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Two upper school girls working together in the science lab using a microscope
Where students take their own path

ZIS Overview

At Zurich International School, we provide an education that ensures children develop a lifelong love of learning. 

Our students learn in a multicultural community where each person is respected. Students discover the world, its people, and its cultures through direct experience. Through play, study, and the relationships they form, students at ZIS learn to appreciate their own strengths and to respect differences rather than fear them.

Combined with academic rigor, this experience extends outside the classroom and equips students for success and global citizenship beyond school.

  • Upper School Campus for students aged 14 to 18
  • Middle School Campus for students aged 11 to 14
  • Lower School Campus for students aged 3 to 11, including an additional bilingual program for students aged 4 to 6, expanding to children up to aged 8 in 2022

Campus Overview

ZIS (with its predecessor schools) is the longest accredited international school in Switzerland, having been accredited since 1971.


 

ZIS History

92%

of current parents recommend ZIS

93%

of current students recommend ZIS

98.8%

of employees recommend ZIS

Two ZIS Upper School student working in class, one looking through a microscope and the other writing down notes

Academic Program

ZIS is an International Baccalaureate (IB) Organisation World School and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on International Education. ZIS is also approved by the Department of Education of the Canton of Zurich.

A strong academic program, centered around the traditional core disciplines, prepares students for entrance into colleges, universities, or other institutions providing tertiary education and training.

ZIS offers:

Supportive environment

The school provides courses and learning support services which address the needs of a student body diverse in educational background and ability.

More than 90% of the graduating students go on to attend universities and institutions of higher learning worldwide. For the latest exam results and university placement list read this profile and for the latest overview and financial information read our annual report, available on our publications page.

Our state-of-the-art facilities and our locations allow for students to gain independence, and develop innovation and risk-taking.

ZIS Middle School student working on her English essay in class
ZIS Lower School student playing the violin with help from her teacher

Proud to be non-profit

ZIS is registered as a non-profit organization (Stiftung) in Switzerland and affiliated with a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organisation in the United States.  

Students attending ZIS enjoy living in the center of Europe and in or near the city of Zurich which is consistently named as one of the best places to live in the world, including being voted as the second best city for ‘quality of life’ in the Mercer's Quality of Living Survey 2019.

IB Scores 2011-2021

Graph showing ZIS IB Average Points up to 2021

The graph above shows the average points by ZIS candidates who passed the IB Diploma from 2011 to 2021.

 

ZIS students have consistently performed between a 33 and 38 point average over the last 10 years. 

 

For IB Scores for 2020 please see our latest Annual Report. 

ZIS Publications

AP Results 2016-2020

Graph showing the Advanced Placement overall results at ZIS from 2017 to 2021

The graph above shows the percentage of ZIS Advanced Placement students with a score of 3 or higher. 

 

Over the last 4 years, 91% to 94% of ZIS students have achieved a score of 3 or higher.

 

For AP Scores for 2020 please see our latest Annual Report. 

ZIS Publications

International Schools' Assessment

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) International Schools' Assessment tests the academic performance of international school students in Grades 3, 5, 7 and 10 in mathematical literacy, reading and writing.

The graphs below provide an overview of ZIS results compared to worldwide test scores. All ZIS scores were higher than worldwide scores in all four categories - Math Literacy, Reading, Writing A and Writing B.

Graph showing ZIS ISA Grade 3 results 2021
Illustration of the ISA Results for Grade 5 2020
ZIS ISA Test Scores for Grade 7
Graph of ZIS Grade 10 ISA Results 2020