Obersee Bilingual School vs School of Tomorrow - Schloss Sihlberg ZH Enge
Obersee Bilingual School and School of Tomorrow - Schloss Sihlberg ZH Enge are both in Zug, about 24 km apart. Both schools offer Swiss, IB and Bespoke programmes, and Obersee Bilingual School also offers IMYC. Published annual fees are CHF 16,590 - 37,590 at Obersee Bilingual School and CHF 29,400 - 34,200 at School of Tomorrow - Schloss Sihlberg ZH Enge, which puts School of Tomorrow - Schloss Sihlberg ZH Enge roughly 17% higher. Obersee Bilingual School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and School of Tomorrow - Schloss Sihlberg ZH Enge from 4 to 18. Obersee Bilingual School is the larger school, with around 450 pupils to School of Tomorrow - Schloss Sihlberg ZH Enge's 103. Typical class sizes are 15 at Obersee Bilingual School and 17 at School of Tomorrow - Schloss Sihlberg ZH Enge.
Swiss Curriculum, IB (DP), IMYC (International Middle Years Curriculum), Bespoke Curriculum
Curriculum
IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
450
Pupils
103
Typical class size
Typical class size
15
Typical class size
17
Instruction language
Instruction language
German, English
Instruction language
German, English
Opened
Opened
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Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
Yes
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
OBS is located at Sihleggstrasse 9, 8832 Wollerau, Switzerland. It sits on the shores of Lake Zurich, about 20 to 30 minutes from Zurich. It is just a 2‑minute walk from a quiet forest and 10 minutes from downtown Pfäffikon, and is easily reachable from the A3 highway.
Location
School of Tomorrow operates across three campuses in Switzerland: Schloss Sihlberg ZH Enge at Sihlberg 10, 8002 Zurich; Augustinerhof - ZH City at Augustinerhof 1, 8001 Zurich; and Gerichtsplatz - Uster at Gerichtsplatz 2, 8610 Uster. The Enge and City campuses are in central Zurich, while the Uster campus serves the greater Zurich area. The school is located in the heart of Zurich and Uster.
OBS is a bilingual, international school serving German- and English-speaking students. The language of instruction alternates weekly between German and English from Kindergarten to Grade 6; from Grade 7 the same language is used for each subject for a full year (Mathematics is the exception, with language alternation by semester). From Year 10 onwards, subjects are taught in the language aligned with the chosen school-leaving qualification, with IB Diploma and Federal Matura offered.
School type
Bilingual private day school (German and English) in Zurich and Uster offering Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary/Gymnasium.
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
One third Swiss families, one third families with a Swiss parent, and one third families from 41 nations.
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
OBS+ Learning Support provides support across the curriculum.
Additional learning support
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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
Early care is available from 7:15 am; late care is available from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The timetable includes arrival at 8:15–8:30 am and dismissal at 3:55 pm; on Wednesdays dismissal is at 12:40 pm; a late bus is available at 5:10 pm (17:10) on Monday–Thursday.
School day structure
Full-day operation from 8:00 to 18:00. Kindergarten and Primary classrooms follow a four-day week Monday to Thursday, with Friday optional; from Secondary onwards, the last day of the week is Entrepreneur Friday.
Bus service details
Bus service details
In collaboration with Eberhard Travel, OBS provides a bus service with two routes: Pfäffikon – Altendorf – Lachen – Feusisberg – Wollerau and Thalwil – Horgen – Wädenswil – Wollerau. Timetable: Mon–Fri arrival 8:15–8:30; departure 15:55; Wednesdays 12:40; Mon–Thu late bus departure 17:10.
Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Application and Assessment Fees - Application fee (one-off, non-refundable): CHF 300 for Baby Care / Preschool; CHF 500 for Kindergarten, Primary, Middle and Upper School. - Placement assessment (required for new entrants from Grade 5; also available on request to existing students): CHF 1,190.
Registration and One‑off Payments - One-off registration cost for new entrants from Kindergarten: CHF 2,500, due on signing of the contract and invoicing.
Deposit / Security Payment - A deposit is required on contract signing. Deposit amounts by level: - Baby Care / Preschool: CHF 1,500.00. - Kindergarten: CHF 2,500.00. - Grades 1–6 (Primary): CHF 3,000.00. - Grades 7–9 (Middle): CHF 4,000.00. - Grades 10–13 (Upper): CHF 5,000.00. - Deposit refund: the deposit will be refunded if the child leaves after completing at least one academic year and all associated fees for that period have been paid; otherwise the right to a refund is forfeited. The deposit is separate from school fees.
