5 best private schools in Zürich 2026

Private schools in Zurich offer their students several popular and relevant, modern programs at once:

International Baccalaureate (IB)

A kind of synonym for quality, a magic key that opens almost any door. It includes two levels: Middle Years Programme (MYP) for junior high school students and Diploma Programme (DP) for high school students. IB students prepare for university by focusing on a wide range of disciplines, including humanities, nature sciences, languages, and the arts. It is believed that the IB brings up real erudites and intellectuals, people with an encyclopedic outlook, powerful skills of analysis and critical thinking.

The program is available in almost all schools in Zurich: ZIS, Inter-Community School Zurich (ICSZ), International School Zurich North (ISZN), Lycée Français de Zurich, Institut Auf Dem Rosenberg.

GCSE and A-level

The English model includes two levels. GCSEs are taken at the age of 16, and this is usually enough to obtain a matriculation certificate; those wishing to enter the university study for two more years (this is called A-level), studying several subjects at an advanced level. Concentration on the chosen subjects allows you to better prepare for admission to universities (mainly British, but an English-style diploma is generally respected in many universities in the United States and the countries of the former British colonial empire - from Canada and Australia to India and South Africa).

You can study "in English" at the International School Zurich North (ISZN), Institut Auf Dem Rosenberg and The Swiss International School Zurich.

Abitur

Some international schools in Zurich also have a German-language Abitur program. In general, identical to the program of secondary schools in Germany, it is focused on preparing students for admission to German, Austrian and German-speaking Swiss universities.

Offered at the Lycée Français de Zurich and the Institut Auf Dem Rosenberg.

The choice of programs is not limited to this kind of "big three". At the ZIS school, for example, American Advanced Placement (AP) and the author's bilingual English-German program for children 3-9 years old are available. The American high school program can also be chosen at Zurich International School (ZIS), and the challenging and ambitious Swiss Matura at Lyceum Alpinum Zuoz and The Swiss International School Zurich. Finally, French Baccalaureat is available at Lycée Français de Zurich.

Interethnic and intercultural interaction

Joint education of children from different countries contributes to the development of tolerance and mutual respect, a better understanding of the world, helps to build contacts and make friends, breaking stereotypes.

Learning Foreign Languages

The role of foreign languages in the modern world can hardly be underestimated. Zurich schools offer education in several languages, including English, German, French, and others, which allows students to become more confident, giving them the opportunity to communicate confidently in a variety of cultural and professional contexts.

Academic Standards

International schools in Zurich offer rigorous educational standards and highly qualified teachers, which contributes to a high level of knowledge and the development of critical thinking in students. The programs teach children to be independent in their studies and set challenging but achievable goals.

Development of personal qualities

International education contributes to the development of personal qualities such as self-confidence, the ability to express oneself and adapt to change. Students participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, clubs, volunteer activities that help develop leadership skills, teamwork, and management skills.

University and Career Preparation

International schools in Zurich help students develop exactly the skills that will help them succeed in their studies and careers. In addition to academic knowledge, students gain useful life skills: time management, problem solving, organizational skills, and strategic planning.

Choosing a school is an important step that requires care and scrupulousness. Let's take a look at the key factors to consider when choosing a school and give some useful tips for parents and students.

Academic Reputation

This is the most important factor in choosing a school. What do you need to pay attention to?

• Ratings and reviews

Look for international school rankings in Zurich, student and parent reviews. Schools with a good academic reputation provide a high standard of teaching, the best results in exams, and a high percentage of further enrollment.

• Level of teaching

Make sure teachers are qualified to ensure that your child receives a quality education. Where to look for information? Do not hesitate to request certificates and any other information from the school – it is your legal right.

• Alumni Success

Pay attention to school graduates: where they studied after graduation, what universities they entered, what career they made. The more you can find, the better, schools usually even set up a "wall of fame".

School Location

• Transport accessibility

Make sure the school is easy to get to. The Swiss transport network is well developed, but if you do not have personal transport (especially if the child will be living with a host family), it is important that there are public transport stops nearby.

• Neighborhood Safety

Zurich is a very safe city, but it's still useful to research how safe the area is and whether there are public areas or parks nearby where students can relax after their studies.

Infrastructure

Pay attention to the surroundings of the school, what cafes, shops, cultural and sports facilities are nearby. The more of them there are and the better they correspond to the tastes of the student, the more comfortable it will be for him to study.

Tuition fees

An important aspect when choosing a school, especially for families on a budget. In addition to the basic cost, it is important to take into account the additional costs of textbooks, sports and cultural events, trips, excursions, meals, and so on. Some schools offer scholarships or financial aid programs – be sure to check it out!

The cost of studying in international schools in Zurich for foreign students varies widely, depending on the school and the chosen program, the level of study, the form of education (day school or boarding school).

For example, in primary schools, on average, you will have to pay from 18 to 25 thousand CHF per year (as a rule, these are day schools, children are brought to them in the morning and picked up after classes; boarding schools for the youngest will cost 50-60 thousand CHF per year). For secondary school, the tuition fees account to 25-30 and 50-60 thousand CHF for day school and boarding school, respectively.

High school is the most expensive, especially when it comes to prestigious A-level and IB programs: here the cost can reach 40-50 thousand for full-time education and 50-60 thousand for boarding school.

Some additional costs must be considered:

• Books and educational materials,
• Excursions and optional activities,
• Sports and cultural events,
• Rental housing (if necessary). The cost of living in a dormitory varies from 10 to 20 thousand CHF per year, depending on the living conditions and the location of the school; living with a host family can be more expensive (15-25 thousand CHF).