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Overview

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.

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 parents 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 Pathway students:

  • Is guided by the learning standards 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
     

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 
  • have access to student support services. 

And all included in school fees.

 

Your questions answered

When considering applying for a bilingual program, many parents ask similar questions around bilingual education and learning languages in general. 

Dr. Eowyn Crisfield, PhD Applied Linguists, an independent consultant unpacks some of the common misperceptions about bilingual education and suggests practical strategies for families to define their own map to multilingualism.

Bilingual Education and Language Learning

00:16: What is the difference between a bilingual education and learning a second language?

00:38: What are the common myths you come across about learning multiple languages?

01:06: When is the best time for a child to start a bilingual program?

01:34 How can parents support bilingual learning outside school?

Is the Bilingual Pathway right for my child?

00:06: What factors should parents take into account when considering applying to the ZIS Bilingual Pathway?

00:36: What level of German and English should a child have?

01:06: Is a child suitable for the Bilingual Pathway if they have a home language other than German or English?

01:28: What is the difference between learning German and learning in German?

01:51: What level of German and English proficiency can one expect after 9 years in the ZIS Bilingual Pathway?

02:31: What level of German can my child expect to achieve in the ZIS International Pathway?

 

Additional Resources

Inspiring Teachers

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