Annual tuition and care fees (school year 2025/2026) — fees shown per school year, with a per-term breakdown given as equal third installments - Baby Care (days per week and annual fee): - Two full days (minimum): CHF 16,590 per year — Per term (1/3): CHF 5,530.00. - Additional full day: CHF 7,990 per year — Per term (1/3): CHF 2,663.33. - Five full days: CHF 37,590 per year — Per term (1/3): CHF 12,530.00. - Separately booked extra day: CHF 209 each — Per term (1/3): CHF 69.67. - (Annual fees for Baby Care include meals, snacks and nappies up to size 6.)
- Preschool (Pre‑K): - Two full days (minimum): CHF 15,590 per year — Per term (1/3): CHF 5,196.67. - Additional full day: CHF 7,190 per year — Per term (1/3): CHF 2,396.67. - Five full days: CHF 35,240 per year — Per term (1/3): CHF 11,746.67. - Half day (Wednesday and/or Friday morning): CHF 4,219 per year — Per term (1/3): CHF 1,406.33. - Separately booked extra half-day: CHF 109 — Per term (1/3): CHF 36.33. - Separately booked extra day: CHF 209 — Per term (1/3): CHF 69.67. - (Preschool annual fees include meals, snacks and nappies up to size 6.)
- Kindergarten (school and childcare fee per school year, including lunch and snacks): - 3½ days (minimum: 5 mornings, 2 afternoons): CHF 28,649 per year — Per term (1/3): CHF 9,549.67. - 4 days (5 mornings, 3 afternoons): CHF 29,890 per year — Per term (1/3): CHF 9,963.33. - 4½ days (5 mornings, 4 afternoons): CHF 31,229 per year — Per term (1/3): CHF 10,409.67. - Extra half-day booked separately: CHF 109 — Per term (1/3): CHF 36.33.
- Grades 1–6 (Primary): CHF 34,990 per school year — Per term (1/3): CHF 11,663.33. (Includes 4.5 days of lessons per week; meals and snacks included.)
- Grades 7–9 (Middle School): CHF 35,490 per school year — Per term (1/3): CHF 11,830.00. (Includes five days of teaching; learning community sessions and lunch/snacks included.)
- Grades 10–13 (Upper School — IB or Matura): CHF 35,990 per school year — Per term (1/3): CHF 11,996.67. (Includes five days of teaching; learning community to 17:00 on some days; lunch/snacks included.)
- Meal opt-out (from Grade 7 onwards): a reduction of CHF 810 per year if the student opts out of school meals; canteen meal price when taken: CHF 12 per meal.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Invoices (tuition and care) are issued via eBill or as a PDF by e‑mail and carry a payment term of 30 days. Overdue invoices trigger staged reminder fees: CHF 10 at 10 days overdue, CHF 30 at 20 days overdue, CHF 50 at 30 days overdue. - The fee regulations treat tuition as fixed annual costs; there is no entitlement to fee reduction for absences (illness, holidays, public holidays). - The fee schedule includes a sibling discount: 10% discount on school fees for the second child; when three or more children are enrolled, each child (including the first) receives a 10% discount.
Boarding - Boarding is not provided; OBS operates as a day school with services such as school meals, bus service, early and late care and holiday clubs.
Other chargeable items and typical additional costs - School camps, study trips, winter sports days, cultural weeks, external examinations (IB, Matura) and voluntary language/computer diplomas are charged separately; examples of camp/trip cost ranges (school year 2025/26): - Years 5–6 summer camp: approx. CHF 400–600 per stay. - Years 7–9 camps: approx. CHF 600–1,200 per stay. - Grade 10 camps: approx. CHF 900–1,500 per trip. - Grades 11–12 study trips abroad: approx. CHF 900–1,800 per trip. - These trip and camp charges are invoiced separately and based on actual costs. - Early care (07:15–08:15), late care (16:00–18:30) and Wednesday afternoon supervision have supplementary fees when applicable (examples from the fee schedule: booked quarterly in advance CHF 10–CHF 61 depending on service; last-minute booking higher). Charges for late pickup after 18:30 are specifically set (e.g., CHF 60 for first 15 minutes, CHF 80 for each subsequent 15-minute interval). Holiday-care daily rate (from Preschool) example: CHF 150 per day. - The school bus is provided by an external operator; bus stops and prices vary by route and are charged separately.
