Choosing an international school near Zurich

Zurich International School, or ZIS, and Inter-Community School Zurich, or ICS, are private day schools. Both offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma in the final years, but that does not make their full educational routes identical.

Which programme fits?

At ZIS, younger pupils can follow an English-medium international programme or an English/German bilingual pathway. Older pupils work towards an American high-school diploma, with Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the IB Diploma available. AP means individual advanced courses and examinations, not a separate school-leaving diploma.

ZIS is the more useful starting comparison if bilingual early education or an American diploma with AP courses is essential. Ask which bilingual year groups are operating in the intended September; an expansion plan is not an available place in every grade.

ICS follows the IB through its Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes. It is a strong structural match for a child continuing that sequence after another IB school. English-language support does not mean unlimited entry at every age: the school does not admit English beginners from Grade 9.

For either school, send learning-support information early. A named support department is not confirmation that the requested provision can be staffed for this child.

Three locations, not one lakeside campus

ZIS’s Lower School is in Wädenswil, on Lake Zurich. Middle and Upper School are in Adliswil, inland in the Sihl valley. Do not treat both as lakeside sites.

ICS is in Zumikon, on Strubenacherstrasse. All three locations are outside central Zurich. Compare the journey for each child’s current stage and the next campus transition, especially if siblings would attend different ZIS sites.

Eligibility and first-year cost

During compulsory schooling, Zurich’s rules on foreign-language schools can make residence and previous schooling important to admission. They are designed around international mobility, not unrestricted substitution for the local school system.

Ask the school to explain the cantonal rule that applies to your family, including any duration limit or exemption. This is particularly important when transferring from a local Swiss school or planning to stay permanently. ICS links its current admissions handbook from the application page.

Both schools charge more than tuition alone. For 2026–27, ICS lists a CHF 500 application fee and a capital contribution of CHF 5,000 from Pre-Kindergarten upwards, or CHF 1,000 in Nursery. The first CHF 1,000 paid at acceptance is part of the capital contribution, not an extra charge on top.

Ask ZIS for its applicable tuition and infrastructure contribution. At both schools, request the complete first-year total with transport, meals and any additional support identified separately.

The Zurich city page links the full profiles. The Switzerland overview also explains local public-school routes, which deserve consideration for a long-term German-speaking education.

Friendly orientation, not formal admissions advice. Always confirm dates with the school.