BKA International School vs ELA Basel - The Swiss British School of Basel

	B BKA International School Basel, Switzerland	E ELA Basel - The Swiss British School of Basel Basel, Switzerland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CHF 23,700 - 32,000	Fees / year CHF 23,800 - 28,800
Age range	Age range 0 - 18 years	Age range 0 - 16 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Swiss Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Swiss Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 350	Pupils 360
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German	Instruction language English, German, French
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1993
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Basel, Switzerland. BKA International School Basel operates across Basel city campuses: Wettstein campus (Alemannengasse 22/24, 4058 Basel); Spalentor Campus (Schützengraben 35, 4051 Basel); Gellert 37 campus (Gellertstrasse 37, 4052 Basel); Gellert 25 campus (Gellertstrasse 25, 4052 Basel); Rittergasse campus (Rittergasse 20, 4051 Basel).	Location ELABasel is located in Basel, Switzerland, with two campuses in Basel's historic centre. The address Gartenstrasse 93, 4052 Basel is listed for the school. Basel is a family-friendly, well-connected and international city; the campuses are within walking distance or a short tram ride from Altstadt Grossbasel and other inner-city areas, and the Early Years site is near Basel SBB.
Stages	Stages Daycare (3 months – 4 years); Primary (4–12 years; KG, Grades 1–6); Secondary (12–18 years).	Stages Early Years (3 months – 4 years); Primary School (Aged 4 – 12); Secondary School (Aged 12 – 16).
School type	School type Bilingual private IB World School.	School type International Kita, Primary and Secondary school; not-for-profit association.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix 360 pupils from 35 countries.
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Student Support.	Additional learning support Inclusion programme removes barriers and provides personalised support using a graduated ‘waves' model. Wave 1: for all students and included in standard fees; high quality teaching and reasonable adjustments. Wave 2: for some students and included in standard fees; additional short-term support sessions in small groups by a Learning Support Teacher to accelerate progress in academics, language, social, emotional or physical skills. Wave 3: for a small number of students and included in standard fees; long-term targeted and personalised support in small groups or 1:1 by a Learning Support Teacher; collaborative team with teachers, Learning Support Teachers, external specialists and parents; Personalised Learning Plan and Pupil Passport. Wave 3+: additional fee; 1:1 support and external therapies through partnerships. Types of support include: Academic skills; Social and emotional; Speech and language; English as an additional language (EAL); Motor skills and Physical & Sensory; Talented and more able.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Switzerland	Country affiliation Switzerland
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure ELABasel operates 50 weeks per year. After-school and enrichment programmes run from 15:30–18:00.
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - No separate, published one‑off application or registration fee amount is listed; applications are submitted through the school's online enrolment portal. Tuition fees by year group (core semester fees — two semesters per academic year) - Kindergarten Year 1–2 (ages 4–6): CHF 11'850.- per semester (CHF 23'700.- per academic year). - Primary Grades 1–6 (ages 6–12): CHF 12'250.- per semester (CHF 24'500.- per academic year). - Lower Secondary Grades 7–9 (ages 12–15): CHF 14'500.- per semester (CHF 29'000.- per academic year). - Upper Secondary Grades 10–12 (ages 15–18): CHF 16'000.- per semester (CHF 32'000.- per academic year). Billing schedule and payment terms - The academic year is divided into two semesters; fees are invoiced on a per‑semester basis. A single payment is expected at the beginning of each semester. On request, fees may be paid in five monthly instalments subject to a 3% surcharge. A 10% sibling discount may be applied to the lowest fee when a second child is enrolled. Core tuition does not include extracurricular activities or holiday camps. Boarding fees (if applicable) - No boarding programme or boarding fees are listed for the school; the school operates multiple day campuses for the stated age ranges and does not publish boarding charges. Other costs and fees - Uniform: Primary students are required to wear a school uniform from Grade 1; the school sells core items (white or blue polo shirt; dark blue pullover or cardigan). Other items (trousers/shorts/skirts/shoes) may be purchased independently. - Extracurricular activities: Prices vary by class and semester; these activities are charged separately from core tuition. - Holiday camps: Coverage options and weekly rates