1 best boarding schools in Lugano 2026 - 3 yo

Types of schools in Lugano:

• State: receive material support from the country's leadership, so they can educate children and adolescents free of charge at the primary and secondary school levels.
• Private: receive financial support from external investors, so they can choose their own curriculum, and not strictly adhere to the Swiss system. Private schools work only on a paid basis, and their main emphasis in the selection of students is foreign children and teenagers. 

The program of Swiss schools usually includes the following disciplines:

• foreign languages,
• mathematics
• Science
• art
• physical education
• Social Studies.

Instruction in Lugano's public schools is often conducted in Italian (a cantonal feature), but many institutions offer bilingual programs and instruction in other languages, making them an attractive option for non-Italian-speaking foreigners.

Boarding schools in Lugano offer a combination of academic learning with an active social life on campus. Boarding schools often attract those expats who want their children to receive an education with an integrated approach.

Teachers not only teach their disciplines, but also focus on the development of the child's character, personal responsibility and interaction in the team. For a more productive learning process and quick adaptation to new countries and systems, boarding students can use the services of personal tutors or participate in academic support programs.  

Boarding schools in Lugano for foreigners are divided into the following types:

• International, which are focused on a multicultural community and offer a diverse curriculum: the International Baccalaureate (IB), the British or American system. Children from different countries study in these schools, the study of several languages is offered,
• Schools with bilingual instruction and a Swiss curriculum,
• Schools with specialized programs, such as music, art, sports, or other disciplines (these are usually integrated into the classical curriculum).

The campuses of boarding schools in Lugano have everything you need: classrooms, residential residences, sports facilities and recreation areas between and after classes. Often, boarding campuses are located in scenic locations that maintain a conducive learning atmosphere.

Students are accommodated in residential residences, where they are supervised by employees. Living in shared rooms, children develop communication skills, get to know students from other countries and get to know their cultures, and learn to work in a team.

In boarding schools in Lugano, special attention is paid to extracurricular activities: sports, music, art. In their free time and during the holidays, students, together with teachers, regularly go on excursions around the city and the surrounding area.

The top boarding schools in Lugano include, for example, the American School in Switzerland TASIS, which is known for its American-style curriculum and emphasis on arts and sports. TASIS educates foreigners from kindergarten age to grade 12. The school offers IB diplomas and a Swiss certificate, which are quoted for admission to European and American universities.

The cost of tuition in boarding schools in Lugano on average ranges from CHF 25,000 to 50,000 per year (the final price depends on the chosen level of education and the status of the school).

• Strong academic programs, including advanced placement courses and the International Baccalaureate, which qualitatively prepare foreigners for higher education abroad.
• Small class sizes, which allows you to pay more attention to each student and take into account their individual needs, select competent learning styles.
• The availability of additional development programs, such as leadership courses and other opportunities for students, which allow graduates to become successful managers and employees in the future.  
• Safe environment on campus – children are supervised 24/7 by staff.
• Lugano is close to the picturesque Swiss Alps and lakes, so foreign students can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing and water sports.
• Active alumni communities that act as mentors for students, help them get used to campus and choose their career path.   

The standard stages and conditions for admission to the best boarding schools in Lugano include the following steps:

• A student from another country must take standardized subject tests, especially if the school follows the American or international curriculum. After testing, the student provides certificates to the school.
• Foreigners need to confirm their language level (for example, English, if they plan to study in it) using standardized tests: TOEFL, IELTS.
• Many schools encourage candidates to write personal statements or essays explaining in detail why they want to study at this particular institution, what they are interested in, and what they plan to achieve in the future.
• Sometimes future students are required to provide letters of recommendation from their current place of study – they can be written by teachers, school administration, principal or educational mentor who has authority in the community.  
• To assess a student's readiness and curiosity, schools often conduct online interviews (at the same time, they additionally check that the applicant meets expectations and requirements).
• In Switzerland, they are very sensitive to health issues, so often the applicant's package of documents includes a vaccination certificate.