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Zurich International School
Zurich International School logo
Address
Steinacherstrasse 140, CH-8820 Wädenswil Switzerland
Information
Type	Non-profit day school
Motto	Learn, Care, Challenge, Lead
Established	1963
Director	Elsa Hernández-Donohue
Age	3 years to 18 years
Enrollment	1300
Education system	IB Diploma Programme, IB World School, College Board Advanced Placement Courses, Swiss Lehrplan 21
Campus	Wädenswil (Early Childhood & Lower School), Adliswil (Middle & Upper School)
Athletics	See text
Mascot	Lion
Accreditation	Council of International Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Affiliation	Swiss Group of International Schools, Council of International Schools, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, European Council of International Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Website	www.zis.ch

Zurich International School (ZIS) is an independent non-profit day school in Switzerland for students aged 3 to 18 in the greater Zurich area. Over 1,300 students from more than 50 countries are enroled in the school. The school has two campuses: a Primary campus in Wädenswil for Early Childhood and Lower School students aged 3 to 11 and a Secondary Campus in Adliswil for Middle School students aged 11 to 14 and Upper School students aged 14 to 18.

As of 2011, it is the largest international school in the Zurich area.

History

American International School of Zurich

The American International School of Zurich (AISZ) was founded in 1963 in a Swiss villa (built in 1914) in Kilchberg. The building was renovated and expanded in 1993/4. In 2008, this became the ZIS Middle School for students aged 11 to 14.

International Primary School of Zurich

The English Language Kindergarten (ELK), later renamed the International Primary School of Zurich (IPSZ), opened in 1970 in Horgen and in 1979 moved to the current Early Childhood Center. This villa, which was built in 1906 on the shore of Lake Zurich in Kilchberg, was attended by children aged three to four until June 2019.

Merger and post-merger

The Pre-School to Grade 12 Zurich International School was formed in 2001 through the merger of the American International School of Zurich and the International Primary School of Zurich.

The purpose-built Lower School opened in Wädenswil in 2002 and was attended by students aged four to 11 until June 2019. In July 2019, the Early Childhood Center was moved to the Lower School and now children from the age of three to 11 attend the campus.

In 2008, a new Upper School opened in Adliswil and is attended by students aged 14 to 18.

A fifth campus, ZIS Baden, opened in 2008 in the downtown. Initially, this was for children aged three to 11, but in 2010, it expanded to include a Middle School for students aged 11 to 14. This campus closed in July 2015 due to low enrolment.

In August 2022, a new Middle School connected to the upper school in Adliswil opened to form the Secondary Campus.

Accreditation

By Swiss authorities

ZIS's Kindergarten and primary education programs (Lower School) are approved by the bureau for elementary school (Volksschulamt), administration for education (Bildungsdirektion), canton of Zurich.

In August 2021, ZIS launched a bilingual program based on the curriculum of the Canton of Zurich Lehrplan 21 and approved by it. It is for students aged 3 – 10 and will grow over the coming years up to Grade 9.

ZIS's lower secondary education (Middle school) is approved as Sekundarstufe by the bureau for elementary school (Volksschulamt), administration for education (Bildungsdirektion), canton of Zurich.

However, ZIS's upper secondary education (Upper School) is not approved as a Mittelschule by the bureau for gymnasial and vocational education (Mittelschul- und Berufsbildungsamt), administration of education (Bildungsdirektion ), canton of Zurich, or by the Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

By American and international authorities

ZIS is an International Baccalaureate (IB Organization World School). ZIS is accredited by both the Council of International Schools and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The school offers both the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Advanced Placement courses.

Swiss Universities recognise the International Baccalaureate Diploma for Admission to Swiss Universities, which make entry to Swiss Universities possible for ZIS students. Many Swiss Universities also accept an upper secondary school-leaving certificate and Advanced Placement Tests for admission to Swiss Universities, however AP subjects and the number of AP examinations vary by university.

Language program

The main instruction language is English. Students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9 are required to learn German, unless they are in the English as an Additional Language (EAL) program. Students can choose to learn either French or Spanish from Grade 6 (age 11) onward.

A large number of students at ZIS arrive knowing little or no English. The EAL program includes small group lessons to help them improve their language skills, it is available in the lower school, middle school and upper school curriculum.

Sports

All students from Pre-School to Grade 10 (aged three to 16) take physical education as part of their educational program. At the Early Childhood Center, PE is combined with other activities. ZIS uses its facilities as well as local sport centers..

Arts

All students from Pre-School to Grade 6 have compulsory music lessons. Students in Grade 3 learn the recorder, while students in Grades 4 and 5 can learn another instrument. In Middle School, there are choirs/band/orchestra. Students of all ages can take private music lessons on school premises with selected music teachers. There are choirs at the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools and regular concerts and recitals through the year for students of all ages. In Middle and Upper Schools, students can take drama as a class and can also participate in the twice-yearly productions, such as ‘Grease’ and ‘Les Miserables’. At Upper School, students can direct and perform plays and shows as part of their studies. Art is part of the curriculum at the Early Childhood Center and Lower School, and an option for Middle and Upper School students. Notably, ZIS offers the opportunity for students to audition for the AMIS program, which hosts annual festivals for band, orchestra, jazz band and choir at different international schools in the country.

