Lakeside School - Horgen vs Terra Nova Bilingual School
Lakeside School - Horgen and Terra Nova Bilingual School are both in Zug, about 6 km apart. Both schools offer Swiss programmes, and Terra Nova Bilingual School also offers Cambridge (Primary). Published annual fees are close, at CHF 24,600 - 27,720 for Lakeside School - Horgen and CHF 22,110 - 29,040 for Terra Nova Bilingual School. Both take pupils from 3 to 12.
Lakeside School Horgen is located in the center of Horgen at Alte Landstrasse 33-35, CH-8810 Horgen. Getting to school is easy by public transport: a 2-minute walk from Horgen train station, a 10-minute walk from Horgen Oberdorf train station, and a 10-minute walk from the Meilen-Horgen ferry.
Location
Terra Nova Bilingual School is located at Florastrasse 19, 8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
Stages
Stages
Early Years (Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten); Primary School (Grade 1 to 6); Bilingual Matura (upper school through Swiss Matura).
Stages
Pre-Kindergarten; Kindergarten; Primary school
School type
School type
Day School on one campus.
School type
Bilingual school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
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Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
Student support rooms for individual language and learning support in small groups.
Additional learning support
Individual and differentiated instruction to cater to all learners.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
Switzerland
Country affiliation
Switzerland
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
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Bus service details
Bus service details
School Bus (Küsnacht) with door-to-door and shuttle services
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application & entrance fees - Registration (application) fee: CHF 500 (non‑refundable). - Deposit (payable on signing the contract): CHF 2,000 for the first child, CHF 1,000 for the second child, CHF 500 for each additional child. The deposit is held against outstanding amounts and is refunded on exit according to the school's deposit policy.
Tuition fees (monthly and annual) — Pre‑Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Primary (Grade 1–6) - Pre‑Kindergarten (full programme — Wednesdays half day): CHF 2,050 per month / CHF 26,400 per year. - Pre‑Kindergarten (5 mornings per week): CHF 1,310 per month / CHF 15,720 per year. - Pre‑Kindergarten additional morning (per morning): CHF 260 per month / CHF 3,120 per year. - Pre‑Kindergarten additional afternoon (per afternoon): CHF 210 per month / CHF 2,520 per year. - Kindergarten (full programme — Wednesday afternoon free): CHF 2,310 per month / CHF 27,720 per year. - Kindergarten option with an additional free afternoon (Tue or Thu) or other half‑day patterns: examples listed at CHF 2,150 per month (CHF 25,800 per year) and CHF 2,200 per month (CHF 26,400 per year) depending on the chosen pattern. - Primary School (Grades 1–6): CHF 2,310 per month / CHF 27,720 per year. Sibling discount: 5% on tuition for the second child and 10% for each subsequent child.
Day Care, After‑school and optional services (examples) - Day Care (examples of monthly / yearly pricing and time slots): - Morning care (typical early slot): CHF 245 per month / CHF 2,940 per year (example option). - Afternoon Day Care (5 days per week, shorter slot): CHF 490 per month / CHF 5,880 per year (example option). - Full after‑school extended care (5 days to 18:30): CHF 735 per month / CHF 8,820 per year (example option). - Single morning/afternoon session and Wednesday‑afternoon rates are available at specific per‑session prices. - Spontaneous/occasional Day Care: charged hourly (example CHF 20 per hour for spontaneous bookings) and invoiced separately.
Hot lunch and school bus - Hot lunch (monthly examples): CHF 200 per month (4 days/week, excl. Wed) or CHF 250 per month (5 days/week, incl. Wed); annual equivalents CHF 2,400 / CHF 3,000 respectively. - School bus (where available and charged): typical example CHF 300 per month / CHF 3,600 per year (train‑station shuttle integrated in tuition at some locations; paid bus routes noted as an additional cost).
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition and recurring charges are stated as monthly amounts and are payable in advance at the beginning of each month. The school issues invoices and applies its stated monthly billing schedule. Prices are subject to change per the school's published fee schedule.
Boarding - Boarding is not offered at this campus; the school operates as a day school with Day Care and after‑school options.
Other costs and charges - School fund (one‑off or standing contribution): CHF 1,000 (listed as Schulfond on early years pages). - Extra‑curricular / leisure courses and certain activities (e.g., external providers for After‑School Clubs, holiday care, class trips) are charged separately when applicable. - Occasional charges for spontaneous Day Care or special services are invoiced separately (example: CHF 20 per hour for spontaneous Day Care bookings).
