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Literargymnasium Rämibühl

Switzerland, Zurich

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The school at a glance
Instructs in German, English, Italian
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 12 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 730
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum Swiss Curriculum, IB (DP)
Taught languages German, English, French, Latin, Italian, Spanish
Typical class size 24
Strengths Languages, Sport, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Literargymnasium Rämibühl is a public, state-funded grammar school in Zürich offering a six-year pathway to the Swiss Matura, with a bilingual Matura-IB option. Located at Rämistrasse 56, it serves students aged 12 to 18 and teaches under the Swiss curriculum alongside the International Baccalaureate Diploma (DP) from year five. In the first two years, students study German, French, English and Latin, then continue with German as the main language while adding a language (French or Italian) and two more languages from Greek, Latin, English, Italian or Spanish. The bilingual Swiss-Matura-IB track teaches Biology, Mathematics and History in English, while other subjects are in German or the chosen language. English instruction in core subjects begins in year 3 to prepare for DP. The Mediothek serves as the quiet workspace, with an Aula and a Mensa, and gymnasia and a sports field. Extracurriculars: Kultur am LG: Theater, Orchestra, Big Band and Choir.

Rämistrasse 56, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

The Essentials

Literargymnasium Rämibühl has 730 pupils, typical class sizes of 24, instruction in German, English, Italian.

Location
The Literargymnasium Rämibühl is located on Rämistrasse 56, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland. The campus on Rämistrasse hosts Literargymnasium Rämibühl together with Realgymnasium Rämibühl and Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliches Gymnasium Rämibühl in central Zurich.

Stages
Langgymnasium (long-cycle gymnasium) with profiles Neue Sprachen, Alte Sprachen, Philosophie/Psychologie/Pädagogik and International Baccalaureate.

Type
Public, state-funded grammar school.

Additional learning support
German as a second language (DAZ/DAF) courses are offered for non-native German speakers; additional language support is available.

Country affiliation
Switzerland.

School day structure
Weekly timetable comprises roughly 33–35 lessons, varying by class level; the school uses an IB timetable with around 34–35 lessons in key years and includes immersion weeks as part of the program.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
There is a canteen (Mensa) on campus and a break-time kiosk.

Governance and Ownership
The Literargymnasium Rämibühl is a public, state-funded grammar school in the Canton of Zürich.
Fees
Application fees
- Application to Literargymnasium Rämibühl: no separate school application fee beyond the standard registration/examination fees required by the Canton of Zürich for admission. The central entrance examination (Zentrale Aufnahmeprüfung, ZAP) requires a registration/exam fee that must be paid at the time of registration.

Tuition fees by year group (school years 1–6)
- For students with legal residence in the Canton of Zürich: no tuition (CHF 0) is charged for attendance at the cantonal Literargymnasium Rämibühl; regular instruction at the kantonal Matura (Swiss Maturität) level is state‑funded.
- For students without residence in the Canton of Zürich (out‑of‑canton or international residence): a Schulgeld (school fee) is charged; the amount and billing are determined under cantonal regulations and inter‑cantonal agreements and are invoiced and collected on a semester basis according to the Canton's billing rules.

Compulsory/state exam fees (per candidate)
- Swiss Maturitätsprüfungen: a non‑refundable registration fee of CHF 200 is payable; additional examination fees apply per the federal tariff (examples: unilingual full Matura CHF 570; bilingual full Matura CHF 650; individual component and repeat fees as specified in the federal regulation). These exam fees are payable to the competent federal authority or as instructed and must be paid before the examination.
- IB Diploma candidates (bilingual Matura / IB combined course): final IB examination fees are charged to parents; the school states the IB final‑examination costs currently amount to a maximum of CHF 900 per candidate.

