Both local and international school systems in Switzerland offer excellent facilities and educational opportunities for students. Considerations for choosing between a local or international school include length of stay in Switzerland, age of student, priority of local integration, language preference, and scheduling. Swiss school options tend to be most appropriate for younger students, who can maintain their English in the home environment, and for students who do not require an equal development of both languages on a written level. It is recommended that families choose one system for all children to maintain compatible daily and vacation schedules.

Switzerland has 38 international schools, which together form the Swiss Group of International Schools (SGIS) www.sgischools.com. With a reputation for high teaching standards and strict discipline, Swiss international schools are among the best in the world.

The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and GCE (A Levels)
The IGCSE is a UK-based qualification administered by the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). It is equivalent to school years 10 and 11, or British GCSEs. IGCSE requires students to take a minimum of eight subjects. Students who complete IGCSEs have the option of studying for their A Levels (GCE) which are recognised by universities in the UK, North America and Europe. The IGCSE is just one of the exam boards in the UK; there are others such as EDEXCEL, OCR, AQA and WJEC. All of them are bonafide exam boards used by a variety of schools in the UK.

The International Baccalaureate diploma (IB)
The International Baccalaureate originated at the International School of Geneva, and today over 1,700 schools in over 120 countries offer this diploma. It is considered equivalent to the British system of A Levels, and caters to students aged 16-19. The diploma requires students to study six subjects within two years, as well as additional academic courses in philosophy, creativity and service, and writing a final essay.

International schools in Gstaad
Gstaad, located in the Bernese Mountains, is known for its schools' high quality of teaching. Many families move here for their children's education and the proximity to both Berne and Geneva.

Gstaad International Boarding School
Founded in 1962, this boarding school's mission includes building endurance and stamina in academics and sports, and stimulating personal achievement by teaching the values of respect, gratitude and humour. www.gstaadschool.ch

Institut Le Rosey
A Swiss boarding school with a strong tradition of academic excellence, Le Rosey consists of two campuses: Rolle in autumn and spring, and Gstaad in the winter. www.rosey.ch

John F. Kennedy International School
The John F. Kennedy International School is an English-language boarding and day school for children between five and 15 years old. The student body is made up of 65 students from over 20 different countries. www.jfk.ch

International schools throughout Switzerland

Berne
The International School of Berne is an English-language school offering three- to 19-year-old students the International Baccalaureate programme. www.isberne.ch

Geneva
The International School of Geneva: www.ecolint.ch

Collège du Léman: www.cdl.ch

The British School of Geneva is an English school in the centre of Geneva following the English national curriculum from the primary section to the A levels (5 - 19 years). www.britishschoolgeneva.ch

Lausanne
Brillantmont International School, located in the centre of Lausanne, is a family-owned boarding school for male and female students between 12 and 18 years old. www.brillantmont.ch

Schaffhausen
The International School of Schaffhausen offers comprehensive programmes for three- to 16-year-olds, and will begin a high school programme for university applicants in the coming years. www.issh.ch

Winterthur
The International School Winterthur teaches four- to 16-year-olds of over 34 nationalities. www.iswinterthur.ch

Zug
The International School of Zug and Luzern is a day school spread over three campuses in and around Zug. Boys and girls are offered the International Baccalaureate programme. www.iszl.ch

Zurich
The Japanese School Zurich: www.jszurich.ch

Swiss International School: www.international-school.ch

Zurich International School: www.zis.ch

Updated for 2011 in cooperation with:
Mrs. Raji Sundaram, Principal
British School of Geneva
+41 (0) 22 795 7512
principal@britishschoolgeneva.ch
www.britishschoolgeneva.ch