Zurich International School - Primary Campus

Steinacherstrasse 140, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland. The school is in the Greater Zurich area and accessible by road and public transport. It operates across two age-appropriate campuses: Primary Campus (Early Childhood and Lower School) and Secondary Campus (Middle and Upper School).

Lower School (ages 3-11); Middle School (ages 11-14); Upper School (ages 14-18).

Inclusive non-profit day school; bilingual and international education; co-educational.

Over 400 students from over 50 nations.

English language learner support; academic and behavioural support; social and emotional support; Individualised Learning Support (ILP); speech and language support in English; counseling.

Switzerland

School Day: Before school care from 07:00; morning supervision from 08:00-08:20; classes run from 08:30 to 15:20 (Wednesday 14:20); after-school activities until 16:20 (15:20 on Wednesdays); after-school care until 18:00; hot meals available in the cafeteria.

School bus service covering parts of Greater Zurich and Zug areas.

ZIS is an inclusive, non-profit day school in the Greater Zurich area that delivers comprehensive bilingual and international educational programs for local and foreign national students aged 3 to 18. The Upper School provides a flexible, rigorous English-language curriculum with pathways to the IB Diploma Programme and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, including a Grade 11-12 pathway to a ZIS Diploma with AP courses, and a separate IB Diploma pathway. The ZIS Diploma with Honors is awarded to a student who completes the ZIS diploma requirements, including three AP or IB Higher Level courses in at least two subject areas, maintains a 3.0 GPA across the final four semesters, and has no final-year grade lower than C. Course credits total 23 and must cover English, World Languages, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, Creative Arts, Physical Education and Health, plus Electives; IB Diploma candidates must also satisfy IB requirements. External examinations may be taken for AP or IB courses, with exam fees varying by type and number. Availability of courses depends on student interest, staffing and scheduling.

IB Diploma Results: The IB Diploma Programme is scored 0-45. IB Diploma Score Distribution: 40–45 points: ZIS 21% | World 9%; 35–39 points: ZIS 36% | World 21%; 30–34 points: ZIS 29% | World 28%; 25–29 points: ZIS 13% | World 28%. IB Diploma Highlights: 40% of students earned a bilingual IB Diploma. 92 students were IB Diploma candidates. 98% of candidates successfully passed the IB Diploma. The average IB Diploma score was 35 points. IB Results by Subject: Studies in Language and Literature (ZIS 5.47 vs World 4.90), Language Acquisition (ZIS 5.79 vs World 5.20), Individuals and Societies (ZIS 5.67 vs World 4.80), Experimental Sciences (ZIS 5.31 vs World 4.50), Mathematics (ZIS 5.59 vs World 4.40), Arts (ZIS 5.00 vs World 4.30).

98% of ZIS graduates go on to attend university in Switzerland or internationally.

Honors Diploma is awarded to students who complete the ZIS high school diploma requirements, including three AP or IB Higher Level courses in at least two subject areas, maintain a 3.0 GPA across the final four semesters, and have no final-year grade lower than a C.

ZIS operates a multi-level support model that centers on social and emotional development and student agency. Level One Instruction ensures all learners are supported by teachers who reflect on best practices and collaborate with English as an Additional Language teachers, Learning Support staff, counselors, and Instructional Coaches. Level Two Instruction provides short- to medium-term interventions to enhance academic skills or guide social and emotional development, with families involved in planning. Level Three Instruction offers longer-term services for language acquisition and academic support for students with diagnoses or limited English proficiency. Counseling supports students with academic, social and emotional issues and helps them develop well-being, happiness and learning.

ZIS provides a range of Student Support Services including English as an Additional Language (EAL), Counseling, Learning Support, and Individualized Learning Provisions. Students with a diagnosed learning, attention, mental health disorder, or physical/medical disability are eligible for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), with a case manager coordinating accommodations and services. Bespoke Learning Support Programming offers a deeply personalized experience designed around each learner's strengths and needs, with guidance from a multidisciplinary team. External assessments and services such as neuropsychological, developmental and educational evaluations, Occupational Therapy, and Social and Emotional Support are available at additional cost.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is offered to support students from diverse nationalities and languages. Proficiency in English is crucial to maximize learning, and new applicants to the Middle and Upper Schools may be asked to complete a placement assessment to gauge language level. In the Lower School, EAL teachers collaborate with classroom teachers to create a support plan for beginner and intermediate language learners. In the secondary level, separate EAL classes are available if required, which can replace or supplement mainstream English classes.

Counseling services support students with academic, social and emotional issues and help them develop the skills they need to optimize well-being, happiness and learning. The school uses a multi-level approach to support social-emotional growth, with additional interventions when needed. Staff include EAL teachers, Learning Support teachers, counselors and instructional coaches who collaborate with families to support student well-being.

ZIS Saf safeguarding and Child Protection Policy endorses the Convention on the Rights of the Child and commits to safeguarding and protecting children and to preventing abuse in any form. The policy defines safeguarding and child protection and applies to all employees, including teaching and non-teaching staff, support staff, peripatetic personnel, volunteers and any adults working at the School, including when education takes place off-site. The policy and Code of Conduct outline safeguarding responsibilities and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of students across all settings.

STEP 1: Complete the Online Application Form. To start the application, fill in the online application form, enter your payment details, and send it to ZIS. You will need to create an account; if you have already submitted an Inquiry Form, please use the same login. Our application fee is CHF 500 per child (plus credit card fees). This fee is non-refundable and does not guarantee admission.
STEP 2: Submit Your Documents. All Applicants: a general teacher recommendation form and a copy of the photo page of your child's passport. Lower or Middle School Applicants: the most recent report card or end-of-year report; Preschool and Kindergarten: send if available; an English teacher recommendation form if in Grades 6–8. Upper School Applicants: the most recent report cards from the last two years; an English teacher recommendation form; a Mathematics teacher recommendation form. All documents must be in English or accompanied by an English translation. If the child has a diagnosis or requires additional learning support, provide additional information including recent diagnostic reports and the student's IEP; reports should be in English and within the last three years. The school reserves the right to offer a conditional place pending receipt of all required documents.
STEP 3: Review. After documents are received, the Academic Review Team will evaluate the application. If the child has a diagnosed learning difference or receives learning support, processing may take longer. The school aims to respond within ten working days. A face-to-face meeting is not usually required, but the Principal may meet in person or via phone in some cases. If files are approved: the Enrollment Team will contact you to offer a place if available; you will receive a Confirmation of Acceptance upon payment of the full, non-refundable infrastructure contribution fee. If no places are available, the child will be placed in the “waiting pool” and you will be contacted as soon as a space opens up. The school may require subject-related tests after acceptance to ensure placement at the right level. Applications are only approved if all requested documentation is provided and the application fee is paid. You can contact the Enrollment Team for guidance at any time.

If no places are available, the child will be placed in the 'waiting pool' and you will be contacted as soon as a space opens up.