Education and Schools in Zurich

The education system in Zurich has an outstanding international reputation, consistently ranking among the best in Europe. You can rest assured that your children will experience a high standard of teaching during your time in Zurich.

There’s a good range of schools in Zurich. State-funded schools are free of charge but usually teach in Swiss German, while some private and international schools teach in English but can be expensive. Regardless of the school your children attend, they’re guaranteed to get a quality education in a city that earned perfect scores for education in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2024 liveability rankings.

Public schools in Zurich

Public schools in Zurich (Volksschule) offer free education to students between the ages of 4 and 15, with the school year running from mid-August to early July. The system is governed by the Office of Elementary Education of the Canton of Zurich Department of Education.

The language of instruction at public schools in Zurich is German, but there are also lessons in French and English. These are generally only viable options if your children speak fluent German or are young enough to pick up the language. Many expat parents report that children under ten adapt more quickly to the language environment. The standard of teaching at public schools in Zurich is, however, excellent and therefore worth considering for those who plan on settling down in Switzerland permanently.

Keep in mind that public schools in Zurich usually finish for the day in the early afternoon. So if you do go for this option, you should bear in mind the logistics of organising childcare while you are at work. Zurich authorities are working to extend after-school care programmes, with plans to make ‘Tagesschulen’ (day schools that combine education and after-school activities) available for all students throughout the canton.

Useful links

• Educational System – Canton of Zurich

Private schools in Zurich

Private schools in Zurich, sometimes called bilingual schools, offer teaching in German and French or English. These schools structure their bilingual programmes in different ways. Some divide the week with subjects taught half in German and half in English. Others employ native speakers to teach in their respective languages. The standard of teaching at these schools is top class, and there are plenty of opportunities for students to participate in various extracurricular activities such as art, drama, music, and sports.

While many of these schools follow the Swiss curriculum, many offer students the option of studying for the International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge IGCSE, or A-Levels. Private schools typically maintain smaller class sizes than public schools – which, to be fair, are already quite decent at 13 to 16 learners per teacher.

The major advantage of private schools in Zurich is that they allow international students to improve their German and continue learning in their home language. They also provide them with the opportunity to interact with local Swiss children and integrate into the local culture.

The fees charged vary between schools. You also need to budget for uniforms, stationery, school excursions and extracurricular activities. Some financial assistance options do exist, and schools can often provide guidance on applying for funding from local Swiss councils to help cover costs.

International schools in Zurich

International schools in Zurich will often present the best option for your children if you’re planning a shorter stay. While fees are high and space is limited, these schools offer students the chance to continue studying the curriculum of their home country without having to deal with the language barrier. Zurich, Switzerland’s business capital, has more international schools than anywhere else in the country. You’ll find many of these schools along the shores of Lake Zurich, where your kids can study with beautiful lake views.

The international schools in Zurich pride themselves on high academic standards. Beyond the books, your children can join sports teams, music ensembles, drama clubs, and countless other activities that round out their education and build lasting friendships. Most international schools also offer programmes to help students maintain connections to their home cultures while fostering integration into Swiss society through local excursions and cultural activities.

If you’re hoping to send your children to one of the international schools in Zurich, know that space is limited and there’s a lot of competition for places. Many schools have waiting lists, so apply to several options as early as possible. Families who relocate frequently appreciate the educational continuity these schools provide, with internationally recognised curricula and transition support services designed specifically for globally mobile students.

Best International Schools in Zurich

Special educational needs education in Zurich

Special-needs education in Zurich has made significant strides in recent years, with an increasing focus on integrating children with special educational needs into mainstream schools. Swiss schools aim to support those children with special educational needs so that all children are able to integrate into and participate in society.

The process for assessing special educational needs involves a multidisciplinary team that includes members from within and external to the child’s school. The assessment is followed by providing individual special education measures, documented in a written plan similar to an IEP (individualised education programme).

For differently abled children and adolescents with severe learning difficulties or psychological disabilities who cannot be in a mainstream classroom, there’s also the Heilpädagogische Schule (HPS). The Schule für Körper- und Mehrfachbehinderte (SKB) is a school for pupils with physical and multiple disabilities, while the Schule Fokus Sehen (SFS) is a school for pupils who have visual impairments.

Useful links

• Special Educational Needs – City of Zurich
• Heilpädagogische Schule Zürich
• Schule für Körper- und Mehrfachbehinderte
• Schule Fokus Sehen (SFS)
• All Special Kids

Tutors in Zurich

Tutors in Zurich provide valuable academic support to assist students, particularly expat children, in adapting to their new environment, language and curriculum. Even for children in international schools, tutoring is useful for gaining confidence or assistance in particular subjects. The most requested subjects for tutoring among expat students include mathematics, German, English and French.

Finding a suitable tutor in Zurich couldn’t be easier. Platforms like Tutor24 and TutorsPlus will match your child with qualified teachers who know their way around both international and Swiss curricula. Not keen on one-to-one lessons? Small group sessions cost less but still deliver results. Many families now opt for online tutoring – it fits around busy schedules and won’t break the bank.

If your child attends a Swiss school, you’ll likely want German language support to help them keep pace. For international school pupils, the focus shifts to subject coaching for IB, IGCSE or A-Level exams.

Useful links

• TutorsPlus
• Tutor24
• Lingoda Language Tutoring
• German Academy Zurich