Refund and cancellation rules (fees) - The registration (application) fee of CHF 500 is non‑refundable. - The deposit is retained as security against outstanding amounts and is refunded on exit subject to the school's deposit policy and any minimum attendance period conditions specified in the contract. Specific deposit refund conditions (timing and forfeiture in case of late cancellation) are set out in the school's admissions/contract terms.
Fee payment options - Invoices and the school's fee portal are used to manage billing and payments; recurring tuition is invoiced monthly in advance. Payment instructions (IBAN/QR reference or e‑billing and the parent fee portal) are provided on the school's invoicing/parent portal. Parents may follow the school's invoice instructions when making payments.
If you need specific monthly versus annual amounts for any single program option or confirmation for a particular academic year, use the published fee schedule entries above for the current programme options and fee levels.
Fee details
Application fees
- Registration (one-time): CHF 500.
Tuition fees by programme and billing option
School fees are shown below as annual, per-semester, per-quarter and a 12-month instalment amount (the 12-month instalment price includes an administrative surcharge of 3%). All amounts are in Swiss francs (CHF). School fees are invoiced in advance; if a student enters during the school year, fees are charged pro rata. All teaching materials, supervision from 08:00 until lessons start and over lunch are included in the school fees; costs for after-school care, holiday camps, exam preparation, excursions and school camps are charged separately. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday lunches are included; Wednesday lunch is available at additional cost.
- Primary (Grades 1 to 6): - Annual: CHF 29,040 - Per semester: CHF 14,520 - Per quarter: CHF 7,260 - 12 monthly instalments: CHF 2,495.
Additional regular charges and discounts
- Refundable deposit (due on contract): CHF 2,500. The deposit is refundable after the student leaves the school provided notice of termination was submitted within the prescribed notice period (not during the probationary period) and all tuition fees and additional charges have been settled in full; otherwise the deposit may be forfeited.
- School bus (between Meilen and Tiefenbrunnen) — cost per semester for an individual trip: CHF 210. Departure times and locations are communicated before the semester begins.
- Sibling discount: 10% discount on the youngest child's school fees for self‑funding families with more than one child enrolled at the same time.
- Items charged separately (not included in tuition): after‑school care or courses, holiday camps, exam preparation, excursions, school camps, certain lunches (Wednesday), excursions/trips and certificates. Teaching materials are included in the tuition.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- School fees are invoiced in advance. Options shown in the price list include annual payment, per‑semester payment, per‑quarter payment and payment by 12 monthly instalments (the monthly instalment option includes an administrative surcharge of 3%). The time allowed for payment is 30 days unless otherwise specified on an invoice.
- The registration fee and deposit are due within five days after conclusion of the school contract when stated in the price list. Changes to payment arrangements (for example changing from semester payment to monthly payment) are only possible at the beginning of a new semester and must be notified at least six weeks before the semester begins.
- Consequences of late or non‑payment: the school may exclude a student from the programme if instalments are not paid by the agreed deadlines; continued non‑payment after reminders may result in contract withdrawal and the school charging an administrative fee and a cancellation fee of three months' school fees. Interest on outstanding amounts is charged at an annual rate of 3% and collection costs are chargeable to the payer.
Refund and cancellation terms
- If an entire course of study is cancelled by the school, fees already paid shall be refunded; reimbursement of further costs is excluded. Refund or forfeiture of the deposit depends on timely and correct notice of termination and full settlement of fees and charges. If a student does not attend despite a signed contract, an administrative fee and a cancellation fee of three months' school fees may be charged. There is a probationary period during which either party may withdraw; specific financial consequences for withdrawal are set out in the school contract and general terms. Missed lessons do not entitle the payer to a reimbursement of fees.
Boarding
- No boarding fees are listed. The school operates as a day school; boarding is not offered.
Fee payment options (invoicing and instalments)
- The published fee documents show that fees may be paid as a single advance payment or by instalments (monthly instalment option shown with a 3% administrative surcharge). The published general terms set standard payment deadlines (30 days) and allow payment in advance or by instalments subject to administrative fees. Specific payment methods (for example bank transfer, credit card, third‑party payment platforms) are not listed in the public price list or general terms; the invoice or school contract provides the applicable payment instructions and options for each payer.
