For partners International School of Ticino, International School in Ticino
Programs and prices, tuition fees in International School of Ticino, International School in Ticino
Early years Programme
- Students' age — 3–5 years old.
Early Years Programme at International School of Ticino is a rich and engaging preschool program that helps children naturally enter the learning process and gradually perceive it as part of life.
The program is built on the idea that children are naturally curious, active, and creative. As part of the primary school, Early Years Programme uses inquiry-based and interdisciplinary approaches. Academic inspiration is additionally drawn from the philosophy and practice of the Italian Reggio Emilia approach. Learning helps children:
- develop speech and comprehension through creativity, language, and mathematics,
- see connections between mathematics, science, technology, and art,
- immerse themselves in an English-language environment.
This approach supports cognitive flexibility, develops creativity, and helps build skills that are important in the modern world. Children become acquainted with English gradually, through play, communication, and activities with teachers; as they learn, literacy develops naturally, and writing and reading skills are formed to prepare young children for the transition to primary school.
Primary School
- Student age — 5–11 years.
This is an international program for primary school, based on inquiry-based and conceptual learning. It is used in 100+ countries worldwide.
Throughout the year, children explore important global topics through 6 interdisciplinary units: all subjects are interconnected so that students do not simply memorize facts, but develop a holistic understanding of the world and build transferable skills. Learning is structured around the five key elements of PYP and eight key concepts, which help students look at topics from different angles and develop flexible thinking.
Lessons are based on PYP themes, current research, and the needs of the school community. At the beginning of each unit, parents receive a newsletter with learning objectives and recommendations on how to support students at home, along with descriptions of assessment methods and International Diploma requirements. In addition to subject knowledge, students develop interdisciplinary skills that help them apply learning beyond individual subjects.
At International School of Ticino, learning is seen as an experience that influences not only knowledge but also behavior. Children learn to reflect, make informed choices, and interact responsibly with others; they also have the opportunity to participate in the school council. The program develops important attributes that are discussed and reinforced through inquiry units.
Description of International School of Ticino, International School in Ticino
- Location: Ticino, Switzerland,
- Year founded: 2014,
- Language of instruction: English,
- Type of education: mixed.
International School of Ticino — a prestigious Swiss school, the only one in Ticino offering the full International Diploma programme for children and adolescents aged 3 to 18. The school has been operating for 10 years and during this time has built a complete educational pathway within the DP. In the near future, the launch of the DP programme for younger ages is planned: this will allow offering all 4 academic levels of the programme here, covering the entire educational journey from early childhood to graduation.
Part of Inspired Education Group.
Educational process
International School of Ticino became the first school in Ticino to offer the Career-related Programme: this program is designed for students aged 16–19 who want to connect their upper secondary education directly to their future profession, combining academic subjects with practical courses focused on career development.
Things to know about
- Since 2020, International School of Ticino has participated in the School Programme for the Sustainable Development Goals and is a member of the Global Schools Program.
- Since 2019, it has been considered a full member of the Swiss Group of International Schools.
- School uniform is mandatory for students from the preparatory level through secondary school; it includes basic and additional items that can be ordered from the official supplier Unique Uniforms through their online store.
Accommodation, meals, prices
Every day, students at International School of Ticino are offered balanced hot lunches: the menu includes freshly prepared dishes (nut-free), vegetables and fruits, to ensure a varied and nutritious diet.
Activities International School of Ticino, International School in Ticino
At International School of Ticino, great attention is paid to the comprehensive development of students; each student has the opportunity to find a direction in which they can grow more deeply. Extracurricular activities cover a wide range of interests:
- In music and theater classes, students can study guitar, violin, piano, vocals, musical theater, and drama,
- Sports activities include football, tennis, volleyball, multisport, gym, swimming, ballet, breakdance, hip-hop, and horse riding,
- The language program covers German, Italian, French, English, Chinese, Spanish, and other languages,
- Available activities include robotics, programming, a math club, Model United Nations, debates, history quizzes, a science club, and a convenient after-school program.
Advantages
- International School of Ticino offers international education, within which students and teachers from different countries work together on a unified global curriculum. At the same time, the school remains closely connected to the canton, paying careful attention to the cultural heritage of the region.
- Students confidently develop communication skills in English, Italian, and German, with French and Spanish studied additionally. The school also supports children whose native languages are others, such as Chinese or Russian.
- The school is small and friendly, with active family involvement in school life; teachers know their students well and maintain close contact with parents.
Facilities and equipment at International School of Ticino, International School in Ticino
At International School of Ticino, learning spaces are designed to help children study in comfort. Classrooms are bright, spacious, and equipped with modern technology. The learning center on the ground floor features a selection of contemporary children's literature, popular science books, and educational software — helping young learners develop an interest in reading, research, and technology from an early age.
The gymnasium is equipped for football, basketball, volleyball, and other sports. For active recreation and outdoor activities, there is a dedicated area for younger classes behind the school building, as well as a large playground in front of the building.
The International Diploma centre recently opened: this modern space is designed to develop critical thinking and collaborative skills, helping students prepare more effectively for exams and feel confident throughout their studies. Modern resources and experienced teachers create a calm, supportive, and engaging learning environment.
Enrolment process
Admission to International School of Ticino takes place in several stages.
- First, the family fills out an application.
- After submitting the documents, the admissions committee contacts them to discuss the next steps and clarify details.
- The school then reviews the application and assesses whether the educational program is suitable for the child and whether the necessary conditions for study are in place.
- After this, the class the child will be enrolled in is determined. Transfer to another class is only possible on the recommendation of the principal.
The final enrollment decision is made by the principal. Priority in reviewing applications is given to:
- families whose children are already enrolled at the school,
- international families, provided the students are fluent in English.
All other applications are considered in the order they are submitted. Upon approval, the family receives an official enrollment confirmation.
Perspectives
Graduates of International School of Ticino go on to study at the world's leading universities: despite high competition, approximately every third graduate continues their education at the best higher education institutions on the planet, including Russell Group and Ivy League universities.
Senior students are supported by university and career development counselors who help them navigate their choice of field and admission requirements, taking into account each student's individual characteristics. All specialist advisors are thoroughly familiar with the education systems of different countries.
The Inspired school network collaborates with recognized experts in career guidance for admission to universities in the UK and the USA — Arete Education and The Classroom Door — giving prospective students access to support on preferential terms throughout the entire university application process.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
International School of Ticino accepts children even without any experience communicating in English — it is not a mandatory condition for admission. However, it is important that the family (parents, guardian) feel sufficiently confident in English, as most communication with the school takes place in it. Letters, newsletters, reports, meetings, and discussions with teachers are also usually conducted in English, so it is desirable that at least one parent can navigate the language freely.
Scholarships International School of Ticino, International School in Ticino
The Nsouli Scholarship Program is an Inspired initiative that expands access to quality education. Every year, 50 students receive a full scholarship at network schools: the goal is to give talented individuals a chance at a strong education and to unlock their potential through science, sports, arts, and extracurricular activities. This program is an investment in future leaders.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about International School of Ticino, International School in Ticino
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
