Community Life

At ICS, you are home

ICS is a mutually supportive community where staff supports students, students support each other, and parents support the whole school community.

When one begins their journey within the ICS community, there is a shared understanding of the path walked to arrive in this beautiful corner of the world. Our students are our ambassadors, their kindness and their care, are hallmarks of the uniqueness of the culture that is ICS, made strong and purposeful by the outstanding teachers at the School.
Ms Lucy M. Gowdie, Head of School

At ICS, we understand the unique challenges and benefits of being a part of an international community. Our flexible and comprehensive education prepares students to realise their full potential. At the same time, our students and families develop a strong sense of community life both in the school and in our beautiful community in Zumikon.

Your family will quickly feel at home at ICS. Our Student Ambassadors, teachers, specialists, and staff will ensure a smooth transition for your children. Families are warmly welcomed by the ICS Parents' Association and encouraged to join the many activities and events that are offered throughout the school year.

Culture of Care

We believe that children learn best in a nurturing environment where they feel supported in learning. Our culture of care extends beyond our own community, and we offer many opportunities for service learning: in helping others, students also learn about themselves.

ICS teachers and students have created a culture of care through almost six decades of the school’s existence. The ICS mission statement encourages members of our community to fulfil their responsibilities.’ A school-wide code of conduct reminds students that they have a responsibility to the ICS community. This year, these five principles are being taught to students under a new framework.

Building Positive Learning Environments

A wealth of extra-curricular clubs and activities gives students more ways to engage with their peers. The prestigious Round Square organisation teaches the ideals of global citizenship. We offer numerous programmes to help families transition to their new community.

Our parent community is heavily involved in everyday life of ICS through our parent volunteer programme. Plus, parents benefit from a strong Parents’ Association, which provides support and a social network for our international families.

ICS is a mutually supportive community of learners. Staff supports students, students support each other, and parents support the whole school community. Our culture of care extends beyond our own community. At ICS we offer many opportunities for service learning: in helping others, students also learn about themselves.

Inspiring Spaces on a Single Campus

Our campus is nestled in a quaint village outside Zurich. Surrounded by fields and forests, it inspires the mind and relaxes the senses.

ICS creates teaching and learning spaces where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and respected. Establishing a shared language around which a positive approach to learning is built is essential. ICS has adopted a pro-social code, which provides this anchor point across the school.

Campus Hub

Centralisation of all learning spaces on the Strubenacher campus

The ICS Campus Hub project will complement the two current buildings on the Strubenacher campus by adding a third building to house additional classrooms and sports facilities. This modern and versatile new building replaces the existing gym at the corner of Strubenacher and Ebmatingerstrasse.

Student Well-being

ICS is a safe and welcoming place where children can learn and grow within a caring and supportive environment.

We have programmes across the school focusing on the emotional, social and physical well-being of our students. Our counsellors support and advise students.

In addition, from time to time we bring in outside experts to advise and educate students, parents and staff on key issues such as internet safety and substance abuse.

Promoting Positive Behaviour

ICS is committed to creating a learning environment where everyone feels they are safe, welcomed and respected - and promoting positive behaviour is fundamental to achieving this aim. Our behaviour guidelines ask students to have respect for themselves and for others, and we set clear behaviour expectations and provide guidance to help our students understand their responsibilities.

In Primary School, these principles are known as The Tiger Code. The code is taught explicitly, and students are expected to know and understand it.

In Senior School, everyone is responsible for promoting the positive behaviours, known as the five principles of pro-social behaviour, needed to support ongoing learning and well-being.

Primary School - The Tiger code

We believe that promoting positive behaviour is fundamental to achieving this aim. We set clear behaviour expectations, define appropriate consequences if these expectations are not met, provide guidance and help our students understand their responsibilities.

In Primary School, these principles are known as The Tiger Code. The code is taught explicitly, and students are expected to know and understand it.

In the opening weeks of the school year, focused activities helped students quickly learn and appreciate the code. Through the grade levels, teachers used a range of age-appropriate methods to instil this culture of care.

Teachers regularly guide students on how to apply the code when situations arise. Reflection on situations also revolve around how students applied the code. For example, in the Primary School, students identify examples of the code in action and reflect on how the elements of the code will create a positive learning environment. Primary assemblies are used to reinforce the importance of the code in fun or engaging ways.

Senior School

In Senior School, everyone is responsible for promoting the positive behaviours, known as the five principles of pro-social behaviour (safe, ready to learn, respectful, responsible, kind), needed to support ongoing learning and wellbeing. Behaviour expectations apply at all times, both inside school and during school-related activities outside school. It is a culture based on collaboration, consistency and ongoing conversations.

In Senior School, the daily application of these principles is at times complex. Situations can be more nuanced and may demand cross-cultural understanding. Teachers regularly discuss the school’s expectations and their application in various settings. For example, the specifics of being safe might mean something different in Science class than in Art class. Another example is the ICS Digital Citizenship Agreement, which details the application of these principles in an online environment.