École Française Internationale de Berne vs International School of Berne

	É École Française Internationale de Berne Bern, Switzerland	I International School of Berne Bern, Switzerland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CHF 12,350 - 23,200	Fees / year CHF 14,420 - 39,215
Age range	Age range 3 - 18 years	Age range 3 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum French Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Swiss Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 275
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size 15
Instruction language	Instruction language French	Instruction language English, German
Opened	Opened —	Opened 1961
Bus service	Bus service —	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location —	Location The International School of Berne is located in Gümligen, Switzerland, at Allmendingenweg 9, 3073 Gümligen. The campus is accessible by train, tram, or car from Bern and surrounding areas. It serves students from the Bern region and nearby towns.
Stages	Stages —	Stages Early Learning Centre (ages 3+); Kindergarten (from age 4); Primary (Grades 1-5); Middle (Grades 6-10); Upper School (Grades 11-12). A Grade 10 Bridging Year and ISBerne Online are available.
School type	School type —	School type Private day school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support English as an Additional Language (EAL) support
Country affiliation	Country affiliation —	Country affiliation Switzerland
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure A full school day from 8:30 to 15:30, with After School Care available until 18:00
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details —	Fee details Overview (school type and academic year) - The International School of Berne is a private day school for ages 3–18. The following fees apply for the 2025–2026 school year. Tuition — annual amounts by year group - Early Learning Centre (ELC) — 5 mornings/week: CHF 14,420 per year. - Early Learning Centre — 5 mornings + 2 afternoons/week: CHF 17,570 per year. - Early Learning Centre — 5 mornings + 3 afternoons/week: CHF 19,375 per year. - Early Learning Centre — 5 full days/week: CHF 21,735 per year. - Kindergarten – Grade 1: CHF 29,660 per year. - Grades 2 – 5: CHF 30,540 per year. - Grades 6 – 8: CHF 35,515 per year. - Grades 9 – 10 (including Grade 10 Bridging Year): CHF 38,540 per year. - Grades 11 – 12: CHF 39,215 per year. Application, capital and re-enrolment fees - Application Fee (one-time, non-refundable) — ELC to Grade 12: CHF 250. - Capital Fund Fee (one-time, non-refundable) — ELC: CHF 500. - Capital Fund Fee (one-time, non-refundable) — Kindergarten (returning students): CHF 3,500. - Capital Fund Fee (one-time, non-refundable) — Kindergarten to Grade 12 (new entrants): CHF 4,000. - Re-Enrolment Fee (annual, non-refundable) — ELC to Grade 12: CHF 250. How tuition is billed and payment schedule / payment terms - Tuition is invoiced for the full academic year. The tuition fee for the school year must be paid in full two weeks prior to the start of the first term. - Early-payment discounts (for the 2025–2026 year): - Pay the full annual tuition by 1 June 2025 to receive a 1.5% discount on the full amount. - Pay the full annual tuition by 1 July 2025 to receive a 1.0% discount on the full amount. - Two-installment option (65% / 35%): If paying in two installments, 65% of the annual tuition is due two weeks prior to the start of the first term and the remaining 35% is due before 1 March of the following calendar year. This 65/35 option is available for full annual payments only and is not available if payment reminders were issued the previous year. - The school may agree other payment arrangements only if negotiated and approved in writing by the Business Manager; individual arrangements are not available if payment reminders were issued the previous year. Per-installment examples (using the school's supported two-installment option) - Example: For any annual tuition amount, the 65/35 split is calculated as: - First instalment (due two weeks before the first term): 65% of the annual tuition. - Second instalment (due before 1 March): 35% of the annual tuition. - The school does not publish a standard three-term split for tuition; annual billing and the 65/35 two-installment option are the published arrangements. Late payment charges and consequences - Late payments incur a penalty of 5% on the overdue amount and interest accrues from the due date until payment in full. An administration charge of CHF 50 is added for the second reminder and another CHF 50 for the third reminder; additional collection costs are charged as incurred. Families with outstanding debt will not receive academic reports, transcripts, or other school records until balances are cleared; continued non-payment can result in barring students from attendance. Withdrawals and refunds (tuition) - The school requires at minimum one term's written notice to withdraw a student. Fees for early withdrawal are prorated as follows: - Students withdrawing before 31 October: charged 50% of the annual tuition. - Students withdrawing between 1 November and 31 December: charged 65% of the annual tuition. - Students withdrawing on or after 1 January: charged the full annual tuition. - Application Fee and Capital Fund Fee are one-time and non-refundable. Other fees and typical additional costs (invoiced separately) - Book & Locker Deposit (Grades 6–12): CHF 300 (carried forward to following year and refunded on departure minus costs for lost/damaged items). Lost or damaged access badges invoiced at CHF 15 each. - IB examination fees and other external assessment fees (e.g., PSAT / SSAT) are charged separately. - Before- and After-School Care fees are charged separately. - Certain after-school activities and sports trips/tournaments are charged separately. - P.E. clothes and any optional curriculum-enriching trips are charged separately. - Laptop / device requirement: Students in Grades 6–11 are required to own a MacBook or an iPad with keyboard and Apple Pencil; these devices are not included in tuition and are the family's responsibility. Meal plans (prices and options) - Meal subscriptions are optional and invoiced separately; subscriptions for the full academic year or single semesters are available at preferential rates. ELC pre-booked served lunches are CHF 6.50 per meal. Meal plan examples for 2025–2026 (full year and semester options): - Meal Plan Small (Kindergarten to Grade 5), full year (160 meals): listed cost CHF 1,600; discounted price CHF 1,440; price per meal CHF 9.00. - Meal Plan Regular (Grades 6–12), full year (160 meals): listed cost CHF 2,560; discounted price CHF 2,304; price per meal CHF 14.40. - Semester options are available (e.g., Small or Regular for 80 meals per semester); semester prices and per-meal prices are published in the school's meal plan form. An administrative cancellation charge equal to 50% of the discount may apply to meal-plan refunds (medical exceptions with certificate noted). Insurance responsibility - Parents must maintain health, accident and liability insurance for their children; personal belongings are not insured by the school. Boarding - The International School of Berne is a day school; boarding is not provided and no boarding fees apply. Fee payment options and bank details - The school publishes bank transfer details for payments. Payments should be made by bank transfer to the school's Credit Suisse account using the following details as published: - Account holder: International School of Berne AG. - Account Number: 1833443-31-1. - Clearing/Routing: 4835. - S.W.I.F.T.: CRESCHZZ80A. - IBAN: CH60 0483 5183 3443 31001. - No alternative payment methods (for example, credit card acceptance) are published in the school's Financial Regulations; other arrangements must be agreed in writing with the Business Manager. Refunds and deposits - Application Fee, Capital Fund Fee and Re-Enrolment Fee are non-refundable. Book & Locker Deposit (CHF 300 for Grades 6–12) is refundable when the student leaves, subject to deductions for lost or damaged items. The school's withdrawal refund schedule (50% / 65% / 100% depending on date) applies to tuition as noted above. Meal plan refunds may incur an administrative charge (see Meal Plans). Force majeure or circumstances beyond the school's control do not entitle families to a refund of fees. Summary (key points to note) - Annual tuition is published by grade and must be paid in full two weeks before the first term unless the family uses the published 65/35 two-installment option. Application, Capital Fund and Re-Enrolment fees are one-time or annual and non-refundable. Additional costs such as meal plans, exam fees, device purchases, deposits, after-school care and some trips are invoiced separately. Payment is handled by bank transfer to the school's Credit Suisse account; any alternative arrangements require written approval.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements The school is a private, day school; no boarding is provided. Before and after school care is available.
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options The school has a cafeteria and provides a Lunch Menu via an online portal. The menu includes items such as Chicken Nuggets, Chana Masala, Pasta, and Beef Burgers, with vegetarian options available; allergen information is listed and pre-orders are possible.
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership ISBerne is owned by Pansophic Learning, a global school management company. Four representatives from Pansophic Learning sit on the Board of Directors.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details —	Curriculum details ISBerne offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme as an IB World School. English is the primary language of instruction. In Primary School, students can follow the new German Lehrplan 21 pathway or continue in the established English-language IB pathway. In Upper School, students can pursue the US High School Diploma, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), or the Bilingual IBDP. A Grade 10 Bridging Year is available for students who have completed obligatory Swiss schooling. ISBerne serves students aged 3 to 18.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio 275 students are taught by 50 full- and part-time teaching faculty, giving an approximate student-to-teacher ratio of 5.5 to 1.
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results IB Diploma Exams (May 2024): cohort 29; average 33; global average 30.3; six bilingual diplomas awarded. ISBerne students consistently perform well above world averages.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression Approximately 25 Grade 12 students graduate each year. About 90% of ISBerne graduates continue their education at colleges or universities worldwide. Graduates are admitted to universities in Switzerland and abroad, including institutions such as the University of Bern and UK universities such as King's College London and the University of Edinburgh.
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 ISBerne places great importance on the uniqueness of each child and provides proactive, holistic student support that is caring, inclusive, and individualized. The Student Support Services team consists of professionals in Counselling, English as an Additional Language, and Learning Support, who work with class teachers to address students' socio-emotional and academic needs. Students are encouraged to feel safe, secure, and comfortable in their environment to maximize learning. A Counsellor on campus supports behavioral, social, or emotional needs that might affect learning, with a collaborative approach to referrals and connections to community mental health services. The school maintains a rigorous Child Protection Policy to ensure each child's physical and psychological safety.