Refunds and non‑refundable items - Application fee: non-refundable. - Deposit: refundable only after the child has completed at least one academic year and all associated fees for that period have been paid; otherwise it may be forfeited. - Registration fee for new entrants from Kindergarten (CHF 2,500) is payable on signing; the fee regulations set out that certain one-off payments are due on contract signature. - Excursion, travel and external-provider costs (flights, train tickets, accommodation) are generally non-refundable by the provider and may still be charged if the child does not participate, except where a medical certificate for illness is provided in time, as detailed in the fee regulations.
Fee payment options - Invoices are issued via eBill or as a PDF by e-mail; the fee regulations specify the invoicing channel and payment term (30 days) but do not list a specific set of payment instruments (e.g., credit card, direct debit) in the published fee regulations. Families receive an invoice and arrange payment according to the invoice instructions (eBill in Switzerland is commonly settled via electronic banking).
If you need the figures presented in a different currency or split on a different instalment basis, the annual amounts provided above can be converted or divided accordingly.
Fee details
Admission & registration fees
- Application fee: CHF 500 (one-off, non‑refundable). - Registration / deposit: CHF 3,000 (one-off). This deposit is reimbursed with the last installment before leaving; not reimbursed for attendance shorter than 24 months. - Material contribution: CHF 1,000 (one-time per 3‑year cycle; not applicable to kindergarten and invoiced when transferring from kindergarten to primary; non‑refundable). For secondary school, the material contribution is CHF 750 per year. - Total charged on registration: CHF 3,500 per child for Kindergarten (application + deposit) and CHF 4,500 per child for Primary (application + deposit + material). - Trial day: If a trial day is offered, the CHF 500 application fee is charged before the trial day; it will be credited to a definitive registration within 30 days of the trial day and otherwise forfeited. If the school cancels the offered place after a trial day, the amount will be refunded in full.
Tuition fees by year group (per year, per trimester and monthly equivalent)
- Kindergarten (4 full days): CHF 29,400 per year — CHF 9,800 per trimester — corresponds to CHF 2,450 per month. - Primary school (4 full days): CHF 30,600 per year — CHF 10,200 per trimester — corresponds to CHF 2,550 per month. - Secondary / Gymnasium (5 full days): CHF 34,200 per year — CHF 11,400 per trimester — corresponds to CHF 2,850 per month. - Friday Club (Kindergarten & Primary) — Friday 08:00–17:00: CHF 5,400 per year — CHF 1,800 per trimester — corresponds to CHF 450 per month. - Discount for full annual pre‑payment: CHF 1,000 reduction if full annual tuition is paid in advance. - Sibling discounts: 1st sibling receives 5% discount; 2nd sibling receives 10% discount.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition billing cadence: Tuition is invoiced and paid per trimester, in 3 equal installments due on July 1, November 1 and March 1. - Pro rata entry: It is possible to join at any time during the school year (subject to availability); tuition for late entry is calculated on a pro rata basis according to the date of entry. - Fees listed are approximate and the final amounts will appear on the invoice; school fees may be increased annually.
Boarding fees
- Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a local day school with full‑day care. No boarding fees apply.
Other costs and additional charges
- Multi‑day excursions, camps and trips abroad are charged separately and billed in addition to tuition. - Public transport: Children aged 6 and over at the Sihlberg and Augustinerhof locations must have an annual season ticket for Zurich public transport zone 110 — this is an additional cost to families. - Costs not included in tuition that may be charged separately include specific multi‑day trip costs and any optional services beyond the standard inclusions (books/consumables, most local day trips and excursions are included).
Refunds and withdrawal‑related rules
- Deposit refund: The registration deposit (CHF 3,000) is reimbursed with the last installment before leaving, provided attendance was at least 24 months; no refund for attendance shorter than 24 months. - Application fee and material contribution are treated as non‑refundable as stated; trial‑day-related application fee handling is described under Trial day above.
Subsidised / institution‑sponsored places
- For subsidised or institution‑sponsored places, an additional tuition supplement applies: CHF 3,600 per term (equivalent to CHF 900 per month additional).
Fee payment options and invoicing
- Payment processing: Payments are handled via the school's invoicing/application payment system and a payment service provider is used for processing payment transactions. The invoice and the school's applicant/account portal indicate the accepted payment methods and the payment instructions to follow.
What the tuition covers (for clarity on inclusions)
- Included in the tuition: personalized curriculum and mentoring; all‑day care (hours vary by level); daily lunch and snacks for kindergarten and primary; books, documents and consumables; access to computers and devices; most local day trips and excursions; and regular parent events. Items explicitly excluded or charged separately are multi‑day trips, mandatory public transport season tickets where required, and any optional external services.
