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Why ZIS Bilingual?

ZIS Early Childhood students sitting on the slide in a row
Our goal is to ensure that every child leaves with a love of learning
A kindergarten girl holding a chicken and smiling
We provide a supportive community, so your child can discover the world beyond it
ZIS Bilingual Program, two Kindergarten girls in the playground looking out through a wooden window.
We encourage students to try new things, so that they can discover who they really want to be

A child’s early years are the best time to lay the foundation for their future and students in our bilingual pathway will get so much more than just a great education. Your child will benefit from the full ZIS Experience and being part of our special international community where children from 70 nationalities with 40 languages feel at home. Your child will  be an integral member of the entire Lower School community and enjoy a variety of activities with children from other classes and year groups, such as regular assemblies, co-curricular activities and excursions.

ZIS is a non-profit organization and every franc goes into developing our program to ensure that each student is challenged and supported.

Overview

We want all students in the pathway to establish strong academic German and English, by building strong foundations for academic literacy in their dominant language first. This gives confidence to our local Swiss families that their home language will be strong, but also confidence to our international families who want German to be much more than just a social language for their child. From Grade 3, we move towards an equal balance of academic learning in both English and German, supporting the development of truly bilingual students.

ZIS Bilingual students:

  • Follow the expected outcomes of the Swiss Curriculum (Lehrplan 21)
  • Access the mandatory teaching resources of the Swiss national curriculum, combined with high quality international resources and pedagogical approaches
  • Access a wide range of co-curricular activities included in the school fees, in both English and German
     

Frequently Asked Questions

Lower School students working together on a task in class

Inquiry-based curriculum

Through our inquiry-based curriculum, your child will learn:

  • the value of focus and problem-solving;
  • the importance of play, curiosity and enthusiasm;

  • a sense of wonder and possibility.

ZIS Lower School girl student standing by a table sorting through her worksheets

Outstanding Academics

Together with outstanding academics, your child will:

  • develop essential skills through our extensive STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) program;
  • benefit from hands-on learning through curricular field trips;
  • enjoy a wide range of after school activities in both English and German; and 
  • have access to student support services. 

And all included in school fees.

 

Inspiring Teachers

Mark Sturcke

Mark Sturcke
Bilingual Class Teacher

Mary Dale

Mary Dale
Assistant Teacher

We pride ourselves on having excellent, inspiring, and innovative teachers.

Our bilingual classroom teachers meet the requirements of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) and many also have the experience of teaching in an international environment.

Our teachers:

  • encourage and guide students to develop a love of learning
  • treat and know each student as an individual, supporting and challenging them based on their needs and abilities
  • continuously develop their skills and understandings through our extensive professional development program
  • value close partnership with parents

 

 

Excellent Facilities

The Lower School provides the ideal environment for your child to learn and grow. We offer:

  • Spacious classrooms, library, art rooms, music rooms, makerspace and gymnasium, plus a dedicated cafeteria.
  • Extensive outdoor area including learning spaces, age-appropriate playgrounds and a sports field, with the adjacent forest as an additional outdoor classroom.

 

ZIS Lower School girl on the swings
A group of lower school boys checking out their books in the library
Group of Kindergarten children jumping on the bouncy area in the adventure playground
Two lower school boys playing soccer on the all weather pitch
Two lower school girls holding yellow watering cans as they work in the edible food forest
Two lower school boys playing trumpets

Lower School Virtual Tour

Three kindergarten boys reading a book together

Additional Services

In addition, ZIS offers a variety of optional extras, for a fee, including:

Frequently Asked Questions