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) ISBerne welcomes students with mild-to-moderate learning needs, and teachers differentiate instruction in the classroom to meet individual needs. The school cannot cater for moderate-to-severe learning needs. A Learning Support teacher provides tools, strategies, and interventions, and there is a level of learning support included in tuition fees. If additional services such as speech therapy, exam readers, or one-to-one tutoring are required, the family is responsible for those costs. The campus is wheelchair accessible.
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language English is the medium of instruction at ISBerne. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is provided for students up to and including Grade 10. There is no additional fee for the EAL support programme, and students meet with the ESL specialist during the German or French lesson. New students may be asked to demonstrate their English language proficiency to meet grade-level requirements. For entry to the Diploma Programme in Grade 11, a B2 level of English is required, and for the full IB Diploma, a C1 level is required.
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing ISBerne provides Counselling and Wellbeing support with a fully qualified on-campus counsellor who assists students with behavioral, social, or emotional needs that might affect learning. The Counselling team works with a collaborative approach to referrals and consultations with community mental health services. The school actively monitors and responds to students' emotional needs to support well-being. The environment is designed to be safe, supportive, and conducive to learning. Safeguarding policies underpin these practices to protect student welfare.
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding ISBerne maintains a rigorous Child Protection Policy to ensure each child's physical and psychological safety. This policy underpins safeguarding practices across the school. The Counselling team collaborates with community mental health services to support students and respond to safeguarding concerns. The school prioritizes a safe and secure environment where students can learn with confidence. Safeguarding procedures are implemented in alignment with these policies.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview The International School of Berne has a purpose-built campus in Gümligen, opened in 2017. It brings together all age groups—from the Early Learning Centre to High School—under one roof south of the Siloah site. The campus features a double gymnasium with an adjacent soccer pitch and plentiful outdoor spaces for learning and recreation. Dedicated spaces include Aula (auditorium), a library, and classrooms for Primary, Middle, and High School. Photo galleries illustrate these facilities.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities The campus features a double gymnasium with an adjacent soccer pitch and plentiful outdoor spaces for PE and outdoor activities. The Gym and Soccer Pitch are central facilities used across all age groups. Outdoor spaces support fitness, recreational activities, and outdoor education. The layout promotes active learning and healthy lifestyles on campus.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities English is the primary language of instruction; German and French are offered as part of the IB curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The Library and Media Centre houses over 12,000 items, including recent children's and young adult fiction and non-fiction, plus eBooks, newspapers, and magazines accessible through online databases. The Library is open to ISBerne students and their parents, and students in After School English Classes may check out materials. The Early Learning Centre follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme with a play- and inquiry-based approach, including daily German exposure in an English-medium environment. Young learners benefit from forest visits, Ski and Skate Fridays, daily outdoor learning, movement in the Gym, Visual Arts, Music, and Library sessions.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities ISBerne offers a wide range of activities beyond the classroom, including competitive and non-competitive sports, the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Programme, Band, Drama, Yearbook, Model United Nations (MUN), Student Council, Photography, Arts and Crafts, Lego Robotics, and Dance. Primary School Activities run for eight weeks after school in Autumn and Spring, and are organized into Wellbeing and Arts, Culture and Innovation. Community-Connection Activities connect students to external programs in the Bern region (fee-based and hosted at school, e.g., piano, ballet, coding, drama). After School Care supports families from Early Learning through Grade 5 from dismissal until 18:00.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History ISBerne was founded in Autumn 1961 as the English Speaking School of Berne to serve the international community. It began in Thunstrasse 97 with about 40 students aged 5–14. The land was later acquired in Gümligen and a dedicated campus was built as enrollment grew. In Spring 2017, ISBerne moved to a new state-of-the-art campus at Allmendingenweg 9, Gümligen. ISBerne is an International Baccalaureate World School, with the IB Diploma programme starting in 1995 and the Primary Years Programme authorized in January 2007 and the Middle Years Programme in April 2007. The school was first accredited in 1984 by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), with reaccreditations in 1994, 2004, and 2015. Today, ISBerne serves about 275 students aged 3 to 18.
