school. Since then, KIBS has grown sustainably and with intention, preserving the authentic, family-like atmosphere that shaped its beginnings while blending the warmth of a close-knit community with the quality and ambition of a modern bilingual school.
Community	Community The community is open and supportive. It welcomes pupils, parents and teachers.	Community KIBS Stories provide a window into daily life—stories, short clips and monthly moments from the KIBS community, with new content every Wednesday. January theme: Bilingual Beginnings; February theme: Friendship and Belonging; March theme: Healthy Bodies & Calm Minds. These stories illustrate a focus on community-building and student well-being as part of school life. Life at KIBS fosters a sense of community among students and families.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school emphasizes holistic development and achievement of school goals, with a strong value placed on social competence, independence and creativity. Classes are small with committed, highly qualified teachers who provide individual support so every pupil can realise their potential. A modern, flexible classroom environment supports a wide variety of learning styles and fosters an inspiring learning atmosphere. Tailor-made extracurricular care runs from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., extending development beyond lesson times.	Academic & intellectual Small class sizes provide individualized attention. Through themed units, students are encouraged to question, explore, and connect subjects through a cross-curricular approach. The curriculum is taught 50% in English and 50% in German, creating a balanced bilingual learning environment. Homework Support and Gymnasium Preparation extend academic learning beyond the classroom.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Talent Promotion supports students with identified talents in sports, music and dance. Students may be exempt from lessons to train or compete and receive individual or small-group lessons to catch up on missed work. Specific talent development is provided in cooperation with Swiss Academy and partners on the WIN4 site, including access to practice facilities. An exam-free transfer to the Swiss Academy's sports, dance and music upper secondary school is available after Year 8 or 9 (subject to academic aptitude).	Arts & creative Art and music are offered as part of Kindergarten extracurricular activities, alongside yoga and playball. Primary offers extra-curricular clubs such as choir, drama, Italian, and guitar, with other clubs varying by term.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Bilingual kindergarten, primary and secondary education is offered. The teaching team is diverse and international, with teachers from Switzerland, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the USA, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden and Finland. The student body is diverse, with about one third from Switzerland, one third from English-speaking countries, and students from around 25 nations. New students can join at any time if there are places, and booster lessons support rapid acquisition of German and English when needed.	Cultural & language The Kindergarten is a truly bilingual experience with English and German equally represented. In Primary, the curriculum is taught 50% in English and 50% in German.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Tailor-made extracurricular care is available from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and includes leisure courses, supervised homework hours and holiday programmes. On the school island, pupils receive individual support to catch up on missed lessons or to receive targeted help. The program fosters social engagement and personal development beyond the standard timetable.	Social & hobbies Forest Day is a weekly outdoor learning activity. Learning Beyond the Classroom includes field trips and hands-on activities to explore new interests. Primary offers after-lunch Extra-Curricular Clubs including table tennis, choir, drama, Italian, and guitar, with 7 Project Weeks offering themed activities each year.
Community & service	Community & service A school for the whole family, Academia Bilingual School Winterthur maintains a warm and open relationship with pupils, parents, teachers and management. Regular interactions and information exchange among all stakeholders define the community. Respect, cooperation, trust and goodwill distinguish the school environment, which is described as loving, welcoming and open-minded by staff and families.	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional Teaching is delivered by a collaborative team where two class teachers work closely with subject teachers. The school supports talent development in sports, music and dance through its Talent Promotion program, with exemptions from lessons to train or compete and access to tailored coaching in partnership with Swiss Academy and WIN4 facilities. After Year 8 or 9, students can transfer without exams to the English-language high school of Academia International School or to the Swiss Academy Zurich high school in Winterthur, or pursue other paths after the entrance exam.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing The campus features modern, flexible classrooms and is surrounded by sports facilities to foster a stimulating environment. The school offers fresh daily lunch in L'Arena and a comprehensive after-school program with flexible care and clubs. It is located on the WIN4 campus with excellent public transport connections and easy car access, supporting convenient and healthy daily routines.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Movement and healthy habits are part of everyday learning. Forest Day promotes outdoor activity and nature appreciation. Yoga and other activities support physical well-being and mindfulness.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision Bilingual education is provided across Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary School. Mother-tongue, qualified and dedicated teachers support language learning. If a pupil does not yet speak German or English, booster lessons ensure rapid acquisition of the second language. The student body is diverse, with about one third from English-speaking countries, and there is an English-language high school option at Academia International School.	Language provision English and German are taught; the curriculum is taught 50/50 in English and German; follows Lehrplan 21 Zurich curriculum and is enriched with elements of the IB framework; blends international programmes with Canton Zürich standards; education extends from daycare to Gymnasium preparation.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching The school offers bilingual education for Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary School.	Bilingual teaching A fully bilingual German-English day school; 50% of instructional time in German and 50% in English; from daycare through Kindergarten and Primary, with preparation for Gymnasium-level education.
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 Applications are accepted year-round as long as spaces remain in a group; for the start of a new academic year, it is advised to submit by the end of February to avoid disappointment. KIBS does not require an entrance examination; a trial day may be offered to see how your child fits with the group. At kindergarten entry, children should have basic knowledge of German or English; at primary entry, students must master one of the instruction languages to near-native level. The school teaches in a bilingual setup with 50% of instructional time in English and 50% in German. French is part of the curriculum from 4th to 6th grade, and French and Spanish are offered free in lunch clubs. Our teachers come mainly from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Germany, and Switzerland. The school is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 18:30; the teaching day runs 9:00 to 16:10, and students should be present by 8:50 for registration. KIBS is located near Zürich's public transport network; Bus 768 stops in front of the school; a paid shuttle is available to Seebach, Oerlikon, and Glattpark, with other locations on request. There is no school uniform; students should dress appropriately. Primary tuition is CHF 2,200 per month and includes care from 7:30 to 18:30, supervised homework, breakfast, and a morning snack. A school calendar with important dates is available on request. After KIBS, students may attend any national or international secondary school; most pursue the Swiss Gymnasium, and KIBS offers a free Gymnasium-entrance exam preparation program. For more information, contact the admissions team.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist No waitlist is described; admissions are open year-round as long as spaces exist, with a recommendation to apply by end of February to start a new academic year.
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