International Schools in Zurich

Ages 3-18 · IB · Baar / Hünenberg · ~1,180 students

ISZL is the IB school of choice for families based in Zug or central Switzerland, and it consistently produces results well above the world average. Apply as early as possible - waiting lists are real and places at both campuses fill up quickly, particularly in the middle school years.

Ages 2-18 · IB · Zumikon · ~800 students

ICS is the right choice if you want full IB continuity from age 2 through to the Diploma, and a campus community that has had six decades to bed in. The Zumikon location suits families based on the east side of the lake; verify the commute if you're in the city or west.

Ages 3-18 · IB, American · Waedenswil & Adliswil · ~1,300 students

ZIS is Zurich's most prominent international school for a reason - strong IB results, a genuinely welcoming community, and purpose-built facilities on two lakeside campuses. The main trade-off is that it stretches over two locations, so confirm which campus your child will primarily use before committing.

Ages 1-18 · IB, Swiss, Bilingual · Wollerau · 456 students

OBS is the standout choice for families who want authentic 50:50 German-English bilingual education with a choice between IB Diploma and Swiss Matura at the end - both uncommon in one school. The Wollerau campus is beautiful but genuinely remote without a car or the school bus; factor the commute in before deciding.

Ages 6-19 · IB, British, Swiss · Zugerberg / Zug · ~380 students

Montana is the right school if you want genuine curriculum flexibility - IB Diploma, IGCSE, Swiss Matura, or a bilingual Swiss-German pathway - combined with a mountain campus and an optional boarding option. It's a smaller, more personal school than ISZL or ZIS; strong if your child thrives in a tight-knit community, less so if breadth of sixth-form subjects is the priority.

Ages 3 months-18 · British · Wallisellen · ~400 students

ISZN is the standout choice for families who want the British curriculum - IGCSE and A-Levels - in Zurich, and the Wallisellen location makes it the most accessible school on public transport. Small class sizes and a genuinely personal feel; ask about sixth-form subject availability for your child's specific interests.

Ages 13-18 · British · Central Zurich · ~300 students

Hull's is the right school if your teenager needs British IGCSEs and A-Levels in Zurich and class sizes of 16 or fewer are non-negotiable. It's a secondary-only school with no feeder primary, so plan the transition in - but once in, the alumni network and university placement record are strong.

Ages 12-18 · British · Oerlikon · 100+ students

Academia is worth a look for families arriving with teenagers who need British IGCSE or A-Levels quickly and don't want to wait for a place at Hull's or ISZN. It's a young school with a genuinely personal atmosphere - small enough that your child won't be a face in a crowd.

Ages 3-12 · Bilingual, Swiss · Kusnacht · ~150 students

Terra Nova suits families settling in Kusnacht or the east shore villages who want a small, family-oriented bilingual primary where staff know every child by name. It's not the right fit for families who need a portable curriculum or a school that goes beyond age 12.

Ages 3-12 · Swiss, Bilingual · Kusnacht · ~120 students

Lakeside Kusnacht is the right choice for families with young children (ages 3-12) settling on the east side of Lake Zurich who want genuine bilingual education from day one. It's a small, community-minded school - not an IB school, not a British school - so it's a good fit if you expect a longer stay in Switzerland and want your child to integrate into the local system.

Ages 4-12 · Bilingual, Swiss · Wollishofen · ~220 students

SIS Wollishofen is a solid choice for families with young children settling south of the Zurich city centre who want genuine bilingual education within the Swiss cantonal framework. It's a primary-only school, so plan your secondary transition from day one.

Ages 3-18 · French, Bilingual · Dübendorf · ~1,130 students

LFiZ is the obvious choice if French is your family language or your child needs continuity with the French curriculum, and the fees are among the most accessible in Zurich's private school market. If you're neither French-national nor invested in the French system, the bilingual BFI track is genuinely interesting but worth weighing against IB alternatives.