Community	Community —	Community ISBerne maintains a full events calendar for students, families, and the wider community. The calendar features public events and open mornings for prospective families, and the campus hosts signature events such as International Day and Graduation ceremonies. International Day is organized by the Parent-Teacher Committee and welcomes local residents and alumni to experience the ISBerne community. Moving to Bern provides relocation guidance and local resources for new families, and the Calendar & Events page lists upcoming programs and holidays.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association ISBerne has an active Parent-Teacher Committee (PTC) that runs annual community events and regular activities. The PTC aims to ensure every member of the ISBerne community feels welcomed and has the opportunity to participate. It organizes a range of activities including coffee meet-ups, fitness groups, day trips, Lunch Bunch, and Bingo Night, and it holds monthly meetings to coordinate events and develop new ideas.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual The school offers after-school activities that extend learning beyond the classroom. STEM and academic enrichment include Lego Robotics and the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Programme. Students also participate in Model United Nations (MUN) and contribute to Yearbook; Band, Drama, Photography, Arts and Crafts, and Dance are available as well. An after-school sports program provides competitive and non-competitive options.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Visual Arts are embedded from the Early Learning Centre through to the IB Diploma Programme, with well-equipped Art Studios and a pottery kiln. Theatre Arts encourage discovery through experimentation and presentation, supported by a large stage in the Aula and dedicated theatre rooms. Music is part of the curriculum and offered as an after-school activity, with private instrument lessons available on campus for an additional fee.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language English is the primary language of instruction; German or French can be learned from Kindergarten through Grade 12 as part of the IB curriculum. EAL (English as an Additional Language) support is provided at no extra charge. Mother-tongue German and French classes are offered weekly as part of After School Activities, and the Canton of Bern's Heimat language and culture program (HSK) offers classes in more than 20 languages. The school also runs English courses for external students and a Summer English-learning program.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies A broad range of after-school activities includes Band, Drama, Model United Nations (MUN), Yearbook, Photography, Arts and Crafts, Lego Robotics, and Dance. Primary School Activities are organized around Wellbeing and Arts, Culture and Innovation. These activities are designed to complement classroom learning and foster collaboration and creativity.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service Community-Connection Activities connect students with quality programs in the Bern region; these are fee-based and include piano, ballet, coding, and drama.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Programme is available to students over 14 to develop essential skills, earn international recognition, and participate in service projects and expeditions; Bronze Award is pursued in Grade 9 and Silver Award in Grade 10. Student leadership opportunities include the Student Council.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing The sports program includes competitive teams in track and field, football (soccer), and basketball; SGIS leagues provide tournaments for ages 7 to 19. The campus features a double gym, a soccer field, and a basketball court, with access to nearby pools and facilities. Ski and Skate Fridays is a long-running winter tradition with skiing, snowboarding, or ice skating. NCAA accreditation supports pathways related to college athletics in North America.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision ISBerne uses English as the primary language of instruction, with German exposure in the Early Learning Centre. From Kindergarten through Grade 12, students have the option to learn German or French as part of the IB curriculum. English as an Additional Language (EAL) support is available at no extra charge for students from non-English backgrounds. Mother tongue language learning in German and French is offered weekly as part of After School Activities, and the Canton of Bern's Heimatsprachliche Sprache und Kultur (HSK) program offers classes in more than 20 languages, some of which may take place at the ISBerne campus.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching German-English Preschool & Kindergarten; From the Early Learning Centre to Primary, dual-language learning with a Lehrplan 21 pathway.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs German-English Preschool & Kindergarten; Dual-language learning from the Early Learning Centre to Primary, with a Lehrplan 21 pathway.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards Not applicable
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations ISBerne is fully accredited and an International Baccalaureate World School. It is accredited by CIS and NEASC (first accredited in 1984; re-accredited in 1994, 2004, 2015, and 2024) and holds NCAA accreditation. It is a member of multiple educational organizations including ECIS, ISTA, SGIS, SFPS, and WIDA. The school operates under the authority of the Cantonal education system as well.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions —	Admissions 1. Inquire. ISBerne welcomes inquiries about space and programmes. Contact the admissions team by email, phone, or fill out the inquiry form; they respond promptly. Enrollment is open to international students new to Switzerland, subject to space being available. 2. Schedule your Personal Consultation or In-Person Tour. Families can meet the Admissions Team via a personal visit or video conference; the team will explain the programmes and answer questions. To arrange your consultation, schedule a tour online or contact by phone or email. 3. Submit your Application. To apply, download the appropriate application packet for the division: Early Learning Centre (ELC), Primary Years Programme (PYP): Kindergarten – Grade 5, Middle Years Programme (MYP): Grades 6–10, or Diploma Programme (DP): Grades 11–12. 4. Apply for Financial Aid. The International School of Berne Foundation provides scholarships based on the academic promise of the student and the financial need of the family. Applications for financial aid are filed no later than March 31 of the respective school year. 5. Check your Mailbox. After submitting, a confirmation of receipt is sent within 48 hours. If you don't receive any communication within 48 hours, contact the school. Applications are evaluated by the Divisional Principal and School Director, and you will receive an email notifying you of acceptance. 6. Start Dates. ISBerne operates on rolling admissions with no fixed application deadlines. New students are welcomed throughout the school year up to Grade 10. Grade 11 may start until the October Break, and Grade 12 may transfer if course selections are compatible with the IB programme.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships The International School of Berne Foundation provides scholarships. Awards are based on the academic promise of the student and the financial need of the family. Applications for financial aid must be filed no later than March 31 of the respective school year.
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist —
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