References

1. "International schools see demand soar" (Archived 2016-12-21 at the Wayback Machine). The Local. September 2, 2011. Retrieved on April 16, 2016.
2. "The new campus - ZIS | Zurich International School, Switzerland". Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
3. "Zurich International School announce new state-of-the-art Middle School". International School Parent. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
4. "Curriculum - Zurich International School | ZIS | Zürich, Switzerland". ZIS | Zurich International School | Zürich, Switzerland. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
5. ^ "Volksschulamt | Kanton Zürich". Kanton Zürich. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
6. ^ "Bildungsdirektion | Kanton Zürich". Kanton Zürich. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
7. ^ "Informationen für Privateschulen | Kanton Zürich" (PDF). Kanton Zürich (official site) (in German). Zurich, Switzerland: Kanton Zürich, Bildungsdirektion, Volksschulamt. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
8. "Unterricht". Kanton Zürich. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
9. ^ "Curriculum - Zurich International School | ZIS | Zürich, Switzerland". ZIS | Zurich International School | Zürich, Switzerland. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
10. ^ "Curriculum - Zurich International School | ZIS | Zürich, Switzerland". ZIS | Zurich International School | Zürich, Switzerland. 6 January 2025.
11. "Maturität - Maturité - Maturità" (official site) (in German, French, and Italian). Berne, Switzerland: Swiss Federal State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, SERI. 1 March 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-04-07. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
12. "The Zurich International School". Washington DC, USA: International Baccalaureate Organization. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
13. "International Baccalaureate Organisation - Zurich International School". Retrieved 18 October 2024.
14. "Council of International Schools". Council of International Schools. 6 January 2025. Archived from the original on 5 August 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
15. "Zurich International School | NEASC New England Association of International Schools and Colleges". NEASC - New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Burlington, MA, USA: Commission on International Education (CIE), New England Association of Schools and Colleges. 6 January 2025. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
16. "International Baccalaureate - swiss universities". Swiss Universitites. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
17. "Admission requirements by country". Swiss Universities. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
18. "German Program - Zurich International School". ZIS | Zurich International School | Zürich, Switzerland. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
19. "Student Support". ZIS | Zurich International School | Zürich, Switzerland. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
20. "Sports - Zurich International School". ZIS | Zurich International School | Zürich, Switzerland. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2005.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
21. "The Arts - Zurich International School". ZIS | Zurich International School | Zürich, Switzerland. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

External links

• Swiss Group of International Schools
• IB World Schools
• Council of International Schools
• Educational Collaborative for International Schools ecis.org
• Zurich International School zis.ch
• College Board
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges
• Swiss Universities
• AMIS Association for Music in International Schools
• Kanton Zürich Bildungsdirektion

v t e Zurich
Districts	Altstadt (1) 2 Wiedikon (3) Aussersihl (4) Industriequartier (5) 6 7 Riesbach (8) 9 10 11 Schwamendingen (12) Quarters see Quarters of Zurich
Transport	Airport Central Station all railway stations Dolderbahn Funicular Rigiblick Lake Zurich Navigation Company Polybahn S-Bahn template Tram Glattalbahn Limattalbahn Trolleybus U-Bahn Zurich model
Education	ETH University University of the Arts Kantonsschule Rämibühl Kantonsschule Stadelhofen Kantonsschule Zürich Nord Liceo Vermigli Schools for foreign students near Zurich Lycée français Marie Curie de Zurich Japanese School in Zurich Zurich International School
Streets/ Squares	Augustinergasse Bahnhofstrasse Bellevueplatz Bürkliplatz Central Escher-Wyss-Platz Helvetiaplatz Langstrasse Limmatquai Lindenhof Münsterhof Neumarkt Paradeplatz Rennweg Sechseläutenplatz Stauffacher Weinplatz Wühre
Bridges	Bahnhofbrücke Hardbrücke Münsterbrücke Quaibrücke Rathausbrücke
Tunnels	Gubrist Hirschengraben Käferberg Letten Milchbuck Schöneich Weinberg Wipkingen Zimmerberg I Zürichberg
Buildings	Europaallee FIFA headquarters Grimmenturm Hallenstadion Hardau Towers Hardturm Stadium Hiltl Restaurant Letzigrund Stadium Prime Tower Rathaus Seminarienhaus Sihlcity Sunrise Tower Swissmill Tower Swissôtel Technopark Triemli Hospital University Hospital Waisenhaus Urania Sternwarte Zentralbibliothek Guild houses Haue Meisen Rüden Saffran Zimmerleuten Hotel Baur au Lac Dolder Grand Storchen Religious Alte Kirche Höngg Augustinerkirche Augustinerkloster Fraumünster Grossmünster Liebfrauenkirche Mahmood Mosque St. Peterskirche Predigerkirche Synagoge Löwenstrasse Helmhaus/Wasserkirche
Museums	Ethnographic Museum FIFA Museum Foundation E. G. Bührle Kunsthalle Kunsthaus Migros Museum of Contemporary Art Money Museum Museum of Design North American Native Museum Pavillon Le Corbusier Rietberg Swiss National Museum Tram Museum Beyer Watch and Clock Museum Zoo
Entertainment/ Events	Art Zurich Bernhard Theater Cabaret Voltaire Dynamo Hechtplatz Theater Knabenschiessen New Year's Marathon Opera Neumarkt Theater Rigiblick Theater Rote Fabrik Schauspielhaus Sechseläuten Street Parade Tonhalle Weltklasse Zürich Zürcher Theater Spektakel Zurich Film Festival
Parks	see Parks in Zurich
Water bodies	Katzensee Lake Zurich template Limmat Schanzengraben Sihl
See also: History of Zurich, Mayors of Zurich, People of Zurich, Restaurants in Zurich, Timeline of Zurich, Zurich Metropolitan Area

47°14′12″N 8°38′04″E / 47.236679°N 8.634468°E / 47.236679; 8.634468

• Upper secondary schools in the Canton of Zürich
• International Baccalaureate schools in Switzerland
• American international schools in Switzerland
• Private schools in Switzerland
• Educational institutions established in 1963
• 1963 establishments in Switzerland
• Education in Zurich
• International schools in Switzerland