Switzerland, Zug
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· Reviewed by Giulia Ceccon · Chief Marketing Officer
International School of Schaffhausen (ISSH) offers a bilingual, globally minded education in Switzerland for ages 0 to 18. The school delivers the International Baccalaureate across all divisions, with the Primary Years Programme available from the Early Learning Centre through Primary (ages 3-12). In secondary, a bespoke pathway combines a pre-IB programme for Grades 9-10 with dedicated career guidance to prepare for the Diploma Programme (DP), a two-year programme for ages 16-19 that leads to higher education. The campus blends historic and modern spaces, featuring an Early Learning Centre and Primary Logierhaus, a dedicated Secondary Building, outdoor learning areas including the Waldsofa forest, and two boarding houses. Facilities include a gym, a soccer pitch, a basketball court, science labs, and a well-stocked secondary library. Extracurriculars span MUN, STEM and UNESCO clubs, arts and crafts, and sport, with forest-based learning, community service, and leadership opportunities central to student life for curious learners.
Mühlentalstrasse 280, 8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
International School of Schaffhausen has 280 pupils, typical class sizes of 15, instruction in English.
Mühlentalstrasse 280, 8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Childcare: ages 3 months to 3 years; Early Learning Centre: ages 3 to 6; Primary School: ages 6 to 11; Secondary School: ages 11 to 16. ISSH High School Diploma: ages 16 to 19, accredited by the Middle States Association (MSA); International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme: ages 16 to 19.
Private day and boarding school
English as an Additional Language (EAL) support; inclusive learning with the Learning Support Department; individualised learning plans for mild to moderate educational needs; EAL and Learning Support services may incur extra costs.
Switzerland
The school day begins at 8:15 and ends at 15:30. Wednesdays are early release days at 12:00 for Primary and up to Grade 10 for Secondary.
ISSH operates a free shuttle service in the morning and at home time to/from the Schaffhausen main station, available to students from grade 1 onwards.
Annual tuition at International School of Schaffhausen ranges from CHF 26,750 to CHF 70,640 for 2026/27.
International School of Schaffhausen teaches IB (PYP), IB (DP), Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 0 to 18.
The school uses the International Baccalaureate framework across all divisions. The Primary Years Programme is offered from the Early Learning Centre through Primary for ages 3-12. The bespoken secondary curriculum brings the IB philosophy to life, with Grades 9-10 following a pre-IB programme and dedicated career guidance to prepare for the Diploma Programme. The Diploma Programme is a two-year programme for students aged 16-19 that prepares them for higher education and beyond.
The Diploma Programme has maintained a 100% pass rate for several consecutive years.
The Diploma Programme prepares students for higher education and beyond.
1. Begin your application via the online application form. The online application form is hosted on OpenApply, and our admissions team is available to support you from the first enquiry to the first day of school. From the first enquiry to the first day of school, our admissions team guides you through the process, answering questions to ensure that ISSH is the right fit for your child. For personalised support, you can reach the admissions team throughout the process.
2. If applying to the Early Learning Centre (ELC), the admissions process takes about two weeks. We have limited places available in the ELC Programme, so it is advisable to begin your application early and schedule a personalised tour of the ELC. You can schedule a tour and seek further information by contacting the admissions team.
3. For Primary School admissions (ages 6 to 11), after submitting the application documents you will be invited to visit ISSH and meet our admissions team in person. A trial day for your child is encouraged as part of the process. If relocation makes in-person visits difficult, we are happy to meet you online.
4. For Secondary School or High School Diploma programmes (ages 11 to 19), submit the completed application form along with supporting documents, including school reports and letters of recommendation. ISSH will arrange academic assessments in English and mathematics, followed by an interview with the admissions team. For local Schaffhausen applicants, a trial period at ISSH will also be organised to ensure a good fit with our community.
5. For the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), complete the application form and submit supporting documents. We will conduct an academic assessment to evaluate English and mathematics skills, then arrange a meeting with our academic team to discuss university aspirations. A trial day is encouraged to give your child a genuine taste of IB learning at ISSH.
6. For the Boarding Programme (ages 14 to 19), schedule an online meeting with our admissions team to guide you through submitting the boarding application and supporting documents. We will arrange assessments in English and mathematics, as well as interviews with both our academic team and Head of Boarding. You are welcome to visit the campus to experience daily life at ISSH.
ISSH offers a financial assistance programme with reduced rates. Reduced rates may be available through the financial assistance programme, and eligibility details are described in the Financial Regulations. Cantonal childcare subsidies may be available for families registered in the Canton of Schaffhausen who are employed or unemployed; details are in the Financial Regulations.
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