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 uses a bilingual curriculum in English and German. From Kindergarten to Grade 6, the entire curriculum is delivered in English and German, with the language of instruction switching weekly. From Grade 7, subjects are taught in the same language for a full academic year per subject, with Mathematics taught in the other language each semester to reinforce skills. From Year 10 onward, the language of instruction is determined by the chosen school-leaving qualification. The curriculum also includes Future Skills to develop contemporary and future-oriented competencies.
Curriculum details
The British curriculum informs the English language instruction. German–English bilingual education is provided. The timetable is aligned with LP21 (Lehrplan 21) and Mathematics, languages (German, English, French), Social Studies and Natural Sciences form the core of the programme. Teaching includes project work, a personalized curriculum and mentoring. The learning method is goal-oriented and structured, yet individual and flexible.
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Approximately 7.2 students per teacher (456 students / 63 teachers).
Student teacher ratio
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Exam results
Exam results
IB Diploma Program with 48 students; 6 successful Matura graduates; 3 successful IB Diploma years.
Exam results
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Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Upper School prepares students for success in the IB Diploma or Federal Matura. The IB Diploma Program is offered with 48 students; the school has produced Matura graduates (6) and completed 3 IB Diploma years.
Higher education progression
The school prepares students for both Swiss and international educational pathways from its Zurich campus.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
From Year 7, students may apply to become Advanced Learners. Advanced learners receive coaching and have monthly meetings with a learning coach to review progress; they can choose where they learn and which inputs they attend. Competencies for advanced learners include strong organisation, time management, focus and self-reflection, objective setting, healthy screen time, conflict-resolution skills, and self-awareness.
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
Step 1: Get in Touch and Visit OBS. Visit the campus to see classrooms, meet teachers, and get a feel for the learning environment. Open days are offered to help families understand whether OBS is the right fit.
Step 2: Complete the application form. To begin, complete the online School registration form. The application fee is non-refundable and does not guarantee admission. Fees are CHF 300 for Baby Care / Pre-kindergarten and CHF 500 for Kindergarten / Primary School / Middle School / Upper School.
Step 3: Submit the relevant documents. For Early Years there is no requirement to submit documentation prior to enrollment. For Primary, Middle and Upper School, provide the most recent report card or end-of-year report; if there are diagnosed conditions or if the child receives additional learning support or therapy, provide further information including recent diagnostic reports and the student's IEP if applicable. OBS reserves the right to offer a conditional place pending receipt of all required documents. If capacity is reached, your child can be placed on the waiting list.
Step 4: Assessments, Trial Days and Feedback. Primary candidates undergo an internal assessment in language proficiency and mathematics. Admission to Middle and Upper School requires a comprehensive evaluation, including language skills, potential analysis, and a personality assessment by a psychologist. Each candidate attends two trial days, with one day in a German-language classroom and the other in an English-language setting. Afterward, there is a consultative meeting with the relevant Department Head; for middle and upper school, the evaluating psychologist discusses the results.
Step 5: Offer of a place. If the application is approved, the Admissions Team extends an offer of enrollment contingent on space availability. A Confirmation of Acceptance will be sent to you via email after we receive the full registration fee, which is non-refundable. If capacity is reached, your child will be added to our waiting list and you will be notified once a space becomes available. Admission approvals depend on the provision of all requested documentation and the payment of the application fee.
Admissions
1. Questionnaire: Complete the family questionnaire, sent by e-mail, to finalize the request. 2. School visit & Getting to know each other: Kindergarten: On-site meeting between the child, parents, and educator during visiting hours. Primary: A short on-site introduction between the child, parents, and educators during a trial day; after the initial settling-in, the parents leave. Secondary & Gymnasium: Trial Day on-site for the child. The day begins with an introduction between the child, the parents, and the educators. After this, the parents leave. For children applying from outside Switzerland who are unable to attend in person, a video call can be arranged instead. If an additional Trial Day is required, the registration fee of CHF 500 will be charged. 3. Admission: Admission: Decision by family and SOT on admission. 4. Contract: The contract will be sent digitally and the first invoice will follow after signing. Once the registration fee and the first installment of school fees have been paid, your child is definitively enrolled. 5. Welcome: The start of your personal learning journey at School of Tomorrow. 6. NB.: The contract must be signed within 10 days, after which the place will be released.
Scholarships
Scholarships
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Scholarships
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Waitlist
Waitlist
If capacity is reached, a waiting list is used. Families are notified when a space becomes available.
Waitlist
Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. When full, a waiting list is used.