Terra Nova Bilingual School
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$25K - US$32K
Curriculum: Bilingual · Swiss
Age Range: 3-12
Students: ~150
Location: Kusnacht, Zurich
Updated April 2026
In Brief
Terra Nova suits families settling in Kusnacht or the east shore villages who want a small, family-oriented bilingual primary where staff know every child by name. It's not the right fit for families who need a portable curriculum or a school that goes beyond age 12.
Terra Nova sits in Kusnacht on Florastrasse, in one of the most sought-after residential addresses on Lake Zurich's east shore. The school draws mainly from Kusnacht, Erlenbach, Herrliberg, and Zollikon - the cluster of affluent lakeside communes where many international executives and financial-sector families settle. With around 150 children from Pre-K to Grade 6, it is one of the smallest schools in this guide, and that scale is deliberate: the school's model is built on teachers knowing each child individually rather than processing cohorts. Most families who choose Terra Nova are either already committed to Kusnacht as a long-term base or prefer a village-school atmosphere to the larger campuses of ZIS or ICS.
The bilingual model runs English and German together from age three, using Cambridge English as the framework for English-language assessment. Lunch is served Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday as part of the programme; Wednesday lunch is an optional add-on. That four-day lunch inclusion is a practical detail families regularly mention as removing a daily logistical decision. The school is part of the Academia Group, which also operates Academia International School near Oerlikon - a connection that theoretically offers a secondary pathway for families who want to stay within the same group structure, though the two schools are otherwise distinct in curriculum and ethos.
Two honest constraints shape the decision. First, Terra Nova ends at Grade 6, so secondary school planning is unavoidable. Second, the school follows a bilingual Swiss approach rather than IB or British curriculum, which limits direct curriculum portability if your family relocates mid-posting. Fees run from CHF 22,100 for the lightest Pre-K schedule to CHF 29,040 for the full primary programme - reasonable by east-shore private school standards, though the fee schedule's complexity (multiple Pre-K timetable options at different rates) requires careful attention when budgeting.
What parents value
- –Intimate community of around 150 children: teachers know every child across year groups, and class sizes stay small throughout.
- –Lakeside Kusnacht location ideal for families settled on the east shore; morning school run from Kusnacht, Erlenbach, or Zollikon is manageable by foot or short drive.
- –Four-day lunch inclusion takes one daily decision off the plate for working parents; afternoon care available for schedule flexibility.
Points of consideration
- –School ends at Grade 6: secondary transition planning should start by Year 4. The Academia Group link to Academia International (secondary) offers one option, but the two schools serve different age groups and curricula.
- –Swiss bilingual curriculum rather than IB or British: transferability to international schools at the next posting requires assessment. Not the right choice for families on short rotations who need a curriculum their child can carry to the next city.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K (3 mornings + 3 afternoons) | 3 | NaN |
| Pre-K (4 mornings + 3 afternoons) | 3 | NaN |
| Pre-K (5 mornings + 3 afternoons) | 3 | NaN |
| Pre-K (5 mornings + 4 afternoons / full week) | 3 | NaN |
| Kindergarten 1 & 2 (5 mornings + 3 afternoons) | 5 | NaN |
| Kindergarten 1 & 2 (4.5 days / full week) | 5 | NaN |
| Primary Grades 1-6 | 6 | NaN |
Fees converted from CHF. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Academic Results
Academic results have not been made publicly available by this school.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's interests.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Zurich's international schools serve a highly diverse student body. Contact the school for current enrolment details.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for details.