International School of Zug and Luzern - Zug Campus vs Tandem International Multilingual School
International School of Zug and Luzern - Zug Campus and Tandem International Multilingual School are both in Zug, about 16 km apart. Both schools offer IB programmes, and Tandem International Multilingual School also offers Bespoke, British and Swiss. Published annual fees are CHF 16,800 - 36,700 at International School of Zug and Luzern - Zug Campus and CHF 25,320 - 33,600 at Tandem International Multilingual School, which puts Tandem International Multilingual School roughly 10% higher. International School of Zug and Luzern - Zug Campus takes pupils from 3 to 14, and Tandem International Multilingual School from 0.5 to 18. International School of Zug and Luzern - Zug Campus is the larger school, with around 800 pupils to Tandem International Multilingual School's 350. Typical class sizes are 18 at International School of Zug and Luzern - Zug Campus and 22 at Tandem International Multilingual School.
IB (PYP), Bespoke Curriculum, British Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
800
Pupils
350
Typical class size
Typical class size
18
Typical class size
22
Instruction language
Instruction language
English
Instruction language
German, English, French
Opened
Opened
1961
Opened
2004
Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
Yes
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Two ISZL campuses are located in Central Switzerland: Baar (Zug Campus) and Hünenberg (Riverside Campus). The Zug Campus address is Walterswil 1, 6340 Baar, Switzerland. The Riverside Campus address is Rothusstrasse 4B, 6331 Hünenberg, Switzerland. The campuses are about 33 km from Zürich Airport.
Location
Zurich region, Switzerland, with campuses in Erlenbach, Küsnacht, Zollikon and Zürich (Seefeldstrasse 111, CH-8008).
Stages
Stages
Primary School (ages 3–11) follows the IB Primary Years Programme; Middle School (ages 11–14) follows the IB Middle Years Programme; High School (ages 14–18) offers the IB Diploma Programme or the ISZL High School Diploma.
Stages
Early Years & Pre-School; Kindergarten; Primary School; Gymnasium (upper secondary leading to the Swiss Matura).
School type
School type
The school is a private, non-profit international day school.
School type
Day school.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
60 nationalities represented.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Support for Additional Learning Needs is tailored to the individual and provided in-class, in small groups, or one-on-one.
Additional learning support
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Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Switzerland
Country affiliation
Switzerland and United Kingdom (Zurich canton curriculum Lehrplan 21; UK National Curriculum).
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
Non-denominational
Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
School hours are Primary and Middle School 08:50–15:30 and High School 08:40–16:00, Monday–Friday. A daily hot lunch is available at an additional cost, and the Eagles after-school care runs 15:30–18:00 for Early Years–Grade 8.
School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
Transportation includes a school bus for the Zug Campus; parents may drive or students can use public transport; High School students primarily use public transport.
Bus service details
Bus transfer from Erlenbach to Zurich connecting campuses with pick-up locations along the lake; 07:50 pickups in Erlenbach, Küsnacht and Zollikon; 08:20 pickup in Zürich Seefeld.
Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application / registration fee
- A non‑refundable registration fee is required to confirm each student's place. Starting amounts are: CHF 2,000 for entry in Early Years 1; CHF 3,000 for entry in Early Years 2; and CHF 5,000 for entry in Kindergarten or any grade above. The registration fee is one‑time and is not credited toward tuition.
Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term)
- Early Years 1 (mornings only): Annual CHF 16,650 — Per term CHF 5,550.00. - Early Years 1 (full time): Annual CHF 26,050 — Per term CHF 8,683.33. - Early Years 2 (mornings only): Annual CHF 16,850 — Per term CHF 5,616.67. - Early Years 2 (full time): Annual CHF 27,800 — Per term CHF 9,266.67. - Kindergarten: Annual CHF 32,700 — Per term CHF 10,900.00. - Grades 1–5 (Primary): Annual CHF 32,900 — Per term CHF 10,966.67. - Grades 6–8 (Middle School): Annual CHF 36,300 — Per term CHF 12,100.00. - Grades 9–10 (High School): Annual CHF 38,700 — Per term CHF 12,900.00. - Grades 11–12 (High School senior years): Annual CHF 39,200 — Per term CHF 13,066.67.
(Per‑term figures are the annual tuition divided by three terms and shown to two decimal places.)
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Enrolment is for the full school year. All invoices are sent electronically and tuition invoices are payable within thirty (30) days of the invoice date or before the start of the next payment period. Any bank fees charged when transferring funds must be paid by the sender. Interest on overdue amounts is charged at 12% per year. Payment options for private payers may be arranged in 2, 3, 4 or 8 instalments; an administration fee of CHF 200 per child per year applies to any instalment plan. Instalment due dates are specified in the school's financial regulations (examples: for 3 instalments — payments due around July 31, November 30 and February 28; for 4 instalments — July 31, September 30, November 30 and February 28; for 2 instalments — July 31 and January 31). Employer payments (registration or tuition paid directly by an employer) can be indicated on the fees/payment information.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not offered; ISZL operates as a non‑profit co‑educational day school (no boarding fees apply).