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
Lakeside School Horgen offers a bilingual curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten through Primary School and into the bilingual Swiss Matura path in partnership with Freies Gymnasium Zürich. In Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, each class has English-speaking and German-speaking teachers, exposing children to both languages. In Primary School, instruction is delivered in English and German, with one native English-speaking and one native German-speaking teacher sharing responsibilities; there is an English week when all subjects are taught in English and a German week when they are taught in German; specialist subjects are taught in either language. The program follows Lehrplan 21, the Swiss national curriculum, and is enriched by international curricula. The bilingual Matura path offers continued study at the bilingual Gymnasium or ProGymnasium through the FGZ partnership, with an almost exam-free admission to the bilingual Gymnasium via Vorbereitungsklasse 6 (V6) after Grade 6, subject to passing the V6 entrance exam. Many Lakeside School students complete the Swiss Matura to gain access to world-class universities in Switzerland and abroad.
Curriculum details
Terra Nova Bilingual School provides a bilingual German–English program based on the Swiss curriculum from pre-kindergarten through Year 6, with English instruction based on the Cambridge International Curriculum. Primary (Year 1–6) instruction in language, mathematics, science and social studies is delivered in parallel in German and English by native speakers, with French introduced from Year 5. Pre-Kindergarten is bilingual from age 3, with a 1:6 supervision ratio and a focus on bilingual vocabulary and early numeracy. Kindergarten is a two-year bilingual program for children from age 4, with instruction split 50/50 between High German and English by native speakers, emphasizing early literacy, numeracy and social development. After Year 6, Terra Nova is part of Academia and offers higher-education pathways through Academia International School Basel, Winterthur and Zurich: a Pre-IGCSE program for Years 7–8 in bilingual format, followed by IGCSE and International A Levels to prepare for university studies in Switzerland and abroad. English instruction is based on the Cambridge curriculum, and the program is designed to support students in developing strong language and learning skills.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes.
Student teacher ratio
Small classes; supervision ratio 1:6 in Pre-Kindergarten.
Exam results
Exam results
Across its Swiss Matura pathway, Lakeside School Horgen reports that about 60% of students enter a Gymnasium after Grade 6, with many going to bilingual Freies Gymnasium Zürich or monolingual public Gymnasien; Perspectiva Nova provides on-campus exam preparation, contributing to strong higher-education progression.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Many Lakeside School students complete the Swiss Matura to gain access to world-class universities in Switzerland and abroad. The school bases its program on Lehrplan 21, the Swiss national curriculum, and integrates international curricula to support academic pathways. The FGZ partnership and V6 entrance exam structure facilitate transitions to Gymnasium-level education, and Perspectiva Nova provides on-campus exam preparation for Gymnasium entrances.
Higher education progression
Academia International School Basel, Winterthur and Zurich prepares Year 7 students for IGCSE and International A Levels. A Pre-IGCSE program (Years 7–8) is offered in bilingual format, followed by IGCSE and A Levels to support university studies in Switzerland and abroad.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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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
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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
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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. Registration is completed online for Lakeside School Horgen. You initiate the process via the Lakeside School registration portal. The Horgen campus address is Alte Landstrasse 33-35, CH-8810 Horgen.
2. Fees and the admissions procedure are described on the Fees & Registration page. This page provides information on tuition fees and the admissions procedure. Reviewing this page is recommended as part of planning your child's enrollment.
3. You can contact the Horgen campus by email or phone for admissions inquiries. The Escola app provides the primary channel for school communications with parents, and direct emails are available to teachers, management, and the office. Parent conferences are held once a year at the start of the school year.
Admissions
1. Visit and guided tour. We welcome you and your family for a visit and a guided tour of Terra Nova Bilingual School. If it meets your expectations, your child is welcome to spend a week getting to know us, our teaching staff, the other students and our daily routine. This initial contact helps families understand life at the school. Language of instruction is High German and English. 2. Initial consultation. An initial consultation is conducted to get to know the student and the family, and to discuss the student's needs, interests and background. This meeting helps assess fit for Terra Nova. 3. Trial week (Grades 1+). For students applying to Grades 1 or higher, a few non-binding trial days are arranged to get to know Terra Nova. The trial period lets both sides assess fit before enrollment. 4. Progress reports. We request the last two progress reports from the current or previous school to inform the admissions consideration. These reports help us understand the student's prior progress and needs. 5. Decision. The principal, together with feedback from teachers, the family and the child, decides whether Terra Nova is the right choice for the student. The decision reflects a holistic view of the student's readiness and fit with Terra Nova. 6. Next steps. Arrange an appointment with us to discuss enrollment. Fees and the price list are available for review, and contact us to arrange an initial consultation meeting.
