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Switzerland, Lugano
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Mrs. M. Crist Fleming founded The American School in Switzerland as the first American boarding school in Europe. Her idea was to transplant the American independent school tradition into the culturally and historically rich garden of Europe. From its founding in 1956 TASIS expanded to include additional schools and summer programs in England, Greece, Cyprus, Italy, France, Spain, and Puerto Rico. The TASIS Foundation, a Swiss non-profit educational foundation, continues her work by perpetuating the values and ideals of TASIS. More than 25,000 students from dozens of nations have benefited from TASIS, and in 1983 Mrs. Fleming was honored by the US Secretary of Education for significant contributions to international education.
When you come to TASIS, you're not just enrolling in a school—you're joining a tight-knit community. Nine on-campus dormitories host about 260 boarding students each year, with residential life staff promoting accountability and independence. Graduates describe TASIS as a family-like community where students support one another and grow as peers, athletes, and friends. M. Crist Fleming's belief that education could bring people together under shared cultural respect founded TASIS as a microcosm of the world.
The TASIS Parent Association (TPA) is composed entirely of parents of current TASIS students. The TPA builds a strong school community by fostering inclusion and cooperation within the school, promoting open communication between parents, teachers, and school administrators, and connecting families through social events. Run by parent volunteers, the TPA works closely with the TASIS administrative team to coordinate key programs and events throughout the year. The TPA supports fundraising activities to enhance the school environment. The Parent Support Committee (PSC), established in 2010, strengthens communication between the TASIS Administration and parents and represents the wider community. PSC is organized into three committees representing Elementary, Middle, and High School, with coordinators listed for contact.
TASIS The American School in Switzerland is a private, co-educational American international day and boarding school for ages 3–18, located on the Collina d'Oro in Montagnola above Lugano. The school offers the American Diploma, Advanced Placement, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with English as the primary language of instruction and a comprehensive English as an Additional Language program. In Pre-K to Grade 8, students study in parallel English and Italian, and IB languages include English, Italian, German, and Russian, with support for other self-taught languages; bilingual instruction for Grades 1–9 aligns with Cantonal requirements. The campus blends 17th-century heritage with modern, eco-friendly buildings, including the Campo Science Center and multiple libraries; sustainability features include geothermal heating and hydroelectric power. Extracurriculars are extensive: Model UN, Robotics, Drama and Dance, along with Alpine trips and more than 20 sports. IB diploma candidates have posted 97%+ pass rates since 2016, about 50% earn bilingual diplomas, and TASIS supports service through the Opsahl Global Service Program.