Instrumental (fakultative) music instruction and related parental contributions
- The facultative individual instrumental or vocal instruction offered at the cantonal Mittelschulen carries a parental contribution. For cantonal Mittelschulen in the Canton of Zürich the standard parents' contribution for a half‑lesson (30 minutes) of facultative instrumental instruction is CHF 640 per semester. Instrumental instruction billing and parental‑contribution rules follow the Canton's schedule (semester billing).
- Late withdrawal or failure to cancel on time can result in the parent being charged for the following semester; parents' obligations are governed by the instrumental‑instruction regulations and school billing rules.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Schulgeld for out‑of‑canton students and parental contributions (for optional offers such as instrumental lessons) are generally invoiced on a semester basis; the Canton's processing and invoicing cycle bills such charges per semester and sends invoices to the responsible payer (parents or the home canton as appropriate).
- State exam fees (Matura) must be paid before the exam session to the authority indicated in the examination regulations; the IB final‑examination fee is charged to parents and collected according to the school's schedule for IB candidates. Non‑payment of required examination fees can prevent a candidate from being registered for the exam.

Boarding fees
- Boarding: not applicable. Literargymnasium Rämibühl is a city/ cantonal day grammar school; it does not operate boarding/boarding‑house services.

Other costs or fees (typical items to expect)
- School trips, project weeks, day‑ or multi‑day class trips and special event participation may carry separate charges or contributions; such activities (for example LG‑Tage and project days) are part of the programme and may require parental payments for travel, accommodation or special materials.
- Teaching materials, personal exercise books, specific course materials and optional course fees (for example for some practical courses, special art materials, or optional external preparation courses) are normally the responsibility of the pupil/parents unless explicitly covered by the Canton or a subsidy.
- Instrument hire, ensemble/ensemble contribution or special music‑related charges (where applicable) are additional to the parental contribution for lessons and may be invoiced separately.

Refunds and remission
- Federal Matura registration fees are non‑refundable once paid; candidates in modest financial circumstances can apply for full or partial remission of examination fees to the federal authority on the basis provided in the federal regulation. Examination fees for repeats must be paid again.
- For parental contributions to instrumental instruction, late cancellations and withdrawal rules can lead to charges (for example the parents' contribution for the following semester may be invoiced in the case of late withdrawal). Policies on refunds and cancellations follow the school/department rules for instrumental instruction.

Fee payment options
- State exam fees are payable to the authority specified in the examination instructions (payment details shown on the examination registration documents). IB final‑examination fees are collected according to the school's IB administration instructions. Schulgeld and parental contributions are billed by invoicing (semester invoices) and are settled according to the invoice instructions; invoices for cantonal charges are normally paid by bank transfer following the bank details on the invoice or as otherwise indicated on the billing document.

Summary (key figures)
- Tuition for canton‑resident students: CHF 0 per year (state‑funded).
- Out‑of‑canton Schulgeld: charged under cantonal tariff rules and invoiced per semester.
- Instrumental parental contribution (standard rate for cantonal Mittelschulen): CHF 640 per semester (30‑minute weekly lesson).
- Swiss Matura registration fee: CHF 200 (non‑refundable); example full exam tariffs: unilingual Matura CHF 570, bilingual Matura CHF 650 (federal regulation).
- IB final‑examination costs for IB candidates: currently up to CHF 900 payable by parents.

(These points reflect the school's status as a public, cantonal Matura school and the Canton of Zürich's standard arrangements for parental contributions, schulgeld and state/external examination fees for the 2025/26–2026/27 timeframe.)
Academics

Literargymnasium Rämibühl teaches Swiss Curriculum, IB (DP) for students aged 12 to 18.

Curriculum
The Literargymnasium Re4mibfhl offers a six-year programme culminating in the Swiss Matura. In the first two years, all students study German, French, English, and Latin alongside other subjects. In the final four years, German remains the main language, with French or Italian as a second language and two additional languages drawn from Greek, Latin, English, Italian, or Spanish. The bilingual Swiss-Matura-IB programme teaches Biology, Mathematics, and History in English while other subjects are taught in German or the chosen language; the DP begins in year 5 and leads to the Swiss Matura and the IB Diploma. English-taught instruction in Biology, Mathematics, and History begins in year 3 to prepare for the IB DP. Extracurricular language subjects are offered, including English, Italian, Spanish, and Latin, with additional courses such as DELF/DALF and DAZ/DAF for non-native speakers.