are published as CHF 450 per week (coverage 08:00–15:00) and CHF 585 per week (coverage 08:00–19:00). - Afterschool care (flexible daily coverage 15:00–19:00): one day per week for a full semester CHF 500; full week for a full semester CHF 2'500. - Any additional fees for materials, special trips, external exam charges or optional services are billed separately when applicable; core semester fees exclude these items. Refund information - No specific, published refund or withdrawal terms are provided alongside the core tuition schedule; families should confirm refund and withdrawal terms as part of the enrolment contract and invoicing process. Fee payment options - Fees are payable as a single payment at the start of each semester, or on the offered monthly instalment plan (5 instalments with a 3% surcharge). Specific accepted payment instruments (for example: bank transfer, credit card, direct debit) are not listed in the published fee information and should be confirmed with the school's admissions/finance office during enrolment.	Fee details Application fees and deposits - Early Years: no registration fee or deposit is required for Early Years families. - Primary (paid before the child's first day): Registration fee — CHF 500 per child (one-time, non-refundable). - One-time Development Fund donation at Primary contract signing: CHF 1,500 for the first child; CHF 1,000 for each additional child (one-time, non-refundable; tax deductible). - Association membership (verein) administrative fee: CHF 75 per member per year (annual, non-refundable). Tuition fees — Early Years (applicable from August 2025) - Full-time monthly fees (full-time = 100% enrolment): - Infants up to 18 months: CHF 3,750 per month. - Children 18 months to 4 years: CHF 2,800 per month. - Minimum attendance: 40% per week. Fees are calculated pro rata by enrolment percentage (example: 62% enrolment = CHF 2,800 x 62% = CHF 1,736). Specific example enrolment-percent fee bands are published (for example, 40% = CHF 1,120–CHF 1,500; 100% = CHF 2,800–CHF 3,750 depending on age). - Extra session rates (per session / per day when adding to contracted schedule): - Morning session (until 12:00): CHF 80 (children >18m) / CHF 105 (children ≤18m). - Morning + midday/lunch (until 14:00): CHF 110 / CHF 145. - Morning + midday + afternoon (until 16:00): CHF 130 / CHF 170. - Whole day (pick up by 18:30): CHF 160 / CHF 210. - Extra hours extending the day: CHF 20 / hour (children >18m) and CHF 22 / hour (children ≤18m). - What Early Years fees include: all meals and snacks (including infant powder milk formula where applicable), outings, curriculum materials, resources and hygiene products (wipes, nappies, etc.). The Basel-Stadt subsidy for city residents is deducted where applicable. Tuition fees — Primary School (applicable August 2025 – July 2026) - Registration and donation at contract signing: Registration fee CHF 500 per child; one-time Development Fund donation CHF 1,500 for first child and CHF 1,000 for each subsequent child. Association membership CHF 75 p.a. also applies. - Full-time Primary (5 days) tuition: Semester fee CHF 13,000 (CHF 26,000 per year). Quarterly fee CHF 6,640 (equivalent to CHF 26,560 per year when paid quarterly). Parents may choose catering (morning snack and hot lunch) on a semester basis at CHF 1,000 per semester for 5 days/week. - Family discounts (applied to contracted base fees): 10% discount on the second child's fees and 15% discount on the third child (and any further children) for families privately funding fees. No family discount is given where any portion of fees is invoiced directly to an employer or covered by Basel-Stadt. Discounts do not apply to lunch or after-school fees. - What Primary tuition covers: exercise books, laboratory practicals, school laptop, local transport (BVB) for class trips and excursions, weekly swimming lessons with qualified coaches, curriculum materials and the majority of curriculum-related excursions. What it does not cover: textbooks indicated in the book list, school lunch (if not enrolled in catering), after-school care, trips/camps that are charged separately, replacement cost for lost/damaged materials (including laptops). Tuition fees — After School and Vacation Programmes (applicable August 2025 – July 2026) - After School Programme (semester fees per day): - Basic (15:30–16:30 Mon–Thu): CHF 285 per semester (per day rate multiplied by number of days per week contracted). - Extended (16:30–18:00 Mon–Thu): CHF 380 per semester. - Enrichment 1 hour (15:30–16:30): CHF 500 per semester. - Enrichment 1.5 hours (15:30–17:00): CHF 625 per semester (care through 18:00 included). - Enrichment 2 hours (15:30–17:30): CHF 850 per semester (care through 18:00 included). - Instrument lessons (15:30–17:30 Mon–Thu), half-hour lessons charged at CHF 47 (individual) / CHF 42 (pair) / CHF 35 (group). - Friday programmes: CHF 850 (Friday full programme 14:00–16:00) and CHF 350 (Friday after-school 16:00–18:00) as applicable. The After School Programme fees include