Cities / Zurich / Zurich International School
Zurich International School
Long established, well resourced, expensive. The default English medium choice for expat families on the south and east shores of Lake Zurich, especially those heading back to American or British university tracks.
In brief
Long-established, well-resourced, expensive. The default English-medium choice for expat families on the south and east shores of Lake Zurich, especially those heading back to American or British university tracks.
Two campuses split by age. Lower School in Wadenswil for ages 3 to 11, Secondary Campus in Adliswil for 11 to 18. Around 1,300 students from roughly 50 nationalities, with a large North American, British, and European contingent. Non-profit. Roots run back to the 1963 American International School of Zurich, with ZIS in its current form formed by a 2001 merger.
Curriculum is IB Diploma plus AP at the top end, with a separate bilingual English and German pathway in the lower years following Lehrplan 21. University outcomes lean strongly toward US and UK. German is mandatory but classroom hours alone do not get most students to fluency for Swiss university or apprenticeships, so families targeting local pathways often look elsewhere. Parents describe a warm, positive, well-run environment, with the usual Zurich caveats around cost once meals, trips, and extras stack up.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool PS0 - Mornings only | 3 | CHF 16,900 |
| Preschool PS1 - Mornings + 1 afternoon | 4 | CHF 19,100 |
| Preschool PS2 - Mornings + 2 afternoons | 4 | CHF 21,200 |
| Preschool PS3 - Mornings + 3 afternoons | 4 | CHF 23,200 |
| Preschool PS4 - Mornings + 4 afternoons | 5 | CHF 25,000 |
| Preschool PS5 - Full days | 5 | CHF 26,900 |
| Kindergarten 1 & 2 - Full days | 5 | CHF 27,750 |
| Grades 1-5 - Full days | 6 | CHF 32,800 |
| Grades 6-8 - Full days | 11 | CHF 36,450 |
| Grades 9-10 | 14 | CHF 39,300 |
| Grades 11-12 | 16 | CHF 39,700 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Re-application Fee | CHF 500 | |
| Application Fee | CHF 500 | |
| Infrastructure Contribution (from Kindergarten, one-off) | CHF 5,000 |
Reviews
- Independent school-review signal is strong on academics, choice and facilities. The school is described as rigorous, well resourced and welcoming, with engaged parents and a healthy level of competition.
- Staff feedback broadly supports that picture, with comments praising colleagues, students and resources.
- The main caution in public staff feedback is practical rather than structural. One staff reviewer said information about student behaviour can be incomplete, which can make behaviour management harder.
Positives
- Academic rigour and breadth. Independent review signal praises academic rigour, curricular choice, well-trained staff and a well-rounded student experience.
- Facilities and community. Public reviews describe strong resources, purpose-built facilities, a welcoming community and engaged parents.
Considerations
- Behaviour information gap. One staff reviewer says incomplete information about student behaviour can make behaviour management harder.
Leadership
Elsa Hernández-Donohue
Elsa Hernández-Donohue serves as the Director of Zurich International School, having joined in 2024. She brings nearly 35 years of experience in teaching and leadership across nine international schools worldwide. Her career includes a previous tenure at ZIS as a Grade 5 teacher, which inspired her move into leadership. She subsequently served as a principal at an IB World School in West Africa and held leadership roles in other global locations. She is passionate about inclusivity, well-being, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Accreditations
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges 01
Academic results
- IB pass rate (2025) 97.8%
- IB Diploma average (2025) 35.5 points