Higher Education Progression
The Matura credential is recognized by the Federal Government of Switzerland and entitles graduates to enroll at all Swiss state higher education institutions. Approximately 80-85% of students follow Swiss Matura courses, and about 15-20% pursue a bilingual Swiss-Matura-IB combined course. The bilingual Matura-IB programme leads to both the Swiss Matura and the IB Diploma.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
LG Days and LG Weeks interrupt the regular timetable six times per school year to host cross-classroom and cross-year projects that foster curiosity and collaborative learning. Klassengeist und Wohlbefinden is a workshop where everyday conflicts are addressed through theatre-based role-plays to practice conflict-resolution and social skills, with Wir & Jetzt providing the sessions alongside the class teacher. Since 2007, Literargymnasium Rämibühl has been UNESCO-associated, and UNESCO Tag activities promote peace, international understanding, human rights, access to knowledge, and sustainable development. The program includes modules on stress management and handling exam anxiety to support mental well-being. A PUK-Day educates students about alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis; the morning covers substances and the afternoon includes a talk by a psychiatrist with small-group discussions. A third-class module addresses online safety, cyberbullying, and sexual content online, with guided discussions on how to respond and where to obtain help.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
German as a second language (DAZ) and German as a foreign language (DAF) support learners with non-native German backgrounds. Two DAZ courses are organized as double-class formats and a one-to-one coaching period is available to strengthen writing skills. DAZ/DAF courses are free of charge and taught by teachers specially qualified to support language development. Additional language support includes DELF/DALF for French and Cambridge English courses; Heimatliche Sprache und Kultur courses are subsidised. Literargymnasium Rämibühl coordinates these courses with its partner Realgymnasium to ensure integrated language support.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
In the first two years all students are taught German, French, English and Latin alongside other subjects. In the final four years, students study German as the main language, choose French or Italian as a second language, and pick two from Greek, Latin, English, Italian and Spanish. In the bilingual Swiss-Matura-IB programme, German A: Lit HL; English A: LAL HL; and one of French A LAL HL/SL, Italian B HL/SL or Latin CL HL/SL are studied. In bilingual Matura-IB courses, Biology, Mathematics and History are taught in English up to the Matura, and English is the language for assessment in these subjects. Before choices, students and parents are comprehensively informed and can meet language teachers; students undertake language immersion experiences such as a year-three Oxford program and regional language trips. Extracurricular language offerings include English (IELTS) and DELF/DALF for French, as well as Cambridge courses; these courses are coordinated with the school's partner institutions.

Mental Wellbeing
LG Days and LG Weeks interrupt the timetable to support wellbeing and health-related learning through cross-class projects. Klassengeist und Wohlbefinden is a theatre-based workshop that builds conflict-resolution and social skills and promotes a positive class climate. The PUK-Tag educates students about substances like alcohol, nicotine and cannabis, with a psychiatrist-led morning and small-group conversations in the afternoon. The third-class module on online safety addresses violence, hate and sexual content on the net, including guidance on responses and where to obtain help. The program also includes stress-management modules to help students cope with exam stress and general pressure, contributing to mental wellbeing.

Safeguarding
The LG Weeks address safeguarding topics including cyberbullying and online safety; the Violence, Hate and Sex in Netz module discusses forms of online violence, hate speech and sexual harassment, with guidance on responses and access to help. The PUK-Day includes mental health education and discussions with professionals; external prevention organisations such as RSPS support the program, and the school fosters a safe, respectful climate through its broader UNESCO and well-being initiatives.
Parent Experience

History
The Literargymnasium Rämibühl traces its origins to the medieval school at the Grossmünsterstift Zürich, which became a Higher School during the Reformation. In 1833 the upper level became the university and the lower the Kantonsschule Zürich, a church-free school open to the city and countryside. The Kantonsschule split into two departments: the Industrieschule (which became the Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Gymnasium and Wirtschaftsgymnasium) and the Gymnasium, which initially required Latin and Greek, with Greek later replaced by English. After World War II, overcrowding led to the 1947 split into two schools; the Literargymnasium, the smaller, pursued the altsprachliche Typus A, while the Realgymnasium followed Typus B. In 1970-71 both schools moved to the Rämibühl site; MAR introduced altsprachlich and neusprachlich profiles, with three foreign languages and a bilingual IB / Matura option."