materials and an added afternoon snack. Semester-payment model applies; per-day rates scale simply for multiple contracted days (e.g., 3 days × CHF 285 = CHF 855). - Vacation Programme: fees vary by programme and are charged separately; programmes run Monday–Friday for primary-aged children (4–12) during most school holidays. Tuition fees — Secondary School (note on available published schedules) - The school publishes detailed year-group fee schedules covering Reception/Year 1, Years 2–7 (Primary) and Secondary (Years 8–9) for its 2026/2027 fee tables; the Primary and Early Years tuition figures above are those published for the current academic year (Aug 2025–Jul 2026) and the school's published year-group payment options and sibling discount frameworks apply as shown. For the published year-group breakdowns that the school provides for the forthcoming 2026/2027 cycle, monthly, quarterly, semester and annual instalment options and sibling discounts are set out in a separate year-group table. Billing schedule and payment terms - Standard billing options and timing for tuition: payment is due per semester; for Primary a quarterly split is available for a small premium. For other levels the school offers a standard payment plan of 10 monthly instalments (August–May) with payments due on the 30th of each month. Early-payment discounts are offered: 5% for full annual payment by 31 May (Early Bird), 4% for full annual payment between 1 June and 30 August, 2% for semester payments (two instalments: 30 August and 30 January), and 1.5% for quarterly payments (four instalments: 30 August, 30 November, 28 February and 31 May). - If a newly enrolled student does not take up the confirmed place on the agreed start date, 25% of the annual tuition fee becomes immediately due and payable. Families requesting bespoke payment plans must sign a formal payment schedule agreement. Overdue balances may incur an annual interest charge of 5% plus collection fees. Withdrawals and refunds - Registration fees and the one-time Development Fund donation are non-refundable. - If a newly enrolled student does not take their confirmed place, 25% of the annual tuition fee is payable immediately. - Withdrawal during the school year requires notice equivalent to three months of tuition fees. The contract renews automatically for the following academic year unless written notice of termination (with signed withdrawal form) is received and confirmed before 31 March of the current academic year. Overdue balances may attract interest and collection fees. Boarding - Boarding is not provided; there are no boarding fees. ELABasel operates as day care, Early Years (Kita), Primary and Secondary day provision with two city campuses. Other costs and charges - School lunch / catering: optional catering (morning snack + hot lunch) is charged at CHF 1,000 per semester for full-time Primary (5 days/week). A separate school lunch payment option is published as CHF 1,050 payable in two instalments (August & January) for those who opt into the School Lunch programme. - Textbooks indicated on the book list, after-school care (if not contracted), certain trips, outings and camps, and replacement costs for lost, stolen or damaged school materials (including school laptops) are not included in tuition and are charged separately. Instrument lesson charges and after-school programme charges apply as noted above. - Uniform: no compulsory uniform fee is listed in the published fee schedule; uniform costs are not specified as a school-charge in the published fee material. Textbooks and some programme costs remain the family's responsibility. Fee payment options (mechanics and conditions) - Instalment options: semester payments, quarterly payments, and a 10-instalment monthly plan (August–May) are offered depending on the level and option chosen. Early-payment discounts apply for full-year, semester or quarterly pre-payments as above. Families requesting tailored payment plans sign a formal payment schedule. Overdue balances can incur 5% interest and collection fees. - Specific payment methods (for example, bank transfer or card) are not itemised in the published fee schedule; the school indicates alternative payment methods may be available and that invoicing and payment mechanics are arranged through the finance office. For detailed method options, invoices and payment instructions are provided with enrolment documentation. Summary of key headline figures (CHF) - Early Years (full-time monthly): Infants ≤18m CHF 3,750; children 18m–4y CHF 2,800. - Primary (full-time 5 days): Semester CHF 13,000 (CHF 26,000 per year); Quarterly CHF 6,640 (CHF 26,560 per year). Catering per semester CHF 1,000. Registration CHF 500 per child; Development Fund donation CHF 1,500 / CHF 1,000 thereafter. Family discounts: second child 10%, third+ 15% (private-pay families). Withdrawal: three months' tuition notice; failure to take a confirmed place: 25% of annual tuition payable. Overdue balances: possible 5% annual interest plus collection fees.
