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History

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

Zurich International School was formed in 2001 through the merger of the American International School of Zurich, founded in 1963, and the International Primary School of Zurich, founded in 1970. The school has grown and developed extensively and today has more than 1,200 students aged 3 to 18 studying at one of three campuses.

The school celebrated its 50th anniversary during the 2013/14 school year.

Explore our interactive timeline to learn more about the school.

 

1963

Middle School Campus

 

The American International School of Zurich (AISZ) opens at the Spinnergut Villa in Kilchberg, a former family home built in 1914.

 

1970

Horgen Campus

The English Language Kindergarten (ELK), later to be renamed the International Primary School of Zurich (IPSZ), opens in Horgen.

1979

ECC Campus

IPSZ outgrows its home and moves to the current Early Childhood Center villa, a former family home built in 1906 on the shore of Lake Zurich in Kilchberg.

1993/94

Middle School Campus

The Spinnergut Villa in Kilchberg is extensively renovated and expanded.

2001

Middle School Campus

AISZ and IPSZ merge to form Zurich International School.

2002

Lower School Campus

The purpose-built Lower School opens in Wädenswil.

2008

Upper School Campus

The new state-of-the-art Upper School opens in Adliswil. The Middle School moves to the Spinnergut Villa in Kilchberg. A Lower School in Baden opens in a former Swiss school building.

2010

Baden Campus

The Baden Campus expands to include a Middle School.

2012

Lower School Playground

Thanks to the generosity of the ZIS Community, the new outdoor playground opens at the Lower School in Wädenswil.

2012

Early ZIS

Early ZIS opens in Wädenswil. This has since moved to the Early Childhood Center in Kilchberg.

2013

Baden Campus

The Baden Lower and Middle School moves into a brand new purpose-built building in the center of Baden. This campus closed in 2015.

2016

ZIS Lower School girl standing and pointing at the Smart Board, working out a problem

The school implements Learning First, a whole school curriculum framework guiding teaching and learning.

2019

ECC Campus

Early Childhood program moves to the Lower School at Wädenswil. 

2020

ZIS Director,  ZIS Chairman of the Board and Adliswil Mayor, break ground for the new Middle School buildinig

Groundbreaking of the new Middle School, adjacent to the Upper School in Adliswil, which will open in August 2022.

2021

ZIS Kindergarten children enjoy a german lesson

A new additional bilingual Kindergarten, for children aged 4 to 6, opens. The program will expand to include children aged up to 8 in 2022.