Community
The Literargymnasium Rämibühl offers a varied school life in a compact setting, with typically five parallel classes per year. It is centrally located on Rämistrasse in a park near Kunsthaus Zürich and the University, supporting a connected community. There are many artistic and athletic activities, including choirs, chamber music groups, orchestras, jazz formations, a theatre group, and diverse sports. All students study three foreign languages, with French plus two from English, Latin, Italian, Spanish and Ancient Greek, and the school provides preparation for the International Baccalaureate and a bilingual IB / Matura."
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Literargymnasium Rämibühl operates a Mediothek that is the quiet workspace and living room of the school, with reference works, fiction, non-fiction, comics, DVDs, games and magazines in print and digital formats. It offers workspaces with and without computers and a variety of seating for reading and study. The plan shows an Aula (auditorium) and a Mensa (cafeteria) on site. The Riesbach campus will provide bright classrooms, a generous environment, a Mensa and sports facilities including gymnasia as part of the relocation.

Sports Facilities
Sports facilities include gymnasia on the Riesbach campus. Plans for the Riesbach site show on-site sport facilities, including gymnasia. The current site plan also indicates a Sportplatz (sports field) on the Rämibühl campus, adjacent to the school buildings. On-site sport facilities support physical education and school events.

Academic Facilities
The Mediothek is the quiet workspace and living room of the school, with reference works, fiction, non-fiction, comics, DVDs, games and magazines in print and digital formats. It offers workspaces with and without computers for reading and study. The library catalog and digital resources are accessible online via an online catalog (OPAC) and E-Thek, with Digithek and Swissdox supporting research. The Mediothek is open daily as a study space, and borrowing is available with limits (up to 30 items; books for four weeks, DVDs and journals for one week).

Extra Curricular Facilities
Kultur am LG offers extensive extracurricular arts activities, including Theater AG, Orchestra, Big Band and Choir. The program has a long-standing tradition of student ensembles performing in and beyond the school, with large-scale projects and musicals such as Rämi Lane. Regular rehearsals and public performances are part of the ensembles, and participation welcomes students across year groups.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Literargymnasium Rämibühl offers a six-year program leading to the Swiss Matura. A bilingual Swiss‑Matura‑IB combined course is offered, yielding both the Swiss Matura and the IB Diploma. The working language is German for the Swiss Matura; in the bilingual Matura‑IB track, Biology, Mathematics and History are taught in English, while other subjects are taught in German or Italian. The school-leaving diploma is recognized by the Federal Government of Switzerland and entitles graduates to enroll at all state higher education institutions in Switzerland. Most students speak Swiss German or German as their mother tongue; about 80–85% follow the Swiss Matura pathway, and about 15–20% pursue the bilingual Matura‑IB route. The response language is German for Swiss Matura assessments; in the bilingual Matura‑IB courses the response language is English for all assessments (Biology, Mathematics and History).

Cultural & Language
The working language at LG is German; in the bilingual Matura‑IB track some information is available in German and English. The language of instruction in the Swiss Matura courses is German; in the bilingual Matura‑IB courses, English is used for Biology, Mathematics and History, with other subjects taught in German or Italian. The Canton provides Heimatliche Sprache und Kultur courses subsidised to support students' native languages and cultures. The Literargymnasium offers a dual-track pathway combining Swiss Matura with the IB Diploma for students who choose the bilingual route.