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 BKA International School is a bilingual private school offering English and German instruction from early years, with French introduced from Grade 3. The early years use Curriculum 21 together with the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), with a play-based approach and emphasis on language development. Primary builds on that foundation with a developmentally appropriate curriculum that fosters knowledge, skills, and curiosity year by year. In Secondary, the program uses IGCSEs and A-Levels to prepare for Swiss and international universities. BKA holds Basel-Stadt Alignment and Transition Agreement ensuring the IB curriculum aligns with Lehrplan 21 and is an IB World School. The school operates across Wettstein, Spalentor, Gellért, and Rittergasse campuses serving ages 3 months through 18 years.	Curriculum details ELA Basel follows the Cambridge International Curriculum, adapted for its international character and Swiss affiliation. The Cambridge pathway is taught primarily in English and prepares students for entry to schools and universities worldwide. German is taught from Pre-School to Year 7 and French is introduced in Year 3. Families may also choose a bilingual Swiss stream that follows the Swiss Lehrplan 21, enabling direct transition into the Swiss system. In the bilingual pathway, pupils may progress to Year 11 after Year 10, with dual Swiss and international accreditation; the Cambridge stream progresses through IGCSE to A-Levels. Upper Primary covers English, Mathematics, Science, German, French, Geography, History, Music, Computing, Personal Social Health and Cultural Education, Design and Technology, Art and Design, and Physical Education (including weekly swimming).
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio High adult-to-student ratio with class teachers supported by teaching assistants enabling personalised teaching.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results 60% of children achieve above-average results in English, Maths and German on internationally benchmarked tests.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Through IGCSEs and A-Levels, graduates are prepared for Swiss and international universities, with A-Levels recognised by universities across Europe, the UK, North America, and beyond.	Higher education progression Graduates transition to a variety of secondary schools in Basel and Germany; ELA Basel holds a Basel-Stadt Secondary Transition Agreement, allowing Year 7 reports to be accepted by public secondary schools without entrance tests. Destinations include Hüslimatt Sekundarschule Oberwil; Freies Gymnasium Basel; Sekundarschule Binningen-Bottmingen; Regionales Gymnasium Laufental-Thierstein; Freie Evangelische Schule Lörrach; Sekundarschule Allschwil; Holbein Sekundarschule (Basel-Stadt); Hans-Thoma Gymnasium Lörrach; Bezirksschule Möhlin; Sekundarschule Sandgruben; ISB, SIS, Minerva and Academia; Sevenoaks School (UK); Tanglin Trust School (Singapore).
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented Enrichment Programme provides more than 30 activities outside the standard curriculum; after-school and enrichment offerings include sports, crafts, STEM, music and language lessons, with structured activities designed to broaden knowledge and skills beyond the standard curriculum. Targeted 1:1 or small-group support for additional needs is available at additional cost.
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. Enquire Or Schedule A Tour: Begin by reaching out to BKA to explore our programmes, curriculum, and community. The admissions team answers questions, provides detailed information, and arranges a personalised school tour so you can see our environment and ethos firsthand. You can schedule a tour or inquire today through the admissions platform. 2. Apply: Decide that BKA is the right fit and submit your application. The admissions team guides families through the necessary paperwork and required documents, ensuring the process is straightforward and transparent through the admissions platform. The Apply Now option starts the submission, and the platform provides status updates as you move through the process. Additional questions are answered by the admissions team as needed. 3. Trial days in School (optional): Trial days in School are optional, but in certain admission cases they may be mandatory. Prospective students spend time in classrooms to experience BKA's learning environment and to engage with teachers and peers. This helps them feel comfortable before joining formally. This experience provides a firsthand impression of daily life at BKA. 4. Admission: Upon successful completion of the paperwork, each application is carefully reviewed, and a formal offer of admission is extended. BKA provides guidance to ensure a seamless transition, including placement in the bilingual programme and support with any remaining administrative or financial matters. This final step marks the beginning of your child's educational journey with us.	Admissions 1. Discover: ELABasel accepts applications year-round and processes them on a rolling basis as soon as they are received. Families relocating during the year can discuss details by calling Primary & Secondary School on +41 61 5000 653 or emailing. Applications should be submitted as early as possible to ensure timely processing. 2. Visit us: Come to visit ELABasel. A warm welcome awaits. Book a visit using the provided Calendly link. Early Years, Primary School, and Secondary School tours are available; you can also take a virtual tour of the campuses. 3. Apply: When you are ready to apply, click on the 'Apply now' button to be taken to the relevant application page. Applications are accepted year-round and are processed on a rolling basis as they are received. Read the admissions policy and related information on the page, and use the 'Apply here' link to start your application.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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