Other costs and typical additional fees
- Lunch programme: charged separately. - School bus / transport service: charged separately. - Music Academy lessons and other optional co‑curricular lessons: charged separately. - Multilingual Academy / extra language classes: charged separately. - External exam and course fees for Grades 11–12 (AP/IB/College Board exam fees) and college application‑related expenses: charged to families as applicable. - Optional trips, tournaments and some extracurricular trips: charged separately as applicable. - Parents' Association annual membership fee: CHF 40 per child, added to the invoice. - Uniform: there is no formal compulsory uniform; a dress code applies and optional branded sports/PE items are available for purchase. Any costs for optional branded items are additional.
Refunds and withdrawal charges (summary of main rules)
- The registration fee is non‑refundable. - New students who cancel a confirmed enrolment before classes start will be charged a percentage of the relevant tuition if cancellation is within the notice window (examples given in the school's enrolment and finance policies: a 25% charge applies for new‑student cancellations unless notice is received at least four calendar months before the start date). Re‑enrolment and late withdrawal rules include a 25% late withdrawal charge if a student is withdrawn after re‑enrolment. - Force majeure, school closure for reasons beyond the school's control, and student disciplinary suspension/expulsion do not entitle families to a refund of tuition or other fees. - Unpaid invoices may be pursued externally and related collection costs may be charged to the family.
Fee payment methods and practical notes
- Invoices are issued electronically. Payment instructions require the payer to cover any bank transfer charges. Payment is arranged via the Business Office; instalment plans must be pre‑arranged each year. Employer direct payment of registration and/or tuition is accommodated where indicated. The school's published materials specify bank transfer and invoicing as the standard mechanisms; families should follow the invoice payment instructions. Overdue fees incur interest (12% p.a.) and missed or late payments may trigger collection action.
Summary statement
- Annual tuition at ISZL varies by age and grade from CHF 16,650 (Early Years 1 mornings) up to CHF 39,200 (Grades 11–12) with standard billing aligned to the school's three‑term academic year. Registration fees, instalment administration fees, and a set of optional additional charges (meals, transport, extracurricular lessons, exam fees, trips, parents' association fee) are applied in addition to tuition. The school is a day school and does not charge boarding fees. Refunds are limited: the registration fee is non‑refundable and withdrawal/cancellation charges apply per the school's enrolment and financial regulations; force majeure and disciplinary exclusions to refunds apply.
Fee details
Application & one-off (first-time) fees - Assessment (application) fee: CHF 300. - Registration / enrolment fee (one-off, charged after contractual offer): CHF 550. - Capital fund (one-off, charged at first enrolment for Gymnasium pupils): Progymnasium CHF 3'000; Kurzgymnasium CHF 2'000.
Tuition fees — Early Years, Pre‑School (day care hours shown) - Early Years (0–3 years) — tuition per month (09:00–16:00): 2 days CHF 1'268; 3 days CHF 1'902; 4 days CHF 2'536; 5 days CHF 3'170. - Pre‑School (3–4 years) — tuition per month (09:00–16:00): 3 days CHF 1'902; 4 days CHF 2'536; 5 days CHF 3'170.
Tuition fees — Kindergarten (4–6 years) - Annual tuition (08:50–15:40): 3.5 days CHF 25'320; 4 days CHF 27'960. - Optional French Fridays programme (includes lunch and day care): CHF 7'524 per year.
Tuition fees — Primary School (6–12 years) - Annual tuition (08:30–15:55): 4.5 days CHF 28'380; 5 days CHF 30'360. (With 4.5 days, Wednesday morning ends at 12:30 and excludes lunch; 5 days includes Wednesday afternoon French in Zurich.)
Optional / additional fees and typical extras - Kurzgymnasium afternoon preparation course (Aug–Mar) for Grade 8: CHF 2'500 (optional). - Additional language support (German/English/French), charged per semester: CHF 1'000 (optional). - DELF / Cambridge exam preparation, project weeks, external internships, multi‑day trips and other externally billed activities: charged individually when they occur. - Schoolbooks: personal schoolbooks are charged individually; routine school materials (except personal books) are included in the tuition. - After‑school clubs and extra‑curricular sessions: fees vary by activity, duration and provider; these are charged separately. - Holiday‑care / Holiday‑camp options: separate booking is possible; typical daily holiday‑care fee (separate booking) is CHF 160 per day per child (includes breakfast, snacks, lunch and materials). Holiday camp weeks have published per‑week fees and specific cancellation deadlines; cancelled bookings after the deadline are subject to full charge. Registration fees for some extra‑curricular camps may be non‑refundable. - School bus service is available (day‑time transfer between campuses and local pick‑up points); bus usage is an additional service with separate charges.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Annual tuition is calculated on a yearly basis and is presented as a single annual amount. For billing simplicity the annual fee is divided into 12 equal monthly amounts. These monthly amounts are invoiced on a quarterly basis (three months per invoice). Invoices for each quarter are due before the start of that quarter. Optional charges are invoiced separately (arrears invoice). One‑off fees for new pupils are due before the start and are non‑refundable.
