ICS Zurich: English-language IB education in Zumikon

ICS offers an English-language International Baccalaureate (IB) education in Zumikon, east of Lake Zurich. It is a day school from Nursery, starting at about 24 months, through Grade 12. For younger children living in Zurich canton, admission can also depend on cantonal eligibility rules; that needs checking before the family commits.

Curriculum and language readiness

The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) is followed by the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and then the Diploma Programme in the final school years. This offers continuity within the IB framework, but the available Diploma subjects still need checking for the intended intake.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) support in Primary, Kindergarten 2 to Grade 5, is included in tuition. The handbook states that ICS cannot support English beginners in Grades 9–10, and Grades 11–12 require proficient academic English. A younger child’s admission does not establish that an older sibling has the language level for entry.

Tuition includes up to four periods of additional learning support per week. More support costs extra and depends on availability and agreement with the school. Discuss the child’s needs before assuming that an available class place also means suitable support.

What Lex Aeppli means for this application

The 2026/27 Admissions Handbook explains Zurich canton’s rules for admission to non-German-speaking international schools. For entry from Kindergarten to Grade 4, families resident or planning to live in the canton must establish one of three circumstances:

• The stay in Zurich canton is temporary.
• A family already in the canton can plausibly demonstrate plans to move to a non-German-speaking country.
• The child is continuing education previously received in a non-German-speaking canton or country.

The handbook also flags children transferring from local Swiss schools. Where the rule applies, after five years the child must enter a local Swiss school unless the canton grants an exemption. Families outside Zurich canton are not covered by this rule according to the handbook.

Ask Admissions to confirm which condition applies, what evidence is required and whether a five-year limit affects the planned stay. “International family” alone is not a sufficient explanation of eligibility.

Admission priorities

The non-refundable CHF 500 application fee is due before the application is processed. The handbook gives the following priority order:

1. Already-enrolled families covered by company partnerships.
2. Other company-partnership families.
3. Siblings.
4. Children of former pupils.
5. International families.
6. Local families.
7. ICS staff children.

Applications are considered in order of receipt within these categories. Priority is not a guarantee of a place; ask about capacity in the relevant grade.

Fees for 2026/27

The Financial Regulations set out the following annual tuition. Lunch is included only in Nursery.

Programme / year	2026–2027
Nursery, half days (morning snack and lunch)	CHF 13,100
Nursery, full days (lunch and snacks)	CHF 24,300
Pre-Kindergarten, mornings	CHF 17,300
Pre-Kindergarten, full days	CHF 27,200
Kindergarten 1	CHF 27,200
Kindergarten 2	CHF 33,300
Primary, Grades 1–5	CHF 33,300
Middle, Grades 6–8	CHF 37,500
Senior, Grades 9–10	CHF 38,600
Senior, Grades 11–12 (incl. IB DP exams)	CHF 40,300

Payment is split into 60% in August 2026 and 40% in January 2027. An instalment plan is available with a 2% administration charge; contact billing@icsz.ch.

In addition to the CHF 500 application fee, the capital fund contribution is CHF 1,000 for Nursery or CHF 5,000 from Pre-Kindergarten upwards. The first CHF 1,000 of that contribution is due when accepting an offer; it is part of the capital charge, not another fee. A Nursery pupil moving to Pre-Kindergarten pays the remaining CHF 4,000.

Tuition includes:

• Essential teaching materials.
• Devices in Grades 3–8.
• Up to four periods of additional learning support per week.
• Mandatory curriculum trips and IB Diploma exams.

Separate charges apply to the bus, additional support beyond the included provision, after-school care, lunch after Nursery, clubs, instrument hire and re-marking of IB exams. A re-mark is a review of an examination result, not the original exam fee.

A new Grade 6 pupil’s calculated tuition and entry-charge total is CHF 43,000: CHF 37,500 tuition, CHF 500 application and CHF 5,000 capital contribution. Lunch, transport and other optional or additional services are not included in that calculation.

Our view

Compare Zurich International School if a German/English bilingual route or Advanced Placement courses alongside an IB option matter. Its Wädenswil and Adliswil locations also make a different commute. Choose on programme and travel requirements, not the similarity of the school names.

Friendly orientation, not an application. Dates, fees, and programme details move. Confirm everything with the school.