International School of Central Switzerland vs International School Zurich North
International School of Central Switzerland and International School Zurich North are both in Zug, about 26 km apart. Both schools offer Cambridge (Primary) programmes. International School of Central Switzerland also offers Cambridge (Secondary) and Cambridge IGCSE, and International School Zurich North also offers British, EYFS and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE. Published annual fees are close, at CHF 27,200 - 32,800 for International School of Central Switzerland and CHF 17,316 - 38,280 for International School Zurich North. International School of Central Switzerland takes pupils from 3 to 18, and International School Zurich North from 0 to 18. International School Zurich North is the larger school, with around 240 pupils to International School of Central Switzerland's 150. Both keep typical class sizes around 15.
British Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Pupils
Pupils
150
Pupils
240
Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
15
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
English, German
Opened
Opened
2008
Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
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.
Location
Industriestrasse 50, 8304 Wallisellen.
Stages
Stages
Primary School, Middle School, and High School (Private Gymnasium).
Stages
All-through school for ages 3 months to 18 years. English is the primary language of instruction; German is taught for all German levels up to G10 with an option to study to G12, and French is compulsory in the middle years with an option to study to G12. The leaving qualifications are iGCSEs and A-Levels.
School type
School type
Private international day school.
School type
International day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
More than 35 nationalities are represented at ISCS.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil body represents over 30 nationalities; staff are multicultural.
Additional learning support
Additional learning support
The Guidance Counselor provides learning support with Individualised Educational Plans (IEPs) to support students' needs.
Additional learning support
A strong wellbeing and learning support system is in place; a dedicated learning support team differentiates learning and intervenes to meet individual needs.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Switzerland.
Country affiliation
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Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
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.
School day structure
School hours are 8:30–15:30 with Enhanced Care from 7:30–18:00.
Bus service details
Bus service details
The school offers a school bus service for local routes within the canton of Zug.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
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:
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.
- 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.
The ISZN academic year is organised into three terms (Autumn, Spring, Summer). Annual fees below are shown with the corresponding per‑term amount (annual divided by 3). Figures apply to the current academic year as published for 2025/2026.
- Tuition is set on an annual basis and is payable in advance; payment may be made half‑yearly or termly in advance. - Standard invoicing practice: the first half of the tuition is due within the targeted payment date and the second half on the date shown on the invoice. Quarterly payment arrangements are possible; monthly payment arrangements are available on request (monthly arrangements carry an annual surcharge of CHF 200). A late‑payment charge of 1% per month applies to overdue amounts. School records are withheld until outstanding balances are settled. - Little IBEX (early‑years) fees are billed monthly and payable by direct debit (other Little IBEX terms apply for extra days and notice period).
Boarding
- ISZN operates as a full‑day day school; there is no boarding provision.
Other costs and typical additional fees
- Co‑curricular activities (annual club fee example): CHF 260 per year for many after‑school clubs. - Exam and assessment fees: Cambridge/Edexcel examination fees and similar subject exam charges apply per subject (historical and published schedules list typical per‑subject exam charges). - EAL (English as an Additional Language) and targeted student support carry additional charges when required. - Lunch, student bus service, individual music lessons, overnight or international trips and some extra‑curricular services are charged in addition to tuition. After‑school care or homework‑club extras are charged separately (examples and hourly rates appear in the school's fee documentation). - Little IBEX: extra day / flexible drop‑in day fee CHF 150 per day (where applicable).
Refunds, withdrawal and no‑show charges
- Early‑withdrawal fee schedule (liability expressed as a percentage of the annual tuition depending on withdrawal date during the school year): examples published in the school's financial regulations include withdrawal liabilities such as 30%, 50%, 65%, 80% or 100% of the annual tuition depending on the month of withdrawal. A no‑show charge is specified where a confirmed place is not taken up. Specific percentages and deadlines are set out in the school's financial regulations and applied to the invoice. - The school issues a capital/funding fee at enrolment in some years; that fee is charged one‑time and is non‑refundable where it applies.
Fee payment arrangements & administrative notes
- The school issues invoices for the chosen payment cycle; payment must be made by the payer named on the invoice by the due date shown. Monthly direct debit is used for the Little IBEX provision. The school applies late‑payment penalties and may restrict access to records or attendance for unpaid accounts until balances are cleared.
(End of overview)
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
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.
Curriculum details
ISZN follows the British Curriculum from Early Years through to A-Levels. Early Years includes a Dual Language Programme in English and German. Primary School follows the British Curriculum with a German language component and enhanced provision in Mathematics and Literacy through White Rose Maths and Read, Write Inc. The Middle Years Programme leads to IGCSEs in Grades 9-10, followed by Cambridge and Edexcel International A-Levels in Grades 11-12. The school also offers Grade 11 with the Independent Project Qualification (IPQ) and supports a Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Graduation pathways include university study in Switzerland and internationally. English is the primary instruction, with a German curriculum for all German levels (compulsory to G10, with option to G12) and French in the middle years (compulsory with option to G12).
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
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Student teacher ratio
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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.
Exam results
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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.
Higher education progression
Graduates go on to study at ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, the London School of Economics, and other leading universities worldwide, including institutions in Amsterdam, the USA, the UK and Australia.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
Grade Challenge Programmes develop research and critical-thinking skills; the Independent Project Qualification (IPQ) is available after Grade 11; the Duke of Edinburgh's Award is offered to students.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
—
Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Initial Enquiry form registers interest; admissions team will contact you promptly.
Admissions
ISZN has rolling admissions and flexible start dates that allow families to join year-round. 1. Enquire through our website, by phone, email, or in person. 2. Connect via a video call, a campus visit and a taster day to see our students and teachers in action and experience the school's ethos firsthand. 3. Apply by submitting your application through our website. 4. Join with quick, clear communication and a prompt response as we determine the best place for your child within our school community.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Bursaries and scholarships for sporting, performance or academic excellence are offered and can be discussed during your application.
Scholarships
IBEXEPTIONAL TALENT SCHOLARSHIP (Athletics) – Basketball. Financial assistance towards school fees, Nike performance kit, full access to facilities including the strength and conditioning centre, weekly conditioning sessions with the Head of Sport, and flexible timetabling to work around training. A commitment to communication between school and external coaches. Access to numerous competitions, including SGIS. How to apply: Students must meet the scholarship criteria; contact admissions@iszn.ch to receive the criteria. The application must include latest two school reports and an application letter and should be sent to admissions@iszn.ch until 12 April 2024.