International School of Ticino

Via Ponteggia 23, 6814 Cadempino, Switzerland. Located in the Ticino canton near Lugano. Accessible by local transport and road links.

Ages 3-18/19; IB continuum from Early Years to High School, including the Career-related Programme (CP).

Private international day school; IB World School (IB continuum); part of the Inspired group of schools.

30 different nationalities represented.

Inclusion Policy and Inclusion Program in place. Referral procedures identify students with additional learning needs and develop an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Inclusive assessment arrangements can be made where appropriate. Reviews of ILPs and progress occur regularly, including a six‑week review cycle; support may involve external agencies as required.

Switzerland

IS Ticino is an IB Continuum school offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP). The language of instruction is English, with an Italian Programme that provides a bilingual structure for Grades 2–10 to meet Ticino Canton requirements. The Early Years curriculum uses a trans-disciplinary inquiry approach inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and provides full immersion in an English language context. The Primary Years Programme focuses on inquiry-based learning through PYP themes, while the Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme follow IB frameworks across eight subject areas and core components. The school aligns with IB standards and is part of Inspired Education Group.

Small class sizes due to a small student population.

Career and higher education counselling is provided by university counsellors to advise on tertiary education pathways. University destinations include the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States, Switzerland, and elsewhere, with more than 50% of graduates going to UK universities.

IST places the student at the centre of learning with a strong focus on social and emotional development within the IB framework and school pastoral care. The school has a dedicated Head of Pastoral who leads welfare and pastoral support across the school. The IB Learner Profile emphasises balance, caring and open-mindedness as core dispositions for students. The Behaviour Policy promotes respectful interactions, positive behaviour management and a no-bullying culture. The Inclusion Program is led by an Inclusion Coordinator and provides social-emotional support through referrals and Individual Learning Plans, with collaboration with families and external agencies when needed.

IST runs an Inclusion Program with an Inclusion Coordinator to identify students with additional needs and develop Individual Learning Plans. The school provides inclusive assessment arrangements across the IB programmes and can involve external agencies as required. Referral procedures support identifying and addressing needs, with case-by-case planning for learners across the Primary, Middle and Diploma stages.

The Primary Years Programme and Early Years Programme are taught in English. Early Years is described as a full immersion in an English language context, with literacy developed in English. EAL support is provided as part of the school's inclusion framework, available under EAL / Additional Inclusion Support.

Pastoral care is a visible priority, with a Head of Pastoral overseeing welfare and support for students. The IB framework promotes balanced, caring and other wellbeing-focused attributes as part of student development. During online learning, the school emphasises looking after the wellbeing of the entire school community and provides guidance to support students' wellbeing in a digital environment.

The school operates a Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy with a designated senior person for child protection (DSP), Mr. Graeme Wallbank, and clear welfare procedures. Staff are expected to follow safeguarding protocols, including reporting concerns and liaising with the DSP and Principal. The policy includes procedures for recording welfare concerns and coordinating with families and external agencies when necessary.

IS Ticino accepts applications via an online form. After submission the admissions team will contact families to discuss the application process. IS Ticino admits international children arriving or leaving in the middle of the academic year. For Early Years and Elementary, IS Ticino provides an international education with English as the main language of instruction and operates a non-discriminatory admission policy. IS Ticino will accept children with no previous experience of speaking English. Although not all families are fluent in English, all communication with the school is primarily in English, and at least one parent should be able to speak English, communicate with staff in English, discuss English-language activities with the child, and read teacher notes and converse with teachers in English. Admission is by the Principal when it is evident the student can benefit from the programme and the school has sufficient staffing and programme capacity; placement for a different grade requires the Principal's recommendation. Priority for entry is given to families with siblings already enrolled and to international families whose children are fluent in English; all other applications are processed in strict chronological order and in compliance with the Admissions Procedure. Submit an application via the contact form (Apply Now). The language of instruction is English and applicants are assessed for English proficiency before a decision is made, including language assessments for PYP and DP where appropriate. Enrollment requires documents such as student and parent passports, Swiss permit if non-Swiss, birth certificate, vaccination record and Swiss health insurance.

Nsouli Scholars Programme: The Nsouli Scholars Programme provides full scholarships to 50 extraordinary students at any one time to attend Inspired schools on a full scholarship for the duration of their education. The endowment honours Nadim Nsouli, and several scholarships are awarded to individuals of Lebanese origin.

Waiting lists: If a class is fully subscribed, successful applicants are invited to place their name on a waiting list. Priority is given to siblings of current IST students, children of ex-IST students, applicants from the international community, and applicants who are proficient in English or transferring from English-medium schools.