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Accreditation & Affiliation

Accreditation and Affiliation

ICS has embarked upon the next phase in its re-accreditation cycle. This cycle comprises a Preparatory Evaluation phase, a Self-Study phase, and culminates in a Joint Team Visit in early 2023.

Accreditation

The IB accreditation experts who visited ICS in 2016 reported that ICS is considered a school which goes beyond offering a good programme - its programme delivery is exceptional.

ICS first achieved accreditation in 2006. Following a joint visit of IB, CIS, and NEASC our accreditation was renewed in January 2017. The results of the Visiting Teams' report were excellent. In particular, the experts commended, "The entire school community for putting into action the principles underlying the school's mission." Furthermore, ICS staff were applauded for "embracing the Guiding Statements in their classroom practice." They also praised our school community "for creating a warm, welcoming and positive school climate where respect is nurtured."

"During our time on campus, the Visiting Team learned more about the school's past four years of accomplishments, its current self-evaluation and future challenges. There has been significant change and accomplishments since the last Preparatory Visit, and the Visiting Team in its report highlighted how and why these developments and achievements have occurred."

In particular, the re-accreditation experts commented on the collegial and harmonious spirit of ICS. "The faculty and staff enjoyed one another's company. Our discussions were frank, open and helpful and the class visits revealed teaching and learning characterized by student engagement, mutual respect between faculty and students and guiding statement impact."

The re-accreditation confirms the recognition of ICS as an exemplary international school operating in the non-profit sector of private education. Visiting Team Report 2016 (IB, CIS, NEASC)

ICS is an International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) World School. We are the only school in Zurich fully authorised by the IBO to offer three IB programmes - the Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes.

The Council of International Schools (CIS) describes its School Evaluation & Accreditation Process as a flexible, yet rigorous, vehicle for school improvement which leads to highly valued international recognition of the school. The process involves evaluation of a school in the light of the school’s own Guiding Statements (such as its Mission/Vision for Students/Educational Objectives,etc) and the CIS Standards for Accreditation. These Standards are designed to ensure that a school is offering an international education of high quality.

The New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) says of its accreditation process that: "An accredited school is one which has available the necessary resources to achieve its stated purposes through appropriate educational programmes, is substantially doing so, and gives reasonable evidence that it will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. Institutional integrity is also addressed through accreditation."

Memberships

The Inter-Community School Zurich is an authorised IB World School accredited to offer all three programmes of the International Baccalaureate – Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP).

ICS is extremely proud of its membership in the prestigious Round Square - a global community of schools whose students are working hard to make a difference in the lives of others, while also learning more about themselves. See more about our Round Square membership here.

ICS is a member of the following organisations:

Associations

In addition, ICS is proud of its association with the organizations:

Partnership

 

Find out more about the IB Programme at ICS

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