Refund, cancellation and discount rules - One‑off fees charged at first enrolment (assessment, enrolment fee, capital fund) are non‑refundable. - Holiday camp cancellations: if a booking is cancelled after the stated deadline, the full camp fee is due; no refunds are given for missed sessions or illness in normal circumstances. If a camp is cancelled by the school for government‑mandated reasons, fees will not be charged. Registration fees for extra‑curricular activities may be non‑refundable. - Sibling discount: while multiple children from the same private‑paying family attend the school, each child receives a 5% reduction on the tuition (optional fees excluded). The enrolment fee for a second child is reduced by 50%. These discounts apply only when fees are paid by a private individual (not a company).
Boarding - Tandem IMS is a day school; boarding is not offered.
Fee payment options and invoicing - Tuition and additional charges are issued by invoice (quarterly for the 12‑month split; optional fees billed separately). Payment instructions and the required payment details are provided on each invoice. Optional fees and one‑off fees are due as stated on their respective invoices.
Important notes about optional charges and variability - The published figures above cover the core tuition and commonly referenced optional items. Project weeks, residential trips, specialised exam fees, some extra‑curricular providers and certain consumables are charged on an individual basis when they occur. After‑school club and holiday camp fees vary by programme and are set per offering. Capital fund and one‑time enrolment charges apply at first enrolment for relevant programmes.
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
ISZL follows the International Baccalaureate framework across the Primary, Middle, and High School. Primary School uses the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). Middle School uses the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP). High School offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or the ISZL High School Diploma, with pathways that include Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the BTEC Diploma in Creative Media. The school operates on two campuses: Zug (Zug Campus for Primary and Middle) and Riverside (High School), with English as the main language of instruction and dedicated EAL support and German offered as an additional language.
Curriculum details
The core curriculum is Zurich Lehrplan 21 and the UK National Curriculum, with additional elements from the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. Translanguaging and enquiry-based learning are integral parts of the Tandem IMS curriculum. It is designed to prepare pupils for the Swiss Gymnasium or other upper-level schools. It follows a twelve-month span with monthly and weekly planning to tailor activities to each class and language development. It aligns Swiss and international curricula and supports multilingual education across languages.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
1:7
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
ISZL high school students in Grades 11 and 12 earn a range of internationally recognised qualifications, including Advanced Placement exams, BTEC Diplomas in Creative Media, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Our students consistently achieve results well above global averages.
Exam results
Gymnasium pass rate: 100%. DELF Prim pass rate: 100%.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
ISZL provides university advising with personalised guidance on course selection and curriculum pathways, psychometric testing, information about external assessments, and guidance on university applications (including UK UCAS, Netherlands Studielink, and the USA Common Application). Formal university preparation begins in Grade 10, with Grade 11 offering biweekly university seminars and Grade 12 focused on applications; students can submit up to ten university applications worldwide.
Higher education progression
Prepares pupils for the Swiss Matura and direct access to Swiss universities. Progymi, Kurzgymi, and Matura are offered in bilingual and monolingual tracks. Starting in 2026/27, a 10th Grade Gymnasium Preparation bridge year supports ZAP/TAP readiness and pathways toward Gymnasium and related design/engineering tracks.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
Enrichment programmes include the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, Youth Forum Switzerland, after‑school clubs, competitive sports, and service learning, which support leadership, creativity, and global citizenship as part of ISZL's enrichment offering.
Gifted and talented
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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
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
Special educational needs (SEN)
—
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
1. Submitting Your Application: Applications are accepted throughout the year, depending on availability; there is no application fee, but a registration fee is required once a place is offered. For Primary School (Ages 3–11), complete the online application and upload the passport, school reports, and a teacher evaluation. For Middle and High School (Ages 11–18), submit the online form, passport, transcripts, and two teacher evaluations, including one from a current maths teacher. An English language assessment may be required for mid-year entry from Grade 7.
2. Application Review and Language Assessment: After submission, the Admissions Committee reviews the application and aims to provide an outcome within 10 working days; if support services are required, the process may take longer. If admitted but there is no space, the child may be placed on a waiting list. If entering mid-year (Grade 7+), an English language assessment may be required.
3. Offer and Registration: If admission is granted, a formal offer and a non-refundable registration fee are issued. After payment, the place is confirmed. The offer outlines the next steps and the start date.
4. Preparation and Portal Access: Before your child begins classes, you will receive access to the Parent Portal with resources and the ability to sign up for school services. The portal helps you prepare for the first day at ISZL. Access is provided prior to the start date.
5. The Zug Campus (Early Years–Grade 8) is Walterswil 1, 6340 Baar. The Riverside Campus (Grade 9–12) is Rothusstrasse 4B, 6331 Hünenberg.
Admissions
Prospective families are invited to learn about the school's philosophy and curriculum; to enquire about space, fill out the Enquiry Form. International applicants will receive information and support from office staff to assist with a smooth transition for the entire family. The Admissions section also provides access to Tuition and Fees and School Holidays.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
If admission is granted but there is no space, the child may be placed on a waiting list.