Social & Hobbies
Extracurricular activities support civic education and engagement with Swiss culture. Students visit local museums, attend theatre productions and participate in away-day excursions to explore different parts of Switzerland and local cultures.
Languages

Language Provision
Four languages are taught: German as the main language; French or Italian as the second language; and two of the following languages to be chosen: Classical Greek, Latin, English, Italian, Spanish. The bilingual Matura-IB programme teaches German A: Lit HL, English A: LAL HL, and one of French A LAL HL/SL, Italian B HL/SL, or Latin CL HL/SL. Extracurricular language subjects include English, Italian, Spanish, and Latin; there are also additional German courses for non-native German students (DAZ and DAF). French DELF/DALF courses and English enhancement options (special English for native/bilingual English speakers; Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency) are offered, with inclusion contingent on demand.

Bilingual Teaching
The Literargymnasium Rämibühl offers a bilingual Matura-IB programme in which core subjects are taught in two languages. German A: Lit HL and English A: LAL HL are part of the bilingual track. Students also choose one of French A LAL HL/SL, Italian B HL/SL, or Latin CL HL/SL. Prior to choosing, students and parents are comprehensively informed and can engage with language teachers during orientation events at school.

Immersion Programs
The school provides immersion elements within the bilingual Matura-IB programme. Students spend at least one week in a region that speaks the language they chose; exceptions include a Francophone region of Switzerland and a study trip to a German- or Austrian-city in year 5. Italian-track students spend a week in Italy, and Latin-track students travel to Italy to study ancient history. The weeks aim to immerse students in the language and culture of the region or country.
Admissions

Admissions
1. General Admission Policy for the Literargymnasium Rämibfchil. Admission to the Literargymnasium Re4mibfchil (a state school) is regulated by the Regierungsrat in the Reglement ffcr die Aufnahme in die Gymnasien mit Anschluss an die 6. Klasse der Primarschule (English: Regulations for admission to secondary schools following the 6th class of primary school, Appendix 1). To be admitted, students must pass a written admissions examination. Examination subjects are German and Mathematics. Students with disability-related difficulties have the right to request measures to compensate for their difficulties for the admission examination (Nachteilsausgleich). The school management decides on the use of special aids or the arrangement of special conditions so that the students performance can be appropriately assessed. Passing the entrance examination entitles the student to enter a probationary period of one semester. After the probationary period has expired, the class council decides on final admission in accordance with the regulations. Only students who have not reached the age of 15 before August 1st of the year of entry are admitted to the 1st grade. The corresponding higher age applies for admission to a higher school year. Students who want to enter a higher class or the 1st class after the start of the school year must provide evidence of their previous education. The head of school assesses the equivalence of previous education and decides on admission. Students may have to take an extraordinary entrance examination as ordered by the school management. The passed entry examination entitles the student to enter a probationary period of one semester. After the probationary period has expired, the class council decides on final admission in accordance with the regulations.

2. Admission Policy for the IB Diploma Programme. Admission to the bilingual class, which is also enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme at the Literargymnasium Re4mibfchil, is regulated by the Regierungsrat in the Reglement ffcr die Aufnahme in einen zweisprachigen Maturite4tsgang an den Gymnasien des Kantons Zfcrich (English: Regulations for admission to a bilingual Matura programme at the cantonal gymnasia, Appendix 2). Admittance to the bilingual class is open to all students who have successfully completed Grades 1 and 2 of the Literargymnasium or any other Swiss state Gymnasium. Students from Grade 2 of the school or those applying from another school will usually be expected to have a grade of at least 4.5 (6 being the best grade, 4 a pass) in German and Mathematics. There is no entitlement to be accepted into a bilingual baccalaureate course. The head of school and the IB coordination decide on admission: a) depending on the available places; b) based on the grade in German and Mathematics of the February report of the 2nd grade; c) based on interviews with teachers teaching the student at the time of the application; d) priority will be given to students from lower grades of the Literargymnasium. The school management can take special circumstances into account when making the admission decision.

3. Review process. This admission policy is evaluated on a regular basis and will be reviewed no later than 5 years from the date of publication or whenever the head of school and/or the IB diploma programme coordination deem it necessary. January 2025, IB coordination (AN, KH), Literargymnasium Re4mibfchil
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